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SCHWARTZ HELPS JUDGE HUMAN RACE THEATRE
STEPHEN SCHWARTZ SCHOLARSHIPS

DAYTON, OH - April 20 - The man whose work inspired The Human Race Theatre’s Annual Scholarship competition for musical theatre students flew to Dayton Saturday (April 18) to help judge the finals and award the prizes.

The Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Scholarships were created by The Human Race after the theatre participated in the premier of Schwartz’ Snapshots, A Musical Scrapbook in 2007. The composer had a scheduling conflict for last year’s event, but was on hand for this year’s final round, in which eight contestants vied for more than $5000 in scholarships. The competitors each performed a Schwartz song and one other musical theatre number.

Winner of a $1500 scholarship for a Dayton-region high senior planning to major in musical theatre was Cincinnati Christian senior James C. Blanchard of Hamilton, Ohio, who will be attending Wright State University. Blanchard sang "Corner of the Sky" from Pippin and "Make Someone Happy" from Do Re Mi.

Winner of a $3500 scholarship for a current collegian was Jason Slattery of Miamisburg, Ohio, a junior at Baldwin-Wallace College. Slattery sang "With You" from Pippin and "One Track Mind" from Sweet Smell of Success.

All other finalists received $250 scholarships.

The Human Race Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Scholarships were established by a donation from Tim and Char Scroggins, who have been joined by Evelyn Burkins (Char’s mother); National City Bank, now a part of PNC; Werner Triftshouser; The ARACA Group; and Jerry and Rita Gallo Doerger.

Jason Slattery	James C. Blanchard
Finalists with Stephen Schwartz Left to right : Brandon Michael Fleming, James C. Blanchard, Kelsey Celek, Lucian Smith, Schwartz, Will Hutcheson, Lindsay Flick, Annabeth Kane, Jason Slattery

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Founded in 1986, The Human Race Theatre Company moved to the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at the 219-seat Loft Theatre. In addition to the Eichelberger Loft Season, The Human Race produces for the Victoria Theatre’s Broadway Series, the Musical Theatre Workshop series, and special event programming. The Human Race, under the direction of Artistic Director Marsha Hanna and Executive Director Kevin Moore, also maintains education and outreach programs for children, teens and adults, as well as artist residencies in area schools, The Muse Machine In-School Tour, Youth Summer Stock, and The Human Race Conservatory. Human Race organizational support is provided by Culture Works, Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, Shubert Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.