Pentacle Theatre’s Education Committee will accept scholarship applications between March 5 and May 1, 2016, from students pursuing higher education and the arts.

Three scholarships are available to qualifying high school seniors and students currently enrolled in community college or a four-year institution:

  • The Jo Dodge Performing Arts Theatre Scholarship
  • The Tony Zandol Technical Arts Theatre Scholarship
  • The Tom Ulmer Theatre Service Scholarship

To qualify, high school seniors must be graduating in the spring of 2016 and plan to attend college in the fall of 2016. The student can plan to attend a community college or a four-year institution.

Applicants must demonstrate their experience with theatre education, as well as other theatre involvement including service at Pentacle Theatre. Additionally, applicants will need to report on their academic and professional goals along with any special considerations of financial need. Applicants must submit a personal statement describing the impact of theatre in their lives and their own contributions to the arts. The application will include complete qualifying information.

Applications are available starting March 5, 2016. Download the 2016 Pentacle Theatre Scholarship App or pick up one from a local drama teacher or contact the Education Committee chair, Robert Salberg at 971-208-2799 or salberg.robert@gmail.com. Scholarship applications are due May 1, 2016, and recipients will be notified by June 30, 2016.

The fund, established in memory of Bill and Phyllis Cross, honors these two individuals who were awarded Pentacle Theatre’s highest honor of Lifetime Membership. While at Pentacle Theatre and during Phyllis’ career as a high school drama teacher, Bill and Phyllis served as mentors and role models, inspiring those around them in performing and technical theatre arts.

Jo Dodge, also a Pentacle Theatre Lifetime Member, has acted and directed in numerous Pentacle Theatre productions, taught acting workshops at the theatre through Chemeketa Community College since 1981 and shared her love of theatre with hundreds of Pentacle Theatre volunteers for 25 years.

The technical arts scholarship is awarded in honor of Tony Zandol, Pentacle Theatre’s resident designer and professional production director. In addition to his work with Pentacle Theatre, Tony works with Children’s Educational Theatre.

The late Tom Ulmer was a tireless creator and educator of theatrical arts at Pentacle Theatre, Children’s Educational Theatre and Salem-Keizer School District. Pentacle Theatre honors his memory by awarding scholarship funds to a student who overcomes obstacles to give extraordinary time and effort to be involved in theatre.

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Pentacle Theatre is Salem’s premier community theater, celebrating 60 years of professional-quality productions staged in an intimate setting. Pentacle Theatre encourages actors of all abilities and ethnic backgrounds to participate in its productions.