Apply to Finger Lakes' Thommie Walsh/MGR Playhouse Scholarship

The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival (FLMTF) has announced that it will begin accepting applications for the Thommie Walsh/Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Scholarship Program starting Feb. 1, 2017.

Initially announced in August 2016, the Thommie Walsh/MGR Scholarship Program was created to honor Walsh's legacy and love of the theatre. It is awarded annually as $2,000 scholarship awards to students from Cayuga County pursuing a college degree and career in musical theatre. The winner(s) will be announced in May 2017.

"We are honored to announce the launch of this scholarship Fund," said FLMTF producing artistic director, Brett Smock. "The Festival is deeply committed to arts education and the cultivation of excellent musical theatre artists. This Scholarship Program is a meaningful way to recognize and support emerging talent while continuing to honor Thommie, his legacy and his beloved community."

Thommie Walsh, an Auburn native, was an accomplished actor, choreographer and director. His illustrious choreography and directing career led him to win multiple honors including Tony and Drama Desk Awards. Walsh most notably originated the role of Bobby in "A Chorus Line" on Broadway, a character that was heavily based on his life. Walsh passed away in 2007.

To be eligible, applicants must have an acceptance to, or enrollment in, any accredited theatre arts post-secondary program (two or four-year), and must be in attendance either full-time or substantial part-time (minimum 9 credit hours). The applicant must also be a Cayuga County legal resident and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or GED test results of 500 or more.

Eligible applicants must complete all application requirements and submit materials by April 7, 2017. For more information and to download the application form, visit www.fingerlakesmtf.com/scholarship.

Headquartered in Auburn, NY, the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is a dynamic arts organization committed to creating theatrical experiences at the highest levels of artistic integrity. It leverages the power of the arts as a tool for entertainment, education, social awareness and cultural development in its community and in the region. The Festival is situated in the picturesque Finger Lakes wine region of Central New York. Four hours from NYC and situated between Syracuse, Rochester and Ithaca, the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is one of the largest producing musical theatre organizations in New York State, outside of New York City. Find Merry Go Round Finger Lakes Music Theatre on Facebook, follow @FingerLakesMTF on Twitter and Instagram and visit www.FingerLakesMTF.com.