TED AND MARY O'REGAN ARTS BURSARY

2010 BURSARY AWARDED

In all, a total of three awards have been made this year, enabling local artists, Nick Kavanagh, Sue Healy and Michael Quinlan to advance their careers in film, literature and theatre. Actor and writer, Nick Kavanagh, who recently starred in Waterford Youth Arts production of Dark of the Moon and is currently in rehearsal with Red Kettle, has been offered €2000 to help fund the filming of a pilot episode of a six-part TV drama entitled Morbid & Sons. Writer, Sue Healy, a recent graduate of the University of Norfolk’s prestigious MA programme in Creative Writing has been offered a similar award which will enable her to avail of residencies at established writer’s retreats over the next twelve months.

In addition to these, two further awards have also been made. The Theatre Royal Variety Show bursary will enable local actor, Michael Quinlan to undertake a one year Acting Course at the Central School of Speech and Drama at the University of London. Michael is a veteran of the local amateur musical and theatre scene and hopes the course will enable him to work full time as an actor. Finally, Waterford City Enterprise Board has offered a marketing support award to ethnic musicologist, Stephen Walsh. Mr. Walsh intends to run a series of workshops in local schools based on ethnic musical instruments and the award will provide a professional marketing backup to his proposal.

Bursary Committee Chairman, Bertie Rogers, said that whilst the large number of applications reflected the current economic climate, they also provided compelling evidence of both the range and quality of artistic activity in Waterford city and county. Mr. Rogers stated that all three successful applicants had proven track records in their respective fields and he was confident the bursaries would assist them to take a critical next step towards achieving their artistic goals. He wished to pay tribute to Bursary Assessor Victor Merriman and, in particular, to thank the Bursary’s many benefactors, who maintained their support for the project in the face of extremely difficult financial circumstances.