Our performing arts scholarships for kids and teens help families access programs at Lawton Academy in Glen Head, Long Island, New York. Tuition assistance may support musical theater, stage acting, screen acting, movie making, and singing. Parents seeking acting scholarships or musical theater scholarships can begin with the confidential application below. No prior performing arts experience is necessary to apply.
John McCormack (1959–2020) was a beloved New York theater producer, artistic director and mentor who devoted his life to creating opportunities for artists. Through his work with Ensemble Studio Theatre, Naked Angels, INTAR and others, John had an extraordinary gift for recognizing talent, opening doors and believing in people when that belief mattered most.
Andrew Lawton met John while studying theater and film at Sarah Lawrence College. John arranged Andrew’s first New York auditions, helping launch his professional acting career, and became a mentor whose encouragement would have a lasting impact. Whenever Andrew contemplated his next creative endeavor, John never asked, “Why?” His response was always, “Why not?”
The John McCormack Scholarship Fund was established to carry that spirit forward—to believe in the potential of young artists and help create opportunities for that potential to flourish.
Talent deserves to be recognized.
Potential deserves to be nurtured.
And sometimes, one person believing in you can change everything.
Please complete this short application as the child’s parent or guardian. Brief answers are welcome. No prior performing arts experience is necessary. Please do not include tax documents, account numbers, or other sensitive documents. Applications are treated confidentially and reviewed by authorized Academy staff for scholarship consideration. After review, we may invite you and your child to a video conversation. The Academy independently decides awards of 25%, 50%, or 100% of tuition, subject to available funds. Applying does not guarantee an award.
