Awards, Grants, and Scholarships
EdTA raises the stature of theatre education by recognizing its members’ accomplishments, and strengthens the field by providing financial support to college-bound Thespians and those in need.
2021 Distinctions Granted
Awards
Grants
(including Thespian Relief Grants)
Scholarships
(including chapter scholarships)
AWARDS
Outstanding School Award
Recognizing theatre programs that exemplify and promote high standards in educational theatre
McDonough High School
Troupe 303
Pomfret, Md.
Director Jana Whitlock Heyl
Ashland High School
Troupe 4630
Ashland, Ore.
Director Betsy Bishop
Outstanding Administrator Award
Recognizing outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exemplary support for educational theatre
Britt Adams
Northwest Whittfield High School
Tunnel Hill, Ga.
Troupe 7290
Nate Fancher
Saint Cloud High School
St. Cloud, Fla.
Troupe 1826
Inspirational Theatre Educator Award
Recognizing individuals who have inspired their students and dedicated themselves to providing high quality theatre education
Roshunda Jones
George Washington Carver Magnet High School
Houston, Texas
Troupe 6753
Nicole Morgan
Montgomery High School
Montgomery, Texas
Troupe 5986
Honorary Thespian of the Year
Recognized for going above and beyond in their volunteer role
Debra Brinkman
Cape Central High School
Troupe 1508
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year
Recognizing the highest level of achievement for an outstanding middle or high school musical theatre teacher
Roshunda Jones
George Washington Carver Magnet High School
Houston, Texas
Troupe 6753
Holly Stanfield
Bradford High School
Kenosha, Wis.
Troupe 4982
Hall of Fame
Recognizing individual members who have made outstanding contributions to theatre education for 20 years or more
Valerie Gargus
Northern Burlington County Regional High School
Mount Laurel, N.J.
Troupe 4762
Jana Whitlock Heyl
McDonough High School
Pomfret, Md.
Troupe 303
Jo Strom Lane
Roosevelt High School
Portland, Ore.
Troupe 7289
Spirit of Thespis Award
Recognizing school or individuals that demonstrate grace under pressure when faced with a serious challenge
Greg Shaw
Pittsburg High School
Troupe 3149
Pittsburg, Kansas
TIOS Outstanding Impact Award
Recognizing exemplary advocacy efforts for Theatre in Our Schools month and beyond
First Place
Pennsbury High School
Fairless Hills, Pa.
Troupe 830
Second Place
Valley View High School
Moreno Valley, Calif.
Troupe 4735
Standing Ovation Award
Recognizing a corporation or organization that makes significant contributions to theatre education on the national level through philanthropic efforts or its programs and activities
SCHOLARSHIPS
Amy Bennett Musical Theatre Scholarship
Granted to a graduating senior entering a college program to major in musical theatre
Grace Sorensen
Redmon Proficiency Academy
Redmon, Ore.
Troupe 7715
Board of Directors Scholarship
Created with donations by, and in honor of, past and current members of the EdTA Board of Directors
Charlotte Perez
Bowling Green High School
Bowling Green, Ohio
Troupe 1489
Kenny D. Hasija Scholarship
Supporting students from diverse groups historically underrepresented in the theatre industry
Trinity Joseph
Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
Dundalk, Md.
Troupe 2891
Sarah Long
BridgelandHigh School
Cypress, Texas
Troupe 8503
Imani Okwuosa
Heritage High School
Conyers, Ga.
Troupe 4048
Melba Day Henning Scholarship
Granted to a college student enrolled full-time pursuing theatre education studies
Audrey Burgoon
Kansas State University
Troupe 639 alum
Christopher L. Hunt Scholarship
Granted to Thespians who plan to use skills learned in theatre in a business or marketing career
Madison Crick
O’Connor High School
Helotes, Texas
Troupe 5872
Grace Kelly Scholarships
Awarded to outstanding student participants in the Thespy Awards
College scholarships awarded to graduating seniors:
Margaret Hammond
Nuview Bridge Early College High School
Nuevo, Calif.
Troupe 8117
Natalie Lawton
Redmon Proficiency Academy
Redmon, Ore.
Troupe 7715
Grace Sorensen
Redmon Proficiency Academy
Redmon, Ore.
Troupe 7715
Pradanya Subramanyan
Clements High School
Sugar Land, Texas
Troupe 3689
Trysten Williams
George Washington Carver Magnet High School
Houston, Texas
Troupe 6753
Training scholarships to underclassmen:
Laila Carter
North Oconee High School
Bogart, Ga.
Troupe 7047
Dane Lackey
Marble Falls High School
Marble Falls, Texas
Troupe 3701
Emma Stellmach
Brownsburg High School
Brownsburg, Ind.
Troupe 2108
Jacki Vellandi
Orange County School of the Arts
Santa Ana, Calif.
Troupe 6826
Caroline Yim
Juanita High School
Kirkland, Wash.
Troupe 3422
Michael J. Peitz Leadership Scholarship
Granted to a Thespian who successfully demonstrates leadership abilities
Nazarene Campodonico
Salem High School
Salem, Ga.
Troupe 5120
Presidents’ Leadership Scholarship
Granted to Thespians who successfully demonstrate leadership skills
Rosanna Gao
William A. Shine – Great Neck South High School
Great Neck, N.Y.
Troupe 7486
Jeyna Lynn Gonzalez
J.R. Arnold High School
Panama City Beach, Fla.
Troupe 6371
GRANTS
BookTix National Conference Grants
Provides access to educators by covering their registration fees
Sadie Andros
Cape Henlopen High School
Lewes, Del.
Troupe 1321
Autumn Caro
Kaffie Middle School
Corpus Christi, Texas
Troupe 88750
Courtenay Cholovich
Hammond Creek Middle School
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Troupe 89484
Doug Finney Festival Grant
Given annually to four inducted Thespians to attend the International Thespian Festival
Name
XXX High School
City, State
Troupe 2866
Name
XXX High School
City, State
Troupe 2866
Name
XXX High School
City, State
Troupe 2866
Name
XXX High School
City, State
Troupe 2866
Linda P. Wise Grant for Theatre Educators
Awarded to an EdTA member educator who presents a plan for an in-class program in need of financial support
Julie Estrada
Windsor High School
Windsor, Colo.
Troupe 31063
Leadership Grant
Given to a Thespian who has demonstrated leadership through Thespian activities to attend International Thespian Festival
Alexis Jodon
Chartiers Valley High School
Bridgeville, Pa.
Troupe 2402
Ronald L. Longstreth ITF Grant
Given to a Thespian who is not a U.S. citizen to attend International Thespian Festival
Berenike Weiss
Augustusburg, Germany
Send a Troupe to International Thespian Festival
Awarded to a current Thespian troupe to cover registration to attend the festival
Arnold High School
Troupe 6371
Panama City Beach, Florida
Director Kathleen McNulty Mann