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
Chess Success for TGS
How many sporting teams can boast claiming over a quarter of a century of consecutive Championship titles? Well, the Toowoomba Grammar School Chess Team can do exactly that! In an impressive feat for any discipline, TGS has just won its 28th consecutive Toowoomba Secondary Chess Championship title. All secondary schools from Toowoomba were invited to attend the championships which were held over two days 6-7 August. Toowoomba Grammar Schools Open team placed first with 18 points out of 20, our…
Top Volleyball Coach at TGS
Toowoomba Grammar School Director of Volleyball, Mr Eric Smith is one of the highest ranked volleyball coaches in Queensland following a recent accreditation course. Eric attended the first ever Australian-based Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Level 2 Coaching Clinic in July. The five-day course involved both theory and practical work with the 29 participants really put through their paces, led by FIVB Educational Instructor and multi-national coach Mr Peter Nonnenbroich. This…
TGS Musician Selected for S.H.E.P
Some wonderful recognition for talented Year 8 musician, Finlay Waring. Finlay was offered a place in the prestigious State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) for Southeast Queensland. SHEP was held at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Brisbane from 15-17 July, with the first wo days consisting of workshops and rehearsals, culminating in a concert on the final day. Finlay was part of the wind ensemble, which was made up of 80 students and he was one of eight students playing 1st Clarinet.…
Chess King at TGS
International Chess Master and professional player, Gary Lane is sharing his skills and knowledge at the three-day Toowoomba Grammar School Chess Clinic (June 21-23). Mr Lane has won the Commonwealth Chess Championship and represented Australia at several Chess Olympiads. He is the author of over thirty chess books and has arrived at TGS after just playing in the premier division of the Doeberl Cup, 'The Australian Chess Grand Prix'. Mr Lane will provide expert advice on chess strategy and…
Mr Phil Kefford - Head of House - Stephens Boarding
“If students are educated the right way, they will make a difference in whatever community they live and work in.” That is the philosophy of Toowoomba Grammar School’s new Head of House, Stephens Boarding, Mr Phil Kefford. Phil grew up in Warrington, in the north west of England and realised early on that he came from a place where “I had just one shot to get out and I had to focus and work hard to do that.” He was accepted into university in London where he fell in love with History, was…
Student's Script to the Stage
Toowoomba Grammar Acting Academy (TiGAA) performers are excited to take to the Empire Theatre stage to present a play written by one of our very own students. There are not many schools that can boast an entire production of this calibre being created solely by the students, and TGS is thrilled to support our talented young men and provide them with this opportunity. Greek Mythology for Millennials has been a three-year project by Year 12 student, Gabriel Donaldson. The work was shortlisted in…
Future Film Stars at TGS
Toowoomba Grammar School could have the next Stephen Spielberg in its midst, with Year 11 student, Ben Rosenberg reconised at a National Film Festival for the second consecutive year. Ben won '2021 Best Director' at the Nextwave Youth Film Awards which were held in Coffs Harbour last week. The award was for his film ‘Time Macheen’ which also won the 'Best Film' for the 15-17 years category. Toowoomba Grammar School also won the Best School Spirit Award (1 of only 3 schools awarded), for their…
Super Swimmers Bring Back National Medal Haul
Toowoomba Grammar School swimming club is celebrating after a very successful National Age Championship representation in Adelaide from April 12-19. Three swimmers brought home five medals between them, ranking them among the best in the country in their respective age divisions. Mackenzie Grimes won silver in the 13 years girls 50m backstroke and silver in the 13 years girls 100m backstroke. She was also selected to represent Queensland in the 4 x 50m mixed medley relay. Sienna Deurloo won a…
The Gift of Music
The Gift of Music Janelle Fletcher with past and current studentsYou can feel the pride and passion exude from Janelle Fletcher as she reflects on her thirty-year career as a Music Tutor at Toowoomba Grammar School. “It’s a long time to stay in any job,” she admitted. “But working with the boys, seeing how important it is to have music in their lives and to develop not only as musicians but as people, that’s what’s kept me here.” Janelle believes staff in an all-boys’ school have a real…
