Scholarships
Each year, Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors , given in memory of two young people — Justin M. Newell and J. Harrison Russell — both of whom devoted themselves to Civic Youth Theatre. These scholarships recognize the achievements of current CYT members and preserve the memory of two young people who had a lasting impact on Civic Theatre. Applications are available in the spring.
Justin M. Newell Memorial Scholarship
2026 Application Process
Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette is offering an annual $500 scholarship to recognize the contributions and achievements of a college-bound graduating senior.
ELIGIBILITY:
• Any high school senior who has been a participant in Civic Youth Theatre
programming.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• Complete an application form.
• Submit a short essay describing their interest in theatre and their personal growth experience related to Civic Theatre.
• Submit a letter of reference from a teacher, director, or non-relative who are familiar with the applicant’s theatre involvement.
• Email all three of the above documents as one PDF to Benji Braswell at benji@lafayettecivic.org by the application deadline.
DEADLINE:
• All applications and supporting materials must be received by April 14th, 2026.
NOTIFICATION:
• Applicants will receive award notification no later than May 1, 2026.
• The scholarship winners will be announced at Civic Theatre’s Annual Season Reveal on May 30th, 2026, where they will receive their award and check.
• Winner’s names will also be added to the plaques in the lobby to be displayed throughout the year.
Honoring outstanding contributions and achievements at Civic Theatre
Justin Matthew Newell was a lifelong resident of Lafayette and a freshman at Lafayette-Jefferson High School, where he was a technician for WJEF-FM and a radio technician for Jefferson basketball and football games. Justin was also the Technical Director at the Civic Youth Theatre for 3 years. Among the plays he was involved with include The Play Called Noah’s Flood, Treasure Island, Professor Zuccinni’s Traveling Tales, Little Red Riding Wolf, David and Lisa, The Poet and the Rent, Tarheel Tales, and Wind in the Willows. He was also very active in Cub Scouts, was on the Cub Day Camp staff for five years, and earned the Arrow of Light and Parvuli Dei Medal with the Cub Scouts as well. He was a life Scout, a member of Troop 303 and a member of the Order of the Arrow of the Boy Scouts. He also earned an Eagle Feather in the YMCA Indiana Guides.Justin was 14 when he lost his life on January 23, 1996 but at Civic Theatre we remember his incredible contributions to Civic Youth Theatre and beyond.
The Newell Scholarship is a $500 scholarship with the winner’s name engraved on a plaque on display in Civic Theatre’s Lobby.
The Russell Award
2026 Application Process
Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette is offering an annual $500 scholarship to recognize a graduating high school senior for their outstanding contributions to Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette.
ELIGIBILITY:
• Any high school senior who has contributed greatly towards Civic Theatre.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• Complete an application form.
• List of shows that applicant contributed to as cast or crew for Civic Theatre or Civic Youth Theatre.
• List of events applicant attended in the past 4 years at Civic as audience or volunteer.
• Submit a theatre resume highlighting involvement with Civic Youth Theatre and Civic Theatre.
• Submit a letter of reference from an active Civic Theatre volunteer (nonstaff member/non-relative) that applicant has worked with closely at Civic.
• Email all three of the above documents as one PDF to Benji Braswell at benji@lafayettecivic.org by the application deadline.
DEADLINE:
• All applications and supporting materials must be received via email by April 14th, 2026.
NOTIFICATION:
• Applicants will receive award notification no later than May 1st, 2026.
• The scholarship winners will be announced at Civic Theatre’s Annual Season Reveal on May 30th, 2026, where they will receive their award and check.
• Winner’s names will also be added to the plaques in the lobby to be displayed throughout the year.
J Harrison Russell (Harry, to his friends and family) was a gifted violinist who could not only play beautiful classical pieces in a quiet quartet, but could also fiddle a bluegrass song in a crowded, noisy bar. He also played the guitar, was a talented vocalist, and wrote beautiful music with his friends and family. He loved to perform with his dad in their band, The Friendly Harrys. Harry was a generous soul who loved his friends and family. He also loved his country and was stationed at Hurlburt Air Force Base with the First Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron. He was always willing to join in and be a helpful part of any group and that group was lucky to have him. Harry was a few months away from his 21st birthday when he committed suicide. When Harry left us too soon, the Russell family wanted to honor his memory by highlighting with joy, not sorrow, the accomplishments of those who have contributed so much to their chosen group – Civic Theatre.
The Russell Award is a $500 cash scholarship with the winner’s name engraved on a plaque on display in Civic Theatre’s lobby.
Congratulations to our 2025 recipients!
Owen Valient
Justin M. Newell Memorial Scholarship
Sadie Alge
The Russell Award of Excellence
Alyse Kline
The Russell Award of Excellence