The Free-Rain Theatre Company Scholarship

To many young people, theatre and performing arts is more than a hobby, it is a passion and hopefully a career.
Free-Rain Theatre Company is very excited to announce a new initiative. 

Free-Rain has a long history of supporting young, emerging artists and theatre production personnel.
In our 30th year, Free-Rain Theatre Company is delighted to announce a Scholarship Program to support young Canberran performing artists and practitioners to pursue tertiary study as a pathway to a professional career in theatre.

In 2026 Free-Rain Theatre Company will be awarding one (1) Scholarship to support a young emerging artist and/or theatre production practitioner, to assist in furthering their studies at a recognised national or international institution.
This Scholarship opportunity is open to residents of the ACT aged between 18 and 25 years. Proof of enrolment in a recognised theatre or dance course must be provided. 

 Applicants are invited from the following disciplines: 

1. Acting for Stage and/or Screen
2. Musical Theatre 
3. Dance
4. Directing for Stage and/or Screen 
5. Technical Production, including Lighting; Sound; Set and Properties; Costume; Stage Management; or courses inclusive of these disciplines.

We are also warmly inviting any Donors who would like to join with Free-Rain in supporting young emerging artists and production personnel to commence their pathway to professional practice in theatre. This is a wonderful opportunity to help secure these young artists’ futures, and to be part of building and growing an exciting Scholarship program with the potential to have a real and lasting impact. By contributing to the Scholarship Fund, Donors would be expanding the number of Scholarships that can be awarded each year, and safeguarding the availability of the Scholarship in perpetuity.

Scholarships available in 2026

• In the inaugural year, 2026, one (1) Scholarship will be offered.
  If additional donors contribute to the Scholarship Fund, the number of Scholarships awarded each year may increase. 

Eligibility

The Scholarship is available each year to a person who:

• has received and accepted an offer to study a tertiary course in one of the above disciplines, at a recognised tertiary institution, either National or International; and can provide proof of the offer, and of having accepted the offer.
• is a resident of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) at the time of application.
• is aged between 18yrs and 25yrs as of 30^th November in the year of application.

Selection Bases / Assessment Criteria 

A combination of: 

1. Academic merit – an applicant’s ATAR score will be taken into consideration, if appropriate, given that the applicant has just concluded high school or has been engaged in a gap year. If the applicant has been engaged in studies at university, results of the previous year/s of study will be considered.
   
2. Financial need – the aim is to give priority to applicants who will significantly benefit from financial assistance, enabling them to participate more fully in their enrolled course.
   
3. Personal attributes such as leadership ability, work ethic, teamwork and character will be considered. These criteria should be addressed in the references provided.
   
4. Experience in different aspects of theatre will all be considered in the assessment. This should be highlighted in the Theatre Arts CV and in the written references provided.
   

How to Apply 

• Submit your application by email to freeraintheatre@gmail.com by  30^th November 2026
• Your application must include: 

1. 300-word statement providing your motivation and reasons for seeking the Scholarship
2. Artistic Theatre CV 
3. Showreel, as appropriate to discipline
   (Please note that the applicant must be readily identifiable in the showreel footage) 
4. For technical applications – designs, images or models are encouraged, as appropriate.

• Applicants must include the name and contact details of two referees. Each referee will be asked to provide a short written reference regarding the applicant’s skills and suitability for the tertiary course that the applicant has accepted an offer to study. Referees may also address aspects of the Assessment Criteria in their statement..

Selection Process

Round 1 – Shortlisting

• Applicants will be notified by email if they are successful in progressing to Round 2.
  Those who have not progressed to Round 2 will also be notified by email.

Round 2 – Interview

• An interview (in person or online) in the second week of December 2026.
  All interviewed applicants will be notified by email of the outcome of the selection process.

Scholarship Selection Panel Members:

• Anne Somes; Adam Somes; Kelly Jackel (nee Somes) and Cate Clelland.
  

Please see Conditions of Award below.
Queries: please contact:  freeraintheatre@gmail.com

CONDITIONS OF AWARD

• Deferment: The Scholarship cannot be deferred. The Scholarship must be utilised in the year following the application. If, for some reason, the applicant determines to defer or not take up the enrolment, this will render the applicant ineligible to receive the allocated Scholarship. The awardee must provide a formal email explaining deferment or not proceeding with the studies, by 31^st January of the year that study was due to commence. Becoming ineligible for the scholarship due to deferment does not preclude the applicant from reapplying and being fairly considered for future scholarship rounds.
  
• Ongoing eligibility: The recipient is required to enrol in a full-time study load. While not encouraged, a recipient may request permission, in writing, from Free-Rain Theatre Company to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis. If approved, payment of the Scholarship would be made on a pro-rata basis.
  
• Cessation of Scholarship: The Scholarship ceases or should be surrendered:
  • If the recipient no longer meets the eligibility requirements
  • If the recipient fails to enrol as required
  • If the recipient changes to part-time enrolment without receiving permission from Free-Rain to retain the Scholarship
  • If the recipient changes their study course/degree/program without permission from Free-Rain to retain the Scholarship
  • on the date on which the recipient withdraws or ceases to attend the tertiary institution, other than for absences agreed by Free-Rain
  • after the fourth annual payment.

• Repayment of Funds:  Subject to the information available at the time, Free-Rain Theatre Company may request that the payment for the year/s in which the breach of conditions or withdrawal occurs be refunded in part or in full.
  
• Taxation: Recipients are responsible for seeking independent taxation advice regarding their own individual circumstances. Recipients receiving Centrelink benefits should be aware that student financial awards such as this Scholarship may affect their Centrelink payments. Student financial awards are regarded as taxable income if a recipient is enrolled on a part-time basis. For more information, visit
  ATO – Calculators and Tools
  Services Australia – income from Scholarships for students and apprentices

• Publicity: The recipient may be requested to participate in publicity for the Scholarship, from time to time. This may include publicity in the state or territory of residence or of studies. Recipients may be contacted for an interview or photograph. Free-Rain may also publicise the Scholarship by publishing the names of the recipients. 
  
• Disclosure and Donor Contact: For the purposes of reporting on the impact of scholarships, the name, course and demographics (for example: age, country or town of residence) relating to a recipient of the Scholarship may be disclosed to Donors supporting the Scholarship. This will not include recipient contact details.The recipient may be asked to write a personal note of thanks or to meet with donors. Any contact between a donor and a recipient will be facilitated through Free-Rain Theatre Company.