6th Annual Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition Set for This Weekend

See twenty-five (25) talented high school seniors break a leg as they vie for $100,000 in scholarship money and two National High School Musical Theater Awards trips to New York City during the sixth annual Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition at the Charline McCombs Empire Theater, 226 N. St. Mary's Street, on Sunday, May 18 at 6:00 p.m. Hosted by Las Casas Foundation, the competition will showcase the talents of hopeful high school students while celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre.

Competition finalists will perform before a panel of judges, as well as an audience anxious to see the best and brightest young performers that San Antonio has to offer. Twenty-five (25) competition finalists will take the stage as they entertain and delight their way to top scholarship prizes. More than 125 students from 52 different schools entered this year's competition.

The 2014 Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition judges panel includes: Tony-nominated actress, singer and dancer Jonelle Allen; Broadway, film and television actress Alix Korey; dancer, choreographer, and director Robin Lewis; Broadway, film and television actor Sal Mistretta; and Broadway actress and original cast member of "Rent" Gwen Stewart.

The scholarship program awards financial assistance to college-bound high school seniors based on their interests and abilities in the performing arts. Adding to the centennial excitement of this year's competition, a new competition category, "The Jimmy", has been added. The Jimmy category will select two winners to travel to New York City and attend the National High School Musical Theater Awards. With this year's centennial celebration and The Jimmy category, one talented senior might act, sing or dance away with $15,000 to help pursue their college dreams and one of the NHSMTA trips.

Tickets for the competition are available for $10 per person and can be purchased at the Majestic Theatre Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or at the door of the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre the evening of the performance. Ticket sales benefit the competition's scholarship fund.

Since its inception, the Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition has awarded almost $385,000 in scholarship money. For more information on Las Casas Foundation and the scholarship competition, visit www.lascasasfoundation.org.

About Las Casas Foundation: Funded through Foundation memberships, the generous support of donors, corporations and grants, Las Casas Foundation is dedicated to the development of the performing arts through education and scholarships, as well as the restoration and preservation of historic theatres. The Foundation hosts the annual Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition and offers a variety of educational initiatives and efforts to nurture and grow the performing arts. Recipient of the 2013 National Arts Star Award from the American Foundation For Arts Education in recognition of Las Casas Foundation's significant impact on arts education, the Foundation has awarded $385,000 in scholarship funds to deserving students in the field of performing arts since 2009 and plans to award another $100,000 in 2014. For more information, visit www.lascasasfoundation.org.

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