Students at a Vancouver acting school are making a difference in their community and furthering their authenticity as actors by participating in a volunteerism-based scholarship.
Each one of the 21 students in the Story Institute's diploma program is participating in the Purpose Scholarship, an award that if achieved takes $1,000 off their tuition. In order to earn the scholarship though each student must complete four hours of volunteerism each month for six months.
Full enrolment
Michael Coleman, president and CEO of the Story Institute says the scholarship has been running since the school opened in 2018 and has always had a full roster of students participating.
"So far we have yet to have a student who thinks that's a terrible deal," Coleman said.
Coleman described the accomplishments of the student’s as impressive in different ways. Some students are working directly with the Vancouver food bank, others have created their own grocery delivery and donation initiative, and others work closely with various autism networks in B.C. or with the BC SPCA.
A need for purpose
"It's a pretty cool thing to see," Coleman said. "I think we're in an unusual year where there's a lot of sadness and a lot of need for purpose so I think people are really gravitating to any opportunity they can to do an extra little bit."
Although the scholarship only requires 24 volunteer hours in total, Coleman says the students often put in many more than that by helping their colleagues with their volunteering projects.
A means to bring authenticity to the silver screen
As to why the scholarship is based on volunteerism, Coleman says it is a way for young actors to understand the responsibility of the voice they are given by the nature of their work. Coleman added that the experience grounds students and can add to the authenticity of their craft - something the film industry sometimes struggles with Coleman added.
“We want our students to understand it as a reflection of how the world sees itself on-screen,” he said. “This is a chance for them to truly be a reflection of the world they want to live in."
