Launch of ITI-Asia Scholarship supported by U.S. Embassy Singapore; 6 more scholarships open

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Intercultural Theatre Institute (ITI), together with U.S. Embassy Singapore, are pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural ITI-Asia Scholarship supported by U.S. Embassy Singapore. The in-principle three-year scholarship will cover partial tuition fees to an ITI student from any of the 10 ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) member states. The first year grant amount is confirmed for US$10,000 (approximately S$14,000).

Building Cultural Connectivity

The launch of the ITI-Asia Scholarship commemorates the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community and the adoption of the AEC Blueprint 2025, which furthers ASEAN connectivity and the strengthening of ASEAN’s relationship with external parties.

This marks the first time a diplomatic mission has partnered with an independent theatre school in Singapore to nurture talent from across ASEAN. It is also U.S. Embassy Singapore’s first scholarship for a Singapore institution in three years.

“ITI has a long history of supporting freedom of expression in the performing arts, and its unique programme immerses students in diverse forms of Asian theatre. This new scholarship will help create an equally diverse student body, enabling the next generation of creative talents from different ASEAN nations and economic backgrounds to learn and grow together, and continue to influence each other for years to come,” said U.S. Embassy Singapore Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Blair P. Hall.

The scholarship will support a talented ASEAN student selected after rigorous auditions and interviews, who faces challenges affording fees and living expenses in Singapore – the most expensive city to live in globally*. The ITI-Asia Scholarship supported by the U.S. Embassy will go far to ensure that talented young actors from ASEAN can avail themselves of ITI’s training without being barred by their financial challenges.

T. Sasitharan, Director and Co-founder of ITI affirmed, “Student scholarships are the very lifeblood of our work in ITI. The best actor training programme would mean little if the best and most deserving students can't be in it. The ITI-ASIA Scholarship will enable one more student from ASEAN to have a shot at becoming a theatre artist; a chance for one more student to make a difference as an artist.”