Toowoomba Grammar School 2022 Year 12 graduate, Ryan Murphy is one of only four aspiring young actors who have been announced as the winners of a prestigious scholarship with renowned theatre company Bell Shakespeare. The 2022 John Bell Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for young actors from regional Australia to learn from some of the country’s most accomplished actors, directors, and educators.
Ryan was selected alongside Joe Appleton from Ballarat Grammar, Victoria; Lilliana Davis from Gosford High School, New South Wales; and Cate Greenwood from Atherton State High School in Queensland.
The young actors will travel to Bell Shakespeare’s Sydney headquarters in January 2023 to train with the Company, undertaking acting and skills-based masterclasses as well as touring backstage at Sydney Opera House, watching live theatre performances, and observing rehearsals for Bell Shakespeare’s upcoming production of Macbeth. The week culminates with each student performing a Shakespeare monologue for the cast of Macbeth, receiving feedback, practical career advice and mentoring from professional actors and theatre creatives.
Joe Appleton said: “I am extremely fond of Shakespeare's work and am ecstatic to be working with Bell Shakespeare to begin 2023! Thank you so much! I am so very grateful for this scholarship.”
Lilliana Davis said: “Receiving the John Bell Scholarship feels as if a stepping-stone towards a future on worldwide stages, like my dreams aren’t as far-fetched as they seemed!”
Ryan Murphy said: “Achieving this scholarship means so much. It’s an opportunity to learn and grow as a performer whilst nurturing my passion for performing with other like-minded people.”
Cate Greenwood said: “This scholarship recognises my hard work and the experience will inspire me to take the daunting next steps in life after high school. Thank you.”
Bell Shakespeare’s Head of Education Joanna Erskine said: “John Bell himself was a young budding actor from a regional Australian town. He knew firsthand the lack of opportunities for young people outside of major cities, and how lifechanging the arts can be.
“The John Bell Scholarship provides training, pathways, mentorship and access to conversations with working professional artists, that support talented young artists to enter the Australian arts industry.
“We are excited to meet and work with the four recipients, and deeply grateful to the many donors and government partners whose support makes this lifechanging opportunity possible”, continued Ms Erskine.
Bell Shakespeare artists auditioned students online and in-person across the country, working with each student on their chosen Shakespeare monologue. The winners were selected by a panel including Bell Shakespeare’s Artistic Director Peter Evans and Founding Artistic Director John Bell.
For information about the John Bell Scholarship go to https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/john-bell-scholarship.
KEY DETAILS:
ABOUT THE JOHN BELL SCHOLARSHIP
- The John Bell Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for budding performers to spend one incredible week training with Bell Shakespeare at the company’s HQ in Sydney.
- Winners undertake acting masterclasses with Bell Shakespeare artists, observe rehearsals, receive specialist training, see live theatre, and more. They also have the opportunity to perform their winning monologue for Founding Artistic Director John Bell, Artistic Director Peter Evans, and Bell Shakespeare artists, receiving feedback and mentoring.
- All auditioning students undertake a 15-minute, one-on-one Workshop Audition where they work directly with a Bell Shakespeare artist.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older and be enrolled in a regional high school full time in the year they apply for the scholarship.
- Auditions take place both online and in-person
ABOUT BELL SHAKESPEARE:
Bell Shakespeare is Australia’s national theatre company specialising in the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Founded in 1990 with the dream of sharing Shakespeare’s plays in a way that was relevant and exciting to all Australians, the company has evolved further than its visionary founder, John Bell AO, could have hoped.
Today, Bell Shakespeare tours major theatre productions, education programs and outreach initiatives to every state and territory in Australia and beyond. Performing and teaching in theatres, schools, youth justice centres and regional and remote communities, the company enjoys unrivalled reach and impact, further extending its influence through innovative digital programs.
Latest News
The future looks bright for Old Boy Will Anderson
Each year up to ten TJ Ryan Memorial Medals and Scholarships are awarded by the Queensland Government to support exemplary students in their pursuit of tertiary studies. With a history dating back to 1927, the award recognises the outstanding leadership demonstrated by nominees in their school and the local community along with academic excellence in their senior high school years. Will has been awarded a $10 000 scholarship over five years to support his pursuit of a Bachelor of Medical…
TGS Old Boy Uses UniSQ Physiotherapy Degree for Career Dreams
TGS Old Boy (2018-2023), Jimmy White is going from strength to strength. The 17-year-old is proud to be part of the University of Southern Queensland’s (UniSQ) first Bachelor of Physiotherapy cohort. “The Physiotherapy program is great – it’s new and completely different to anything I did at school,” Mr White said. The Toowoomba Grammar School graduate received a UniSQ Academic Excellence Chancellor’s Scholarship, awarded to students who achieve an ATAR 97 or above. “I decided I wanted to stay…
TGS Student Represents Australia in Ice Hockey
Congratulations to Year 12 student, Hugh Campbell who has been selected to represent Australia in the U18 Men’s Ice Hockey Team. The team will be competing in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championships from 17-23 March in Puigcerda, Spain. Hugh will fly out with his team mates on 8 March for some intensive training at the AIS European Training Centre in Gavirate, Italy in the week prior to the championships. Hugh Campbell in action
Full Scholarship for Film Student
Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to announce Year 12 2023 graduate, Ben Rosenberg has been awarded a full scholarship to study a Bachelor of Film and Television at Bond University. The announcement was made on Saturday, 25 November following Ben's participation in the Bond University Film and Television Awards (BUFTA). He submitted his films “Golden Hour” and “Mitchell” to the competition. Out of 260 films nationally and internationally, Ben’s films were in the final 27. Ben went on to win:…
TGS Student Wins Short Film Festival
Year 12 student, Ben Rosenberg has won the Open Category, ‘Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary’ at the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival. The award recognises Ben's brilliant documentary about Year 9 student, Mitchell Wilkes as he battles with slowly losing his vision. Mitchell and his family joined Ben's family at the awards, celebrating the success together. Congratulations Ben - and Mitchell - the TGS community is proud of you both! Watch Ben's film "Mitchell" here…
TGS Masterplan Unveiled
Toowoomba Grammar School is embarking on an exciting new phase with the commencement of our inspiring Masterplan. This landmark multi-year project is designed to anticipate the needs of students in our rapidly changing global society and to provide our current and future boys with outstanding learning environments and opportunities. Phase One of the plan will see the development of a first-class Technologies Precinct to expand and consolidate the existing Industrial Design and Technologies…
Highest Honours for TGS Performers
Two Year 12 students have recently achieved highest honours in their respective disciplines for Performing Arts. Talented singer, Ruben Fitton was recently awarded an achieved A+ High Distinction in his AMEB Grade 8 Classical Voice Examination. Thank you to TGS Music teacher, Wendy Evans who accompanied Ruben and has been a wonderful support. Ruben Fitton and Wendy EvansWill Anderson has successfully completed, with distinction, an Associate Diploma in Saxophone Performance through Con Brio…
TGS 2023 O'Callaghan Cup Champions
Toowoomba Grammar School has taken out the 74th annual O'Callaghan Cup with a nail biting 38-33 victory on Saturday, 19 August. It's the fourth consecutive year that TGS has secured the win in the iconic rugby match. Full credit to the Downlands College 1st XV who fought valiantly until the very end. Year 12 student, Richard Dean was named TGS Old Boys’ Player of the Match, with TGSOBA President, Mr Mark Creedon stating "he bought magic to the game". Grammar Downlands Day dates back to 1931,…
TGS Students Gruelling Challenge for Breast Cancer
Four Toowoomba Grammar School students are participating in the gruelling Kokoda Pinnacle Challenge – Race for the Cure - to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. The Challenge involves three stages, testing endurance and physical and mental resilience: A 30-kilometre trek on the Sunshine Coast that was held on Saturday, 22 AprilA 48-kilometre run in Brisbane on Saturday, 3 June that had to be completed within 12 hoursA 96-kilometre race, with 6km elevation to be held on the Gold Coast…
