Cody Renard Richard Announces 2025 Cohort for Groundbreaking Scholarship Program - AmNews Curtain Raiser

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Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Cody Renard Richard Announces 2025 Cohort for Groundbreaking Scholarship Program

 


Cody Renard Richard Announces 2024 Cohort for Groundbreaking Scholarship Program

The theater industry is set to welcome a new wave of talented leaders as Broadway stage manager and producer Cody Renard Richard unveils the latest cohort of The Cody Renard Richard Scholarship Program. Designed to uplift emerging theatrical professionals of color working behind the scenes, the program continues to serve as a crucial bridge into the industry.

This year’s recipients include:

  • Jasmine Brooks (Yale University)
  • Jeyna Lynn Gonzales (University of California, Irvine)
  • Bell Hernandez (University of California, Irvine)
  • Brissa Lopez (Columbia University)
  • Savanha Moore (University of Iowa)
  • Briana Newson (California Institute of the Arts)
  • Andre Rodriguez (Texas State University)
  • Salomé A. Ayers Sánchez (University of North Carolina School of the Arts)
  • Tait Truong (Oklahoma City University)
  • KayCi Wolf (Texas State University)

Each scholar will receive a $10,000 financial grant, personalized mentorship through online seminars focused on leadership, community building, and social justice, and a fully funded trip to New York City to meet industry professionals and experience Broadway firsthand.

Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the program has already awarded $340,000 in scholarships to 45 students from 31 universities. Past recipients are now making their mark across the industry, working on Broadway productions such as Maybe Happy Ending, A Wonderful World, Buena Vista Social Club, Our Town, Hamilton, Hadestown, Hell’s Kitchen, and Disney’s Aladdin. Others have taken their talents to national tours, including Tina Turner: The Tina Turner Musical, and regional theaters like Utah Shakespeare Festival, La Jolla Playhouse, Lincoln Center Theater, and The Public Theater.

Reflecting on the milestone, Richard shared:

"I’m so proud that we are celebrating our 5th anniversary. This program is such a labor of love, and I’m so grateful for the support we’ve received over the years. Each year, I’m reminded of how important this work is and how vital it is to create spaces like this. Our incoming cohort is filled with creative thinkers who are passionate about community-building and shifting the landscape of our industry. I can’t wait to uplift their talents and learn from them along the way."

The scholarship program is supported by an esteemed group of sponsors, including The Jeffrey Seller Family Foundation, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Miranda Family Fund, Tiger Baron Foundation, Kevin McCollum, Thomas Kail, Junkyard Dogs, Jenny Steingart, and Jill Furman. The Jeffrey Seller Family Foundation and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS serve as lead sponsors, underscoring the industry’s commitment to fostering diverse talent.

This year’s selection committee featured an impressive lineup of theatrical professionals and leaders, including Richard, Tom Andre Bardwell, Jhanaë Bonnick, Lani Fu, Ann James, Zhailon Levingston, Tina McCartney, Kenneth McGee, Timothy Oliver Reid, and program manager Nzinga Williams.

For more information, visit crrscholarship.com.


About BTC (Black Theatre Coalition)

Founded in 2019 by T. Oliver Reid and Warren Adams, with Reggie Van Lee joining as a co-founder, Black Theatre Coalition (BTC) was established to dismantle systemic racism in theater and increase opportunities for Black professionals working behind the scenes.

BTC’s mission is to eliminate the “illusion of inclusion” by creating a sustainable roadmap for employment opportunities and reshaping the ecosystem of American theater.

For more information, visit buildingthechange.org.

 

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