Scholarships and Awards
THEATRE ALUMNI EMERGING MULTICULTURAL ARTISTS SCHOLARSHIP
The Theatre Alumni Emerging Multicultural Artists Scholarship is awarded to a current, incoming, or transfer student. The applicant must be a theatre major who exhibits an exceptional desire to pursue a career in theatre arts. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need, are first-generation college students, and/or plan to make substantial contributions to the diverse range of voices and communities, particularly through work that strengthens opportunities for underrepresented or economically disadvantaged communities that are reflected in their theater pursuits. Contact Len Kelly for more information.
J.PETER ADLER PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE - OPEN NOW UNTIL MARCH 1, 2026
The J. Peter Adler Prize for Excellence in Theatre is an annual award endowed by the family and friends of J. Peter Adler and West Chester University. The J. Peter Adler Prize will be awarded each spring to a current West Chester University Senior, regardless of undergraduate major, who has participated in the theatre arts while at West Chester University and will use the scholarship associated with the prize to attend graduate school or work in professional theatre.
J.PETER ADLER SCHOLARSHIP
The J. Peter Adler Scholarship is a renewable scholarship awarded to a first year student who demonstrates high academic and creative potential and to support students working to enhance their skills and develop leadership in the theatre arts. The award will be based on a review of the applicant's grades, their community, extra and/or co-curricular, or volunteer activities, and either an audition or a portfolio. The scholarship may be renewed for up to four years, provided the recipient continues to meet the eligibility requirements. This scholarship is awarded in memory of J. Peter Adler, son of West Chester University President Dr. Madeleine Wing Adler and Dr. Norman Adler, a well-known political consultant in New York City. J. Peter was killed in a car accident in May 1995.
THEATRE AND DANCE PRODUCTION AND DESIGN SCHOLARSHIP
This is awarded annually to a deserving Theater Major or Dance Minor student with financial need and exhibited interest in the theatre or dance production and design field.
THE BARBARA J. LAPPANO DANCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Barbara J. Lappano ’67, M ’73 Dance Scholarship honors Barbara Lappano who taught dance at WCU from 1970-2004. This scholarship is awarded to a full-time student who has declared a dance minor and completed at least 60 credits. Selection is based upon academic record and active involvement in the university dance program. Other factors include involvement in the field of dance outside the university and a personal statement. Contact Gretchen Studlien-Webb for more information.
DANCE ALUMNI AWARDS FOR CHOREOGRAPHY
The Dance Alumni Chapter, started by Barbara Lappano, WCU dance faculty from 1970 -2004 and founder of Dance Production Workshop, honors current University Dance Company students for their excellence in choreography. Recipients receive an award stipend. Contact Gretchen Studlien-Webb for more information.
EMERGING DANCE MINOR SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is awarded to eligible full-time dance minor who has successfully completed 15 credits and a maximum of 55 credits at West Chester University (transfer students must have completed 15 credits at WCU). Selection is based upon an academic record of minimum 3.0 GPA and involvement in the field of dance, primarily within the WCU dance program. Contact Gretchen Studlien-Webb for more information.
LILA BERKOVICH ACHUFF MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is given to a student who is an Education major with a Dance minor. Additional requirements include having financial need and being a Pennsylvania resident with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
CAH OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD
This award is given each spring to a graduating senior who is majoring in a College of Arts & Humanities (CAH) discipline and who demonstrates exceptional intellectual or creative achievement and strong extracurricular and service activities. Students must be nominated by a CAH faculty member and hold a minimum GPA of 3.5; nominees then submit an application form, personal statement, resume, and two faculty letters of recommendation. Nomination and application deadlines are usually announced by the CAH dean’s office early in the spring semester and typically fall in late March or early April. For more information, please contact the CAH dean's office.
Current Scholarship and Award Recipients
J. Peter Adler Prize Scholarship
2025-2026 | Emerson Twilley ‘29 (Design + Production concentration)
Barbara J. Lappano '67, M'73 Dance Scholarship Fund
2026-2027 | Gabby Tomczak ‘28 (Dance minor)
2026-2027 | Danielle Myers ‘28 (Dance minor)
Emerging Dance Minor Scholarship
2026-2027 | Nora DeTurck ‘29 (Dance minor)
Lila Berkovich Achuff Memorial Scholarship
2026-2027 | Morgan Rudisill ‘27 (Dance minor)
Theatre Alumni Emerging Multicultural Artists Scholarship
2026-2027 | Kirstyn Jones ’28 (Musical Theatre concentration)
Theatre and Dance Production and Design Scholarship
2026-2027 | Danny Arias ’26 (Design + Production concentration)
J. Peter Adler Prize For Excellence In Theatre
2025-2026 | Elijah McBride '26 (Musical Theatre concentration)
2025-2026 | Olivia Opiela '26 (Design + Production concentration)
Alumni Awards For Choreography
2025-2026 | Olivia Bissol ‘27 and Samantha Calabro ‘27 (Dance minors)
2025-2026 | Lucy Morrin '26