THE ROB GUEST ENDOWMENT is Australia’s leading Music Theatre scholarship program, providing financial assistance and industry support to the next generation of theatre stars, creators and musicians.

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Each year, six finalists are selected after a lengthy audition process that sees hundreds of applicants vying for one of the coveted positions. Each finalist is given the opportunity to work alongside Australia's most sought-after creatives in preparation for the Finalist Gala performance. Each finalist prepares two songs to be performed on a professional stage and backed by a world class orchestra before a panel of judges and an audience of thousands.   

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The cause was created following the sudden death of one of Australia’s finest musical theatre performers, Rob Guest OBE in October 2008. In recognition of his career achievements, THE ROB GUEST ENDOWMENT was established in his honour to help emerging young performers in the musical theatre industry. THE ROB GUEST ENDOWMENT was created with the aim of building and maintaining a community for emerging musical theatre artists, one that welcomes and supports the younger generation and helps them achieve their dreams.

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Over the first five years the cause grew from strength to strength, running five national competitions and subsequent gala concerts, creating countless fundraising initiatives around the country in addition to producing Into The Woods in conjunction with Wicked Australia. These initiatives have been made possible by the support and efforts of the broad entertainment industry in its many guises – producers, performers, creatives, technical staff, musicians, industry suppliers and venue operators and owners. These projects have succeeded in creating an awareness of the Endowment and recognition of the difference it can make for the young aspiring artists of Australia.

Moving in to its second decade, the ROB GUEST ENDOWMENT will be awarding more than $65,000 in prizes in 2020. The major prize has now established itself as the largest single Musical Theatre scholarship in the country.