NJIT

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 Rutgers-NJIT Theatre Program on stage and off.  The scholarships range from $200 to $2000 per semester per student that meets the qualifications. 

Rutgers-Newark

Excellence in Theatre

Each year one student is awarded this scholarship for showing leadership qualities either on stage or off.

Cuchipinoy Scholarship

The money of this scholarship comes from box office proceeds from a bi-annual alumni.student production at the Rutgers Bradley Hall Theatre. Cuchipinoy is an alumni based not-for-profit theatre company that guest directs to keep a connection with the present theatre students and to keep an active alumni base in the Rutgers-NJIT Theatre Program. Each year, one student is chosen to receive an award for their overall commitment to the theatre arts.

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.

To apply to all scholarships, send your request to: theatre@njit.edu

Past Recipients

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-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

Dr. Donald Borchardt

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