Michael Grandage today announces the recipients of the seventh annual MGCfutures Bursaries awarded across a range of theatrical disciplines including directing, writing, producing, designing, performance-makers, and for the first time a puppet maker and a theatrical shoemaker. A registered charity, MGCfutures offers both financial and ongoing mentoring support to the recipients who come from across the UK.
This year’s recipients are Tom Bailey, Jessica Brigham, Nur Khairiyah Bte Ramli, Sarah Burton, Ruth D’Silva, Sharon Kanolik, Lubna Kerr, Roisin McCay-Hines, Louise Orwin, Em Spoor, Eleanor Taylor, Nikhil Vyas, and Alice Ortona Coles and Nicola Holter who receive Stephanie Arditti Bursaries, and Carys-Haf Williams who becomes The Other Room Production Manager Placement.
The bursaries programme was launched in 2016 for arts practitioners who show a commitment to their chosen career and look to progress to the next stage of their development.
Michael Grandage said today, “With writers, directors and producers sitting alongside shoemakers and puppet makers, the recipients this year perfectly encapsulate the unique nature of this charity and its mission to encourage all disciplines within the theatre industry. MGCFutures has now given over half a million pounds to 141 people and we are looking to the future with renewed optimism – today’s announcement is a wonderful demonstration of that.”
2023 has been a significant year for the charity – in addition to the bursary scheme, MGC commissioned and produced previous bursary recipient Marcelo Dos Santos’ critically acclaimed Backstairs Billy with Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans at the Duke of York’s Theatre; and Emma Corrin joined MGCfutures as a patron.
