KU Department of Theatre & Dance celebrates scholarship recipients

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Department of Theatre & Dance recognized 52 students for academic merit and potential, awarding approximately $210,000 in scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year.

“Theatre & Dance scholarships give students the freedom to take risks, grow as artists and fully invest in their education,” said Markus Potter, acting chair and associate professor of theatre. “For many of our students, that support can make a meaningful difference in their ability to pursue their training at KU. We are deeply grateful to the alumni, friends and supporters whose generosity invests directly in the next generation of theatre and dance artists.”  

The department’s scholarship recipients are as follows:

Kansas

• Christian Boudreaux, Lawrence, Loren Kennedy Scholarship, Theatre General Scholarship
• Drue Bowen, Overland Park, Claire Reinhold Scholarship in Theatre
• Abby Boyd, Topeka, Elizabeth Sherbon Scholarship, Patricia Joyce Ellis Scholarship
• Cytlahli Calbreath-Valle, Junction City, Richard Kelton Memorial Scholarship
• Grace Couldry, Shawnee, Donald and Betty Dixon Scholarship in Theatre
• Kade Day, Greeley, Margaret Bushong and Suzanne Calvin Scholarship, Dorothy and Benjamin Glick Scholarship
• Sofia Dunkelberger, Wichita, Bernadette Robinson Scholarship, Edna Bulkeley Dance Scholarship, Loren Kennedy Emeritus
• Logan Fixsen, Olathe, Julie Damron-Dittmer Scholarship
• Noah Hastings, Olathe, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
• Brandon Heflin, Olathe, Dorothy and Benjamin Glick Scholarship
• Keaja Hodge, Wichita, Patricia Joyce Ellis Scholarship
• Sean Ingram, Shawnee, David E. Blackwell Scholarship, Julie Damron-Dittmer Scholarship, Loren Kennedy Coordinator
• January Jackson, Lawrence, Claire Reinhold Scholarship in Theatre, Margaret Bushong and Suzanne Calvin Scholarship
• Aubrey Krapes, Olathe, Patricia Joyce Ellis Scholarship
• Natalie Loftus, Hays, New Theatre Guild Dennis D. Hennessy & Richard Carrothers Scholarship
• Samuel Moore, Olathe, Patricia Joyce Ellis Drama Scholarship
• Abbie Needham, Andover, Stephanie Ann Smith Memorial Scholarship
• Cade Nelson, Topeka, Loren Kennedy Scholarship, New Theatre Guild Don Knotts Scholarship
• Jamie Nelson, Fairway, Adah Hagan Clarke Scholarship in Theatre
• Zach Newkirk, Overland Park, New Theatre Guild Jacqueline and Curt Stokes Scholarship
• Syd Olson, Wichita, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
• Lizzy Packard, Wichita, Charles “Buddy” Rogers Scholarship
• Cohen Partain, Topeka, Charles “Buddy” Rogers Scholarship
• Jacobi Robinson, Abilene, Jon T. Eicholtz and Barbara Eden Acting Scholarship, Adah Hagan Clarke Scholarship in Theatre, Richard Kelton Memorial Scholarship
• Alex Reimer, Paola, Friends of Theatre & Dance Reese Saricks Scholarship, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
• Jay Santee, Overland Park, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
• Shia Schrock, Olathe, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
• Molly Stover-Brown, Wichita, Loren Kennedy Ambassador, Patricia Joyce Ellis Scholarship
• Lara Strother, Manhattan, Alexis and Craig Stevens Performing Arts Scholarship
• Morgan Tate, Shawnee, Loren Kennedy Ambassador, New Theatre Guild Dodie Myers Brown Scholarship
• Bridget Thompson, Topeka, Janet Hamburg Dance Scholarship
• Madison Torrez, Topeka, Donald and Betty Dixon Scholarship in Theatre, Patricia Joyce Ellis Drama Scholarship
• Dawson Welde, Overland Park, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
• Zada Wise, McLouth, Alexis and Craig Stevens Performing Arts Scholarship, Patricia Joyce Ellis Drama Scholarship

Other states and countries

• Sergio Alicea Román, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Ambrose Saricks Family Scholarship
• Marzi Ashrafian, Iran; Theatre General Scholarship
• Tiffani Brooks Hagan, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Adah Hagan Clarke Scholarship in Theatre
• Coria Chaloupecky, West Des Moines, Iowa, Kari Wahlgren Theatre Scholarship, Theatre General Scholarship
• Joseph Compton, Leawood, Colorado, Stephanie Ann Smith Memorial Scholarship, Theatre General Scholarship
• Kitty Corum, Kansas City, Missouri, Ambrose Saricks Family Scholarship
• Gillian Genardo, Mokena, Illinois, New Theatre Guild William and Penny Gamm Scholarship
• Keira Hodges, Murphy, Texas, Mary Beth Daley Dance Scholarship, Patricia Joyce Ellis Scholarship
• Paige Katz, Omaha, Nebraska, Lee Family Scholarship in Dance, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
• Kaylee Lempke, Omaha, Nebraska, Harry B. Craig Dance Scholarship, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
• Kate Long, Dallas, Barbara Nordling Dance Scholarship
• Esther McBride, Alameda, California, Janet Hamburg Dance Scholarship
• Camryn Purtle, Harrisonville, Missouri, John David Lentz Memorial Scholarship, Sally Six Hersh Memorial Scholarship
• Mallory Pyka, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Allen Crafton Memorial Scholarship
• Jordan Rasmussen, Polk City, Iowa, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
• Alaina Rossell, Kenosha, Wisconsin, Dorothy and Benjamin Glick Scholarship
• Maggie Stephan, Davenport, Iowa, Lee Family Scholarship in Dance, Dance General Scholarship
• Claire Yarborough, Elkhorn, Nebraska, Betty Joe Lorbeer McMillen Ballet 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 UDC website.