2026 Laurence Olivier Bursaries Awarded to Nine Drama School Students

The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and the Theatre Development Trust have awarded Laurence Olivier Bursaries to exceptional drama school students, providing them with vital financial support as they enter their final year of training.   

Now in its 39th year, the bursary scheme was established in 1987 to celebrate Laurence Olivier’s 80th birthday and continues to champion the next generation of acting talent. It is awarded to students who demonstrate extraordinary promise but face financial barriers to complete their training.  

In addition to the Theatre Development Trust, this year’s bursaries were made possible by the generous support of the Estate of Sir Peter and Lady Saunders, The Clothworkers’ Foundation, the estate of Carmen Silvera (via Barry Burnett), and The Casting Directors’ Guild.      

Nominees are put forward by drama schools across the UK and invited to audition in central London. Each nominee is also interviewed by a panel of theatre professionals, chaired by SOLT President and Executive Director at Sonia Friedman Productions, Kash Bennett.  

Past recipients include some of the UK’s most celebrated performers, such as Michaela Coel, Denise Gough, Paterson Joseph, Ewan McGregor, and Michael Sheen.  

Bursary recipients:  

Laurence Olivier Bursary 

Donated by the Theatre Development Trust  

Bonnie Lowden (Manchester School of Theatre) 

Charlotte Jameson (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School) 

Finley Miller (ArtsEd) 

Jay Gherie (Rose Bruford College) 

The Sir Peter and Lady Saunders Laurence Olivier Bursary   

Donated by the Estate of Sir Peter and Lady Saunders  

Annie McGinn (Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama) 

The Clothworkers’ Laurence Olivier Bursary  

Given in conjunction with the Laurence Olivier Bursary, donated by The Clothworkers’ Foundation  

Jack Wright (The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama) 

Carmen Silvera Bursary    

Given in conjunction with the Laurence Olivier Bursary, donated by the agent Barry Burnett  

Jola Olajide (Guildhall School of Music & Drama) 

Phoebe Douglas (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) 

The Casting Directors’ Guild Bursary  

Given in conjunction with the Laurence Olivier Bursary, donated by The Casting Directors’ Guild    

Asante Finlay (Urdang) 

Laurence Olivier Bursaries Panel:  

Kash Bennett (Executive Director at Sonia Friedman Productions, SOLT President and Bursary chair)  

Heather Basten (Casting Director and Member of The Casting Directors’ Guild)  

Lee Menzies (Producer and SOLT Member) 

Winnie Imara (Producer & Writer, and SOLT Associate Member)