Salisbury drama student offered first Dawn Sturgess Bursary
The scheme's been set up in memory of the novichok victim
A Salisbury based drama student will get financial help towards her studies, after being awarded the first ever Dawn Sturgess Bursary.
Cassia is attending the Rose Bruford College in London, and has been given £10,000 a year funding for living costs. She said:
"This bursary means I can breathe easy in a way I didn’t think possible. Before being offered the bursary, I didn’t realise how much the stress of costs was clouding and tainting my feelings around drama school. Now, I can allow myself to feel excited; I can think and plan, knowing I’ll be able to get the most out of my training.”
The Dawn Sturgess Bursary has been set up by Dancing Ledge, the production company behind the Salisbury Poisonings drama, in partnership with Wiltshire Creative.
It's open to Wiltshire residents aged 18 to 25, who have an accepted offer for a full-time acting course in the UK.
The other two shortlisted candidates this year, Katie and Mollie, impressed the panel so much that they'll also be supported with £2,500 a year, through the bursary scheme.
Beneficiary Mollie said:
“This bursary creates a sense of relief and freedom for both me and my family. I now feel secure in my financial situation over the course of the next 3 years and reassures me that I can focus on my studies without having to worry about my finances. I'll be able to put my time and energy into focusing on my work at Rose Bruford.”
Katie, who's receiving support, said:
“I’m very grateful to have been awarded this bursary in memory of Dawn Sturgess. This bursary will allow me to fully immerse myself in my 3-year degree course meaning I will be able to gain the most out of my training. The knowledge that I will be supported throughout my time at drama school by Wiltshire Creative and Dancing Ledge Productions has reassured me that I will be able to fully apply myself to my drama school experience.”
The Bursary was set up with the support of Dawn Sturgess' family.
Stan Sturgess, Dawn’s father said:
“With the uncertainty of the cost of living, the timing of this news couldn’t be more welcome and to know that not only one young aspiring actor, but three students, will benefit from this Bursary set up in Dawn’s name is just wonderful. Helping them to be able to study and follow their dreams is something that I know Dawn would be very proud of and I’m sure she will watch their careers blossom from above closely as we will ourselves.”
Laurence Bowen, CEO & Chris Carey, MD, Dancing Ledge Productions said:
“Nurturing emerging talent is at the core of what we do at Dancing Ledge, and it is a great honour to provide this in Dawn’s name. We are proud and excited to champion talent from her home county, and we are thrilled to be able support the beneficiaries that have been selected. Working with Wiltshire Creative to find the suitable recipients has been a rewarding experience and we look forward to what the future brings for these talented individuals.”
Louise Dancy, from Wiltshire Creative said:
“(We're) delighted to be working with Dancing Ledge Productions, and are thrilled to be able to award this bursary to these talented beneficiaries to enable them to access high quality drama training. We are passionate about championing local talent, and equal access to opportunities which are sadly unattainable for so many. The events surrounding the Novichok attack in 2018 are still very much present in the hearts and minds of those in Salisbury and across Wiltshire so it is fitting that we can honour the memory of Dawn Sturgess in this way.”