The Opening Act Scholarship Program, supported through the generosity of June Warren, offers a $500 stipend to students from each Opening Act partnering school toward a professional theater program at their choice of acting studios in Manhattan. Graduating seniors have the option to apply their scholarship towards their college education.
The Scholarship Program is an opportunity for students to learn what it truly means to be an actor in New York City. Our scholars research potential acting classes, contact the schools, register themselves for the program, and travel to and from their chosen class.
Opening Act scholars have taken classes at such prestigous studios as HB Studios, the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, and the Peoples Improv Theater.
Clara Barton High School
Jamal is our 2011 Clara Barton Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Jamal’s quiet perseverance and contributions to his ensemble. Jamal dreams of becoming a pediatrician – “It will be a lot of work, but it will all pay off when I get to see the smile of the babies’ and kids’ faces.” – and will be attending Long Island University in the fall. “I know having a college education can secure my future.”
Jamal is our 2011 Clara Barton Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Jamal’s quiet perseverance and contributions to his ensemble. Jamal dreams of becoming a pediatrician – “It will be a lot of work, but it will all pay off when I get to see the smile of the babies’ and kids’ faces.” – and will be attending Long Island University in the fall. “I know having a college education can secure my future.”
Cobble Hill School for American Studies
Autumn is our 2011 Cobble Hill Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Autumn’s dedication as well as her talent. “Opening Act let me know a theater program is what I need to be in,” Autumn writes. “I was surprised that I felt right at home on a stage in front of an audience. I can turn sadness into positive energy.”
Autumn is our 2011 Cobble Hill Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Autumn’s dedication as well as her talent. “Opening Act let me know a theater program is what I need to be in,” Autumn writes. “I was surprised that I felt right at home on a stage in front of an audience. I can turn sadness into positive energy.”
Graphic High School
Samantha is our 2011 Graphic Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Samantha’s comedic skills and hopes this continues to see her hone her talent for leadership. “If I didn’t have acting, I would probably be lost,” writes Samantha.
Samantha is our 2011 Graphic Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Samantha’s comedic skills and hopes this continues to see her hone her talent for leadership. “If I didn’t have acting, I would probably be lost,” writes Samantha.
Samuel Gompers High School
Dalcean is one of our 2011 Gompers Scholars! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Dalcean’s hard work to take advantage of every opportunity to better himself and his craft. “I believe I speak for everyone,” says Dalcean, “when I say theater is one of those arts that is filled with diversity.”
Dalcean is one of our 2011 Gompers Scholars! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Dalcean’s hard work to take advantage of every opportunity to better himself and his craft. “I believe I speak for everyone,” says Dalcean, “when I say theater is one of those arts that is filled with diversity.”
Samuel Gompers High School
Yunen is one of our 2011 Gompers Scholars! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Yunen’s unforgettable performance in Opening Act’s December Play Reading Benefit, as well as his poise and confidence. “My first year with Opening Act was empowering,” writes Yunen. “For the first time in my life I felt like I accomplished something and was recognized for it by my peers and the community.”
Yunen is one of our 2011 Gompers Scholars! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Yunen’s unforgettable performance in Opening Act’s December Play Reading Benefit, as well as his poise and confidence. “My first year with Opening Act was empowering,” writes Yunen. “For the first time in my life I felt like I accomplished something and was recognized for it by my peers and the community.”
The Christopher Columbus Campus
James is our 2011 Columbus Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with James’ commitment to the program (“I haven’t missed an Opening Act class yet!”) and the positive notes from his teaching artists. “I really hope to learn that acting is not all about just reading lines on a paper, it is about acquiring the depth and emotion of the character that you are,” writes James.
James is our 2011 Columbus Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with James’ commitment to the program (“I haven’t missed an Opening Act class yet!”) and the positive notes from his teaching artists. “I really hope to learn that acting is not all about just reading lines on a paper, it is about acquiring the depth and emotion of the character that you are,” writes James.
The Franklin K. Lane Campus
Maria is one of our 2011 Lane Scholars! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Maria’s courage in the face of difficulties as well as the excitement and commitment she brings to her ensemble. “I felt that in this program nobody is perfect but we can all work this out,” says Maria.
Maria is one of our 2011 Lane Scholars! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Maria’s courage in the face of difficulties as well as the excitement and commitment she brings to her ensemble. “I felt that in this program nobody is perfect but we can all work this out,” says Maria.
The Franklin K. Lane Campus
John is one of our 2011 Lane Scholars! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with John’s burning passion for his characters, his ability to work independently, and the support he gives to his fellow students. “Opening Act is the climax of my week,” writes John. “It’s where I forget everything that happened in school, leaving all the drama and stress. Acting is like a way of living for me.”
John is one of our 2011 Lane Scholars! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with John’s burning passion for his characters, his ability to work independently, and the support he gives to his fellow students. “Opening Act is the climax of my week,” writes John. “It’s where I forget everything that happened in school, leaving all the drama and stress. Acting is like a way of living for me.”
The Norman Thomas Campus
Milena is our 2011 Norman Thomas Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Milena’s hard work, commitment, and acting skills. “When I found out there was going to be drama in my high school after two years of no extracurricular activity I was so excited,” writes Milena. “These two semesters with Opening Act have been amazing. I learn new things about myself in every class.”
Milena is our 2011 Norman Thomas Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Milena’s hard work, commitment, and acting skills. “When I found out there was going to be drama in my high school after two years of no extracurricular activity I was so excited,” writes Milena. “These two semesters with Opening Act have been amazing. I learn new things about myself in every class.”
The Samuel Tilden Campus
Akim is our 2011 Tilden Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Akim’s encouragement of others, enthusiasm for the work, and his dedication to Opening Act. “This program has made me into a better person and a great actor,” writes Akim. “Joining Opening Act made me achieve being more comfortable outside my comfort zone. It has helped me increase my social skills.”
Akim is our 2011 Tilden Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Akim’s encouragement of others, enthusiasm for the work, and his dedication to Opening Act. “This program has made me into a better person and a great actor,” writes Akim. “Joining Opening Act made me achieve being more comfortable outside my comfort zone. It has helped me increase my social skills.”
The Walton Educational Campus
Christopher is our 2011 Walton Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Christopher’s commitment, thoughtfulness, and star quality. “I owe a lot of who I have become to this program,” writes Christopher. “I gained the confidence to express myself and also began to feel more comfortable with who I was.”
Christopher is our 2011 Walton Scholar! The Scholarship Committee was impressed with Christopher’s commitment, thoughtfulness, and star quality. “I owe a lot of who I have become to this program,” writes Christopher. “I gained the confidence to express myself and also began to feel more comfortable with who I was.”
