Discover the ALWI University Scholarships available from The American Theatre Wing
Discover the ALWI University Scholarships available from The American Theatre Wing
Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week's email,
Discover the ALWI University Scholarship from The American Theatre Wing. This scholarship focuses on empowering high school seniors from historically underrepresented populations within the theater and offers a robust path to pursue careers on the stage and behind the scenes. Learn more in this week’s Big Idea story.
Plus, we will inform you about the most crucial theatre news and stories from last week.
So, raise the curtain, shine the spotlight, and dive into another thrilling week in the theatre world. Welcome to The Scene.
‘BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical’ Dates Broadway Bow by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Find out where the Jerry Mitchell-helmed musical will make its Main Stem debut. Read...
‘Redwood’ sets Theater and Dates for Broadway Bow by Michael Abourizk, Broadway News | The new musical starring Idina Menzel will open in February 2025. Read...
Check Out the Broadway Marquee for ‘A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical,’ Starring James Monroe Iglehart by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Christopher Renshaw, who conceived the musical with Andrew Delaplaine, will direct the show about the famed trumpet player. Read...
The Other Side of Summer by Stuart Miller, American Theatre | How the season’s theatre festivals are faring amid rising costs, fickle audiences, and the warming planet. Read...
What Does It Take to Make an Original Broadway Cast Recording? by Caitlin Hornik, Broadway World | A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the ‘Lempicka’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’ cast albums. Read...
Adam Gwon Musical ‘String’ Releases Studio Cast Album by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The title is now available for licensing via Broadway Licensing Global. Read...
Sara Bareilles-Led ‘Waitress’ Pro shoot to Air on PBS This November by David Gordon and Linda Buchwald, TheatreMania | The filmed version of the Broadway production will be presented by PBS Great Performances. Read...
The Big Idea
Discover the ALWI University Scholarships available from The American Theatre Wing
by Zach Dulli, The Scene
In a significant push to diversify the theater industry and support the next generation of theatre-makers, the American Theatre Wing has announced the opening of applications for its eighth annual Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative (ALWI) University Scholarships. This scholarship is focused on empowering high school seniors from historically underrepresented populations within the theater, offering a robust path to pursue careers both on the stage and behind the scenes.
Since its inception, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative’s University Scholarships have sought to level the playing field, providing substantial financial aid and unparalleled industry access to students facing economic hurdles. With a generous $40,000 scholarship per recipient, the program not only eases the financial burden but also enriches the educational experience through mentorships, master classes, and career advancement panels led by prominent figures in theater.
What the Scholarship Entails
The American Theatre Wing is looking for candidates who possess exceptional talent and demonstrate significant financial need. This year, there is a heightened emphasis on attracting students interested in the often-overlooked "behind the scenes" disciplines such as stage management, lighting design, playwriting, and arts administration, alongside traditional performing roles.
Simplified Application Process
Recognizing the obstacles that can deter talented individuals from pursuing higher education, the Wing has streamlined the application process. Prospective scholars must submit an introduction video, a personal narrative, samples of their work, and a statement of need—all of which can be completed independently without needing external documents like transcripts or letters of recommendation in the initial phase.
Call to Action
With the application deadline set for September 16, 2024, the American Theatre Wing encourages educators, parents, and community leaders to spread the word and encourage eligible students to apply. This scholarship represents a vital opportunity for aspiring theater professionals to turn their passion into a viable career path.
If you want to apply or learn more about the program, please visit the 2025 University Scholarship Application Link.
The American Theatre Wing’s scholarships stand out as a beacon of hope and opportunity as the curtains rise on another academic year. They shine a spotlight on the diverse talent waiting in the wings, ready to transform the theater industry for generations to come.
James Graham’s ‘Punch’ to Play London's Young Vic by Margaret Hall, Playbill | Based on the book ‘Right From Wrong, Punch’ comes to London after a run at Nottingham Playhouse. Read...
Eleanor Tomlinson and Michael Ahomka-Lindsay to Lead Matthew López’s ‘Reverberation’ at Bristol Old Vic by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Jack Sain will direct the work about loneliness and longing from the Tony-winning ‘The Inheritance’ playwright. Read...
See Who's Starring in the U.K. Premiere of ‘Becoming Nancy’ Musical, Directed by Jerry Mitchell by Andrew Gans, Playbill | The coming-of-age musical features a score by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Read...
‘The Cher Show,’ ‘Come From Away,’ And more announced for the Mayo Performing Arts Center’s 30th Anniversary Season by A.A. Cristi, Broadway World | This Season also includes performances from Tony nominee Norm Lewis, KC, and the Sunshine Band, violinist Itzhak Perlman, and more. Read...
Kristin Chenoweth Is ‘The Queen of Versailles,’ Beginning July 16 in Boston by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The new Stephen Schwartz musical, adapted from the 2012 documentary, co-stars F. Murray Abraham. Read...
Kennedy Center's ‘Nine,’ Starring Steven Pasquale, Sets Complete Cast, and Creative Team by Darryn King, Broadway.com | The Kennedy Center's upcoming production of the Maury Yeston-Arthur Kopit musical has its complete cast. Directed by Andy Blankenbuehler, the production will play at the Eisenhower Theater in Washington, D.C., from August 2–11. Read...
See Who's Joining Kate Baldwin in ‘The Prom’ at Connecticut's Sharon Playhouse by Margaret Hall, Playbill | The musical follows Broadway performers looking to get some notoriety by helping a gay teenager who's been barred from attending her prom. Read...
Sarah Silverman's Musical, ‘The Bedwetter’ Will, Get D.C. Production by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Arena Stage is presenting the musical, which made its world premiere Off-Broadway at Atlantic Theater Company in 2022. Read...
Free Reads of the Week
You can read entire plays for free! Free Reads titles are perfect for your theatre, school, and competition performances. Click on the image or the button below to be taken to the Play’s page; once you are there, click the "READ NOW" button and enjoy!
Jimmy Carter was a Democrat by Rinne Groff
The Story: Air. Traffic. Control. Welcome to the world of Samuel B. Shostakovitz. Stuck in his apartment in Flushing, Queens, Sammy can't help but ponder the summer of 1980: Jimmy Carter flounders in the White House, hostages rot in Tehran, America's air traffic controllers prepare to make the mistake of their lives, and Emily, a hot young labor organizer, can't decide who not to sleep with. It's a comedy with one song.
Comedy | 65 - 75 minutes | 2 W, 3 M | Content Notes: Adult language and content | Set: Flexible.
