ACT Cincinnati Scholarships

“I have always spoken of my time in the local Cincy theatre scene as my most developmental – many of those groups gave me the chance at a VERY young age to do work that, while perhaps not for a salary, was worth a gold mine in experience and freedom. There’s no question that things like the ACT scholarship helped me make it through CCM and on to other paths of success.”

-- Richard Oberacker, Ace and Bandstand composer and two-time ACT Scholarship Winner

List of 2025 ACT Cincinnati Scholarship Winners

Elise HS with name EMAIL - Elise Parks (002).jpg

THE DEE WACKSMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

A $3,000 scholarship is funded by Howard Wacksman in memory of his wife. The Dee Wacksman Scholarship is offered to undergraduate students with a major in the performing arts, attending Greater Cincinnati area colleges. The scholarship is sent directly to the college to defray the expense of tuition.

The 2025 Dee Wacksman Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Elise Parks, attending Wright State University.

2024: Carson Mehlbauer, attending University of Cincinnati- CCM.
2023: Carson Mehlbauer, attending University of Cincinnati- CCM.
2022: Lizzy K. Sundstrom, attending Xavier University.

Dee Wacksman Scholarship

ACT OF GREATER CINCINNATI, INC. SCHOLARSHIP

A $1,000 scholarship is funded by ACT of Greater Cincinnati, Inc. The scholarship is sent directly by ACT of Greater Cincinnati Inc. to the award recipient's college to defray the expense of tuition.

The 2025 ACT Cincinnati Scholarship was awarded to Carson Mehlbauer, attending University of Cincinnati- CCM.

2024: Claire M. Northcut, attending Wright State University.
2023: Claire M. Northcut, attending Wright State University.
2022: Claire M. Northcut, attending Wright State University.

ACT Scholarship

THE ROBERT AND HELEN BOOTH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

A $1,000 scholarship is given in the memory of Larry Weber's maternal grandparents. It is Larry's hope that the winner of this scholarship will share their love of the theatre as Larry's grandparents shared with him. The scholarship is sent directly to the college to defray the expense of tuition.

The 2025 Robert & Helen Booth Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Samantha Hacker, attending Northern Kentucky University.

2024: Hannah Richardson, attending Xavier University.
2023: Mallory Stiles, attending Miami University.
2022: Julia N. Brosas, attending Wright State University.

Booth Scholarship

THE DOROTHY AND FRANK WEBER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

A $1,000 scholarship is funded by arts patron, Larry Weber. The scholarship is given in the hope that it will help a talented student continue to pursue their studies on the way to a career in a field that can bring joy to others as it has to the Webers. The scholarship is sent directly to the college to defray the expense of tuition.

The 2025 Dorothy & Frank Weber Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Aidan Edwards, attending Wright State University.

2024: James Newton, attending Wright State University.
2023: Tierra London Rush, attending Xavier University.
2022: Evan N. Kupersmith, attending University of Cincinnati- CCM.

Weber Scholarship

THE SUSANN Q. ROYALTY PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIP

A $1,000 scholarship, established in 2020, is funded by Larry Weber and is awarded to a deserving student studying musical theater. Susann Q. Royalty graduated from Norwood High School where she enjoyed music and performed in several shows while at NHS. Larry honors their 50 year friendship with this scholarship.

The 2025 Susann Q. Royalty Performing Arts Scholarship was awarded to Julianne Schultz, attending Xavier University.

2024: Erin Morton, attending the University of Cincinnati- CCM.
2023: Julia (Juno) Brosas, attending Wright State University.
2022: Chloe O. Esmeier, attending Northern Kentucky University.

Royalty Scholarship

THE FRESHMAN PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIP

A $1,000 scholarship, established in 2002, is funded by Rilla Foster and is awarded to the most deserving performance by a freshman at the ACT performance audition. This winner may not be the recipient of any of the other five scholarships.

The 2025 Freshman Performing Arts Scholarship was awarded to Jameson Zoller, attending University of Cincinnati- CCM.

2024: Afton Skeeters, attending Northern Kentucky University
2023: Lilia Villaflor, attending the University of Cincinnati- CCM.
2022: Wyatt H. Toloczko, attending University of Cincinnati- CCM and Emma Massey, attending Wright State University.

Freshman Scholarship 2

Anchor 1

THE CHARLES AVERY MEMORIAL - KEYSTONE TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIP

A $1,000 scholarship established in 2019 by Greg Schaper, the great-grandson of original Keystone Cop and silent film pioneer Charles Avery. The Charles Avery Memorial - Keystone Scholarship is intended for any undergraduate student that is continuing their education in the area(s) of: Set Design, Scenic Design, Set Construction, or Set Décor elements, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume Design, Makeup/Hair Design elements, Properties, Stage Management, or any combination of the above.

The 2025 Charles Avery Keystone Technical Scholarship was awarded to Hannah Richardson, attending Northern Kentucky University.

2024: Allison Calkins, attending the University of Cincinnati- CCM.
2023: Robert Chalk, attending the University of Cincinnati- CCM.