Grants & Scholarships
The Department of Theatre & Dance supports the development of our most ambitious and creative students through merit-based scholarships and student-driven grants.
Mary Martin Student Grants
This fund provides the opportunity for students majoring or minoring in Theatre to pursue independent learning experiences. Students may apply for a grant to support, for instance, summer internships or research.
Application form available here
for Winter/Spring projects: October 15
for Summer/Fall projects: April 1
2020 - Jackie Dulaff, Victoria Gill, & Cassy Sottile (USITT Conference)
2019 - Caitlyn Creasy (DanceLife Teacher Conference); Hannah Sauer (Nederlander Org)
2017 - Brooke Burghardt (National Dance Society Conference); Erin Coffman (Springboard NYC); Brian Klose (Weston Playhouse); Rachel Treglia, Abbey Wark, & Shannon Lawn (USITT Conference); Maggie Campbell (commedia dell'arte research)
2016 - Kaitlyn Fowler (Shakespeare Academy); Nate Krimmel (Neighborhood Playhouse); Reilly Cox (playwrighting retreat); Erin Coffman (Tennessee Williams research); Anna Baldwin (Bearded Ladies); Leslie Rothstein, Cole Capobianco, Alex Foxwell, Brian Klose, & Andrew Huelskoetter (USITT Conference)
2015 - Matt Ridge (NYC auditions); Cole Capobianco (Bearded Ladies)
Actress Mary Martin had that special ability to take a part and make it her own. The mention of her name brings to mind a particularly vivid set of images: Ensign Nellie Forbush washing that man right out-a her hair, Dolly Winslow—whose heart belongs to Daddy—shedding her furs, and Peter Pan teaching the Darling children to fly and to crow: er-er-er-errrh!
Since her debut singing “When Apples Grow on the Lilac Trees” at a fireman’s ball in Weatherford, Texas, at age 5, Martin brought to life—on stage, screen, television, and radio—a formidable range of characters including Maria in The Sound of Music, for which she won the Tony Award in 1960. Martin also garnered Tony Awards for her work as Peter Pan (1955) and as Annie Oakley in the touring company of Annie Get Your Gun (1948).
The televised version of Peter Pan, only recently re-broadcast to a new generation of fans, also won her the Emmy. Who has not been touched by the captivating Peter? In Martin’s own words, “Never Land is the way I would like real life to be: timeless, free, mischievous, filled with gaiety, tenderness, and magic.”
Among the songs which will forever be associated with Mary Martin is “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” from the 1938 production of Cole Porter’s Leave It to Me, which launched her Broadway career. Later, adding another Dolly to her repertoire in 1965, Martin toured the United States and the world as Dolly Levi in the international touring company of Hello, Dolly!, which included engagements in Okinawa, Korea, Japan, South Vietnam, and London.
Biography from Kennedy Center Honoree site.
Theatre & Dance Scholarships
Mary Martin Scholarship
Awarded by the Department of Theatre and Dance faculty to a student majoring in Theatre who demonstrates great dedication in any area of the theatre arts.
2022- Sophia Rooks
2021 - Lyra Abbott
2020 - Caitlin Woods
2019 - Kelly Young & Jackie Dulaff
2018 - John Leslie
2017 - Rosie Alger and Mark Christie
2016 - Kaitlyn Fowler
2015 - Amanda Klute
2014 - Rachel Dilliplane, Val Dunn, Tamayo Kamimura
2013 - Samantha Bitzelberger
2012 - Nina Sharp
2011 - Michael Zurawksi & Maggie Matthews
2010 - Jessica Blanch
2010 - Margaret Farrell
2009 - Kelsy Long
2008 - Mary Lide
2008 - Aileen Brenner
2007 - Marielle Latrick
2006 - Greg Schaefer
2005 - Heather Holiday
2004 - Matthew Biringer
2003 - Andrew Cowles
2002 - Allison Heishman
2001 - A.J. Rendo
2000 - Mindy A. Beers
1999 - Lindsay Krieg
1999 - Paula Knowles
1998 - Elizabeth Garrott
1997 - Mary Hoffman
Senior Prizes
Stewart Theatre Award
The Stewart Theatre Award is given annually to a senior who has made outstanding contributions to the College through dramatic and speaking ability. Endowed by Pearl Griffin Stewart, Class of 1905.
2022- Lyra Abbott & Percy Mohn
2021 - William Reid
2020 - Kelly Young
2019 - John Leslie
2018 - Abbey Wark
2017 - Erin Coffman & Brian Klose
2016 - Amanda Klute
2015 - Val Dunn
Outstanding Dance Minor Award
The Outstanding Dance Minor Student Award is awarded to a graduating dance minor for excellence in their education, including service activities, scholarship, and artistry.
2021 - Parker Wolf
2020 - Rachel Hall
2019 - Ali Zdrojewski
2018 - Kaitlynn Ecker
2017 - Brooke Burkhardt