ITV Studios announce the fourth recipient of The Tony Warren Drama Bursary

ITV Studios announce the fourth recipient of The Tony Warren Drama Bursary

ITV is extremely pleased to reveal the fourth and newest recipient of the Tony Warren Drama Student Bursary as Johnathan Georgiou.

Originally from Liverpool, Johnathan began training on the BA (Hons) in Professional Acting at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) this September and is already proving his talent and skills to the teams there.    

On receiving the bursary, Johnathan said: “‘I’m over the moon. I can’t explain, seeing the email not long after coming off stage back home in Liverpool was such a surreal moment. I’m completely honoured to have so much financial support put into me and my craft.  It’s taken so much weight off my shoulders.

What the Tony Warren bursary has done for me along with the Royal Welsh College won’t go forgotten, and each day I’m going to strive to get everything I can out of my training, pushing myself to be the professional I aspire to be. Financial worry has been removed and I can’t thank everyone enough for that.’

ITV Casting Director, Gennie Radcliffe, who was part of the audition process for the bursary said: “Jonathan's Liverpudlian twinkle shone out the minute he walked into his audition. He has such a captivating naturalness and intimacy to his acting, making you feel as though you are the only one in the room and the only one he is talking to, he genuinely has you on the edge of your seat. 

The idea that he has three years of world-class training ahead of him at RWCMD to develop these skills even further is incredibly thrilling. Tony was so passionate about wanting to help young actors in financial need and would have absolutely loved Jonathan.  We're very proud to be carrying on his legacy through such exciting talent.”

RWCMD’s Director of Drama Performance Jonathan Munby said, ‘It’s an astonishing achievement and a great way for Johnathan to begin his training with us at the Royal Welsh College. His win underlines the incredible standard of students we have at RWCMD. We can’t wait to have Johnathan with us and we’re very excited to see where his journey will take him. 

We’re truly grateful to everyone at ITV for their support. It’s incredibly important that individuals and initiatives such as this continue to support students who are in financial need. 

It’s vital for the profession that we continue to train artists from all backgrounds and open up the possibility of a life in the arts in as inclusive a way as possible.’

Launched in 2018 the ITV Tony Warren Bursary chooses a student from the NW each year and supports them throughout their drama training.  

[end]

Editors notes:

The Tony Warren Bursary

A professional actor before he became a writer, Coronation Street creator, Tony Warren, was always a champion of local talent and acutely aware of just how difficult it was for disadvantaged young people to get a step on to the drama school ladder. Shortly before his death in 2016 he discussed his wish for Coronation Street and ITV to establish a bursary that would support local actors from disadvantaged backgrounds into training at drama school.   

After extensive research ITV announced the Bursary noting they would work with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) and Manchester School of Theatre, part of Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).

All the above schools are recognised industry leaders who regularly hold auditions in Manchester and the north west proving their links with the city and the region. 

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD)

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama attracts the best creative talent from across the globe. As Wales’ national conservatoire, it fires imagination and drive innovation, offering training to almost 1000 actors, musicians, designers, technicians and arts managers from more than 40 countries. Its students’ extraordinary talent and potential is fused with exceptional teaching and unrivalled industry links, to bring dreams to life. A space for everyone, creative ambition and collaboration are central to our excellence. 

RWCMD students are immersed in a live industry environment from the moment they arrive. With some of Wales’ most prestigious venues, the College operates a dynamic arts centre, and its performance programme of world class professionals is integral to students’ training. It nourishes its future professionals so they push new boundaries and make their mark in the creative industries, aspiring to brilliant careers. The future starts here. 

The College is the first UK conservatoire to achieve a gold standard level of quality assurance across Music, Drama and Under 18s in the recent international Musique, Music Quality Enhancement review. Reviewers were particularly impressed with the College's approach to the individual student experience, multidisciplinary collaboration, and overall ambition, citing RWCMD as a shining example of best practise across European conservatoires, and reflecting the College's exceptional people and unique community.