Texas Tech theater doctoral student Jeff Scott still has a hard time believing
his name got called on April 19 as the winner of a fellowship for the Shakespeare
Theatre Company in Washington, D.C.
But the phone call from the company Monday morning definitely helped to solidify the
reality. Scott was chosen out of 15 who auditioned for the fellowship during the American
College Theatre Festival, which began April 16.
"It was pretty shocking to hear my name," Scott said. "I honestly did not believe
I would get it. When they called my name I was completely floored. They called me
this morning to chat with me a little bit and ask me some questions. The reality is
just now setting in."
After auditioning for the Shakespeare Theatre Company on Friday, Scott learned on
Saturday that he’d won the fellowship during an awards ceremony. As part of this fellowship,
Scott will serve with the company from August until June 2009.
"I’ll play parts in the ensemble and small speaking roles, then eventually do understudy
work," Scott said. "They provide me with a place to live and a small stipend. At the
end of the year, I’ll be eligible for Actor’s Equity."
Also, Scott was one of 16 other theater students from across the U.S. to compete for
the Irene Ryan Scholarship. He and his graduate student partner, Paul Fillingim, were
the first Texas Tech students to make it to the finals for the scholarship since 1991.
Bill Gelber, head of acting/directing at the Department of Theatre and Dance, is one
of Scott’s professors. He said he was proud that Scott earned the fellowship.
"I can’t say enough about him as a talent or as an individual," Gelber said. "The
Shakespeare Theatre Company is a very prestigious company headed by Michael Kahn,
formerly head of acting at Julliard. Among other actors, Stacy Keach will play Lear.
"Jeff was the only auditioner at the American College Theatre Festival to be chosen.
I have had the pleasure of working with him on several shows, and he has always been
the consummate professional. He is an outstanding student whose work is always top-notch."
CONTACT: Jeff Scott, graduate student and Irene Ryan Scholarship finalist, (830) 796-5890
or jeffrey.scott@ttu.edu; Bill Gelber, head of acting/directing, Department of Theatre
and Dance, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-3601 or bill.gelber@ttu.edu.