YOUNG ACTORS INVITED TO APPLY FOR FULLY-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIP WITH BELL SHAKESPEARE    

Aspiring young actors from regional and remote areas can now apply for a fully-funded scholarship to learn from some of the country’s most respected actors, directors and educators at Australia’s national theatre company.

The John Bell Scholarship provides three talented high school students the opportunity to travel to Bell Shakespeare’s headquarters in January 2019 to take part in the intensive week-long program.

After being flown to Sydney, the recipients will undertake acting masterclasses and backstage tours, observe rehearsals and watch live performances of the company’s first production for 2019, The Miser, starring founder John Bell.

The week will culminate in the recipients staging a performance of their monologues for The Miser cast, before receiving expert feedback and career advice.

Bell Shakespeare’s Artistic Director Peter Evans said that the program was a key part of Bell Shakespeare’s ongoing commitment to nurturing new talent and sharing Shakespeare as widely as possible.

“It is such a pleasure to give these regional students the opportunity to experience immersive Shakespeare instruction, and to be mentored in the engine room of Australia’s national theatre company.

“This is a phenomenal opportunity that can help set the stage for a career in theatre. For example, we were excited to learn that one of our 2018 John Bell Scholarship recipients, Kuda Mapeza, has been announced in the cast of the upcoming production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Melbourne,” he said.

Applications close on Friday 12 October 2018 and should include a video audition featuring a one-to-two-minute Shakespeare monologue.

To audition, students must be at least 16 years of age by 21 December 2018, and still be at high school full-time in 2018.

The shortlist will be announced in November 2018 with the successful recipients announced in December 2018.

All details including registration forms, suggested monologue lists and instructions for submitting videos are available at www.bellshakespeare.com.au/learning/scholarships/