Michael Sheen and Manic Street Preachers have got together to help support Welsh drama students with a new scholarship scheme.

Michael said…….

“Opportunity should not only be available to those who can afford it.”

The Mab Gwalia Welsh Drama Student Scholarship will make up to £15,000 available to support up to three eligible students, each academic year..

Obviously there is certain criteria a student must meet to be eligible……

• The applicant must hold a confirmed place at a UK drama school and provide appropriate evidence of that offer or attendance at a UK drama school.
• The applicant must be normally resident in Wales. However, applications will be considered from applicants who are not normally resident in Wales at the time of the application, but have lived a significant proportion of their life in Wales. Please indicate this on the application form.
• Where the applicant is financially dependent on family or carers, the household income of the family or carers must be under £35,000 pa.
• Where the applicant is financially independent, the applicant’s income must be under £35,000 pa.
• The applicant’s personal assets must not exceed £15,000 in value.
• The applicant must provide a strong personal statement with information about themselves, why this matters to them and why they feel this would help them. The personal statement should not exceed 500 words.

Michael added…….

“Access to the best drama training should be a possibility for all those with sufficient talent and dedication regardless of their financial background.

As I have got older I have become more and more aware of how much the career that I have had was only made possible because of the support of a great many people.

I have also realised that unless ALL our voices and experiences are represented in the stories that we tell then ALL of us are worse off for it.

It is to this end that I am setting up the Mab Gwalia Welsh Drama Student Scholarship, funded by myself and Manic Street Preachers.

Each academic year up to £15,000 will be available to support up to three eligible students, based on financial circumstances and a personal statement.”

Having the backing and support of Michael and Manics is a massive boost, and will attract more people into studying who perhaps wouldn’t have considered it previously.

And it’s clear they have a lengthy relationship behind them, we came across this picture which Manic Street Preachers posted back in 2011 – that’s Anna Friel next to Michael.

Full details of the Mab Gwalia Welsh Drama Student Scholarship and terms can be found on the application form, which you can download HERE.

Please download and complete the application form. Completed applications should be sent by email to info@mabgwalia.wales