Applications Are Now Open for MTC's Indigenous Scholarship Program 2018

Melbourne Theatre Company, in partnership with the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development at the Victorian College of the Arts, is continuing the Indigenous Scholarship Program in 2018 with an expanded program designed to foster career pathways for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people interested in the performing arts.

Scholarship recipients will receive unique learning opportunities through a series of workshops on performance skills, writing for the stage, technical and design production, and arts marketing. Under the mentorship of Indigenous teaching artists and facilitators, as well as experienced MTC staff and creatives, participants will conclude the Program with a group-devised performance for family and friends at Southbank Theatre, The Lawler.

Participants will also attend a variety of live performances including comedy, dance, musical and theatre shows, and have the opportunity to meet with industry professionals across multiple disciplines to learn more about potential career pathways.

Over the course of the Program, the Wilin Centre will offer support and assistance with submitting applications to study at the Victorian College of the Arts for those who wish to explore further education.

MTC Executive Director Virginia Lovett said, 'This program is a fantastic opportunity to learn from highly skilled and knowledgeable industry professionals in a real working environment. For MTC, it is incredibly rewarding to work with young First Nations people passionate about a career in the arts and help them take the next steps in gaining further education or employment in the field.'

2017 Indigenous Scholarship Program recipient Shaniqua said, 'The course was more than I expected - very eye opening into the theatre industry. All the love and learning I got from this program will definitely stay with me. I think I turned out to be a stronger performer than I thought I was! Being in the rehearsal rooms at MTC HQ was amazing - I felt at home and like I was meant to be there.'

MTC's Indigenous Scholarships are part of our Sharing the Light initiative generously supported by Crown Resorts Foundation and the Packer Family Foundation. Now in its third year, Sharing the Light continues in 2018 with $5 tickets to MTC shows and travel subsidies for disadvantaged schools; $5 tickets to MTC's annual Family Programs for outer-metro residents, and a regional Victorian and Tasmanian tour of MTC's Education Production, Hungry Ghosts.

Applications are open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people between the ages of 17-22 until Friday 11 May.

Find out how to apply for the MTC Indigenous Scholarship Program.

Read more about the Sharing the Light initiative.