Meet Molly Thorne

As part of Central’s Big Give Christmas Challenge, we’re speaking to students who have received Scholarships and Bursaries whilst studying at Central, to showcase the impact that these have on them, and their future careers. 

Molly Thorne is a student on Central’s Acting Collaborative and Devised Theatre, BA course. They spoke with us about how a Bursary at Central has made it possible for them to pursue their dream of being an actor. 

What made you choose to study at Central? 

I have always been determined to pursue the arts in some form, beginning my training in Musical Theatre at a young age. I got a taste for acting and the possibilities it held when I first auditioned for Central back in 2019. Now 4 years later, I got accepted onto the BA Acting Collaborative and Devised Theatre course and I am absolutely loving it! It’s a very physical, holistic approach to acting and I am learning so much every day. I feel very grateful to be here.  

Could you tell us about a project or a production you are currently working on at Central? 

We have a student-led initiative on the Collaborative and Devised Theatre course called ‘Studio’. It’s where all three-year groups come together bi-termly to watch each other’s projects that are not related to the course. For example, there are poetry readings, early drafts of scripts, monologues, movement pieces, songs. It is a chance to get specific feedback for personal projects or just to showcase just how creative we all are! My course mate and I saw this as an opportunity to work on something new, so we signed up without having anything to show. We created a short 6-minute piece consisting of movement, music and text exploring the theme of gender and got some really great feedback from our peers. We are going to continue to develop this project over the course of the year in hopes of creating a short piece of theatre to bring to the stage. This is just one example of how studying at Central has created opportunities and pushed me to create pieces of work I never thought I could.  

You’ve received a Bursary to study on your course, what impact has this had on you and your studies?

The Central Bursary has helped relieve a great deal of financial burden to me. Living in London is expensive and due to the course being very full on, with 50 contact hours a week, I have no time to work alongside. With the help of the bursary, I have the privilege to fully focus on my studies and get the rest I need without having to worry about money. 

What would you say to those thinking of donating funds for Scholarships or Bursaries for Central’s students? 

I understand that in this climate money is no sure thing. But if you have anything to donate, it really makes the world of difference. These bursaries and scholarships provide students with the opportunity to pursue their dream, and helps the school maintain equity and inclusion.  

What do you hope to get out of your training? 

I can already see how the training is altering the way I engage with the world around me. After just one term, I am so creatively charged, brimming with ideas and new perspectives. As well as providing me with the key skills to be an actor, I feel that the Collaborative and Devised Theatre course is aiding my journey as an artist. When I complete my training, I hope to start my own theatre company, hopefully collaborating with some of my brilliant peers here at Central. I want to dabble in musical theatre, looking into directing courses and continue to make theatre. I believe there are no limits to what I can do. 

What are you enjoying most about your Central experience? 

I just feel so lucky to be here. Getting to create and move my body and breathe and dance every day is a privilege. I have waited a while to be here, and I am taking every day as a blessing and getting the most out of my experiences here.  

The Big Give’s Christmas Challenge will be raising money for scholarships and bursaries for Central students.

All donations between 28 November and 5 December will be generously matched by the Reed Foundation and our supporters. This means that for every £10 you donate, Central will receive £20 for scholarships and bursaries.