Jan Conner Scholarship Award Program
Application deadline for Spring 2024 has passsed.
Olathe Civic Theatre Association announces the Jan Conner Scholarship Award Program. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to Olathe residents who are graduating seniors and will be attending an accredited college program majoring in theatre arts (directing, acting, musical theatre, technical theatre, etc.). Students from public, private, or home schools are eligible to apply.
Program Guidelines & Priorities
Seeking graduating high school seniors who are residents of Olathe (public, private, or homeschooled). Students who are residents of Olathe but attending a private or other school outside of Olathe are eligible.
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and plan to attend a 2 or 4-year college majoring in a theatre arts program of study (acting, directing, musical theatre, technical theatre, etc.).
Scholarship funds will be paid in December or January to apply toward the second semester of the student’s first year. Payments are made directly to the college and not to the student. It will be the student’s responsibility to submit to OCTA at that time an invoice for second semester tuition and fees, student ID number, and college information.
Applicants must be nominated by a theatre teacher, director, or other performing professional with direct knowledge of the applicant’s work in the arts. OCTA strongly suggests that each high school present at least one student that matches this program’s guidelines.
Nomination deadline for 2024 is Friday, March 29, 2024. Late applications are not accepted.
Two Ways to Apply
1. Mail one copy of a completed, typed application packet to:
(This includes application with sign-off by nominating sponsor, essay, resume that highlights theatrical and other relevant achievements, letter of recommendation, and school transcript.)
Jan Conner Scholarship Committee
c/o Olathe Civic Theatre Association
P.O. Box 144
Olathe, KS 66051
2. Email all above materials to: talk_to_us@olathetheatre.org with the subject line: Scholarship.
Download the Application Form
Jan Conner Scholarship Application Form (pdf)
Jan Conner Scholarship Application Form (doc) (opens best in Firefox)
Jan Conner Scholarship Informational Flyer for schools and organizations
Scholarship Winners
The applications will be reviewed and recipients will be selected by a committee consisting of volunteers from OCTA. The scholarship winner(s) will be announced on or before April 15, 2024. Only scholarship winners will be notified directly.
Congratulations to the previous Award Winners!
2022
Olivia Keiter | Graduate of Olathe West High School and attending Emporia State
Rachel Montemayor | Graduate of Olathe Northwest High School (college tbd)
2021
Addison Landes | Graduate of Olathe East High School and attending Southeast Missouri State University
Willa Walberg | Graduate of Olathe East High School and attending Missouri State University in the BFA Musical Theatre program
2020
Rylee Herr | Graduated from Olathe South High School and attending Johnson County Community College
Anna Hastings | Graduated from Olathe South High School and attending The University of Kansas
2019
Fisher Stewart | Graduated from Olathe West High School and attending Texas State University
Ashley Strella | Graduated from Olathe North High School and attending Wichita State University
Who’s Jan Conner?
Jan Conner’s passion was acting. She was a founding member of OCTA, served as OCTA’s Historian, and coordinated the Buddy Awards. She performed in many OCTA productions, including The Jan Conner Christmas Show.
In honor of Jan, her friends at OCTA and others in the theatre community have established a scholarship in her name. This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Olathe senior who will be pursuing a degree in theater.
Questions
For more information on how you can help contribute and honor her legacy, or for questions about the scholarship, please contact Shelly Stewart Banks by emailing talk_to_us@olathetheatre.org
(This includes application with sign-off by nominating sponsor, essay, resume that highlights theatrical and other relevant achievements, letter of recommendation, and school transcript.)
Jan Conner Scholarship Committee
c/o Olathe Civic Theatre Association
P.O. Box 144
Olathe, KS 66051
Rachel Montemayor | Graduate of Olathe Northwest High School (college tbd)
Willa Walberg | Graduate of Olathe East High School and attending Missouri State University in the BFA Musical Theatre program
Anna Hastings | Graduated from Olathe South High School and attending The University of Kansas
Ashley Strella | Graduated from Olathe North High School and attending Wichita State University
Jan Conner’s passion was acting. She was a founding member of OCTA, served as OCTA’s Historian, and coordinated the Buddy Awards. She performed in many OCTA productions, including The Jan Conner Christmas Show.