Cliff Bemis Music Theatre Scholarship
The Cliff Bemis Music Theatre Scholarship recognizes a Baldwin Wallace University music theatre major who has demonstrated interest in and dedication to a career in music theatre. Cliff Bemis, a 1970 BW theatre graduate, gained fame with the long running "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" which saved and restored the historic theatres in Playhouse Square in Cleveland. Cliff now resides in New York City, where he continues his stage work both on and off Broadway, as well as in TV and film.
Read more below about Cliff and the students and alumni who have already benefited from this scholarship or get started in making your donation.
Providing Support for Today's Students
Cliff Bemis '70
Cliff recognizes that the education, training and experiences available to him as a theatre major at BW prepared him for what has been a successful career in the entertainment industry. Because financial aid was essential in order for him to receive his education at BW, Cliff's desire is to help others gain that same education and experience so that they too, might enjoy the exhilarating rewards of a career in his chosen field. Find out more about Cliff on his personal website.
Current and Past Scholarship Recipients
Avery Elledge
2022-23 and 2023-24 Recipient
Class of 2024
Music theatre major, arts management minor, San Antonio, TX
"Upon graduation, I am hoping to move to NYC to pursue a career in performance and arts management. Ever since I was a little girl, I've loved the arts. I would sing and dance around my house and imagine myself on a Broadway stage...you are making it possible for me to do what I love!" - Avery
Colette
Caspari
2021-22,
2020-21
and
2019-20
Recipient
Class
of
2022,
Cumming,
Ga.
"As I continue at BW, I find myself overflowing with excitement for what's ahead of me. I'm thrilled that I can stay at school and continue my education at this wonderful institution. I will continue to work hard to be deserving of the great honor that you have bestowed upon me. I have big plans for the future - graduate school, Broadway, directing, performing, writing and activism. The sky's the limit!" - Colette
Amy
Keum
2018-19
Recipient
Class
of
2019,
Westford,
Mass.
"Choosing this career wasn't an easy decision for me. As a young Asian-American woman, I grew up feeling out of place, seeing the lack of representation in media. In high school, I started realizing my deep passion for performing. BW was and is my dream school. Here, I've had the opportunity to perform in musical productions, recitals and concerts. The rigorous education has taught me everything I know about dance, acting, singing, the business of theatre, and the drive to work towards my best self. It hasn't always been easy, but my professors and people like Mr. Bemis who have invested in my education have made all the difference." - Amy
MacKenzie
Wright
2017-18
Recipient
Class
of
2018,
Rochester,
N.Y.
"The last few years at BW have been very trying, yet very rewarding. They have challenged parts of me that I didn't even know needed challenging. Acting, singing and dancing are only part of that equation. The stamina and endurance, both physically and mentally, required to succeed in this field are just as imperative. I believe Baldwin Wallace has prepared me for this career in all of those ways." - MacKenzie
Michael Canada
2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 Recipient
Class of 2017, Dayton, Ohio
Past roles include:
- Ensemble member in "Nikola Tesla Drops the Beat" in Glens Falls, N.Y.
- La Cienega in "Bring it On: The Musical" at the Beck Center for the Arts
- Paul in "The Theory of Relativity" at Playhouse Square
- Chino/Dance Captain in "West Side Story" at BW
- Paul in "A Chorus Line" at BW