It’s back-to-school time, and we are excited to celebrate this year’s recipients of the Four County Players Founders’ Scholarship!
About the Founders’ Scholarship Program:
The Four County Players Scholarship Program was established by Ralph and Marcelia Hall in the early 1980’s. The Halls wanted to recognize the contributions of the young thespians and technicians who came to share their numerous talents with Four County Players. Many of the scholarship recipients literally “grew up” in the theater. For many years Ralph and Marcelia were the managing team for the sale of refreshments at Four County performances. Many of our long-standing patrons will remember the refreshment booth as you came up the stairs to the theater. Performance after performance, audiences would find one or both of the Halls at the refreshment booth, always smiling and greeting each patron who came through the theater’s doors. In 2005, the Board of Directors voted to rename the program “The Four County Players Founders’ Scholarship Program,” in honor of our two late founders, Bill Thomas and Lillian Morse. It is most appropriate that a portion of the proceeds from the theater’s Bistro sales are now used to fund the Founders’ Scholarship Program. Additional funding is provided by the generous support of our patrons–like you!
This year, the Board of Directors is proud to recognize five outstanding recipients of the Founders’ Scholarship!
Erin Wallace
Plans for the fall: I’m heading to Shenandoah University this fall to study exercise science.
What does Four County Players mean to you? Four county is like my home away from home. It is my safe place where I am free to just be myself.
Hannah Rees
Plans for the fall: I will be heading to The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in August. There, I plan to major in International Studies: International Relations and Diplomacy and double minor in French and musical theatre. I’m so excited to join the community at Ohio State and to have the opportunity to keep pursuing my passions in both theatre and humanitarian work!
What does Four County Players mean to you? To me, Four County means family and community. When I walked into my first rehearsal as a techie for Young Frankenstein, I never expected to leave with the lifelong friends and mentors I have today. Four County gave me a taste of how theatre could stay an integral part of my life even as I pursue my other dreams too. I’ll be forever grateful to Four County players and my family there.
Anneliese Mabie
Plans for the fall: This fall I will be headed to George Mason University. I will be studying graphic design in their Bachelor of Fine Arts program. I will also be studying abroad in the spring.
What does Four County Players mean to you? Four County Players has not only given me two of my closest friends but also it has given me many opportunities to discover and learn more about my passions, stage managing and directing. Being a part of the 4CP community has taught me a lot about who I am as a person.
Gabby Lossia
Plans for the fall: I will be attending Carnegie Mellon University in the fall to pursue a Master in Entertainment Industry Management.
What does Four County Players mean to you? When I moved to Virginia from Michigan in 2016 it was a time of immense change and I struggled for the first few months to find my place in Charlottesville. That all changed when I was welcomed into the local theatre community. I had no idea when Tres Wells invited me to FCP’s production of Chicago that this old school-house would become my haven. In addition to the opportunities to stage manage many beautiful musicals (and a play at the ruins!), FCP allowed me to become a mentor, dance on stage for the first time in years, volunteer, and meet more amazing people than I can count. When I have to say goodbye to Virginia, the thing I will miss the most is this community and the people who welcomed me with open arms, making it feel like home. I owe more than I can repay to the people I have met and come to call my friends, but I hope that I have made a positive impact during my time here and that I can leverage this new opportunity to share the invaluable art of community theatre elsewhere.
Connor Wells
Plans for the fall: I’m going to Christopher Newport University! I’m planning to study Computer Science and Theater Design Tech, with a leadership minor.
What does Four County Players mean to you? To me, Four County means a home away from home where I can be myself, put on wonderful shows, and spend time with friends!
The Four County Players Founders’ Scholarship program seeks to recognize members of the Four County community entering/returning to post-secondary institutions. Applicants must have volunteered with a Four County Players production/program in the twelves months prior to the application period.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients! We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Thank you for letting Four County Players be a part of your journey!