Kennedy Center /
American College Theater Festival

The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship

Irene Ryan
  • Since 1972, the Irene Ryan Foundation of Encino, California, has awarded scholarships to the outstanding student performers at each regional festival. These scholarships are made possible by the generosity of the late Irene Ryan who is best remembered for her portrayal of the lovable and feisty Granny in The Beverly Hillbillies.
  • All student actors in both Participating and Associate productions are eligible for consideration for these $500 regional scholarships.
  • The Foundation and KC/ACTF also bring two regional winners and their acting partners from each of the eight regions to Washington, D.C. , all-expenses-paid, to take part in an "Evening of Scenes" during the KC/ACTF national festival. This presentation is viewed by leading directors, producers, and casting agents and two student performers are awarded additional $2,500 scholarships.
  • Winners may use their scholarships to pay tuition at the institution of their choice. Course of study is not limited to theater arts. Scholarship moneys will be paid directly to the institution designated by the scholarship winners.
  • Each college or university entering a production may nominate one student from that production for an Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. KC/ACTF respondents who view the production are allowed to make a maximum of two nominations.
  • A special award is given to the Best Partner appearing in the Evening of Scenes.
  • National finalists are also eligible for consideration for fellowships to the National Stage Combat Workshop, the Williamstown Theatre Festival (minority candidates), and the KC/ACTF Classical Acting Award.

The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship National Winners

2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002 Kelly Bartlett,Iowa State University
Sarah Stockton, University of Portland
2001 Nancy McNulty, Salem State University
Jason Buuck, California State University- Fullerton
2000 Nisi Sturgis, University of Central Arkansas, Conway
Ben Steinfeld, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
1999 Megan Dillingham, University of Kansas, Lawrence
Rian Jairell, University of Wyoming, Laramie
1998 Hattie Davis, Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas
Christopher Ross, University of Nebraska-Omaha
 1997 Stephanie Breinholt, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Esau Pritchett, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 
 1996 Mireille Enos, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Gabriel Fazio, Suffolk Community College, Selden, NY 
 1995 Gretchen Cleevely, Miami University of Ohio
Aidan Sullivan, Middlebury College, VT
 1994 Lara Jo Hightower, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Kevin P. Rahm, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
 1993 Maria Santucci, Kansas State University, Manhattan
David Bryan Woodside, University of Iowa, Iowa City
 1992 Max Baker, Washington State University, Pullman
Thomas Silcott, Salem State University, MA
 1991 Scott Claflin, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Heather K. Wilson, University of South Dakota, Vermillion
 1990 Kelly Eviston, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights
Jeff Lieber, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
 1989 Blondale Funderburk, South Carolina State College, Orangeburg
Kelly Bertenshaw, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
 1988 Judith Hawking, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia
Elaine Gallagher, Linfield College, McMinnville, OR
 1987 Melodie Garrett, North Carolina A&T, Greensboro
Brett Rickaby, University of Minnesota, Duluth
 
 1986 Kevin Hardesty, University of Kentucky, Lexington
Tim Gregory, Otterbein College, Westerville, OH
 1985 David Studwell, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN
Brad Moniz, California State University, Chico
 1984 Julia Campbell, Webster College, St. Louis, MO
Gerry McIntyre, Montclair State College, NJ
 
 1983 Don Reilly, William and Mary College, Williamsburg, VA
Jodi Ewen, University of Evansville, IN
 1982 Ron Marasco, Fordham University, New York, NY
Christina Stinson, University of Evansville, IN
 1981 Andrea Huber, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL
Melinda McCrary, Webster College, St. Louis, MO
 1980 Mark Tymchyshyn, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
D. Rhett Wickman, University of South Florida, Tampa
 1979 Larry LoVerde, Rhode Island College, Providence
Sharon Rolf, University of Evansville, IN
 1978 Saundra Lane Daniel, University of Montevallo, AL
Jeff J. Redford, Cerritos College, Norwalk, CA
1977  Lynn Topping, Indiana State University, Terre Haute
Albert Rodriquez, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
 1976 Rebecca J. Guy, University of Evansville, IN
Kathy Monteleone, Park College, Kansas City, MO
 1975 John M. Doyle, University of Florida, Gainesville
Dan Butler, Indiana University, Fort Wayne
 1974 Anne Sward, University of Miami, FL
Sheryl L. Ralph, Douglass College, Rutger University, New Brunswick, NJ
 1973 Kathleen Couser, North Texas State University, Denton
Jeffrey Ware, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Cantonsville
1972  Joyce D. Hanley, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Michael Biers, United States International University, San Diego, CA
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5/30/07