Two southwestern Ohio students were the winners of the first annual Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Scholarship competition held by The Human Race Theatre Company. The two were chosen by a panel of five judges from among eight finalists who performed at Dayton's Loft Theatre April 26.
 
Winner of a $1500 scholarship for high school students planning to major in musical theatre was Alexandra Finke of Centerville, an Alter High School senior planning to attend the University of Michigan. Finke sang West End Avenue from Schwartz' The Magic Show and gave a show-stopping rendition of Gimme Gimme from Thoroughly Modern Millie.
 
Winner of a $3500 scholarship for current musical theatre majors was Wright State junior Jerome Doerger of Cincinnati. Doerger wowed the crowd and judges with Proud Lady from Schwartz' The Baker's Wife and Being Alive from Company.
 
The scholarships were inspired by The Human Race's participation with Schwartz in the development of his newest musical, Snapshots A Musical Scrapbook, last fall. Schwartz was present for the announcement of the scholarships during the Snapshots run, and had hoped to be present to hand out the scholarships, but ran into scheduling conflicts in California.
 
The scholarships were funded by Tim and Char Scroggins, with support from Evelyn Burkins. The non-winning finalists each received $250 scholarships, thanks to a gift from Werner Triftshouser in memory of his wife, Julie.
 
Founded in 1986, The Human Race Theatre Company moved to the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at the 219-seat Loft Theatre. In addition to the Eichelberger Loft Season, The Human Race produces for the Broadway Series, the Musical Theatre Workshop series,  and special event programming. The Human Race, under the direction of Artistic Director Marsha Hanna and Executive Director Kevin Moore, also maintains education and outreach programs for children, teens and adults, as well as artist residencies in area schools, The Muse Machine In-School Tour, Youth Summer Stock, and The Human Race Conservatory. Human Race organizational support is provided by Culture Works, Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, Shubert Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.