MMT works diligently to ensure that students without the resources to attend a class at the Conservatory can still benefit from a theatre education through scholarships and outreach classes.
Thanks to our education sponsors, merit and need-based scholarships are available to students through a simple application process. These scholarships provide students with the opportunity to study with industry professionals and perform at a professional theatre! Contact Director of Education Francesca Reilly for more information or download the financial assistance application.
If you would like to sponsor a student with a scholarship, please contact our Development Director, John Levin, at development@nullmillmountain.org.
The John Sailer Scholarship Fund
The John J. Sailer Scholarship was established by family and friends in his honor after John’s death in 2015. It provides a year’s full tuition for a student to learn the creative and technical skills required in creation of scenic, costume and lighting elements for professional theatre productions. John’s career included design for more than 100 productions at Mill Mountain Theatre and at other theatrical companies across America. The scholarship has been awarded annually since 2015.
Contributors can contact John Levin at 540-342-5761 or john@nullmillmountain.org for details.
RECIPIENTS
Taylor Berenbaum (2022)
Eliza Rose Gregory (2021)
Kim Hoyle (2020)
Jacob Wadstrom (2019)
Henry Stevens (2018)
Mohini Riego de Dios (2017)
Layla Esch-Bickel (2016)
Tyler McPhearson (2016)
The John T. “Jack” Avis Scholarship
The John T. Avis MMT Conservatory Leadership Award has been given annually since 2018. One student is honored each year who demonstrates talents and initiatives for other students to follow in developing both theatre skills and career success. These include responsibility, dependability and teamwork. Being an effective mentor to other students is an important consideration. The award is named for Jack Avis, a Roanoke business leader who served MMT for 14 years as a board member and president and continues his support as a Director Emeritus.
RECIPIENTS
Sylvia MacNab (2023)
Elise LeGault (2022)
Isaac Bouldin (2021)
Olivia Goodman (2020)
Caroline Moledor (2019)
Olivia Bloch (2018)
The Doug Patterson Scholarship
The Doug Patterson Scholarship was established in 2022 in memory of a veteran actor, employee and supporter of Mill Mountain Theatre. And, more significant, he was a mentor and friend of hundreds of professional theatre artists who worked with him over more than 20 years. The Doug Patterson scholarship provides a year’s tuition for MMT Conservatory classes and is sustained by donations from those who admired Doug and cherish his memory. It is given annually to a student who aspires to Doug’s excellence as an actor, especially in roles of comedy. He performed in more than 75 productions at MMT, most of them unforgettable.
RECIPIENTS
Ruby Spence (2023)
Lizzie Turner Memorial Scholarship
The Lizzie Turner Memorial Scholarship will award deserving students of theatre performance, lighting, sound, costume and set design at Mill Mountain Theatre since participating in all aspects of Mill Mountain Theatre productions was truly the great joy of her life! The first recipient will be announced this October 2024.
RECIPIENTS
Share the Magic
Live theatre is a powerful influence for children, nourishing their imaginations and inspiring them to rise above boundaries that seem to limit their success. For teenagers, theatre experience and skills often open paths to careers by affirming interests as valuable talents.
Not every family in our community can afford to give their kids the experiences offered by Mill Mountain Theatre. That’s why we ask for contributions to support what we can give to families for their children. The Share the Magic fund underwrites free Young Audience shows, provide scholarships for MMT Conservatory classes and gives complimentary tickets for main-stage shows to clients of partner charities. This season those charities are Apple Ridge Farms, Child Health Investment Partnership of Roanoke, Community Youth Program at St. John’s Episcopal Church, HopeTree Family Services, West End Center for Youth and YMCA After School and Beacons programs. In addition to individual donors, the Share the Magic program is underwritten in 2023 by First Citizens Bank & Trust Company, Freedom First Credit Union, She’s International Boutique and Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black PLC.
To participate in this valuable initiative, contact John Levin at 540.342.5761 or john@nullmillmountain.org.
