The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the theatre community, including local performing arts hub Music Mountain Theatre. Through the ups and downs of live venue shutdowns, adjusting to safety restrictions, and experimenting with virtual programming, MMT has found new and creative ways of bringing the arts to the greater Lambertville community. The organization is now offering a scholarship to one high school student who is pursuing a career in the performing arts industry.
Ginny Brennan, Producing Director at MMT, stated, “We have offered scholarships to students at the theatre school who have a financial need [and] wanted to expand that and offer a scholarship to our Seniors as they pursue an education in the performing arts.” Anna Hentz, who serves on the Board of Directors- Education, also noted, “As a Bensalem humanities teacher and high school drama director, I witnessed, firsthand, the enormous impact that a scholarship can have to address the ever-rising costs of a college education for a performing arts student.” When asked what they are most looking forward to for MMT and theatre in general as the world begins to move towards post-pandemic life, these two leaders expressed sentiments shared by everyone in the arts community. Brennan looks forward to “full-cast performance and plays, children’s theatre all summer, and greeting all our loyal patrons as they come into the theatre,” and Hentz longs for the day “when performers and audience members can once again experience the electricity and energy of live theatre.”
The Music Mountain Theatre Scholarship, created by the MMT Board of Directors, is a $1,000 scholarship for an applicant planning a course of study in the performing arts field. The applicant may be a senior at any high school, who has participated in some capacity at Music Mountain Theatre between ninth and twelfth grade. Individual experience, motivation, and written expression will be factors in determining the final recipient, with the MMT Scholarship Committee making all award determinations. Submissions must be received electronically by May 21, 2021. Details are available on the MMT Scholarship page