Awards & Scholarships
Scholarships are given to students who have shown leadership abilities and team commitment to the Rutgers-NJIT Theatre Program on stage and off.
The Jim Wise Scholarship Award Excellence in Theatre Arts
Professor Jim Wise was a member of the faculty in the NJIT Humanities Department for many years. He was also the composer for the hit musical Dames at Sea. Because of his keen interest in being an educator and recognizing the merits and needs of students, he bequeathed a two million dollar endowment fund to the Theatre Program. It is divided into three categories; a theatre archive/library, assistance in producing theatre productions, and scholarships.
The Wise Scholarship is given to students who have shown leadership abilities and team commitment to the previous Rutgers-NJIT Theatre Program, and current Theatre Arts and Technology Program on stage and off. The scholarships range from $200 to $2000 per semester per student that meets the qualifications.
To apply to all scholarships, send your request to: theatre@njit.edu
Past Recipients| Gabriela Acosta, Jazmine Arrington, James Bronico, Nicholas Cheney, Loni Fiscus, Alana Garcia, Michael (Mookey) Vincenty, Bardzilowski Miles, Daniel Pakhomov, Kristen Ramsey, Rebecca Gould, Rachel Schlesinger, Katarina Schmidt, Marisa Sigas, Sydney Sweet, David Villo, Richard Woods, Nada Boules, Suzy Hlinka, Brenda Steckler, Devin Romanoff | 2021 |
| Gabriela Acosta, Jazmine Arrington, James Bonico, Nichola Cheney, Fahim Chowdhury, Loni Fiscus, Alana Garcia, Christopher Gardner, Rebecca Gould, Taylor Jackson, Salwa Hanna, Hunter Harris, Taner Marquez, Daniel Pakhomov, Kristen Ramsey, Katarina Schmidt, Rachel Schlesinger, Marisa Sigas, Sydney Sweet, Alexis Telyczka, David Villa, Sarah Whitehouse, Richard Woods | 2020 |
| Gabriel Acosta, Lea Burlew, Rebecca Cortes, Connor Criscoe, Luiz De Miranda Leao III, Alvin Eke, Kevaughn Francis, Loni Fiscus, Christopher Gardner, Taylor Jackson, Zackary Kellett, Kevin Milfort-Sanchez, Daniel Pakhomov, Rachel Schlesinger | 2019 |
| Gabriela Acosta, Alex Burman, Adam Curran, Lea Burlew, Vincent Capizzi, Elizabeth Castro, Michael Chiappa, Rebecca Cortes, Alvin Eke, Salwa Hanna, Tiaja Harley, Carlton Hurdle, Zackary Kellett, Devone Kidd, Vipin Kannekanti, Luiz De Miranda Leao III, Malcom Mason, Daniel Pakhomov, Brea Phipps, Kristin Ramsay, Kevin Milfort-Sanchez, Alexis Telyczka, Anthony Yacoub | 2018 |
| Luiz G. De Miranda Leao III, Eric Holzer, Adam Curran, Lea Burlew, Michael Chiappa, Daniel Pakhomov, Rebecca Cortes, Vincent Capizzi, Zack Kellet, Antonio Yacoub, Vipin Kannekanti, Kevaughn Francis, Carlton Hurdle | 2017 |
| Lea Burlew, Darian Capellan, Vincent Capizzi, Mike Chiappa, Rebecca Cortes, Adam Curran, Christa DeMaio, Kevaughn Francis, Eric Holzer, Rija Kahn, Vipin Kannekanti, Zack Kellet, John Lombardi, Brian O'Mahoney, Daniel Pakhomov | 2016 |
| Lea Burlew, Darian Capellan, Mike Chiappa, Rebecca Cortes, Eric Holzer, Antonio Johnson, John Lombardi, Brian O'Mahoney, Ahmier Mincy, Gretchen Von Koenig | 2015 |
| Lea Burlew, Darian Capellan, Mike Chiappa, Rebecca Cortes, Eric Holzer, Antonio Johnson, John Lombardi, Brian O'Mahoney, Gretchen Von Koenig | 2014 |
| Lea Burlew, Darian Capellan, Rebecca Cortes, Elizabeth Decarlo, Eric Holzer, Antonio Johnson, John Lombardi, Mary O'Haire, Brian O'Mahoney, Angelica McKenzie, Kirstianne Mercado, Michael Watts, Gretchen Von Koenig | 2013 |
| Christian Bradley, Taylor Cerdas, Darian Capellan, Elizabeth Decarlo, Jonathan Derbach, Eric Holzer, Kirstianne Mercado, Mary O'Haire, Daniel Ovalle, Thanh Nguyen, Alexander Nunes, John Lombardi, Ahmier Mincy, Michelle Poulaille, Michael Watts, Gretchen Von Koenig | 2012 |
| Michelle Poulaille, Sean Naughton, Gretchen Von Koenig, Kirstianne Mercado, Wiaderson Gonzalez, Daniel Ovalle, Elizabeth DeCarlo, Nicole Deida, Luis Garcia, Gissele Casco, Michael Gonzalez, Thanh Nguyen, Noman Van Houten Jr., Andrew Polovsky, Emanuel Vizzotti | 2011 |
| Michele Poulaille, Sean Naughton, Justin Niemczyk, Adelyn Perez, Kwan Lui, Nichole Gabbard, Emanuel Vizzotti, Alex Shaba, Suleiman Nesheiwat, Elizabeth DeCarlo | 2010 |
| Amy Van Houten, Michelle Poulaille, Gonzalo Valencia, Kwan Lui, Sean Naughton, Adelyn Perez, Scott Kesselman | 2009 |
| Rodrigo Balarezo, Michelle Poulaille, Mariella Marchane, Kwan Lui, Gonzalo Valencia, Anthony Cappiello, Amy Van Houten, Alexa McCartney, Keng-hui Lin, Eric Cooney | 2008 |
| Gonzalo Valencia, Rodrigo Balarezo, Prashant Savalia, Andrew Christian | 2007 |
| Andrew Christian, Gonzalo Valencia, Allison Campbell, Michael Campbell, Chanel Washington, Jason Schooling, Steven Nagy | 2006 |
| Steven Nagy, Ian Pryzchodniez, Allison Campbell, Michael Campbell, Joseph Valenti, Trevor Nauta. Michele Clear, Chanel Washington, Jason Schooling, Sharon Thigpen | 2005 |
| Sharon Thigpen, Ian Pryzchodniez, Thomas Herrera, Allison Campbell, Michael Campbell | 2004 |
| Jason Schooling, Caroline Stover, Rashaun Booker, Ian Pryzchodniez, Alison Campbell, Michael Campbell | 2003 |
| Irgelkha Dej Mejia, Christopher Lister, Allison Lepelletier, Caroline Stover, Ian Pryzchodniez | 2002 |
| Irgelkha Dej Mejia, Christopher Lister | 2001 |
| Mary Morinville | 2000 |
| Frances Ermi | 1999 |
| James Ziegler | 1998 |
| Jonathan Calindas | 1997 |
| James Nance, Jr. | 1996 |
| Louis Perosi | 1995 |
Rutgers-Newark
Excellence in Theatre
Each year one student is awarded this scholarship for showing leadership qualities either on stage or off.
The Vern Smith Scholarship
Vern Smith was a former chair of the Theatre Department at Rutgers-Newark. He was also an internationally known theatre set designer. His legacy lives on within the joint theatre program as his set models from musicals and plays grace both NJIT and Rutgers campuses. This scholarship is awarded to one student who excels in technical theatre.
Rutgers-NJIT Arts Excellence in Theatre Award and Television Award
| Jonathan Noto, Theatre 2011 | Marjani Smith, Theatre 2010 |
| Tamala DeJesus, Theatre 2009 | Reshma Panalal, Television 2009 |
| Jackie Yuditsky, Theatre 2008 | Siobhan Ruane, Theatre 2007 |
| Daiana Reyes, Theatre 2005-2006 | Gabriella Pereira, Television 2005-2006 |
| Mariclare Mullane, Theatre 2003-2004 | Valdeta Sinanovic, Television 2003-2004 |
| Abena Asamoah Duodu, Theatre 2002-2004 | Eric Johnson, Theatre 2002-2003 |
| Eduardo Garcia, Television 2001-2002 | David Law, Theatre 2001-2002 |
| Ann Kirolos, Theatre 2000-2001 | Rashana Almedia, Television 2000-2001 |
| Frank Wilson, Television 1999-2000 | Angela Pereira, Theatre 1998-1999 |
| Luis Negron, Theatre 1998-1999 | Mario Corrales, Theatre 1998-1999 |
| Nancy Schwickrath, Theatre 1992-1993 | Sanaz Hojeh, Theatre 1994-1995 |
| Jhon Velasco, Theatre 1994-1995 | Gail Frankel, Theatre 1993-1994 |
Dr. Herman Estrin Scholarship for Excellence in the Theatre Arts, NJIT
| Motaz Diab, 1997-1999 | Rebecca Jannson, 1996-1997 |
| Manny Mesias, 1995-1996 | Jonathan Calindas, 1994-1995 |
| Peter Otton, 1993-1994 | Robert Pietro, 1992-1993 |
| Dina Lusio, 1991-1992 | Raymond E. Gintner, IV, 1990-1991 |
| Eric Johnson, 1989-1990 | Sunil Kavi, 1988-1989 |
| Timothy Roche, 1986-1987 | Dan Spitzer, 1986-1987 |
| Thomas W. Pitt, Jr. 1985-1986 | Pierre Levesque, 1984-1985, 1988 |
| Mark B. Budzyn, 1984-1985 | Mary Caruso, 1983-1984 |
| Kathi Spillane, 1982-1983 |
The following individuals and businesses have contributed to the Rutgers-NJIT Theatre Arts Program Library which is located in Bradley Hall on the Rutgers-Newark Campus:
Theatrebooks Inc,. Mr. William Wendt, Mr. Robert Emerson, Dr. Donald Borchardt, Dr. William Grant, Ms. Raene Rau, Mr. Fred Sirois, Mr. Victor Capecce, Mr. Richard Harper, Leo Meyer-Atlas Scenic Studios, Mr. Vernon "Copy" Berg, III
Contribution “Angels” to the Rutgers-NJIT Theatre Arts Program:Professor James Wise, Richard Nadelman, Esq., Jeffrey R. Thoman, Mr. Robert Mertz, Mrs. Kathi Spillane Spitzer, Mr. Dan Spitzer, Gregory Murphy Rutgers-Newark Culture Committee Grants, Mr. Michael S. Ferraro