LAMDA Scholarship Award Winners 2024
LAMDA is delighted to announce four exceptional 2024 Scholarship Awards for talented students studying on its MFA in Professional Acting postgraduate course.
In the current economic and political climate, scholarships are vital lifelines for many of our students, allowing them to benefit fully from their LAMDA experience. Our small cohorts of around thirty students ensure that we can provide bespoke training and support to each learner, enabling them to meet their full potential. Scholarship support is essential for the future of the industry, building a talent pipeline that properly reflects the rich fabric of today’s society.
We hope the testimonials of the students below convey how crucial this financial aid is to their wellbeing and commitment and thank each trust and foundation for their invaluable support of our scholarship programme.
The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) established the Laurence Olivier Bursary in 1987, commemorating the award’s namesake. Its financial assistance makes a profound difference to the life of a young actor at the start their journey to make an impact on British theatre. Each year, UK drama schools nominate students approaching their final year of training. Students are awarded the Bursary based on both financial need and talent.
Alasdair Linn has been awarded a SOLT Laurence Olivier Bursary 2024.
‘I felt great relief and gratitude when I learnt SOLT awarded me the Laurence Olivier Bursary. It enables me to fully utilise my LAMDA training - preparing characters and approaching texts with rigour - and opens more time for valuable industry conversations.’
The Sir John Gielgud Charitable Trust created the Sir John Gielgud Bursary Award and for decades since it has supported actors as they complete their training before embarking on a professional career. The Trustees bring a wealth of industry experience and insight when selecting students from UK drama schools for financial support, considering the positive impact financial assistance can make to those whose talent has truly emerged during their actor training.
Samya De Meo has been awarded a Sir John Gielgud Charitable Trust Bursary Award 2024.
‘This bursary is truly life changing. It ensures I can complete my training and lifts a heavy burden off my shoulders. Coming from a single-parent household with no financial stability, money has always been a barrier to accessing training and opportunities. Receiving this bursary means I can finally fulfil my lifelong dream of graduating from LAMDA.’
The Lionel Bart Foundation Bursary Award embodies the values of the great songwriter and musical theatre artist after whom it is named. The Foundation provides financial assistance to undergraduate and postgraduate drama school students at critical moments in their training, when being able to focus fully on developing one’s talent is paramount before entering the profession.
Mariama Mansary has been awarded a Lionel Bart Foundation Bursary Award 2024.
‘I’m deeply grateful for the support The Lionel Bart Foundation has given me; I can now experience my final year as simply a student wanting to learn and take in all the gems LAMDA has to offer.’
The BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme supports talented British creatives looking to enter the screen industries. Their scholarship offers financial assistance and mentorship opportunities to help create opportunities for successful applicants to study eligible UK undergraduate and postgraduate courses in film, games and TV.
Beko Wood has been awarded a BAFTA UK Scholarship 2024.
‘Being awarded this scholarship has been a lifeline for me at this stage in my development. I was sure I wouldn’t go to drama school because I already had student loan debts from my first degree, but having had the opportunity to audition, I was drawn to LAMDA, and consider myself very privileged to be here. It has been a huge boost to my experience and confidence as an actor, and I hope it can continue to do so for others.’
