GSA announces new Ella Balinska Scholarship 2021
Guildford School of Acting is delighted to announce the establishment of the Ella Balinska Scholarship.
Offered by GSA graduate and Hollywood actress Ella Balinska, the scholarship will be a financial award to one first-year student on the Acting BA (Hons) course in 2021, who is part of the Global Majority – a term used to describe people who identify themselves as being from any Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
The scholarship is intended to provide support and an affirmation of the student’s right to train as an individual. It’s designed to offer time for self-reflection, research and to deepen a person’s understanding of cultural identity and authenticity, in relation to training and their craft.
Ella Balinska commented: “I hope this scholarship will be a part of enabling students of the Global Majority to thrive in authenticity. I hope it encourages other students to broaden their knowledge and embrace their cultural influence throughout their training and into their career.
“Finding our truth as artists starts by having the opportunity to look at ourselves. Through a deeper level of understanding, we can tell real, meaningful stories and honestly reflect the world we live in. As a result, I hope this inspires generations of talent to come; seeing themselves represented throughout the industry.”
Ella Balinska trained at GSA, graduating in 2018, and is known for playing Jane Kano, a leading role in the 2019 Columbia Pictures movie, Charlie's Angels. A high-profile actor, her roles in other films include Run Sweetheart Run, released in 2020.