Darcy Dixon wins the Luke Westlake Scholarship 2024
Following over 179 applications for this year's scholarship, Darcy Dixon was announced as the winner at the annual award ceremony on 5 December 2024 at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.
The biggest year yet for the Luke Westlake Scholarship
Charity Just Add Milk announced Darcy Dixon as the winner of The Luke Westlake Scholarship 2024. The scholarship was kindly sponsored by Act On This - The TV Actors Network.
179+ applications
Over 179 applications were received for the 2024 scholarship.
29 institutions
Applications came from drama schools, universities and training institutions across the UK.
Eight finalists
Eight finalists were chosen from the national application process.
Over £6,000 support
Darcy receives financial and developmental support as she graduates and enters the acting industry.
About Darcy Dixon
Darcy Dixon grew up in South East London and is proudly working class. A student at RADA on a full scholarship, Darcy says she wants to make work that evokes change in the world.
Darcy is also a trustee on the board of Go Live Theatre Projects, a charity that uses the power of theatre to create inspiring experiences and unlock possibilities for young people.
At 19, Darcy was the Co-Vice Chair of the Black Head Students Network, a national network of young leaders committed to propelling Black youth and achievement within schools.
Darcy's scholarship support
- Over £6,000 in financial and developmental support
- Support over the next few years as she graduates and moves into the acting industry
- A one-year Spotlight membership and one-year The Stage subscription
- Lunches with leading industry professionals, including Becky Paris, Head of Casting at The Globe
What the scholarship means
"This is our sixth year of hosting the scholarship and our biggest yet. Darcy's application and shortlist self tapes were unanimously lauded by the panel - she's an incredible talent. We're excited to watch Darcy's talent grow in her final 18 months at RADA and we can't wait to watch her flourish when she enters the industry in the Summer of 2026. Darcy represents everything the scholarship stands for, so we're delighted to support another brilliant working class actor."
"It is vital to ensure that talented artists are supported whatever their circumstance so that the arts are representative and accessible to everyone. The Luke Westlake Scholarship is a wonderful initiative that plays an important role in opening doors. We are so grateful for this support and delighted that Darcy will benefit from this opportunity. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition."
Finalists eligible for BAFTA's Prince William Bursary
Following graduation, all eight finalists will be eligible to apply for BAFTA's Prince William Bursary, thanks to Just Add Milk's partnership with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
The bursary is a fund that financially supports early-career creatives.
Finalist pathway
- Eight finalists selected from over 179 applications
- Applications received from 29 institutions across the UK
- BAFTA Prince William Bursary pathway available after graduation
- Additional support for early-career creatives entering the industry
The 2024 shortlisted actors
Eight finalists were chosen from over 179 applications received from 29 institutions across the UK. Use the image URL setup section at the top of this code to add each finalist headshot.
The 2024 selection panel
The 2024 scholarship winner was selected by a panel of industry professionals, the Westlake family and representatives of Just Add Milk.
2024 Scholarship Sponsor
The Luke Westlake Scholarship 2024 was kindly sponsored by Act On This - The TV Actors Network.
The 2024 scholarship prize package
The Luke Westlake Scholarship 2024 provides financial and developmental support worth over £6,000, including professional subscriptions, creative resources, training, vouchers and meetings with leading industry professionals.
About The Luke Westlake Scholarship
The Luke Westlake Scholarship is an annual award that provides an actor with financial and developmental support worth over £6,000 in their final years of training as they graduate from university or drama school and begin to navigate their way into the industry.
The scholarship was established in 2019 when Just Add Milk realised that many actors were being priced out of their careers before they even graduated.
After spending tens of thousands of pounds on training, actors must then pay for subscriptions, plays, headshots, equipment for self-tapes and other necessities to support themselves - with those from working-class and low-income families losing out due to the financial demands of the industry.
The scholarship is named in memory of Luke Westlake, a friend of JAM and a talented actor who trained with them at ArtsEd from 2014 to 2017. A diligent, fierce, working-class actor, Luke represented everything the scholarship stands for, and JAM is grateful to be supported by his parents, Bridgette and Lee, in keeping Luke's memory alive.
"We are delighted that the scholarship so kindly dedicated by JAM to the memory of our son Luke continues to grow from strength to strength. It is an amazing opportunity and we urge all those eligible to apply. We look forward to seeing another excellent field of candidates and this year we hope to meet in person to celebrate the fantastic talent that we know will come forward."
Darcy Dixon in The Stage and RADA
Read more about Darcy Dixon winning the Luke Westlake Scholarship 2024 through coverage from The Stage and RADA.
Find out about the Luke Westlake Scholarship
Applications for the Luke Westlake Scholarship open annually. Full eligibility criteria, deadlines and current sponsorship details are listed on the main scholarship page.