Drama students awarded more than £50k from SOLT’s Laurence Olivier Bursary

Published Tuesday 8 July 2008 at 16:55 by Alistair Smith

Thirteen second-year drama students have been given a total of more than £50,000 of funding through the Society of London Theatre’s Laurence Olivier Bursary scheme.

The awards were established by the Society of London Theatre in 1987 to commemorate Olivier’s 80th Birthday and aim to help students at the end of their second year who have potential talent, but are facing financial difficulties in completing their studies.

SOLT invites the principals of the drama schools with three-year courses accredited by the National Council for Drama Training to submit two nominations each. About 40 students are auditioned before a panel of SOLT members and are also interviewed by the judging panel.

This year, SOLT gave three bursaries worth £7,500 and a further eight ranging from £2,200 to £5,000. Three bursaries were also awarded in conjunction with the Personal Managers Association, the EM Behrens Charitable Trust and Price Hazeldine. Previous beneficiaries of the awards include Michael Sheen, Ewan McGregor and Paterson Joseph.

This year’s winners are Orlando James, Asif Khan, Leemore Marrett Jr, Frances McNamee, Dana Gartland, Thomas Nelson, Anouska Eaton, James Morris, Joshua Jenkins, Lee Rufford, Iddon Jones, Ryan Cerenko and Brodie Ross and Louis Mackenzie.