The Human Race Theatre Company is pleased to announce that in honor of musical theatre legend Stephen Schwartz - composer of Godspell, Pippin, The Baker's Wife, Children of Eden, Working, Wicked - and its regional premiere of SNAPSHOTS: A Musical Scrapbook (September 21-October 7, 2007), it has created the Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Scholarship – designed to support singer/actors in the greater Dayton area who are training for a career in musical theatre.

“We are so excited to recognize the incredible lifetime of work by Stephen Schwartz while assisting talented young performers from our region,” stated Human Race Executive Director Kevin Moore. “With the support of two very good friends, Tim and Char Scroggins, we will be able to offer scholarships to two very deserving students this year.”

A $1,500 scholarship will be made to a high school senior who is applying to, or has been accepted into a college program and plans to train in musical theatre.

A $3,500 scholarship will be awarded to a college student who is currently training for a career in musical theatre.

“The musical theatre survives and flourishes only with the infusion of new talent,” said award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz. “I've always tried to support and encourage emerging talent, and so I am proud and excited to have this new scholarship named for me.”

All applicants must have a permanent address in Montgomery County or one of seven contiguous counties (Preble, Darke, Miami, Clark, Greene, Warren or Butler) OR be currently enrolled at a college in one of the eight counties previously listed. Preliminary auditions and applications for the 2008-09 season will be announced in the late spring, 2008.

In addition to the original gift from the Scroggins’, a recent gift from Mrs. Evelyn Burkins will help to insure the scholarship fund for the future. Anyone interested in donating to this scholarship fund should contact Kevin Moore, Executive Director, at 937-461-3823 x 3115, or email kevin@humanracetheatre.org.

For more information about Stephen Schwartz, please visit www.stephenschwartz.com.

Two Win Stephen Schwartz Scholarships from The Human Race

Two southwestern Ohio students were the winners of the first annual Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Scholarship competition held by The Human Race Theatre Company. The two were chosen by a panel of five judges from among eight finalists who performed at Dayton’s Loft Theatre April 26.

Pictured (l-to-r): Jason Slattery, J.J. Tiemeyer, college winner Jerome Doerger, Eric Byrd, Lindsay Flick, high school winner Alexandra Finke, Katelyn Yeager, Andrew Koslow

Winner of a $1500 scholarship for high school students planning to major in musical theatre was Alexandra Finke of Centerville, an Alter High School senior planning to attend the University of Michigan. Finke sang “West End Avenue” from Schwartz’ The Magic Show and gave a show-stopping rendition of “Gimme Gimme” from Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Winner of a $3500 scholarship for current musical theatre majors was Wright State junior Jerome Doerger of Cincinnati. Doerger wowed the crowd and judges with “Proud Lady” from Schwartz’ The Baker’s Wife and “Being Alive” from Company.

The scholarships were inspired by The Human Race’s participation with Schwartz in the development of his newest musical, Snapshots A Musical Scrapbook, last fall. Schwartz was present for the announcement of the scholarships during the Snapshots run, and had hoped to be present to hand out the scholarships, but ran into scheduling conflicts in California.

The scholarships were funded by Tim and Char Scroggins, with support from Evelyn Burkins. The non-winning finalists each received $250 scholarships, thanks to a gift from Werner Triftshouser in memory of his wife, Julie.