Applications are now closed for the 2026 John Bell Scholarship
Congratulations to all the students across Australia who auditioned for the 2026 John Bell Scholarship.
Bell Shakespeare artists auditioned students, working with each student on their chosen Shakespeare monologue, via online and in-person auditions. All auditioning students worked one-on-one on their pieces with Bell Shakespeare artists, and had the opportunity to workshop their chosen text and character, discuss their performance ambitions, and receive feedback on their work.
We would like to thank and acknowledge all students who auditioned, as well as the many teachers who assisted and supported them.
We are excited to announce the shortlisted students for 2026. Their performances will now be reviewed by our judging panel, including Founding Artistic Director John Bell and Artistic Director Peter Evans.
The winners of the John Bell Scholarship for 2026 will be announced Thursday, 10 December.
2025 Winners pictured with Artistic Director Peter Evans and John Bell
2025 Winners performing for the Bell Company
2022 John Bell Scholarship winner Cate meeting the cast and crew of MACBETH
2021 John Bell Scholarship winners at Pier 2/3, Sydney
2019 winners Promise, Hanna, Stella and Grace in a movement workshop with Fight & Movement Director Nigel Poulton
2019 winners Grace, Promise, Stella and Hanna in a monologue workshop with Associate Director James Evans
2018 winner Rhyan performing his winning monologue for John Bell and Bell Shakespeare company
2017 winners Kuda, Niamh and Abu in Sydney