The Luke Westlake Scholarship 2021 is welcoming submissions from second-year drama school and university performance students until the 25 October deadline.
The scheme specifically offers graduating students financial and career developmental support.
As they launch their careers, it is a period of significant outlay on top of their training costs, as they have to meet the expense of union subs, database subscriptions and marketing materials, frequently whilst working zero-hour jobs for the flexibility they offer to attend auditions.
These arrangements can disproportionately impact those from less advantaged backgrounds, an inequity that JAM seeks to help rebalance with this scholarship for working-class drama students.
The recipient of the Scholarship will receive a year’s Spotlight membership, subscription to The Stage, headshots, showreel, stage combat training, tax return accountancy, £500 towards rent and a series of meetings with agents and casting directors, and a range of other prizes. All shortlisted applicants will receive a casting director workshop.
Ayomide Adegun, winner of the scholarship last year, is now in his final year at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and said, “the Luke Westlake Scholarship has helped me incredibly in the past 9 months. Financially and resourcefully, I feel on par with everyone that has come from a better social standing as me.”
Actors in their second year of training at drama school or University can apply through the JAM web site, submitting a statement and a 2-minute self-tape monologue.
Shortlisted applicants (announced on 1 November) will work with casting director Faye Timby on a second self-tape, to be judged by a panel who select a winner.