Alumni News: Samuel Barnett to star in BBC America’s Dirk Gently; William Wallace named winner of the London Handel Singing Competition 2016

27 April 2016

At the core of the Genesis Foundation is the belief that a holistic approach must be taken to the development of young artistic talent; a unique philosophy whereby the Foundation works in partnership with the leaders of prestigious arts organisations to nurture directors, playwrights and musicians in the early stages of their professional lives. This month, the success of this ideology has been further corroborated by the exciting career developments of two Genesis Foundation alumni.

Two-time Tony Award nominee and first generation Genesis LAMDA Scholar, Samuel Barnett will play the eponymous lead in BBC America’s television revival of Dirk Gently, based on Douglas Adams’ novel, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. In the programme, scheduled to premiere in the autumn of 2016, Barnett will perform alongside international star Elijah Wood in a series of eight, hour-long episodes that see Dirk and his reluctant assistant Todd navigate a bizarre and winding mystery.

For over 15 years, John Studzinski and the Genesis Foundation have supported LAMDA by helping the Academy nurture and develop talented young actors through an annual Genesis Scholarship. Genesis Scholars have their tuition fees paid in their entirety over the three years of LAMDA’s BA (Hons) in Professional Acting and also receive a contribution towards their living expenses.

Tenor William Wallace has been named the winner of the prestigious London Handel Singing Competition 2016, Regina Etz Prize. A first generation member of Genesis Sixteen, Wallace currently studies as a Young Artist at the National Opera Studio, having graduated from the Royal College of Music with a Performance Masters in 2015.

Genesis Sixteen is the UK’s first fully-funded programme that aims to nurture the next generation of talented choral singers. Participants receive group tuition, individual mentoring and masterclasses run by some of the industry’s top vocal experts, including Harry Christophers and Eamonn Dougan. As part of a unique partnership between The Sixteen and the Genesis Foundation, successful candidates are awarded a bursary for UK travel, accommodation and board costs while participating on the scheme’s four courses, around the UK.

To find out more about the Genesis Foundation’s partnership with LAMDA, click here, and for Genesis Sixteen, click here.