The Cody Renard Richard Scholarship Program Announces 2023 Recipients

Broadway Advocacy Coalition and Broadway stage manager and producer Cody Renard Richard have announced the 10 recipients of the 2023 class of The Cody Renard Richard Scholarship Program. The program is dedicated to uplifting and supporting the next generation of theater-makers of color working behind the scenes by providing financial support, mentorship and more to BIPOC students studying to be the future leaders of the theater industry.

This year's recipients include Héctor Alvarez (California Institute of the Arts), Isaiah Boozer (DePaul University), Kairo Chin (University of California, Santa Cruz), Talia Escobedo (Columbia University), J.D. Hopper (Carnegie Mellon University), Caylah Johnson (DePaul University), Anaya Matthews (The New School), Xotchil Musser (Carnegie Mellon University), Sam Allen (University of California Irvine), Adam Wassilchalk (Yale College).

Each student will receive a financial grant of $10,000 (increased from last year's $8,000 grant), mentorship through online seminars focusing on community building, leadership, and social justice, networking opportunities and an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to meet with mentors and experience Broadway and New York's theater scene in person.

"It's wild to believe that we are embarking on our third year of the program" says Richard. "Each year I'm reminded of how powerful these young individuals are and how much spaces like these are needed. I'm beyond eager to learn from, share space and help this new cohort along their journey."

"This year we will continue to connect our scholars with theatrical and community leaders of color, cultivate their leadership and advocacy skills and encourage them to be change agents in their own communities and within the industry," said Broadway Advocacy Coalition's Co Director of Programming Dria Brown. "It takes a village to make this happen and we are grateful for Cody's continued commitment to this incredible vision."

For additional information, please visit crrscholarship.com.

ABOUT Cody Renard Richard

Cody Renard Richard is a Tony Award winning Producer, Advocate, Educator, and professional Stage Manager with a career that spans many genres including Broadway, Television, Cirque du Soleil and Opera. On Broadway, he has worked as a full time and substitute Stage Manager on 15 productions, and is currently the Production Stage Manager for Sweeney Todd on Broadway. As a producer, Cody is currently a co-producer for the revival of Parade on Broadway, as well as the National Tour Moulin Rouge. He previously co-produced the Tony Award Winning production of A Strange Loop and Thoughts of a Colored Man on Broadway. On top of production credits, he is currently an adjunct professor at Columbia University after previously serving as adjunct faculty at New York University and Fordham University. He has actively worked with numerous organizations including Broadway Advocacy Coalition where he founded The Cody Renard Richard Scholarship Program for aspiring BIPOC theatre makers. As an advocate for change and equity, he has appeared live on CNN and has been interviewed on WNBC and NY1. Cody has been featured by Variety Magazine as one of their 2020 Broadway Players to Watch, Out Magazine as a 2020 OUT100 honoree and in Forbes, among other publications. He was recently honored by the Kennedy Center as a part of their Next 50 list, he has 3 DGA (Director's Guild Association) Award nominations and is the recipient of the 2020 Webster University's Young Alumni Award and the 2020 Native Son Next Award. He holds a BFA in Stage Management from Webster Conservatory and is a member of Actors' Equity Association and the Directors Guild of America. www.codyrenard.com @codyrenard

ABOUT BROADWAY ADVOCACY COALITION

Founded in 2016 by members of the Broadway community as a direct response to the nation's pandemic of racism and police brutality, the Broadway Advocacy Coalition is a multidisciplinary organization which unites artists, legal experts and community leaders to create lasting impact on policy issues from criminal justice reform to education equity to immigration. In 2021, BAC received a Special Tony Award for providing an unparalleled platform for marginalized members of the theatre community and tools to help the theatre industry move toward a more equitable future. Via its partnership with the Center for Institutional and Social Change at Columbia Law School, BAC has collaborated with institutions across New York City, including the New York City Council, Bronx Defenders, and the Brooklyn District Attorney's office. To learn more about their work, and to get involved, visit their website at https://www.bwayadvocacycoalition.org/ or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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