Ayomide Adegun wins the Luke Westlake Scholarship 2020
The winner of the Luke Westlake Scholarship 2020 was Ayomide Adegun of Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, receiving artistic and financial support for his final year of training and first steps into the industry.
The First Year under the Luke Westlake Scholarship Name
In 2020, JAM renamed the scholarship in memory of Luke Westlake, a friend of the company and a talented working-class actor who trained at ArtsEd.
Winner
Ayomide Adegun, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.
Support
More than £3,000 of artistic and financial support.
Final year
Designed to support final-year training and early career costs.
Supported by
Industry Minds and British Association for Performing Arts Medicine.
Supporting Actors as they Leave Training
The Luke Westlake Scholarship is an award set up by JAM to reward a second-year BA drama school or university student with artistic and financial support for their final year of training and first years in the industry.
The scholarship was established after JAM recognised that many actors were being priced out of their careers once they left training. After spending thousands of pounds learning their craft, actors still need to purchase union membership, database subscriptions, marketing materials and other essentials.
Many actors also work zero-hours jobs so they can attend auditions at short notice, while lacking the contacts and support networks that can help them get their foot in the door.
Why the scholarship matters
- It supports working-class actors at a vital transition point.
- It helps with the hidden costs of entering the industry.
- It provides training, subscriptions, mentoring and career support.
- It honours the memory and values of Luke Westlake.
A Scholarship Renamed in Luke's Honour
In 2020, the scholarship was renamed in memory of Luke Westlake, a friend of JAM and a talented actor who trained with Kristian and Kyle at ArtsEd from 2014 to 2017.
A diligent, fierce, working-class actor, Luke represents everything the scholarship stands for. JAM is grateful to Luke's parents, Bridgette and Lee, for giving their blessing to change the name of the scholarship in his honour.
2020 supporters
The 2020 scholarship was generously supported by Industry Minds and the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine, known as BAPAM.
Industry Minds
Supporting the scholarship and helping JAM continue its work around mental health, access and industry support.
BAPAM
The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine supported the 2020 scholarship alongside Industry Minds.
The 2020 Shortlisted Actors
The 2020 shortlist featured actors from drama schools and training institutions across the UK.
The 2020 Scholarship Prize Package
The 2020 scholarship included a wide range of prizes designed to support Ayomide's final year of training and first steps into the industry.
Support for the Shortlist
The shortlisted actors also received professional development opportunities through the scholarship.
The 2020 Scholarship Panel
The 2020 scholarship recipient was selected by a panel of actors, casting professionals, voiceover specialists and JAM representatives.
Ayomide Adegun in the Press
Read more about Ayomide Adegun winning the Luke Westlake Scholarship 2020 through coverage from The Stage, Theatre Weekly and A Younger Theatre.
Explore the Luke Westlake Scholarship
Learn more about the scholarship, view previous winners and discover how Just Add Milk continues to support talented working-class actors as they move into the professional industry.