Despite COVID-19 restrictions in the upcoming school year, St. Ambrose theatre students continue to strive for excellence on and off the stage as many are being recognized for their success by scholarship donors Michael Kennedy, Phillip McKinley, and David Manning.
The Michael Kennedy Theatre Scholarship is awarded to one incoming theatre major, freshman or transfer student, who displays excellence and promise in the arts. It is awarded by Michael Kennedy himself - founder of the SAU theatre department - and now Professor Emeritus of Theatre. This year's scholarship recipient is first-year student Elena Vallejo.
Vallejo is from Rock Island, Illinois and a double major in Elementary Education and Theatre. She attended Alleman High School and has played roles such as Heather Chandler in Heathers and Miss Medda Larkin in Disney's musical, Newsies.
"I was super happy when I found out I won," said Vallejo. "At first, I couldn't believe that I did it, but I am still very grateful to Mr. Kennedy for choosing me to be the recipient."
While this school year is certainly not the first year Vallejo had imagined for herself, she is still eager to be on campus and has already set goals for herself.
"I'm very excited to meet new people," Vallejo said. "I can't wait to get integrated into the Theatre Department. I am looking forward to making friends who will be with me on this next chapter of my life."
Whereas the Michael Kennedy scholarship is awarded to one incoming student, the McKinley/Manning Theatre Scholarship is a scholarship awarded by Broadway director and SAU Theatre Department friend Phillip McKinley and his husband David Manning to current SAU students. Usually the scholarship goes to two students who exemplify artistry and citizenship through the arts. However, this year McKinley and Manning were generous to offer the scholarship to four students: seniors T.J. Green, Tyler Hughes, and Ellie Larson, and junior Joseph Lasher. All of the recipients are extremely honored and excited to receive this scholarship.
"It was some really good news to hear in a time where there wasn't a lot of that going around," said Lasher.
While the Michael Kennedy Scholarship application process did not experience any setbacks because of the pandemic, the McKinley/Manning Theatre Scholarship audition process wasn't as seamless. The audition usually takes place in person and involves questions and the occasional performance of a monologue or a song. This year, however, these auditions took place over zoom or over the phone. "The digital process was just as anxiety-inducing, the main difference was that I wasn't wearing any shoes", Green said.
In the midst of a pandemic it is important to look at the positives in life. These scholarships were a positive for these students and the arts in general continue to be a light in a dark world. These students all exemplify what it means to be an artist, and everyone can't wait to see what they do this school year!
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