SOLT Reveals Laurence Olivier Bursaries 2015

Nineteen gifted students from drama schools across the UK were today awarded almost £73,000 worth of bursaries by Society of London Theatre (SOLT) in order to help them complete their training. The Clothworkers' Foundation bursary is worth a total of £37,500 over five years with £7,500 awarded to a student annually as part of the Laurence Olivier Bursaries scheme.

Established by SOLT in 1987 in honour of the 80th birthday of Lord Olivier, the Laurence Olivier Bursaries aim to provide financial support to exceptional students entering their final year of drama school who are also facing financial difficulties in continuing their studies. The rigorous nature of acting courses means it is often impossible for students to undertake paid employment while training and the aim of the bursaries is to remove some of this financial burden.

Previous bursary winners have included Bryony Hannah, Paterson Joseph, Ewan McGregor, Daniel Rigby, Vinette Robinson and Michael Sheen. Last year's bursary recipients included Juma Sharkah who was nominated for an Olivier Award 2015 for her performance in Liberian Girl at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court.

Each year, the Principals of 20 drama schools from across the United Kingdom submit two nominations for the bursaries scheme. These nominees are then auditioned on a West End stage and interviewed by a panel of theatre industry professionals led by leading West End producer and Chair of the Olivier Bursaries Committee Lee Menzies.

Presenting the 19 recipients with their bursaries at a ceremony on Thursday 25 June 2015, Lee Menzies said:

"As ever, the standard of applicants this year was extremely high, making the selection process very difficult.

"As national arts education funding continues to be reduced, the support we are able to offer students through the Olivier Bursaries is needed more than ever. We are extremely grateful to all our donors and, for the second time, the Clothworkers' Foundation for the significant amount of money they pledge via the Clothworkers' Laurence Olivier Bursary.

"The support we are able to offer via all the bursaries not only allows the recipient to continue their studies with a much needed financial cushion, but also gives them the means to see their peers perform across the UK's stages, an incredibly crucial part of their development."

Funds awarded through the bursaries scheme can range from £500 to a maximum of £7,500 and are given at the discretion of the judges. Funds donated by The Behrens Foundation, The Casting Directors' Guild and by leading London theatrical agent Barry Burnett are given in conjunction with the scheme.

The 2015 bursaries are awarded as follows:

Laurence Olivier Bursaries:
Scott Mackie (Guildhall School of Music & Drama)
Farran Mitchell (Manchester School of Theatre)
Baker Mukasa (The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama)
Lily Nichol (Arts Educational Schools London)
Rayxia Ojo (Arts Educational Schools London)
Alec Poore (The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama)
Christopher Royle (The Oxford School of Drama)
Rebecca Saffir (East 15 Acting School)
Rachel Smart (Birmingham School of Acting)
Emily Stonelake (Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance)
Connor Vickery (Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama)
Jacoba Williams (The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts Ltd)

The Clothworkers' Laurence Olivier Bursary:
Brad Morrison (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)

The Behrens Foundation Bursary:
Matthew Hopkinson (Drama Centre London)
Shane Murphy (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
Kate Newman (Drama Centre London)

Carmen Silvera Bursary:
Billy Irving (Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts)

Mary Selway Bursary:
Luke Brady (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)
Aaron Pierre (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art)

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