ACT Cincinnati Scholarships
ACT strongly supports education in the theatrical arts and those young people who choose to pursue it as a career. ACT is proud to provide financial assistance to area college students studying performing arts by sponsoring an annual scholarship competition. Starting in 2024, six scholarships will be awarded with increased amounts ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.
“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 2024 ACT Cincinnati Scholarship Winners
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 2024 Dee Wacksman Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Carson Mehlbauer, attending University of Cincinnati- CCM.
2023 Winner: Carson Mehlbauer, attending University of Cincinnati- CCM.
2022 Winner: Lizzy K. Sundstrom, attending Xavier University.
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 2024 ACT Cincinnati Scholarship was awarded to Claire M. Northcut, attending Wright State University.
2023 Winner: Claire M. Northcut, attending Wright State University.23
2022 Winner: Claire M. Northcut, attending Wright State University.
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 2024 Robert & Helen Booth Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Hannah Richardson, attending Xavier University.
2023 Winner: Mallory Stiles, attending Miami University.
2022 Winner: Julia N. Brosas, attending Wright State University.
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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 2024 Dorothy & Frank Weber Memorial Scholarship was awarded to James Newton, attending Wright State University.
2023 Winner: Tierra London Rush, attending Xavier University.
2022 Winner: Evan N. Kupersmith, attending University of Cincinnati- CCM.
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 2024 Susann Q. Royalty Performing Arts Scholarship was awarded to Erin Morton, attending the University of Cincinnati- CCM.
2023 Winner: Julia (Juno) Brosas, attending Wright State University.
2022 Winner: Chloe O. Esmeier, attending Northern Kentucky University.
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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 2024 Freshman Performing Arts Scholarship was awarded to Afton Skeeters, attending Northern Kentucky University.
2023 Winner: Lilia Villaflor, attending the University of Cincinnati- CCM.
2022 Winners: Wyatt H. Toloczko, attending University of Cincinnati- CCM and Emma Massey, attending Wright State University.
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 student (undergraduate or graduate) 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 2024 Charles Avery Keystone Technical Scholarship was awarded to Allison Calkins, currently attending Yale University but transferring to the University of Cincinnati- CCM.
2023 Winner: Robert Chalk, attending the University of Cincinnati- CCM.