Each year, more than a dozen incoming first-year students receive Freshman Talent Grants of $1,000 for the year; in addition, the Department often awards Transfer Talent Grants to incoming transfer students. Auditions are held in February-March of the year before students come to Minnesota State Mankato; if still available, Talent Grants are awarded following the first auditions on the first day of classes in the fall. Find out more about Talent Grants.
The Department awards more than 20 scholarships each year to students who are returning to the department. A minimum GPA of 2.5 must have been attained; additionally, consideration is given for contributions to the operations of the Department. Applications are taken in February with awards announced shortly after spring break in March. An application for returning student scholarships will be posted here during the application period; check out award guidelines.
TED & KATY PAUL THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
Named for the first Chair of what would become the Department of Theatre & Dance and his wife, this is the top scholarship awarded each year. Dr. Ted Paul led the Department from 1950-1981 and passed away in July 2008. It was his leadership that made the Department of Theatre & Dance what it is today.
LEE & LORETTA SNILSBERG THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded through the generosity of two of the Department's longest attending patrons, it is presented to at least two students who demonstrate strong abilities and dedication through their involvement in either performance or production.
MARY JO & PAUL J. HUSTOLES MUSICAL THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
Named for the current Department Chair and his wife, this scholarship is awarded to a student for their contributions to the art of Musical Theatre. Dr. Paul J. Hustoles wrote his Ph.D. dissertation focusing on the direction of the American Musical Theatre.
JULIO AND DORIS GASTEIRO THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
Julio Gasteiro was a short-time, but much loved, patron of the Department who joyously attended productions with his wife, long-time North Mankatoan Doris. This scholarship is awarded to a student who shares his deep appreciation for the art.
BUNNY JUST THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
Bunny Just was a well-known musician and arts supporter who, among other endeavors, played live piano at Mankato movie halls in the times before talking pictures. The recipient of this scholarship must be someone who can also "go with the flow."
EMILY WALTER MUSICAL THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
Emily Walter is a 1995 Master of Fine Arts in Acting graduate of the Department of Theatre & Dance who has found success, among other venues, on a variety of cruise lines. Her success in the field prompted her to want to give back to future generations of Theatre & Dance students, specifically those studying Musical Theatre.
SHIRLEY GRUNDMEIER MUSICAL THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
Shirley Grundmeier holds several academic degrees from Minnesota State Mankato, not the least of which is a Master of Arts. Her thesis focused on musical theatre. With her husband, Winston, she is an avid supporter of her alma mater and regularly attends events featuring those who benefit from her generosity. Recipients must be practicing the art of Musical Theatre.
SANDY & JOHN HEY CITY SCHOLARSHIP
For many years, John & Sandy Hey provided a venue for Theatre & Dance graduates through their Hey City Theatre in Minneapolis. Through their scholarship, they are able to continue their support for those studying at Sandy's alma mater with a specific interest in theatre management.
LORRAINE LARSON THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
Lorraine Larson was a strong supporter of the arts whose support continues through the scholarship overseen by Mike & Jan Reynolds. This scholarship is dedicated to her memory and is awarded annually to a student in theatre or dance who exemplifies strong character and dedication.
PAUL J. HUSTOLES THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship, named in honor of long-time Department Chair Paul J. Hustoles, was created through the gift of Norb Harrington who served as president of Mankato's Norwest/Wells Fargo Bank branch for many years. The student recipient must demonstrate academic and creative contributions to the Department.
PHYLLIS & CLIF KROON THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
The Kroon name is best known in Mankato for the work of Herb Kroon, lawyer and host of KMSU radio's "Best of Broadway" series. This scholarship is named and presented in honor of Herb's parents, Phyllis & Clif, strong supporters of the arts, by the whole Kroon family. The recipient must be a strong practioner of Musical Theatre.
FRED & KARIN BOCK THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
The scene shop at Minnesota State Mankato bears the name "Bock Shop" in honor of the Department's longtime technical director and now faculty emeritus Dr. Fred C. Bock II. This scholarship is awarded annually to a student who has demonstrated strong abilities in the technical side of theatre.
F. JAMES & NANCY ZWICKEY THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
During many of its formative years, Minnesota State Mankato's "black box theatre"—now housed in the Andreas Theatre —could not have existed without the incredible support of Jim Zwickey, Director of the Centennial Student Union, which housed and served as producer of our "Studio Season" shows. This scholarship is given in memory and honor of Jim by his wife, Nancy, who continues to attend.
STEPHAN KLEIN PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is named in memory of Stephan Klein and awarded by his parents, Keith and Susan Klein. It is awarded to a student who has a special interest in Theatre Management and the multiple facets of producing Theatre.
LARRY & BETSY FOWLER THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
Longtime supporters of the Department, Larry & Betsy Fowler created this scholarship in 2009 to help support the students they enjoyed watching on the Minnesota State Mankato stages. In return, the student recipient must continue to provide that entertainment.
MARGARET & DANIEL PRESKA THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship was created and first presented in 2007 by Ellen Steck and Glenn Gabriel, and is supported by the entire Preska family. It is named for and proudly presented in honor of longtime Minnesota State Mankato President Margaret Preska and her husband, Daniel.
FLORENCE & RAYMOND SPONBERG THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
Raymond Sponberg was well-known in southern Minnesota as an active proponent and participant in philanthropy. Although Raymond has passed away, he and wife Florence, who is a Minnesota State University, Mankato faculty emeritus, continue to support the arts through this annual scholarship.
JOAN & JAMES PENGRA THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
Among the most recent additions the the Department's scholarship roster, it was first presented through the generosity of Mankatoans Joan & James Pengra and their family in 2009. Student recipients are rewarded for their continuing valuable contributions to the Department.
JANE L. RUSH THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship was created, named for and proudly presented in memory the late wife of Minnesota State Mankato's former president, Dr. Richard R. Rush. Jane Rush's contributions in so many areas of the University and community will continue to be felt for many years thanks to the generous donation by Norbert Harrington.
The Department of Theatre and Dance would like to acknowledge the following individuals and corporations who have also donated money for annual scholarships in the past:
Best Western Garden Inn
Carl L. Heise
Hickory Tech Foundation
Holiday Inn
Donabel Linney
MICO Inc.
Taylor Corporation
And special thanks to the thousands of contributions to our annual drives that help fund our Theatre and Dance Foundation and Endowment Scholarships.
To donate, click here (you may specify that your gift go to Theatre & Dance).
To start your own endowment, contact Paul J. Hustoles here.
ALSO:
THE TOY WILSON BLETHEN FINE ARTS AWARD
The Toy Wilson Blethen Fine Arts Award is granted to graduating students (at either the graduate or undergraduate level) in recognition of outstanding contributions to a particular project or in recognition of their student “career” at Minnesota State Mankato. These awards are also given in Art, Music and Creative Writing. Toy Willson Blethen was a great supporter of the arts in Mankato and this endowment was established by her husband, William, in her loving memory.
THE CHARLES M. CANTALE HAND MAID SWEETS THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP
The Charles M. Cantale Hand Maid Sweets Theatre Endowment Scholarship was established by full-time Minnesota State employee Chuck Cantale, who directed the TRIO programs for many years, through his part-time “side venture,” Hand Maid Sweets. Chuck donated candy that we sold at the concessions stand (a lot of candy), the proceeds of which funded an endowment to award theatre scholarships.
