Deadline Approaches to Apply for Las Casas High School Scholarship Competition

San Antonio, TX (Vocus) January 4, 2010

Graduating high school seniors in 2010 with interest and abilities in the performing arts have until January 22, 2010 to apply for the second annual Las Casas Foundation High School Scholarship Competition. High school seniors in public or private schools as well as those who are home schooled in San Antonio and surrounding areas may apply. Applications are available on Las Casas’ website: www.lascasasfoundation.org; click on Scholarships.    

More than ,000 in cash was awarded to 31 aspiring performers in 2009 in four theatre and musical theatre categories–acting-monologue, vocal-solo, acting duet, and vocal duet. In 2010, a category for solo dance is being added, which must be danced in the style of musical theatre. All categories are theatre and musical theatre-based and must be published works. Categories, award placements and amounts may be subject to change, but will range from ,000 to 0 in scholarship monies.

Las Casas—the non-profit which restored and continues to preserve the city-owned Majestic and Charline McCombs Empire Theatres—began the scholarship competition last year to fill a much needed gap for students interested theatre. “Without the financial support for these talented students in performance art, we face an erosion of one of the most inspiring and uplifting parts of humanity,” says Rick Johnston, board member of Las Casas and chairman of its scholarship committee.

“Performing arts scholarship funds are not as prevalent as other educational ones, so the Las Casas Scholarship Competition is a tremendous opportunity for students who wish to pursue college degrees and careers in the theatre and musical theatre,” Johnston added.

A minimum of ,000 will be awarded on Sunday, May 16, 2010, in a performance competition by finalists in the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre. Prior to the final competition, a preliminary event will be held in April.

Some major donors of the Las Casas Scholarship Competition include Valero Energy; Allan Becker, CEO and founder of Arts Center Enterprises; philanthropists Red and Charline McCombs; James and Estella Avery; NuStar/ Greehey Family Foundation; and Tillery/AT&T.

Las Casas Foundation was formed in 1988 by Jocelyn “Joci” Straus to raise funds to preserve and restore buildings for cultural use. Straus and Las Casas raised more than million to restore the Majestic and Charline McCombs Empire theatres, which re-opened respectively in 1989 and1998. In 1989, the city officially named the theatres, the San Antonio Performing Arts Center. Both theatres have contributed to San Antonio’s economic and cultural revitalization, bringing more than 3.5 million patrons downtown to attend performances by world-renowned artists.

Applications and requirements for the “High School Scholarship for Excellence in the Performing Arts” may be found on Las Casas website, www.lascasasfoundation.org and click on “Scholarships.”

Media Contact:

Nancy Scott Jones

NSJ Public Relations

210-365-5200

nsj(at)nsjpr(dot)com

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