Melodie Karczewski wins the Luke Westlake Scholarship 2021
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama student Melodie Karczewski was announced as the 2021 recipient of the Luke Westlake Scholarship, becoming the second consecutive student from the college to win the award.
A powerful year for the Luke Westlake Scholarship
Melodie Karczewski, from Thanet in Kent, was selected from the strongest shortlist to date and became the scholarship's first disabled winner.
Winner
Melodie Karczewski, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Second year
Melodie was studying on the BA Acting course at the time of the award.
Eight finalists
The 2021 shortlist featured actors from drama schools across the UK.
Career support
The prize package included subscriptions, coaching, meetings, training and practical career support.
About Melodie Karczewski
Melodie Karczewski is from Thanet, Kent, and was a second-year student on the BA Acting course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama when she won the Luke Westlake Scholarship 2021.
She became the second consecutive student from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to win the scholarship, following the previous year's winner, and was also the scholarship's first disabled recipient.
Melodie spoke movingly in her application about the importance of support, community and access for actors who do not have a family network or established industry contacts behind them.
Melodie's scholarship support
- Financial and practical support as she continued her training.
- Professional subscriptions and industry resources.
- Coaching sessions, workshops and 1-to-1 industry meetings.
- Support from Just Add Milk and its wider network of creative partners.
What the Scholarship Means
"Melodie's talent in her audition tapes was undeniable. Her performances translated as truthful and authentic, something even the most accomplished actors can struggle to achieve."
"Melodie is a very worthy winner of the Scholarship this year, from the strongest shortlist to date. We are fully invested in her exceptional talent, unique story and now, journey."
"It would give me a support network that I wouldn't really get otherwise... I could use the support and I could use the help."
The 2021 Shortlisted Actors
The 2021 shortlist featured Rawaed Asde, Rebecca Bell, Lee Braithwaite, Ibraheem Hussain, Melodie Karczewski, Meg Olssen, Olivia Simpson and Evie Ward-Drummond.
The 2021 Scholarship Prize Package
The 2021 prize package included professional subscriptions, coaching, vouchers, industry meetings, training and practical support as Melodie continued her acting journey.
The 2021 Scholarship Panel
The 2021 scholarship recipient was selected by a panel of industry professionals and representatives of Just Add Milk.
Melodie Karczewski in The Stage and Broadway Baby
Read more about Melodie Karczewski winning the Luke Westlake Scholarship 2021 through coverage from The Stage and Broadway Baby.
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.