A.C.T. Reveals First-Ever Scholarship Recipients for San Francisco Semester
Rosemary Che, Jazmyn Morse, and Jakyia Barnes receive tuition support through A.C.T.'s new financial aid program.
American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) has revealed the scholarship recipients for the Fall 2026 session of San Francisco Semester, A.C.T.'s 15-week intensive actor-training program. This marks the first time A.C.T. has awarded these scholarships, which were introduced as part of an expanded financial support structure for the 2026/27 academic year.
The following artists have been selected from a competitive applicant pool by a panel of A.C.T. faculty and community members:
- Rosemary Che has been awarded the Local Artist Award, which provides $2,500 in tuition support to Bay Area artists who are current residents or who grew up in the region.
- Jazmyn Morse has been awarded the Emerging Artist Award, which provides $2,500 in tuition support to early-career artists with demonstrated artistic potential and readiness for intensive training.
- Jakyia Barnes has been awarded the Transformational Access Award, which covers full tuition and includes a $7,500 stipend for an artist with significant financial need for whom full-time study would otherwise be inaccessible.
All recipients were selected by a panel anchored by A.C.T. faculty Michael Mohammed, Patrick Russell, and Jack Sharrar, with additional panelists for each award:
- Local Artist Award: Rodney Earl Jackson (SFBATCO Artistic Director, A.C.T. Board Member) and Rebecca J. Ennals (A.C.T. Education and Community Programs Producer, Former SF Shakespeare Company Artistic Director)
- Emerging Artist Award: Annie Wang (SFS Spring 2024 Alumna) and Nicole Brewer (Educator and David Geffen Yale School of Drama Faculty)
- Transformation Access Award: A.C.T. Annual Fund Manager Karen Gordon
In addition to named scholarships, A.C.T. continues to offer need-based financial aid through its Financial Aid Fund for artists with financial barriers to participation. Artists interested in support are encouraged to visit act-sf.org/sfs for application details and deadlines.
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Pickleball Hillbarn Theatre (8/20-9/13) |
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The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA The Marsh Berkeley (7/10-8/07) |
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The Phantom of the Opera San Jose Center for the Performing Arts (10/07-10/18) |
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School of Rock Hillbarn Theatre (11/19-12/20) |
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Dear San Francisco Club Fugazi (9/16-9/30) |
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Hadestown Howard Brubeck Theatre at Palomar College (8/07-8/16) |
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The Fall Show Shotgun Players Ashby Stage (9/26-10/25) |
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Ride the Cyclone City Lights Theater Company (7/16-8/23) |
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Merola Grand Finale War Memorial Opera House (8/15-8/15) |