We know as you prepare to graduate with your degree in Theater Arts, there are additional requirements that are vital in pursuing your career, i.e., professional head shots, traveling to auditions, etc. The Stephen M. Hoenig Memorial Actors Fund stipend is the award that will help you move forward toward achieving your goal.
You must be a second semester college Junior.
You must be pursuing a degree in Theater Arts.
You are passionate and dedicated to Theater.
Lighting, costumes or set-design still qualify!
You should be able to demonstrate financial need.
We need a copy of your current transcript.
We require a one paragraph application letter.*
We require 3 Letters of Recommendation from faculty members or professionals with whom you’ve worked. Download Forms
We need a copy of your resume (including performance history, academic training and work experience).
Video submissions are welcome.
*About the Application Letter
Please share how you envision using the award to further your professional goals and career path. Give specific examples of how your education and experi-ence has prepared you to meet the demands of the professional world.

Is your best friend’s next door neighbor going to take your headshots?

Are your clothes and shoes for auditions the ones you wore in high school? Do you really want to take a bus to New York or L.A for your Senior Showcase?

Do you lack scripts, scores or design tools that would help you feel more confident and understand your craft better?

Do you wish you had the additional class in Shakespeare or dialect or design to enhance your basic understanding and skills?

There are plenty of scholarships available for tuition out there, but a career in the theater arts has additional expenses. This is intended to offset those costs.
Previous student recipients have been enrolled in theater, music, musical theater and technical theater, to name a few...
Franzesca
Mayer
Neal
Kelley
Frankie
DiCiaccio
Samuel
Hubbard
Matthew Nuernberger
Sofia F.
Lauwers
Andrea Hochkeppel
Jonathan
Butler-Duplessis
Clifton
Chadick
Gabriel
Sloyer
Anna
Eilinsfeld
Hanna
Friedman
Sarah
Kindem
Lawrence
St. Victor
Shane
Stokes
Raine
Davis
Kelly
Michale
Rudy
Mungaray
Tiffany
Thompson
Jonathan
Castro
Julanne
Chidi Hill
Paul
Tafoya
Luis
LaPorte
Cheryl
Brubake
Celeste
Sisson
Michelle
Courtney
Brian
Weiss

Ann is a business owner, entrepreneur and founder of the Stephen M. Hoenig Memorial Actors Fund.

Jonathan is the portfolio manager at Capitalistpig Hedge Fund LLC.

Frank is a Senior Program Officer at the Polk Bros. Foundation, overseeing grants to arts and youth programs. As an actor he has appeared on Broadway (Miss Saigon), off-Broadway and in performances across the country.

Jason is a film and theater director, story consultant, and acting teacher based in New York City. He was instrumental in the development and production of the award winning independent film Kissing Jessica Stein.

Darrelyn is a Jeff Award winning professional actress in Chicago and former music & theatre educator and director.
The Stephen M. Hoenig Memorial Actors Fund was established in 1992 by Ann Hoenig
and Jonathan Hoenig in honor of their beloved son and brother, Stephen.
Stephen was a theater student in New York when a tragic accident caused his untimely death at the age of 19. He was keenly aware that even the most talented young actors might never get the recognition they deserve because of lack of financial resources. In establishing this Fund, they hope to pass on Stephen's strong spirit and dedication to his craft as well as help another student in the pursuit of his or her dream.