HONOURING EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMING ARTS
In honour of our beloved former Artistic Director, Shiona Carson, this award recognises the outstanding achievements of young talents in drama. With the total of HK$50,000 the award will recognise the achievements of five outstanding students from S4A programmes, each receiving HK$10,000 to support their artistic journey.
The Shiona Carson Award for Excellence is a prestigious initiative designed to honour the legacy of Shiona Carson and her passion for empowering young people through drama education. The monetary award aims to empower youths with experiential learning opportunities, fostering their talents and enabling them to make a transformative impact through drama education.
Who was Shiona Carson?
Shiona Carson was the Artistic Director of Shakespeare4All Hong Kong (S4A) (registered charity) from January 2015 to July 2022. Shiona was responsible for conceiving, developing and implementing the artistic vision and mission for S4A.
Under Shiona’s artistic directorship, S4A has now grown to be the leading all-round English children’s theatre company of Hong Kong, with an outreach of over 16,000 children each year participating in our classes, performances and theatre workshops.
How to Apply
Submit a personal statement of 300 words maximum explaining how you would like to spend the award on the programme of choice and how it would benefit your drama education needs. Please submit this to s4acommunity@gmail.com.
Applications are open until 30 May 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
The applications will be reviewed by a Shiona Carson Award of Excellence (SCAE) Committee Panel.
The awardees will be notified shortly to give them time to apply for their chosen programmes throughout the year in advance.
Requirements/Eligibility
- This scholarship is for students aged 8-18 who have joined previous S4A programmes from October 2024 to March 2026
- Drama experience requirement - state which S4A programme(s) you have joined in 2024/2025/2026
Awardee Disbursement Disclaimers
- Awardees will have 24 months to use the funds
- Awardees must keep records of their spending and explain how the funds have supported their experiential drama education goals
- Recipients aged 15 and older will receive the full amount upfront
- Recipients under 15 will receive the funds in one of their parent’s names
- S4A reserves the right to make changes or adjustments to the amount of students
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific types of programmes can the scholarship be used for?
The scholarship can be used for a variety of programmes, such as drama workshops, theatre performances, or experiential learning opportunities. For a full list of eligible programmes, please refer to the Application Form.
Could international programmes or workshops outside of Hong Kong be covered?
Both local and international programmes may be covered, depending on their relevance to your drama education. For a full list of eligible programmes, please refer to the Application Form.
What criteria will the SCAE Committee use to evaluate the applications?
The SCAE Committee will be looking for your passion for drama, creativity, and how you want to grow through this opportunity. Here's what they'll focus on when reviewing your application:
- Your 300-word personal statement
- Your interview performance (if you're shortlisted)
- The types of programmes you're interested in
- Feedback from your S4A tutor
Is there a limit on the number of applications an individual student can submit ?
Yes, only one application per year is allowed for each student.
Will award recipients have to provide any follow-up reports or presentations about their use of the scholarship?
Award recipients may be invited to share their amazing experiences at S4A events! This is a great chance for you to inspire other young actors and talk about what you’ve learned from your programme.
Can I apply if I joined an S4A programme before 2024 (e.g. 2022)?
To be eligible for the SCAE 2025-2026, you must have participated in an S4A programme from October 2024 to September 2025. But don’t worry! Since SCAE is a recurring award, you can still sign up for another programme with us this year, which would make you eligible to apply for SCAE 2026 - 2027.
Contact and support
If you have any questions about the award, the process or if you need support, please feel free to contact us by phone during office hours or email us.