BTC and Broadway stage manager and producer Cody Renard Richard have announced the 2025 cohort of The Cody Renard Richard Scholarship Program, which is dedicated to building a bridge into the industry for emerging theatrical leaders of color working behind the scenes.
This year’s recipients include Jasmine Brooks (Yale University), Jeyna Lynn Gonzales (University of California, Irvine), Bell Hernandez (University of California, Irvine), Brissa Lopez (Columbia University), Savanha Moore (University of Iowa), Briana Newson (California Institute of the Arts), Andre Rodriguez (Texas State University), Salomé A. Ayers Sánchez (University of North Carolina School of the Arts), Tait Truong (Oklahoma City University), and KayCi Wolf (Texas State University).
Each student will receive a financial grant of $10,000, mentorship through various online seminars, and a trip to New York City to meet with mentors and experience New York’s theatre scene in person. Recipients were chosen by a selection committee that included Richard, Tom Andre Bardwell, Jhanaë Bonnick, Lani Fu, Ann James, Zhailon Levingston, Tina McCartney, Kenneth McGee, Timothy Oliver Reid, and program manager Nzinga Williams.
In a statement Richard said, “I’m so proud that we are celebrating our fifth anniversary of the program. This program is such a labor of love, and I’m so grateful for all the support that we’ve been given over the years. Each year I’m reminded of how important this program is and how special spaces like these can be. Our incoming cohort is full of creative thinkers who are passionate about building community and shifting the landscape of our industry. I can’t wait to uplift their talents and learn from them along the way.”
Over the years, the program has awarded $340,000 to 45 students from 31 different universities. Previous recipients are now working on shows like Maybe Happy Ending, A Wonderful World, Buena Vista Social Club, Hamilton, Hadestown, Hell’s Kitchen, and Aladdin as well as at theatres around the country.
The program is supported by the Jeffrey Seller Family Foundation, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Miranda Family Fund, Tiger Baron Foundation, Kevin McCollum, Thomas Kail, Junkyard Dogs, Jenny Steingart, and Jill Furman. The Jeffrey Seller Family Foundation and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids serve as lead sponsors.
Visit CRRScholarship.com. For more information about BTC, visit BuildingtheChange.org.