wyvern:extra
Essex student wins prestigious acting award
For an impressive seven years out of eight, a student from East 15 Acting
School has won one of the Laurence Olivier Bursaries – the most
prestigious national award for drama students in the UK.
This year, one of the prizes was awarded to East 15 second-year acting
student Emma Garrett, from Hastings, East Sussex.
The bursary will provide some much needed financial support for Emma as
she enters the final year of her BA Degree in Acting. This help will
enable Emma to pursue her dreams, following in the success of other East
15 graduates such as Alison Steadman, Billy Murray and Stephen Daldry to
name a few.
Last year’s winner, Arsher Ali, now a graduate of East 15, has recently
signed with the prestigious London-based agency, PFD. Previous East 15
Olivier Bursary Award winners include Gary McErlane (2003) from Coventry,
Stephen Gill (2nd prize 2003) from Birmingham, Jody Osterland (2002) from
Wales, Kieran Garland (2001) from Sussex, Glen Eagles (2000) from
Merseyside, and Peter O’Connor (1999) from Manchester. East 15 is the
University of Essex's acting department.
John Baraldi, Director of East 15, said: 'This is overwhelmingly wonderful
news for Emma as well as for the school. This prestigious award to Emma
recognises her extraordinary professional potential. Emma is a worthy
recipient, and her success reflects her hard work and talent, as well as
the very fine teaching that happens at East 15.'
The Laurence Olivier Bursary Scheme was set up by the Society of London
Theatres in consultation with Lord Olivier to help the development of
future acting talent for the British stage. The awards are open to second
year drama students attending an accredited drama course accredited by the
National Council for Drama Training. Each of these 22 schools can nominate
only two students.
The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) represents all of the major theatre
producers in the UK, including commercial West End Theatres, The Royal
National Theatre, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The two-day selection
process for the award takes the form of a ten minute audition on a West
End stage, followed by an interview. The selection panel consists of
casting directors from TV and theatre as well as West End producers.
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