The Laurence Olivier Bursary was established by the Society of London Theatre in 1987 to commemorate Lord Olivier’s 80th Birthday.
The Bursary aims to help students at the end of their second year who have potential talent, but are facing financial difficulties in completing their studies. The demands of third year course work make part-time jobs almost impossible and it is at this stage that students who have managed to finance two-thirds of their course are in particular need of financial help.
Each summer the Society invites the principals of the drama schools with three year drama courses accredited by the National Council for Drama Training to submit two nominations for the Bursary. The nominees should be reaching the end of their second year and fulfil the dual criteria of financial need and potential talent. About 40 students are entered each June and audition before a panel of Society members. The candidates are also interviewed by the judging panel.
The Society gives four bursaries worth £7,500 each and a number of other organisations give their own bursaries in conjunction with the Society’s scheme:
The Behrens Bursary - introduced in 1999 by the E M Behrens Charitable Trust: one bursary of £5,000 and a further sum of £4,800 to be allocated at the judges’ discretion.
The Price Hazeldine Bursary - £1,800 given each year.
The Personal Managers Association Bursary - £1,800 given in alternate years.
The Mary Selway Bursary - £2,000 given in alternate years.
Previous Bursary beneficiaries include Michael Sheen, Ewan McGregor and Paterson Joseph.
