ITV Studios announces the newest recipient of the Tony Warren Drama Student Bursary

ITV Studios announces the newest recipient of the Tony Warren Drama Student Bursary

ITV is extremely pleased to reveal the third and newest recipient of the Tony Warren Drama Student Bursary as Harry Chalmers-Morris.

Originally from Heald Green, Cheshire where he went to Wilmslow High School, Harry began his training on the BA (Hons) in Professional Acting at LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) this September and is already proving his talent and skills to the teams there.    

On receiving the bursary, Harry said:

“I’m delighted to have got into LAMDA. I may be biased but it feels like a special time to be at such a highly regarded school. The Royal Exchange was my local theatre growing up and to be at LAMDA with Sarah Frankcom as the Director, I feel incredibly lucky and couldn’t wait to start my training.

I’m really humbled to win the Tony Warren Bursary, my first TV memory is watching Coronation Street with my gran. A massive thank you to ITV for this opportunity and Noreen, Carolyn and Gennie for a fantastic audition experience. All actors from the north west are indebted to Tony Warren. He has broken down so many barriers and his legacy will live on for years. I hope to make him proud”.

ITV Casting Director, Gennie Radcliffe, who was part of the audition process for the bursary said:  "Harry absolutely delighted us with his wonderful mix of humour, charm and vulnerability; his passion and drive to never stop learning and to continually improve and hone his craft shone out right through his audition. I can't wait to see what impact LAMDA's world-class training will have on his already incredibly evident talent”.

Lyndel Harrison, Director of Development at LAMDA said: “The financial support offered through scholarships and bursaries make a huge difference to the lives of our students. Programmes such as the Tony Warren Bursary really do help in breaking down barriers and training the next generation of creative artists. We’re so pleased for Harry and are delighted to welcome him to LAMDA this year.”

Launched in 2018 the ITV Tony Warren Bursary chooses a student from the NW each year and supports them throughout their drama training.  For full details and how to apply for the ITV Tony Warren Drama Student Bursary go to:  http://itvresponsibility.com/news/itv-studios-launches-drama-school-bursary/ 

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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 in to 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. 

LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) is a world-leading conservatoire and educational charity offering exceptional vocational training to actors, stage managers, technicians and directors. LAMDA’s core aim is to train and develop the best artists regardless of social or financial background. In 2017, LAMDA moved into its new £28.2 centre for world-leading drama training. LAMDA’s new home features ten large training and rehearsal studios, three theatres - the 200 seat Sainsbury Theatre, 120-seat the Carne Studio Theatre and the Linbury Studio, and a fully equipped digital and audio suite. In January 2018 LAMDA alumni Benedict Cumberbatch was appointed the Academy’s President. In February 2019, Sarah Frankcom was appointed LAMDA’s new Director. Frankcom took up the post in November 2019. For more information visit: www.lamda.ac.uk