Thirteen students from drama schools around the UK have been awarded Laurence Olivier Bursaries by the Society of London Theatres to help them to complete their training.
The bursaries totalling £55,500 were awarded by SOLT president Mark Rubinstein on 21 June, who said, "Following a highly competitive audition process and a remarkable display of ability our thirteen winners have been chosen.
"These bursaries allow the students to concentrate on their critical final year of studies by easing the financial pressures of drama school. I am looking forward to seeing them all on West End stages very soon."
Originally set up in 1987 in honour of Olivier's 80th birthday, the bursaries are to provide financial help to exceptional students entering their final year of drama school who are facing financial difficulties. The principals of selected drama schools each submit two nominations, and the nominees are auditioned on a West End stage and interviewed by a panel of theatre professionals chaired by producer Lee Menzies.
The 2012 Laurence Olivier Bursaries of between £1,000 and £7,500 were awarded to Lydea Perkins (Academy of Live and Recorded Arts), Saul Matlock (Central School of Speech and Drama), Eva-Jane Willis (Drama Centre), Ken Nwosu (Drama Centre), Nathalie Wain (East 15), Jessica Madsen (Guildhall School of Music and Drama), Jocasta Henry-Bray (Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts) Francesca Zoutewelle (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) and Heledd Gwynn (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama).
Also, the Carmen Silvera Bursary, given by the agent Barry Bunett in memory of the actress Carmen Silvera, went to Stefan Adegbola (Guildhall School of Music and Drama) and the Behrens Foundation Bursary, established by merchant banker Michael Behrens, went to James Reid (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art), Tafline Steen (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and Sarah Hinds (East 15)