Ian McKellen Award - Winner

The winner of the Aberystwyth Arts Centre Ian McKellen Award 2025 has been announced, following recent interviews.  The 2025 winner is Celyn Stewart. Celyn is one of the successful applications who will be studying a MA in Musical Theatre at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from September 2025. She will be awarded £500 to go towards the cost of her studies as part of this special award that was set up with funds donated during Sir Ian McKellen’s visit to the Arts Centre in 2019.

Celyn said: ‘I’m honoured to have been awarded the Ian McKellen Award 2025. This award will support me whilst studying my Masters in Musical Theatre at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Thank you to the Aberystwyth Arts Centre and Sir Ian McKellen for this incredible opportunity and your kindness. I feel extremely lucky to be the recipient and join the talented people who have won this award before me.’
 
Celyn was the unanimous choice from the Award’s interview panel, who were once again bowled over by the calibre of applicants for the award, Creative Learning Coordinator Laura Oliver said:
‘The standard of applications for the 2025 Award was again incredibly high, the panel were impressed by the skills and passion of all the award applicants. The panel were particularly impressed by the quality of her presentation and felt she was very deserving of the award. We wish her every success.’

Dame Elan Closs Stephens DBE, member of the interview panel and Arts Centre advisory board said:
“This award came about through the generosity of Sir Ian McKellen who visited Aberystwyth Arts Centre as part of his 80th birthday tour.  Once again, we have found a young person who is dedicated, passionate and more than worthy to receive this important award.’

Celyn follows in the footsteps of previous year’s winners. Rhys Nutting who is studying a BA(Hons) in Sound Technology at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). Gruffydd Rhys Evans (2023) who is currently studying a BA Hons in Acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA).  Tom Mathias (2022) who was the first violinist in the Kuttner Quartet-in-residence at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, for the 2022-2023 season, who studied a Solo Violin Performer Diploma at Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music. Osian Pearson (2021) who studied an MA in Editing at the prestigious National Film and Television School (NFTS), Cerys Havana Hickman (2020) who studied for a degree in Music (BMus) at Goldsmiths, University of London, and joint winners (2019) Owain Gruffydd, who studied at the University of Northampton studying for a BA Hons Degree in Acting, and Laura Baker who gained a BA Hons Degree in Ballet Education at the Royal Academy of Dance.

When Sir Ian McKellen came to perform at the Arts Centre in February 2019, all the money raised from ticket sales and donations during his visit was kept safe to be used for supporting the Arts Centre’s important work with young people. A special prize was established, the Aberystwyth Arts Centre’s Ian McKellen Award, open to a young person between the ages of 16 – 25 who intends to continue their vocational training in the creative arts – including, but not limited to, theatre, dance, and the visual arts. £500 is available annually to award for candidates who can demonstrate artistic promise and the passion for their artform, and who are in receipt of a place for study during the following academic year.