Manhattan School of Music
Musical Theatre
NOTE: As of 2023, this scholarship is no longer available.
What is the William Tolbert Whittenberg Scholarship for Performing Arts?
The William Tolbert Whittenberg Scholarship for Performing Arts awards young artists a one-time scholarship grant award up to $15,000 to pursue advanced study in the performing arts.
Who may apply for the Whittenberg Scholarship?
To be eligible for the Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- From the Greater Louisville region – Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer Counties in Kentucky and Clark, Harrison, and Floyd Counties in Indiana
- Between the ages of 16 and 22
- Plan to pursue a professional career in the performing arts
- Submit application through the Fund for the Arts online grant portal
How do I apply?
The Whittenberg application is a 2-step process:
- Application
- Read the entire Grant Guidelines document.
- Attend the Applicant Information Session (see Timeline below for details).
- Submit your application through the Fund for the Arts online grant portal no later than 11:59pm Friday, March 31.
- Audition
- After all eligible applications are considered, notified applicants will be invited to audition for the review panel. Fund for the Arts will notify applicants of audition status via email by the end of April 2023.
- Attend auditions in Louisville in May. Exact date, time, and location will be included in the email notification.
- The Fund for the Arts notification email will include further audition details, including what to prepare, logistics, etc.
Preliminary Timeline:
| February 15 | Applications Open |
| Wednesday, March 1, 6:30pm-7:30pm
|
Applicant Information Session |
| Mondays, February 27, March 13, and 27 2:30pm-7:30pm EST
Tuesdays, March 7 and 21 8:30am-1:30pm EST
|
Virtual Office Hours
Virtual Office Hours are available for anyone planning to apply for the Whittenberg Scholarship to provide time for questions with FFTA staff. Please email grants@fundforthearts.org to reserve your 30-minute timeslot. Whittenberg Virtual Office Hour timeslots are first-come, first-served and are not required. Additional resources include the Grant Guidelines and recorded Info Session. |
| March 31, 11:59pm EST | Applications Due in FFTA Online Grant Portal |
| April 2023 | Round 2 finalists invited via email to audition |
| May 2023 | Auditions held in Louisville, date, time and location TBA |
| Late May 2023 | All applicants notified of award status via email |
| By June 15, 2023 | Grant Requirements Due: Payment Information and Thank You Note |
| By January 31, 2024 | Grant Requirement Due: Scholarship Update |
Apply Today!
Additional questions?
We encourage interested applicants to attend the virtual info session and/or office hours listed above. You may also contact the Fund for the Arts Community Investment & Support Team at grants@fundforthearts.org or (502) 582-0104.
Recipients of the 2021 Whittenberg Scholarship are listed below.
First Prize - Torinae Norman
Second Prize - Andrew Tran
University of Kentucky
Vocal Music
Second Prize - Brooklyn Durs
DePaul University
Theatre
Second Prize - Kaylee Strange
Arizona State University
Dance
Second Prize - Kaylynn Li
Various, Music Trials
Violin
Second Prize - Sophia "Sofi" Pascua
Northwestern University
Musical Theatre
Second Prize - William French
Morehead State University
Trumpet
Honorable Mentions
Chase Dean, Vocal Music
Genesis Smith, Saxophone
Jasper Kasey, Flute
Caitlin Espinueva, Dance
Previous Scholarship Recipients
Applications for the William Tolbert Whittenberg Scholarship for Performing Arts Excellence are currently closed.
2019 First Prize: Kimmi Hebdon
- Arts Discipline: French Horn
- College Attending: Northwestern University
- Number of Years of Study: 7 years
2019 Second Prize Winner: Bailey Pierce
- Arts Discipline: Musical Theatre
- College Attending: Manhattan School of Music
- Number of Years of Study: 9 years
2018 Winner: Brandon Burk
- Arts Discipline: Theatre
- College Attending: Fordham University
- Number of Years of Study: 7 years
2018 Winner: Jake Waford
- Arts Discipline: Musical Theatre
- College Attending: College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati
- Number of Years of Study: 7 years
2017 First Prize Winner: Caroline Glazier
- Arts Discipline: Musical Theatre
- College Attending: University of Michigan
- Number of Years of Study: 10 years
2017 Second Prize Winner: Alexandria Kinard
- Arts Discipline: Dance
- College Attending: University of Louisville Dance Academy
- Number of Years of Study: 12 years
2016 First Prize Winner: Ruth Sangster
- Arts Discipline: Vocal, Opera
- College Attending: University of Kentucky
- Number of Years of Study: 3 (has studied under Elizabeth Huling and Louisville Youth Choir)
2016 Second Prize Winner: Emma Pfitzer-Price
- Arts Discipline: Theatre
- College Attending: The Julliard School
- Number of Years of Study: 10 (has studied at Commonwealth Theatre Center – formerly Walden Theatre/Blue Apple Players)
Our initiative fulfills the following priorities:
