2023 Empire Theatres Youth Bursaries Now Open

The Empire continues in its goal to nurture and develop young talent in the region with the opening of applications for the 2023 Empire Youth Bursaries.

Young people aged between 12 and 25 are invited to apply for the bursary program, funded by the Empire Theatres Foundation, which will enable them to attend professional development short courses at leading Australian performing arts institutions.

The bursaries aim to assist young creatives who demonstrate involvement and achievement in performing arts across a range of disciplines including dance, acting, instrumental music, singing, music theatre, film and television.

Many former recipients of the bursary have gone on to tertiary study and the establishment of careers in their fields including actor and filmmaker Charlotte Chimes who returned to The Empire this year when her film was screened during the national tour of Flickerfest, and dancer Lilly McCarthy-Cole who next year will undertake an exchange from Western Australian Academy of Performing to Arts (WAAPA) to the prestigious Purchase College, The Conservatory of Dance in New York.

In 2022, Empire Theatres Foundation awarded a record $26,000 in bursaries funded to 35 local young artists in what was highest number of recipients and funds since the beginning of the program.

Recipients have hailed from areas including Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley, South Burnett, Western and Southern Downs.

The 2022 recipients attended short courses at WAAPA, National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), Queensland Ballet, Queensland Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium, Empire Youth Arts and more.

Empire Theatres Foundation Chair, Janelle Fletcher said last year’s applicants were a particularly outstanding group and she looked forward to seeing this continue with 2023 applications.

“This year, like other years, we are looking for those self-motivated students who are engaged in the arts, and who are looking to give to the arts long term,” she said.

Since 2010, more than close to 500 bursaries have been awarded.

The Empire Youth Bursaries are now open to any Australian citizen between the ages of 12 and 25 with applications closing on August 4.

The Empire Theatres Foundation is proudly sponsored by Bernoth Properties, DP Wealth Advisory, Downlands College, Greenridge Group, Horizon Accounting, Clifford Gouldson Lawyers, The Arbour Boutique Apartments and Wearing Memories.

For more information or to download an application form visit www.empiretheatre.com.au or call 4698 9938.