Sponsorship and Bursaries

Friends of the Theatre sponsor organisations and offer bursaries to performing art students.

Sponsorship Program

FOTT sponsorships are given at the discretion of the FOTT Executive Committee. We specifically support performing arts organisations and events which have a strong connection to the community and have supported the Townsville Eisteddfod, Performing Arts Historical Society of Townsville (PAHST), and the annual Festival of One-Act Plays amongst others.

Bursary Program

With effect from 2024, FOTT introduced two bursary levels aimed specifically at performing arts students intending to study at tertiary level.

Tertiary Study Bursaries

  • For those who wish to study performing arts and who have to leave Townsville in order to pursue their chosen field.

  • A minimum of three $500 bursaries per annum will be offered to first year students , one in each field : dance, music or theatre.

  • Further bursaries may be offered at our discretion should sponsorship and/or funding become available.

TheatreiNQ Bridge Project Bursaries

  • This is in recognition of the outstanding training programme created and run by TheatreiNQ which prepares students for tertiary theatre study.

  • A minimum of two $500 bursaries per annum will be given to TheatreiNQ to be awarded at TheatreiNQ’s discretion.

  • Further bursaries may be offered at FOTT’s discretion should sponsorship and/or funding become available.

NOTE: No application process applies for these bursaries.

  • You will need to have applied for and been accepted into a recognised tertiary institution.

    You will need to be aged between 18 and 25.

  • Submit your application pending successful acceptance. You can email your acceptance letter upon receipt and before the cut off date.

    • Read and acknowledge the terms and conditions

    • To complete this form you must have a gmail account to allow uploading of documents.

    • current resume (max 4 pages) including awards, achievements etc

    • endorsement from your current teacher/ mentor

    • one letter of recommendation

    • copy of the acceptance to the course

    • a one-page letter stating why you are undertaking this course and how this bursary would help you.

    1. You may apply for one discipline only in one calendar year.

    2. You may apply as a first-year student ONLY.

    3. If you are successful, you may not apply again.

    4. You understand that your application will be assessed by a committee comprising two FOTT members and a group of three anonymous peers, representing each of the three disciplines : dance, music and theatre.

    5. You understand that the decision of the assessment committee is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

    6. You understand that while you may not be initially successful, as more funds become available during the year, you may be considered for a second round.

    7. You understand that these bursaries are intended as a gesture of goodwill.

    8. You understand that the terms and conditions may vary from time to time.

    9. Closing date for this round of applications is the 31st January 2025.

The bursary applications are currently closed, however, please click on the link below to find out more information.

2025 FOTT Bursary Award Winners

  • Sebastian Young-Florence

    Winner of FOTT's Music Bursary for 2025. Sebastian is commencing his study of Bachelor of Music Performance at Griffith Conservatorium.

  • Lily Bartlett

    Winner of FOTT's Theatre Bursary for 2025. Lily is commencing her study of Professional Actor Program at 16th Street Actors Studio, Melbourne.

  • Maclyn Scarborough

    Winner of FOTT's Music Bursary for 2025. Maclyn is commencing her study of Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Arts at the University of Queensland.

  • Makenzie Griffin

    Winner of FOTT's Dance Bursary for 2025. Makenzie is commencing her study of Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) at Ettingshausens Pro, Sydney.

  • Alyssandra Higgins

    Winner of FOTT's Theatre Bursary for 2025. Alyssandra is commencing her study of Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA).