Hamilton native Ramsden Madeus, a 2014 graduate at Notthingham High School, has received the prestigious Fulbright/John Wood Award to enable him to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art as part of one of the most well-regarded and impactful scholarship programs in the world.
As a participant, Madeus has been selected to join LAMDA’s M.A. Classical Acting for the Professional Theatre program, an intensive year of training in acting, voice, movement, and textual analysis, with a focus on performing works from Shakespeare, Jacobean drama, and other classical periods while exploring their historical and cultural relevance.
The program will culminate in a Shakespeare production at the Sainsbury Theatre, providing an opportunity to showcase his artistry to industry professionals. Through this experience, Madeus aims to refine his craft while fostering cultural exchange and collaboration with global artists.
Commenting on receiving the award, Madeus said: “Upon learning I had received the Fulbright/John Wood Award, I was filled with immense gratitude and excitement. The opportunity to study at LAMDA will allow me to immerse myself in one of the most vibrant theatre communities in the world. As a Fulbright scholar, I aim to deepen my artistic practice, develop a more nuanced understanding of classical performance, and bring innovative storytelling techniques to my work that resonate with contemporary audiences.”
Maria Balinska, executive director, US-UK Fulbright Commission said: “Our vision is a world where there are no obstacles to learning, understanding and collaboration. There are many global challenges to overcome: we need compassionate leaders to tackle them. This cohort of talented postgraduate awardees – who have just been through one of the most competitive selection processes in the Commission’s recent history — will be placing cultural engagement at the heart of their experiences as they undertake ambitious study and research programs in the UK: I am filled with hope for the wonderful collaborations that will ensue.”
Born in Trenton to Haitian immigrant parents, Madeus first discovered his love for storytelling during a 48-hour film festival sponsored by AT&T, where his team won first place; an experience that redirected his path toward the performing arts.
Initially attending Rowan University’s School of Biomedical Sciences and Health Professions, Madeus began his academic journey focused on a career in the sciences. However, after six years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps and guidance from Rowan University’s late Dean Jones, he shifted his focus to the arts.
He moved to New York City to study at NYU’s Atlantic Theater Company’s Acting Conservatory, where a workshop with LAMDA’s Rodney Cottier ignited his fascination with classical theater. Inspired by that experience, he was led to pursue the prestigious Fulbright/John Wood Award, where he was selected by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Following his time at Atlantic, Madeus starred in the short film “Eden River,” based on Peter Matthiessen’s novel Far Tortuga, which premiered at major international festivals, including Cannes and Berlin.
He is also the founder of Arkhouse Films, an independent production company dedicated to crafting thought-provoking stories that explore the full spectrum of the human experience through the themes of love, identity, heritage, and social/environmental justice. Through Arkhouse and the Fulbright experience, Madeus is committed to using storytelling as a transformative force to inspire dialogue, amplify underrepresented voices, and build cultural bridges through the arts. Web: arkhousefilms.com.
Ramsden Madeus is a 2025 Fulbright Award winner.,
