Scholarship Program
The Cross Education Fund Scholarships
The Bill and Phyllis Cross Education Fund has supported Pentacle Theatre’s scholarship programs since 2004 through three scholarships:
- The Jo Dodge Performing Arts Theatre Scholarship
- The Tony Zandol Technical Arts Theatre Scholarship
- The Tom Ulmer Theatre Service Scholarship
The Performing Arts, Technical Arts, and Theatre Service Scholarship opportunities are for graduating high school students who plan to attend college, whether a community college or a four-year institution.
Application deadline: February 28, 2026.
Pentacle Scholarship application link
The Cross Education Fund honors Bill and Phyllis Cross, two distinguished individuals who received Pentacle Theatre’s highest honor—Lifetime Membership. The Crosses served as mentors and role models, inspiring those around them through their dedication to both the performing and technical theater arts.
Jo Dodge, also a Pentacle Theatre lifetime member, has acted and directed in numerous Pentacle Theatre productions, taught acting workshops at the theater through Chemeketa Community College since 1981, and shared her love of theater with hundreds of Pentacle Theatre volunteers for more than 30 years.
The technical arts scholarship is awarded in honor of Tony Zandol, lifetime member and Pentacle Theatre’s former resident designer and professional production director.
The late Tom Ulmer was a tireless creator and educator of theatrical arts at Pentacle Theatre, Children’s Educational Theatre, and the Salem-Keizer School District. Tom was a lifetime member whose memory Pentacle Theatre honors by awarding scholarship funds to a student who overcame obstacles to give extraordinary time and effort to be involved in theater.
The Alice Mary Norton Volunteerism Scholarship
In 2024, Alice Mary Norton’s friends and family established the Alice Mary Norton Volunteerism Scholarship.
The Volunteerism Scholarship Opportunity is open to anyone who has volunteered time or efforts to support Pentacle Theatre and is eligible to apply directly for themselves or on behalf of a designated recipient.
Alice Norton Scholarship application link
The Alice Mary Norton Volunteerism Scholarship honors Alice Mary Norton’s decades of volunteer service. In 1994, Alice was selected as the first recipient of the Claytene Vick VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD. Her volunteerism extended for 35 years, including in a wide range of theatre support roles from docent, building sets, stage management, sound, lights, props, play reading, and fundraising as the long-time Benefit Chairperson. Alice received Pentacle Theatre’s highest honor of a lifetime membership for her dedication, commitment, and service.
Scholarship recipients 2007 to present
The Jo Dodge Performing Arts Theatre Scholarship
2023
Molly Hare
Bryce Benjamin
2019
Maynard DeWitt Jr.
2016
Olivia Nelson
2015
Julia Fegles
2014
Joseph Allen
Isaiah Nixon
2011
Brianne Reyna
Grace Orr
2010
Chris Helwig
2009
Ciara Stephenson
Slade Thackery
2008
Erin Howe
Erin Pike
2007
Hannah Allen
The Tony Zandol Technical Arts Theatre Scholarship
2023
Trae Green
2020
Maddie Blanchard
2019
Jacob Rybloom
2016
Indigo Clingerman
2015
Emily Bernau
2011
Elisabeth Maiano
2010
Joe Inglish
2008
Paige Hoffert
The Tom Ulmer Theatre Service Scholarship
2025
Vivian May
Lily Kercher
2024
Amelia Woolsey
2023
Jacob Hodges
2020
Alexandra Bolsinger
Joseph Graney
2018
Macey Trussell
Noah Camuso
2017
Max Morter
2016
Hannah Boyack
2015
Danielle Potter
Kat Graney
2014
Hannah Fawcett
2011
Nicholas Brownson
2010
Nicholas Brownson
2009
Chris VanCleave
Jennifer Lippert
Megan Anderson
2008
Jordan Hermens
Stacey Walen
2007
Erin Pike
The Alice Mary Norton Volunteerism Scholarship
2024
Emilie Sass
No scholarships were awarded in 2012 or 2013.