MGCfutures Bursary Programme Seeks Next Round of Theatre Artists

Artistic Director of MGC, Michael Grandage today announces that the second round of MGCfutures Bursary Programme is now open for applications.

MGCfutures is a charity, formed in 2012. The bursaries programme was launched last year for arts practitioners who show a commitment to their chosen career and look to progress to the next stage of their development.

Applicants can apply for bursaries from £500-£5000, to support careers across the theatre industry. Bursaries in round one supported a range of projects including directors and producers who needed help towards funding a workshop, a theatrical milliner who needed help to buy tools for his work and designers who needed to invest in computer assisted design programmes or workshop space.

This year, for the first time, the company has partnered with The Mercury Theatre Colchester to offer a Trainee Director position. The recipient of this (£5,000) bursary will work as Assistant Director on two Made in Colchester productions. Applicants are welcome from all areas of the country, The Mercury Theatre will provide cost of living support as required. Applicants who would like to be considered specifically for this role should indicate this on the application form.

Michael Grandage said today, "It's vital for us as a charity to actively support the next generation of theatre-makers, especially in a time of great financial uncertainty within the arts. MGCfutures Bursary Programme is an important part of the breadth of the work we undertake in this area. We're very proud of the recipients of our inaugural bursaries, who come from a diversity of disciplines across the theatre world. As we open our second round, we look forward to engaging with more brilliant young artists. We're also looking forward to collaborating with The Mercury Theatre Colchester - where I began my own directing career - to appoint a Trainee Assistant Director on two Made in Colchester productions."

Applications must be submitted via the MGCfutures website - www.mgcfutures.com - before 12 noon on Friday 12 May 2017. Please note, bursaries are not available to support training or as commercial investments in productions.

The recipients of the first year's bursaries are Dean Burke - Theatrical Milliner, Camisado Club - Performance Company, Rob Casey - Lighting Designer, Shruti Chauhan - Performance Poet, Ashley Cook - Producer, Rebecca Frecknall - Director, Ella Grace - Singer & Songwriter, Dan Jones - Director, Anna Lewis - Designer, Isley Lynn - Playwright, David Ralf - Producer, Tara Robinson - Director, Rachel Stone - Designer, Selina Thompson - Performance Artist, Leigh Toney - Director, Claire Willoughby - Theatre Maker and Jingan Young - Playwright. Additionally directors Oliver Dawe and Oliver O'Shea, Producer Andrew Hughes and Sound Designer Michael Woods have been offered on-going mentoring relationships with MGCfutures. A selection of their stories can be seen below!

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The future of theatre depends on young people. They are the theatre makers and theatre goers of tomorrow. MGCfutures reaches out to people of different ages and backgrounds, providing information, guidance and support through mentorship, the Bursary scheme, online resources, workshops and participatory activities. It is also committed to enabling young people to visit the theatre who might otherwise not be able to do so.

MGCfutures is a charitable organisation, governed by a Board of Trustees. MGCfutures Education Associates, Dominic Francis and Samantha Lane, develop workshops and online materials to support theatre-goers to get the most out of their experience, especially those visiting a theatre for the first time.

MGCfutures is also supported by the charity's patrons: Judi Dench, Dawn French, Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, Daniel Radcliffe, Simon Russell Beale, SheriDan Smith, David Walliams and Ben Whishaw.

"MGCfutures understands that artists need practical support, as well as encouragement and mentorship, in order to be empowered to make good work. It's exactly the investment I need at this stage in my career to keep raising my ambitions." - Isley Lynn - MGCfutures Bursary recipient, 2016

To find out more about the charity's work, and how to get involved, contact via the Education Associates at info@mgcfutures.com.

The MGCfutures Bursaries are funded through money raised by the company itself. As the company continues to expand the scheme, individual donors and supporters are being sought.

The recipients of the awards are selected from an industry panel including Michael Grandage. After the panel, each recipient will be met with to discuss their bursary and the support MGCfutures will give each one moving forward.

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