KU Department of Theatre & Dance celebrates scholarship recipients

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Department of Theatre & Dance recognized 50 students for academic merit and potential, awarding approximately $215,000 in scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year.

“Theatre & Dance scholarships open doors for Jayhawks to pursue their passions — on stage or behind the scenes — giving emerging artists space to learn and grow,” said Henry Bial, professor and department chair. “Our many and varied scholarships are unique among theatre and dance programs in the region, helping us to recruit and retain talented students. We extend gratitude to the many alumni and friends whose generosity makes it all possible.”

The department’s scholarship recipients are as follows:

Kansas

• ShonMichael Anderson, Wichita, Charles “Buddy” Rogers Scholarship, Dorothy and Benjamin Glick Scholarship
• Katelyn Arnold, Topeka, Alexis and Craig Stevens Performing Arts Scholarship, Charles “Buddy” Rogers Scholarship, Loren Kennedy Scholarship
• Christian Boudreaux, Lawrence, Adah Hagan Clarke Scholarship in Theatre
• Drue Bowen, Overland Park, Kari Wahlgren Theatre Scholarship, Stephanie Ann Smith Memorial Scholarship
• Abby Boyd, Topeka, Janet Hamburg Dance Scholarship
• Seth Bruey, Newton, Donald and Betty Dixon Scholarship in Theatre
• Joseph Compton, Leawood, Adah Hagan Clarke Scholarship in Theatre
• Sofia Dunkelberger, Wichita, Edna Bulkeley Dance Scholarship
• Sophia Harrison, Topeka, Patricia Joyce Ellis Scholarship
• Noah Hastings, Olathe, Claire Reinhold Scholarship in Theatre
• Keaja Hodge, Wichita, Dance General Scholarship
• Cooper Holmes, Overland Park, Patricia Joyce Ellis Drama Scholarship
• Sean Ingram, Shawnee, David E. Blackwell Scholarship, New Theatre Guild Dennis D. Hennessy and Richard Carrothers Scholarship
• Jachelle Jones, Olathe, John David Lentz Memorial Scholarship
• Aubrey Krapes, Olathe, Janet Hamburg Dance Scholarship
• Natalie Loftus, Hays, New Theatre Guild Dodie Myers Brown Scholarship
• Lacey Marr, Shawnee, Julie Damron-Dittmer Scholarship
• Samuel Moore, Olathe, Theatre General Scholarship
• Abbie Needham, Andover, Stephanie Ann Smith Memorial Scholarship
• Cade Nelson, Topeka, Allen Crafton Memorial Scholarship
• Syd Olson, Wichita, Margaret Bushong and Suzanne Calvin Scholarship
• Jacobi Robinson, Abilene, Jon T. Eicholtz and Barbara Eden Acting Scholarship
• Casey Schenk, Topeka, Charles “Buddy” Rogers Scholarship, New Theatre Guild Don Knotts Scholarship
• Madi Seelye, Lawrence, Lee Family Scholarship in Dance
• Marek Skeeba, Lecompton, Patricia Joyce Ellis Drama Scholarship, Sally Six Hersh Memorial Scholarship
• Molly Stover-Brown, Wichita, Barbara Nordling Dance Scholarship
• Morgan Tate, Shawnee, Claire Reinhold Scholarship in Theatre
• Madison Torrez, Topeka, Patricia Joyce Ellis Drama Scholarship
• Maya Welde, Overland Park, Friends of Theatre & Dance Reese Saricks Scholarship, Richard Kelton Memorial Scholarship
• Stephanie Wirth, Topeka, Barbara Nordling Dance Scholarship, Elizabeth Sherbon Dance Scholarship

Other states and countries

• Sergio Alicea Román, San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Theatre Guild William and Penny Gamm Scholarship
• Marzi Ashrafian, Iran; Theatre & Dance General Scholarship
• Tiffani Brooks Hagan, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Donald and Betty Dixon Scholarship in Theatre
• Kitty Corum, Kansas City, Missouri, Ambrose Saricks Family Scholarship, New Theatre Jacqueline and Curt Stokes Scholarship
• Gillian Genardo, Mokena, Illinois, Ambrose Saricks Family Scholarship
• Josh Gilpin, United Kingdom, David E. Blackwell Scholarship
• Jonah Greene, Fayetteville, Arkansas; Loren Kennedy Scholarship
• Keira Hodges, Murphy, Texas, Dance General Scholarship
• Thomas Jenson, Salt Lake City, Utah, Donald and Betty Dixon Scholarship in Theatre
• Kaylee Lempke, Omaha, Nebraska, Patricia Joyce Ellis Scholarship
• Katherine Leverenz, Houston, Texas, Moxie Talent Agency Scholarship
• Ian Maxfield, St. Charles, Illinois, Alexis and Craig Stevens Performing Arts Scholarship, Margaret Bushong and Suzanne Calvin Scholarship
• Alireza Mirzaeinezhad, Iran, Ambrose Saricks Family Scholarship
• Esther McBride, Alameda, California, Janet Hamburg Dance Scholarship
• Mallory Pyka, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Adah Hagan Clarke Scholarship in Theatre
• Alaina Rossell, Kenosha, Wisconsin, Julie Damron-Dittmer Scholarship
• Nicholas Sibert, Kansas City, Missouri, Alexis and Craig Stevens Performing Arts Scholarship
• Sloane Smith, Littleton, Colorado; Betty Joe Lorbeer Ballet Scholarship, Lee Family Scholarship in Dance
• Cytlahli Winsor, Belle Glade, Florida, Alexis and Craig Stevens Performing Arts Scholarship, Dorothy and Benjamin Glick Scholarship
• Claire Yarborough, Elkhorn, Nebraska, Bernadette Robinson Scholarship, Patricia Joyce Ellis Scholarship

The Department of Theatre & Dance is one of three departments in the School of the Arts. As part of the KU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of the Arts offers fresh possibilities for collaboration between the arts and the humanities, sciences, social sciences, international and interdisciplinary studies. 

For more information on the Department of Theatre & Dance, visit the department website. For information about audition opportunities and performances of the University Theatre, visit the KU Theatre website. For the University Dance Company, please visit the dance company website.