Jake is a recipient of the 2018 Whittenberg Scholarship, made possible by generous support from Joan Whittenberg in honor of William Tolbert Whittenberg. This year’s scholarship awards up to $10,000 for students age 16–20 to pursue their performing arts goals.
Applications for the 2019 scholarship are due March 25. Click here to learn more.
- Name: Jake Waford
- Education: Rising Sophomore, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
- Discipline: Musical Theatre
- County: Shelby County
What have you been up to since winning Whittenberg?
Since receiving the scholarship, I have enrolled at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) as a Musical Theatre major. The Musical Theatre program at CCM is very prestigious, and it has been my dream to attend this since my sophomore year of high school. Every day I wake up and feel so blessed and lucky to attend this school, do what I love, be surrounded by talented and likeminded individuals.
What are you currently working on?
I recently was just awarded a role in the spring production of a new rock musical called “Yeast Nation” at CCM. I am so excited to get started in the rehearsal process!
What does performing mean to you?
Musical Theatre has been one of the things I have built myself upon. I have buried my roots into the stages I have walked on, and I have tried to learn as much as I possibly can about my craft. I cannot imagine myself doing anything but Musical Theatre as a career, and that is why I am pursing a college degree in it.
