HLTC Expands Scholarship Program

The Harbor Lights Theater Company, led by Executive Artistic Director Tamara Jenkins, Co-Artistic Director Jay Montgomery, and Associate Producer Beth Gittleman, announces that it is expanding its scholarship program for minority theater students thanks to Con Edison.

Harbor Lights is currently seeking minorities who show exceptional talent and financial need. Recommendations are accepted and auditions are required. The scholarship support being provided to minority youth includes participation in the Summer Intensive for Youth, Fall and Spring Acting classes, Master Classes offered throughout the year, and personal mentoring and career guidance.

"Harbor Lights offers the Island's only pre-professional theater training program for youth. We are committed to offering scholarship opportunities for young minority students to broaden their theatrical education and exposure through our carefully designed summer program taught by very talented and experienced Broadway veterans. Continued support for our scholarship recipients will be provided throughout the year with acting classes, Master classes, and individual mentoring," said Tamara Jenkins.

"Harbor Lights is well equipped with the skills, resources, and reputation to guide and mentor our young people into the world of theater. For many young people who are serious students of theater, summer is the time they typically spend perfecting their trade. Oftentimes, young people travel to Manhattan to seek the level of professional training they need to advance their career. As the only professional Equity theater company on Staten Island (with four seasons of producing plays and musicals that included over 75 Broadway professionals, including Tony, Grammy, Oscar, Emmy, Drama Desk, and Obie award-winning and - nominated artists) Harbor Lights has the dedication and ability to provide the highest level of professional summer training for our talented young people right in their own community, " said Jay Montgomery.

"Our goal is to expand this scholarship program by seeking additional funding for future enrollments. We look forward to awarding these scholarships and working with the many talented young people who are already contributing to our local culture and theatrical reputation, " said Beth Gittleman.

The Harbor Lights Theater Company has given scholarships to minority students every year since 2011. Previous students are making their mark in the world of theater. Tomas Matos, a previous recipient of a Summer Intensive for Youth scholarship, is now a student at LaGuardia High School and is regularly cast in Kidz Theaters Productions in NYC. He has also appeared in several Harbor Lights professional productions, including AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS and THE KING AND I. In the upcoming production of THE BIKINIS, Tomas will have a featured dance part.

The Mid-Island Rotary is funding one scholarship for the Summer Intensive for Youth as well.

Harbor Lights' summer intensive is a pre-professional theater training program for serious students, ages 11- 18. There are still a few openings available to enroll for this summer's session for children who do not fit the criteria for scholarships.

The two week course, targeting theater students with prior training and experience, will take place this summer at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens.

Please call 718-273-7516 or email info@theharborlightstheatercompany.org for more information about the program and to register for the upcoming session. NOTE: Sessions begin July 7th, 2014.

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