Nazareth College to offer scholarships to select Rochester Broadway Theatre League Stars of Tomorrow students

ROCHESTER, NY (05/05/2016)(readMedia)-- Nazareth College is pleased to partner with the Rochester Broadway Theatre League (RBTL) to award Stars of Tomorrow Scholarships to select high school sophomores and juniors participating in RBTL's 2016 Stars of Tomorrow program. Recipients who major in musical theatre at Nazareth College will receive $5,000 per year; students who opt to minor in the program will receive $2,500 per year.

"Nazareth College has long been an institution where students and the community can create, study, and experience the performing arts," says Daan Braveman, Nazareth College president. "We place a high value on the role of the arts in making communities vibrant, and have been educating and training performing artists since 1967 through the College's numerous B.F.A., B.A., and B.S. degree programs in theatre, dance, and music. Partnering with Rochester Broadway Theatre League to offer these scholarships allows us to serve the next generation of talented, motivated students."

"The Rochester Broadway Theatre League is thrilled to be partnering with Nazareth College to offer this generous scholarship opportunity to local students," says RBTL's COO, John Parkhurst. "RBTL's Stars of Tomorrow program is dedicated to supporting the process of growth and learning, encouraging commitment, discipline and teamwork, and acknowledging excellence. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to showcase Nazareth's B.F.A. program to our young entertainers and are excited that this partnership will allow several students to continue this process at Nazareth College."

Corinne Aquilina, director of Nazareth's musical theatre degree program, and Yuanting Zhao, chair of the Nazareth College Theatre and Dance department, will choose scholarship recipients during RBTL's Stars of Tomorrow NYC Bound competition on Thursday, May 26, 2016. In addition to their G.P.A., students will be selected based on their ability to act, dance, and sing, as well as their readiness to accept the rigorous atmosphere of the professional musical theatre business.

"RBTL's Stars of Tomorrow program has a long history of showcasing our area's many talented students," offers Ian Mortimer, Nazareth College vice president of enrollment management. "With Nazareth having Rochester's only B.F.A. in musical theatre, we are excited to partner with RBTL to help aspiring performers in our community succeed."

"Part of RBTL's mission is to provide opportunities in the arts," adds RBTL's Executive Vice President, Linda Glosser. "We're so pleased to be working with Nazareth College in this initiative to further that goal. We have many talented students in our programs, and are thrilled to know they will have this wonderful opportunity to consider."

NAZARETH COLLEGE'S B.F.A. IN MUSICAL THEATRE is a pre-professional degree that integrates voice, acting, and dance taught by theatre professionals, Nazareth faculty, and visiting guest artists in a rigorous environment. Nazareth's collaboration with the three-stage Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival enhances training and learning opportunities and creates an intensive professional-track training program that rivals many national programs. Students in other majors who have an interest in musical theatre may earn a minor with a total of 18 credits.

THE NAZARETH COLLEGE THEATRE AND DANCE DEPARTMENT provides professional training in theatre and musical theatre performance and production, drama education, technical theatre and design, and dance, and prepares students for graduate work and specialized advanced studies in the entertainment industry. The department presents four productions each year – with scenery, costumes, and lighting designed and created by faculty and students – as well as an annual spring dance concert. Its MAD (Movement and Dance) Weekend offers master classes to teens and adults of all skill levels. For more information, visit naz.edu/dept/theatre-dance.

NAZARETH COLLEGE's academic strengths cross an unusually broad spectrum of 60 majors, including education, health and human services, management, the fine arts, music, theater, math and science, foreign languages, and the liberal arts. The coeducational, religiously independent, classic campus in a charming suburb of Rochester, N.Y. challenges and supports 2,000 undergrads and 800 graduate students. Nazareth is recognized nationally for its Fulbright global student scholars and commitment to civic engagement. Rigorous programs, an uncommon core, experiential learning, career skills, and a global focus prepare graduates for not just one job, but for their life's work. For more information, visit naz.edu.

The ROCHESTER BROADWAY THEATRE LEAGUE believes that arts and performance are among the most eloquent means of understanding and appreciating the human spirit, and therefore must be an essential part of every child's education. Arts and performance education teaches discipline, inspires creativity and helps young people set and reach goals. RBTL is committed to education both in and out of the classroom that engages and encourages children and their families to explore, experience, participate and enjoy the richness of the arts as an essential element of the human experience. Each year, RBTL identifies themes and programs pertinent to the youth of today around the season, and develops lessons and materials for teachers, which fully align to classroom curriculum and demands. Students gain knowledge through Theatre workshops and tours, classroom lessons, visitations and open discussions.

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