February 15 deadline for scholarships for high school senior srts students in Tri-County area

Submitted by Jody Horne-Leshinsky

      The Carbonell Awards, which annually pays tribute to the very best theatrical productions on regional stages, raises scholarships funds for students in the tri-county area to study the performing arts or journalism at accredited colleges and universities.  Along with New York’s Drama Desk and Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards, the Carbonell Awards are among the nation’s senior regional arts awards and predate others including Washington, D.C.’s Helen Hayes Awards and Philadelphia’s Barrymore Awards.

     Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors who have achieved a minimum 2.5 GPA and are enrolled in college to pursue a degree in theatre or journalism. Students must be nominated by a mentor from a school or theatre. The selection of recipients is based on talent, experience and demonstrated commitment to the theatre. Continuing the tradition, The Carbonell Awards will once again be awarding three student scholarships, in the amount of $1,000 each. The scholarships will be awarded to one student in each of Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, and will be presented during the 37th Annual Carbonell Awards ceremony at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on April 1, 2013.

     “The South Florida Theater community is blessed with a diverse and dedicated group of art makers and theatrical producers. More than 25 professional theater companies in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties participate in our awards process every year, “ said Scott Shiller, Chairman of the Carbonell Awards’ board of directors. “In addition, each year we celebrate the next generation of artists and journalists by awarding scholarships to outstanding students who have committed to developing their craft. The Carbonell Awards has presented more than $100,000 in scholarship funds over the past 30+ years.”

     The Carbonell Awards fosters the artistic growth of professional theater in South Florida by celebrating the diversity of our theater artists, providing educational scholarships, and building audience appreciation and civic pride by highlighting achievements of our theater community. Named after Mr. Carbonell, an internationally-renowned sculptor, who designed the original solid bronze and marble award in 1976, each season volunteer panelists and judges choose nominees and recipients from hundreds of shows produced on stages throughout the tri-county area.

Scholarship nominations must be submitted via email to: JRodusky@palmbeachculture.com by February 15, 2013. Carbonell Awards Scholarship Application and Guidelines may be downloaded from the website http://carbonellawards.org/scholarships/  Teachers are encouraged to urge their students to participate in this competition.

     If you have any questions, please contact Jan Rodusky at (561) 471-1513.