Scholarship Winners

4/22/2010 

Monday May 10, 2010

I would like to thank everyone who auditioned for a 2010 TRMF Summer Scholarship. While several are receiving a scholarship from us this year not everyone is. The TRMF judges discussed all the applicants, trying to reach a decision on who should get what until we ran out of money.

To help make our selections we first discussed the auditions themselves . . . was the student enthusiastic when performing . . . did the student take the audition process seriously, dress appropriately, choose material to perform that showed off their talent, did it make the judges say "Wow"!

Next we went back over the applications, essays, transcripts and reference letters asking: is the applicant good in the classroom as well as when performing; is our candidate serious, enthusiastic, passionate and excited about performing? Does the student want to make the performing arts their career?

We look at the reference letters. What does the reference say about our applicant, what is the reference not saying? Very telling sometimes.

We look at their choice of programs. If they work hard will this program help them develop their talent? Have they selected a program they can afford with the help of TRMF? In other words, does the scholarship pay enough of the cost of the program so that the student's family is left with a manageable amount?

While Tim never had an opportunity to audition for a scholarship I do remember something I used to tell him when he auditioned for a commercial, movie, video, Industrial Film or a role on stage in a musical, comedy, drama or even Shakespeare: if he didn't get the part more often than not it did not mean he wasn't as talented as the boy who was cast; what it usually meant was he was not what that director was looking for. One time his scores were exactly the same as the young man who got the lead in the spring musical at DSA . . .only problem, it was the romantic lead, you know, "the guy that got the girl" and Tim was only 5'3" and looked about twelve! Another time the actor cast to play his younger brother was as tall as he was ... not what the director wanted at all.  Neither reason he didn't get those parts had anything to do with his talent.

Thanks again to all you who came out to audition. I met almost all of you and if scholarships were awarded simply on who I liked and who I didn't this job would be easy!   I can truly say I liked everyone I met! 

Good luck to all of you in your futures!
Sherrill Redovian