SCHOLARSHIPS

“The Kevin Cruise Foundation has been amazing in helping to provide our students with access to training through their scholarships. It is helping to build skills for life and potentially a career in the industry"

Megan Jones, MJSPA Principal

Currently we are funding

Our Scholars at the Megan Jones School of Performing Arts

The Kevin Cruise Foundation is currently supporting 9 students at MJSPA to help fund their training. This includes three full scholarships which has allowed students to take part in musical theatre and drama classes throughout the full school year.  

We have also given out three 50% scholarships, halving the fees for those students across the full school term and allowing them to take part in more classes. These scholarships have allowed students to take part in ballet, modern and acro classes.  

Finally, we have our musical theatre scholarships which have allowed another three promising students the opportunity to fulfil their potential.  The scholarships have given students access to some incredible training, helping to develop them as performers but more importantly grow their confidence for life.

The Megan Jones School of Performing Arts offers a range of dance, musical theatre and drama classes for children in Surrey, led by former West End leading lady, Megan Jones. With studios in Egham, Addlestone and Chobham the school covers RAD Ballet, Musical Theatre, Drama, Acro, Tap & Modern and is proud to have some of the best teachers in the area with professional industry experience. Students also have the opportunity to perform at dance festivals, attend masterclass workshops and get on stage in the annual charity show. 
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The founder, Megan Jones, brings a wealth of experience to the school, having worked in both the TV industry and on the West End stage. She is a qualified Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teacher and has a background in children's television, notably in CBBC's The Sparticle Mystery. Her team includes skilled teachers with professional industry experience, many of whom have performed in West End productions. Megan is now on a mission to develop the next generation of local performers. At the heart of the school are the students. Megan makes it clear that “Our job is to not just develop performers, it’s to grow the mental, emotional and social wellbeing of young people. To nurture great performers but even better people.

“The opportunities the Kevin Cruise Foundation have been able to offer young people is incredible and I can’t put into words enough how amazing these scholarships are. Sadly training in the arts is not accessible for all and being able to offer training to young people who have a natural talent for musical theatre but may not otherwise be able to access it, is fantastic. Young people today are growing up in a challenging world and the safe space we offer, with the help of the Kevin Cruise Foundation, can reach and help even more students. Martin and Lisa work tirelessly for local young people and we are very proud to work with them each year.”

Sammy Fonfe, BTS Principal

Our Scholars at the Berkshire Theatre School

The Kevin Cruise Foundation is currently supporting two full scholarships, two 50% scholarship and six school holiday workshop places.

The Berkshire Theatre Company (BTC) offers high-quality performance opportunities for young people, catering to students of all ages, providing training in acting, singing, and dancing. Its curriculum nurtures talent from early childhood through to young adults, with programs like the "Starlets" group (ages 6-8) to more advanced training for older teens.

Students have the chance to perform in major productions, such as "Shrek the Musical" and "Beauty and the Beast," at renowned venues like the Wilde Theatre in Bracknell and the Whitty Theatre in Wokingham​.

Through its extensive offerings, the Berkshire Theatre School aims to foster a love for performing arts while ensuring that each student receives individualised attention to develop their skills. We have current students starring in West End productions such as Matilda the Musical and Les Miserables. BTS has a strong track record of alumni who go on to top drama schools such as Arts Ed and GSA with successful careers in West End productions and international theatre, including notable shows such as Shrek and Starlight Express​. The school has built a reputation for not just honing talent but creating well-rounded individuals ready for the stage and beyond.
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Esmae Froud: Esmae’s natural singing talent is outstanding and her training at BTS has enabled her to really learn how to use her voice and continue to shine. She thoroughly enjoyed performing at the most recent Kevin Cruise Foundation Ball and confidence has grown phenomenally.
Miles Maskell: Miles has been in receipt of the Kevin Cruise Foundation scholarship for a couple of years now and his musical theatre ability has gone from strength to strength. The training he has been able to receive at BTS has not only meant he has gained lead roles within the theatre school but also gone to play principal roles within his school productions. He has also been able to gain agency representation and is now auditions for professional roles. 
Liam McEvoy: Liam has gained incredible confidence and self-belief, thanks to his training at BTS funded by the Kevin Cruise Foundation. He has been able to enhance his natural talent for musical theatre. Liam has gained not only professional training but a fantastic new circle of friends. He has benefited from the Kevin Cruise Foundation scholarship not only for what he is learning but also for his own personal development. 
Hayden Karize: Hayden is a new student at BTS via the Kevin Cruise Foundation scholarship and after only one term is already an incredible addition to BTS. Hayden has improved dramatically in his first term and continues to thrive in this theatre school setting. He is very much looking forward to performing in his first BTS show.