The Empire Opens Applications for Prestigious Brian Boak Bursary
The Empire has started the search for the exceptional young artist who will be awarded the highly prestigious 2024 Brian Boak Outstanding Performer Bursary.
The bursary, which is awarded biennially, will see the successful applicant receive up to $20,000 to put towards further study and career development.
The Empire Foundation Chair, Janelle Fletcher said the life changing Brian Boak Outstanding Performer Bursary offered support to the next generation of artists who have already shown exemplary skills and international potential in their chosen fields.
“This bursary is offered by The Empire’s Foundation to provide support to someone wishing to pursue studies or professional development in the areas of acting, dance, singing or instrumental performance,” Ms Fletcher said.
Our past recipients have all gone on to undertake some incredible development projects including our most recent recipient Morgan Carter who is currently studying Opera in Manchester, England at The Royal Northern College of Music
Janelle Fletcher, The Empire Foundation Chair
“Theatre creator and actor, Emily Goddard’s bursary allowed her to study at Ecole Phillip Gaulier in a style that informed her creation of her sensational one woman show, the acclaimed This is Eden, which she is now working towards adapting for television,” she said.
“Australian tenor and 2013 recipient Paul Tabone, worked continuously in Europe, in the role of Piangi (The Phantom of the Opera) on West End, returning to The Empire in 2021 for a performance with local choral singers, Love and Other Lessons and 2022 with Golden Days.
“Other successes we have seen from this bursary include trumpet player and conductor Sam Nester, who completed a composition and performance project and saxophonist Angela Davis, who was able to record an album thanks to the funding.”
The Brian Boak Outstanding Performer Bursary was made possible through the generosity of the late Brian Boak, a theatre enthusiast and strong supporter of both the arts and The Empire in Toowoomba.
Applications for the $20,000 Outstanding Performer Bursary are now open and close Monday 26 February.
The Empire’s Foundation is proudly supported 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 and to apply for the Brian Boak Bursary, visit empiretheatre.com.au.
#What’s New
After four sold-out shows in September of this year, Theatre of Magic is returning by popular demand to The Empire for a six-month series of performances.
The Empire Foundation has continued their commitment to supporting and nurturing the young performers of the region with the presentation of the 2024 Empire Youth Bursaries.
The Southern Queensland Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) will shine a light on talented artists across Southern Queensland with the creation of a high-quality publication aimed at celebrating the spirit and stories of Southern Queensland art and culture.
A remarkable true story of unity, humanity and hope lands on The Empire stage when Tony and Olivier Award-winning hit Broadway musical Come From Away performs from 14 – 23 March 2025.
The Empire’s popular family festival Thrive on Arts will return from September 26-29, celebrating all things nature and the environment.
In the lead-up to 2024 NAIDOC Week celebrations, The Empire launched their Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in support of their ongoing commitment to fostering reconciliation in Australia.
