Students Receive WBTT Arts Education Scholarships

August 12, 2022 – Sarasota

For the fourth consecutive year, deserving students with a passion for the arts have received WBTT Artist Development scholarships to help fund their studies in a college or conservatory program in the performing arts or arts management. 

Last year, eight up-and-coming artists were presented with $2,000 scholarships for studies in a college or conservatory program in the performing arts or arts management for the 2021-2022 academic year. This year, WBTT has again provided eight young, aspiring artists with scholarships of $2,000 each.

To be eligible, participants must have performed on the WBTT stage in at least two productions, worked at the theatre as an intern, or have been a participant in the Stage of Discovery summer musical theatre intensive program. 

This year’s recipients are Todd Bellamy II, in his fourth year at Florida A&M University, receiving a scholarship in memory of Shelley Goldblatt; Charlotte Corporan, in her fourth year at Rollins College, receiving the Marie McKee and Robert Cole scholarship; Ariana Fitzgerald, in her fourth year at Jacksonville University, receiving the scholarship in memory of Alan Kurland; Tay Marquise, in his fourth year at Pace University, receiving the Jack and Priscilla Schlegel Scholarship; Astrid McIntyre, in her second year at Southeastern University, receiving the Kitty and John Cranor Scholarship; Jetta Strayhorn, in her second year at Harvard University, receiving the Dr. Jody Beresford and Dr. Robert Mayer Scholarship; Zion Thompson, in his third year at State College of Florida, receiving a scholarship in memory of Shelley Goldblatt; and Canela Vasquez, in her second year at State College of Florida, receiving the Marian Moss Scholarship.

Congratulations to the students and a special thanks to the donors who funded their scholarships! All of this year’s scholarship recipients are alumni of Stage of Discovery, WBTT’s summer musical theatre intensive program. Some have returned to work as interns, assisting the program’s acting, dance and music instructors. The title and theme of this year’s Stage of Discovery show was We Dream; we’re glad WBTT and our generous donors can help make these students’ dreams come true!