S4C has announced the winners of its new drama scholarship and bursaries scheme.
Three young Welsh-speaking actors have been supported by broadcaster S4C as part of the channel’s ongoing work to promote diversity and representation within the creative industry in Wales in partnership with the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.
Undergraduate acting student Lauren Morais from Cardiff won the Diversity Scholarship, while Angharad Evans Quek from Swansea won the bursary for a student on the Young Actors Studio programme, which provides actor training and theatre-based classes for young people aged 7 to 20. Lauren is about to appear in the College’s upcoming performances of Welsh playwright Gary Owen’s ‘Love Steals us from Loneliness,’ February 10, 11,13,14 and 15.
Speaking about the opportunity, Lauren said: “I am so grateful to receive the scholarship. It will be a huge help to me when I begin my acting career outside RWCMD. I am very excited about what the future has to offer and the opportunities the scholarship has created for me. Thank you so much.”
Angharad added: “It was an honour and a pleasant surprise to hear that RWCMD nominated me for an S4C award. I would like to thank them for all the support I received through its Young Actors Studio. The opportunity to experience industry connections and guidance from professionals has been incredible. This award from S4C has boosted my confidence and motivation to achieve my goals and to always strive for excellence.”
S4C also provided funding towards a further bursary as part of Arts & Business Cymru’s CultureStep investment programme. This funding allowed the College to create an additional undergraduate diversity scholarship for a Welsh-speaking acting student which has been awarded to Kellie-Gwen Morgan from Llandeilo.
Kellie-Gwen expressed her delight at securing the scholarship, saying: “I’m so grateful to S4C/Arts and Business Cymru for this scholarship. It will give me such a chunk of support, taking away a percentage of the financial barrier and allowing me to completely focus on the training. As a proud Welsh girl, studying and coaching at RWCMD is a privilege and, with the help this scholarship will give me, I am very excited about extending my skills in the next three years, and beyond!”
S4C’s Head of Scripted Gwenllian Gravelle paid tribute to the collaboration: “This is the first time S4C and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama have worked together like this and I am delighted that Lauren, Angharad and Kellie-Gwen have benefited from the bursaries. The focus of the scholarship and bursary is to support Welsh-speakers who may face barriers due to their ethnic background or race, disability, or significantly disadvantaged socio-economic background to improve diversity and inclusion within the Welsh-language performing arts. It is part of S4C’s aim to establish a clear pathway and provide support so the sector reflects Wales today – both on and off-screen.”
Principal of RWCMD Professor Helena Gaunt said: “Scholarships and bursaries for students with protected characteristics and for those in financial need are helping us to become a different kind of conservatoire, one that is more welcoming, relevant, diverse, and accessible. Awards like the new S4C Scholarship help us to attract and nurture artistic talent and provide opportunities for those who are exceptionally gifted, whatever their financial circumstances. We are so grateful to be partnering with S4C to develop and grow this important work and to deepen representation and inclusion in the creative industries.”
The partnership between S4C has been shortlisted for the 2023 Arts & Business Cymru Business and Diversity Award. Winners will be announced on March 23.
