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Scholarships

Theatre Scholarships & Awards

American Foundation for Arts Education (AFAE) Scholarship Endowment in Honor of Carol Channing and Harry Kullifian

The scholarship supports students in art and art education. It was established to honor the legacy of Dr. Carol Channing's performing arts career of over six decades. The following stipulations apply: 

  1. The scholarship is open to all Cal Poly Theatre majors. 
  2. Recipient must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
  3. The scholarship is not based upon financial need.
  4. Theatre Arts winners are biennially.

 

Beatrice R. Rice Scholarship 

This scholarship is awarded annually to a Theatre major or minor with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. who demonstrates both financial need and service to the Theatre Program. Students must file a FASFA to be eligible for this scholarship.


Edmond, Myrtle, and Karen Joseph Scholarship

The Edmond, Myrtle and Karen Joseph Scholarship Endowment was established by Karen Joseph in honor of her parents, both of whom were raised during the Great Depression. The scholarship supports students in the College of Liberal Arts who have overcome some personal adversity.

  1. The scholarship is open to all Cal Poly majors within the CLA.
  2. Recipient must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
  3. Preferred recipient has overcome adversity, personal tragedy, or hardship, is a student from a Cal Poly Partner HS, and/or is a student with financial need.

 

J. Murray Smith Scholarship 

The J. Murray Smith Scholarship was funded by the Theatre Program's friends and alumni organization (FANS) in 2005. The following stipulations apply: 

  1. The scholarship is open to all Cal Poly Theatre majors and minors. 
  2. Recipient must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. 
  3. Recipient must have lower division status (i.e., completed less than 90 quarter units). 
  4. The scholarship is not based upon financial need.
     

Kathleen Fisher Scholarship 

This scholarship was funded by the Theatre Program's friends and alumni organization (FANS) in 1998. The following stipulations apply: 

  1. The scholarship is open to all Cal Poly students. 
  2. Recipient must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
  3. Recipient must have upper division status (i.e., completed at least 90 quarter units). 
  4. Recipient must have participated in at least three Theatre Program productions (performance or support) while at Cal Poly. 
  5. The scholarship is not based upon financial need.

 

Moon Ja Minn amd Paul T. Suhr Theatre Award

This award recognizes a deserving student who exemplifies hard work, dedication, dependability and good academic standing; serving as a role model for others.

  1. The scholarship is open to all Cal Poly students (Theatre majors and/or minors preferred). 
  2. Recipient must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
  3. Recipient must be a sophomore, junior or senior.

Dance Scholarships 

The Tomzac-Carter Award Endowment

This award originated in 1987 when Dave Carter and Amy Tomzac won first place in the Nashville American Collegiate Talent Show. The Orchesis Dance Company sponsored Carter and Tomzac with the agreement that if they won the competition, the prize money would be donated to create a perpetual fund for qualified dance students.

This award is typically given to the Orchesis Dance Company student officers in recognition of their important service to the company.


The Sonia Sandoval Memorial Dance Award

Sonia was a member of the Orchesis Dance Company, a Dance minor and a Modern Languages major who passed away on November 13, 1998 in a tragic car accident. To honor Sonia's spirit and passion for dance, Melissa Cook and Sean Lavery established this award in the spring of 1999. It is a great honor to receive this award.

To qualify for the award, the recipient must epitomize the passion, self-expression and artistry that characterized Sonia as a dance artist and individual. He/she must also have the desire to pursue dance personally or professionally. The award is typically given to an Orchesis Dance Company member, preferably a dance minor and choreographer, who is enrolled at Cal Poly in good academic standing.


The Moon Ja Minn and Paul T. ​Suhr Dance Awards

The Most Deserving Student Award was established by Cal Poly professor Dr. Moon Ja Minn Suhr and her husband Paul Suhr in 1995. The purpose of the award is to honor outstanding students from the Dance Program at Cal Poly.

The Founder's Award for Outstanding Choreography was established by Orchesis Dance Company founder Dr. Moon Ja Minn Suhr and her husband Paul T. Suhr in 1999. Its purpose is to honor an Orchesis Dance Company member who has demonstrated excellence in the process and completion of a choreographic work.


Ann Astaire Dance Scholarship 

Criteria:

  1. Dance Minor.
  2. Class level is open; minimum 3.0 GPA for continuing students.
  3. Demonstrated activity in at least two (2) previous Dance Program productions, including Orchesis Dance Concert, Spring Dance Concert and/or other program production collaborations (e.g. RSVP, Choir, Symphony).
  4. Demonstrated enrollment in at least two (2) Dance Program courses per academic year.
  5. Ability to articulate the importance dance training at Cal Poly.
  6. Ability to articulate the role dance will play in life after Cal Poly.
  7. Stands out as an/a example/leader in dance classes via discussion, artistry, commitment.
  8. Exemplary character, inclusive behavior, passion and dedication to the Dance Program as a whole.

 

The Steve Nukes Award for Exceptional Dedication in Dance

Established in 2022 by the Nukes Family

Criteria: 

Student dancer within the annual Orchesis concert who best exemplifies:
a. the highest level of artistry in dance, including technical mastery as well as expressive nuance
b. remarkable discipline, self-motivation and work ethic
 
Examples may include:
Arrives early to class and rehearsal
Rehearses material before rehearsal/performance
Has costume, shoes, hair etc. in place well before expected, in preparation for performance/tech
Seeks out and applies feedback to refine rehearsal/performance choreograph
Consistently dances full out in every rehearsal/performance
Embraces new techniques and concepts with enthusiasm and an open mind 

General Scholarship Opportunities

Financial Aid

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