The Neil Curnow Award is made possible through the generous bequest of the late Neil Curnow, an extraordinary man of the theatre based in Adelaide. Following his impressive career as an actor, director, teacher and voice coach, Neil made a bequest through the Independent Arts Foundation to support emerging South Australian theatre people through this prestigious award. We are honoured to continue his legacy today.
The Neil Curnow Award is available to final-year students and graduates aged between 18 and 30. The purpose of the award is to support an emerging artist to undertake further study or career development in acting/theatre performance or direction.
“Being given the opportunity to undertake a world-renowned masterclass in screen acting will not only enhance my artistic development as an actor, but it will further my career within the film industry and allow me to bring this knowledge back to Kaurna Yerta. I am so excited and incredibly grateful to Helpmann for this career-changing experience.”
Ren Williams
2024 Recipient
Valued at up to $7,000 for graduates wishing to undertake interstate study and up to $10,000 for graduates wishing to undertake international study, the award supports the recipient to undertake further study or an internship at a recognised institution.
Ren Williams received the Neil Curnow Award in 2024. She is an actor, writer, director, and co-founder of independent theatre company CRAM Collective. After graduating in 2020, Ren made her directing debut with Deadset Theatre Company’s show Truck Stop along with winning State Theatre Company South Australia’s Young Playwright Award for her play Modified. After forming CRAM in 2021, Ren performed in and produced their world premiere of Something Big following the sold-out New World Coming, a show created in five days.
In October 2024 Ren will travel to London for a four-week acting course with the Actors Studio and then head to an intensive one-week course at the world-famous International School of Screen Acting. Both courses will provide Ren in-depth training for acting in screen along with a professionally shot showreel and media package.
The award is facilitated by the Helpmann Academy on behalf of the Independent Arts Foundation.
KEY DATES
Applications open on Monday 23 September 2024
Applications close on Sunday 27 October 2024 at 11:59pm
For activity occurring between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Helpmann Academy (08) 7089 0720 / info@helpmannacademy.com.au
AWARD PARTNER
Images: (1) Ren Williams in Edith. Photo by Kyle Davison (2) Ren Williams in Erebus. Photo by Brooke Bowering