St. Louis' New Line Theatre Announces New Musical Theatre Scholarship

New Line Theatre, "the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre," now in its eighteenth season of provocative, adult, alternative musical theatre, has created a new $1,500 musical theatre scholarship to be given to one St. Louis metro area high school senior who plans to study musical theatre in college. The scholarship has been funded by proceeds from New Line's January concert at the Sheldon Concert Hall, "Night of the Living Show Tunes." The deadline for applying is April 1, 2009, and guidelines are on the New Line website at www.newlinetheatre.com/scholarship.html

"We've been wanting to do this for years," says New Line artistic director Scott Miller." But our operating budget is always so tight, there's never been room to carve out money for a scholarship. But we finally figured out how to do it, and we couldn't be happier to offer this small help to some young artist who wants to pursue work in the musical theatre. As I've said many times before, musical theatre is one of the few indigenous American art forms and it's never been more vigorous or more adventurous than it is right now. It's an amazing time to be working in the American musical theatre."

Requirements for Application:

-- Cover letter, including all contact info (address, phone, email, etc.)

One of the following two:
-- One-page essay about why the student plans to study musical theatre OR
-- One-page essay on a theatre or music experience that has had a big impact on the student

-- Resume of past theatre and/or music work

-- Recommendation letter from one drama, music, or dance teacher

-- Recommendation letter from one other teacher or administrator

Applications must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2009. Judith Newmark, theatre critic for the St. Louis Post Dispatch will make the final decision. Proof of enrollment in an accredited university or college is required before the check will be issued. Applications should be mailed to Scott Miller, New Line Theatre, 3802-A Keokuk Street, St. Louis, MO 63116. No email or faxed applications will be accepted.

New Line Theatre is a professional company dedicated to involving the people of the St. Louis region in the exploration and creation of daring, provocative, socially and politically relevant works of musical theatre. New Line receives funding from the Regional Arts Commission, the Fox Associates Charitable Foundation, and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

The New Line season continues with the sci-fi rock musical "Return to the Forbidden Planet," April 30-May 23, and the first St. Louis production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," July 16-August 8. New Line continues to offer the New Line Free Seats, ten seats put aside for every performance, free to anyone with a valid college student ID. For other information, visit New Line Theatre's full-service website at www.newlinetheatre.com. All programs are subject to change.