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2025 THEATER PATHWAYS MENTORSHIP  

Theater Pathways Mentorship connects young creatives with theater professionals across every discipline, providing personalized mentorships that inspire, educate, and guide students toward thriving careers both on and off the stage. 

Procedures and Guidelines 

Fueled by the generosity of the Melka and Laub families, and in the spirit of Tony Award winning performer, and mentor to many, Gavin Creel, this initiative connects young creatives striving for a career in theater with industry experts.  The program provides individualized life-changing mentorships and field experience with theater professionals to accelerate aspiring students. Awarded annually to two high school juniors or seniors in the Charlotte region, mentorships will be available with professionals both on and off the stage. These relationships will include a full year of direct interaction with an assigned mentor, culminating in a fully funded trip to study alongside the mentor in their professional environment. 

Fellows will be paired with an industry professional in their desired area of study. Mentors will be available by email throughout the year long fellowship and will schedule quarterly zoom calls with their mentee. The fellowship includes one fully funded field experience trip for the fellow to visit the mentor’s work/industry with them first-hand for 3-7 days including travel and lodging for the follow and guardian plus daily meal stipend as well as applicable mentee and mentor show tickets or conference fees. 

Allocation of the award will be administered by the Education Department of Blumenthal Arts. The recipient, in coordination with their mentor, must submit a formal fellowship travel request for approval to Blumenthal’s Education Department. Upon approval, Blumenthal Arts will book travel arrangements and administer stipends. 

Complete application packets must be received by June 20, 2025. 

Complete application packets must be submitted via emailed to: educationdepartment@blumenthalarts.org 

The Theater Pathways Mentorship Committee will consider the following selection criteria:

  • career potential in a theater related profession  

  • academic performance 

  • applicant’s goals for a professional mentorship 

  • evidence of the pursuit of personal excellence 

Eligibility

  • must be a graduating high school junior or senior. 

  • must have an interest to pursue a theater related career path (e.g. performance, tech, casting, production, directing, arts administration, arts education, etc.). 

  • must reside within 125 miles of Charlotte, NC.  

  • If awarded, fellow must commit to chronical the year experience on personal social media channels tagging Blumenthal Arts accounts and, if appropriate, mentors accounts. 

Application Process

1. Application packets must contain: 
a. completed scholarship application form (typed responses only) 

b. video or essay submission detailing the applicant’s career/education aspirations, strengths and growth opportunities in the concentration they aspire to pursue in theater industry, what they hope to gain from a mentor, and characteristics of past mentors/leaders they thrived alongside. 

c. reference form and recommendation letter from a current teacher or industry professional 

d. headshot (or close-up digital photo) for purpose of press release upon recipient selection 

e. most recent high school transcript (scan or photocopy; no camera shots)   

 

2. The committee will review applications and invite selection students to continue to a virtual interview portion of the application process.   

 

3. The committee will select two award recipients. All applicants will be notified of their status no later than July 15, 2025.