The Blaine Jarrett Memorial Scholarship - A Fund Managed by Buck Creek Players

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

2023 - RACHEL BUSH

A 2023 home schooled graduate, Rachel is attending the University of Indianapolis seeking a Bachelor’s degree in Pre-Art Therapy: Studio Art with a minor in Theatre. Her performing arts background includes performing at BCP as Emma Borden in Lizzie Borden of Fall River, and Mary Jane in Rosie the Riveter; at Hendricks Civic Theater as Grace Fryer in Radium Girls and Margaret Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility, and at The Belfry as Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby. She has also performed at Carmel Community Players, Main Street Productions, Biz Academy, and with the Wayne Township 4-H Club. Rachel has expanded her theater and leadership experience as president of the Basile Westfield Playhouse Youth Advisory Council and as an Assistant Director intern for LITTLE WOMEN here at Buck Creek Players. Rachel is the daughter of Matthew and Susanne Bush of Indianapolis.

2022 - PIPER MURPHY

A 2022 graduate of Park Tudor School, Piper will be attending Ball State University seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. Her performing arts background includes performing at Park Tudor School as Velma Kelly in Chicago, and as Tilly Evans in She Kills Monsters, as well as Wednesday in The Addams Family and as Patrice in 13: The Musical, both at Summer Stock Stage. She has also performed with The Indianapolis Opera, and Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre. Piper has expanded her theatre and music abilities by studying vocals, dance, and piano, as well as acting. She is an accomplished musician and vocalist having received multiple awards and perfect scores in voice, piano, and small orchestral group. Piper is the daughter of Richard and Molly Murphy of Carmel.

2021 - EMMA 'ROSIE' ALLENSON

A 2021 graduate of Noblesville High School, Rosie will be attending The American Academy of Dramatic Arts majoring in Acting. Her performing arts background includes performing at Noblesville High School as Olive in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and as Mary Warren in The Crucible. She has also performed with Buck Creek Players, The Belfry, Westfield Playhouse, and Indy Fringe Festival. Rosie has expanded her behind the scenes talents by directing, and assistant directing, as well as completing internships at both Buck Creek Players and Westfield Playhouse. She has also enhanced her talents with a variety of master classes including performance, choreography, voice & vocal interpretation, audition techniques, and dance. Rosie is the daughter of Dave and Jodie Allenson of Noblesville.

2020 - MOLLY NELSON

A 2020 graduate of Columbus North High School, Molly will be attending Wright State University majoring in Musical Theatre. Molly’s performing arts background includes performing at Columbus North High School as The Chairman in THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, as Mary Poppins in MARY POPPINS, and as Clairee Belcher in STEEL MAGNOLIAS. She has also performed with Booth Tarkington Civic and Mill Race Theatre Company. While in high school, she showcased her vocal and dance skills as a member of the Columbus North Debuteens and Music Men Show Choir. She is the recipient of the Brown Vocal Competition Scholarship. She is a member of National Honor Society and was involved in Youth Leadership Bartholomew County. Molly is the daughter of Chris and Deborah Nelson of Columbus.

2019 - ELEANOR BENNETT

A 2019 graduate of Franklin Community High School, Eleanor will be attending Northern Kentucky University majoring in Musical Theatre. Eleanor’s performing arts background includes performing at Franklin Community High School as Vi in FOOTLOOSE, as Morticia in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, and as Ursula in THE LITTLE MERMAID. She has also performed with Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, and Junior Civic. She has ventured into directing, assisting with ONCE ON THIS ISLAND JR. at Franklin Community Middle School, and FOOTLOOSE at Franklin Community High School. She is an accomplished vocalist and has been involved in All State Jazz Honor Choir, Indiana All State Honor Choir, and multiple choirs at Franklin Community High School. She is a member of National Honor Society and a top scholar for Integrated Chemistry and Physics. Eleanor is the daughter of Jeff and Andrea Bennett of Greenwood.

2018 - BRITTANY DAVIS

A 2017 graduate of Columbus North High School, Brittany currently attends Anderson University majoring in Musical Theatre. Brittany's performing arts background includes performing at Mill Race Theatre Company in JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT and at Columbus North High School in productions of KISS ME KATE, OUR TOWN, GREASE, and many more. She is also an accomplished musician with emphasis on the clarinet, and has been involved in All State Honor Band, Anderson University Wind Ensemble, Columbus North Show Choir, and Columbus North Jazz Choir. She has been recognized for her musical achievements with gold and silver medals from the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA). Brittany is the daughter of Eric and Jean Davis of Columbus.

2017 - CALEB WERTZ 

A 2017 senior from Franklin Community High School in Franklin, Indiana, Caleb will be attending Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, majoring in Musical Theatre. His performing arts background has included participation with a variety of groups including Franklin Community High School, Franklin Performing Arts Center, and Actors Theatre of Indiana. His onstage roles have ranged from Tobias in SWEENEY TODD, to The Baker in INTO THE WOODS. Caleb is an accomplished vocalist, as well as an accomplished alto saxophone player. He is a member of the National Honor Society, and was co-founder of an all-male a cappella group - Rockafellas. Caleb is the son of Bryan and Carrie Wertz of Franklin.

2016 - EMMA KIVETT

A 2016 senior from Mooresville High School, Emma will be attending Ball State University double-majoring in theatrical studies and speech communications. Her performing arts background has included participation with a variety of groups including Mooresville High School, Young Actors Theatre, Merry MAC Players, Our Town Players, and Carmel Community Players. Her onstage roles have ranged from the Cowardly Lion in THE WIZARD OF OZ to the Witch in INTO THE WOODS. Emma’s backstage experience has included work as a costume assistant, stage manager, and choreographer. She has also written and directed her own piece, IN THE DARK, for Merry MAC Players. Emma is the daughter of Monte and Lisa Kivett of Camby.

2015 - DOUGLAS G. JOHNSTON

A 2015 senior from Roncalli High School, Doug will be attending Molloy College seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts. His performing arts background has included participation with a variety of groups including Roncalli High School, Footlite Musicals, and Buck Creek Players. Doug is an accomplished musician and can play the piano, guitar, bass, and drums. An Encore Award winner, Doug has participated in multiple show choirs and ComedySportz. Doug is the son of Brian and Dianne Johnston of Indianapolis.

2015 - EMMA ALYCE WEBER

A 2015 senior from Northpoint Homeschool, Emma will be attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts with a major in Performing Arts - Acting. Her performing arts background has included work with Cathedral High School, Actors Theatre of Indiana, Footlite Musicals, Epilogue Players, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, and Buck Creek Players. Emma is a multiple Encore Award winner, and has numerous awards for outstanding vocal performance. Emma is the daughter of Brad and Constance Weber of McCordsville.

2014 - ADAM DECKER

A 2013 graduate of Danville Community High School, Adam is currently enrolled at Indiana University Bloomington where he is pursuing the majors of Telecom-munications and Theatre & Drama. His performing arts background has included almost every opportunity at Danville High School and Hendricks Civic Theatre, as well as a variety of other central Indiana groups including Bobdirex, The Biz Academy of Musical Theatre, Wayne Township Community Theater, Footlite Musicals, and Buck Creek Players. During his first year at IU Bloomington, Adam had a leading role in the student-directed short film, “Flick: A Movie about the Movies”. The son of Jeff and Lisa Decker of Danville, Adam is also an Eagle Scout.

2014 - BROCK HALL

A 2014 senior from Plainfield High School, Brock will be attending Northwestern University with a major in Theatre through the School of Communication. His performing arts background has included participation with a variety of groups including Plainfield High School, Indy Fringe Festival, Footlite Musicals, Wayne Township Community Theater, and Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre. Brock is a 2009 Young Playwrights in Process Winner and 2011’s Runner Up through the Indiana Repertory Theatre playwriting competition. Brock is the son of John and Chastidy Hall of Plainfield.

2012 - RENEE LA SCHIAZZA

A 2012 senior from Carmel High School, Renee plans to major in Musical Theatre at Elon University in North Carolina. Her performing arts background has included roles at Oklahoma City University, Carmel High School, and Clay Middle School. With four years of vocal training, fourteen years of dance, and thirteen years of piano, she has also participated in the Carmel High School Ambassadors (2011's Top National Show Choir) and in the Oklahoma City University Summer Musical Theatre program. Renee is the daughter of Steve and Joni La Schiazza of Carmel.

2011 - BETHANY ARRINGTON

A 2011 senior from Carmel High School, Bethany will be attending the University of Illinois at Chicago with a major in Theatre Performance. Bethany has participated with a variety of groups including Carmel High School, Carmel Community Players, Footlite Musicals, and the Indianapolis Opera. Her onstage roles have ranged from Wendy in PETER PAN to Viola in TWELFTH NIGHT. She has also done improvisational comedy in a sports-like setting with ComedySportz. Bethany has received multiple awards from the Indiana State Thespian Conference. Bethany is the daughter of Mike and Laura Arrington of Carmel.

2011 - ZACH DECKER

Zach is a 2011 senior from Danville Community High School and is planning on attending Indiana University Bloomington to major in Theatre and Spanish. His performing arts background has included participating with a variety of groups including Epilogue Players, Hendricks Civic Theatre, Wayne Township Community Theatre, and Footlite Musicals. Zach has also worked with Artistic Enterprises, Inc., on radio commercials and educational videos. He has been the recipient of multiple scholarships and awards including the Jean Cones Scholarship in 2009 and an Indiana State Music Association Gold Medalist in state competition in 2010 and 2011. An Eagle Scout, Zach is the son of Jeff and Lisa Decker of Danville.

2010 - BRITTANY BREWER

A 2010 senior from Batesville High School, Brittany will be attending Indiana University Bloomington with majors in Theatre & Drama as well as Spanish and a minor in Music. Brittany has a multi-faceted interest in theater including performance and playwriting. While at Batesville High School Brittany wrote a one-act play titled WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH PINK UNDERWEAR? which was performed by the drama department. She has also entered Indiana Repertory Theatre’s Young Playwright’s in Process Competition to further develop her skills. She has performed with the Tree County Players in Greensburg, the Rural Alliance for the Arts in Batesville, and the Indiana University Honors Program in Foreign Language production of Mamma Mia in Spanish. Brittany is the daughter of Ross and Darlene Brewer of Batesville.

2010 - GRANT RUSSEL

A 2010 senior from Lutheran High School, Grant will be attending Ball State University with a major in Musical Theatre Performance & Theatre Studies. His performing arts background has included participating with a variety of groups including Wayne Township Community Theater, Buck Creek Players, Lee’s Theatricals, and Lutheran High School. Grant has also performed with Patootie, a troupe that travels the state to perform comedy sketches, poems, dance routines, and original music. Grant is an Eagle Scout and is the son of Danny Russel and Elke Lorenzen of Indianapolis.

2010 - REBECCA WHITCOMB

Rebecca, a 2009 graduate of Danville High School, currently attends the American Musical Dramatic Academy in NYC majoring in Musical Theatre Performance. Rebecca’s performing arts background includes performing as Betty Rizzo in GREASE at Hendricks Civic Theatre, Clara Eynsford-Hill in MY FAIR LADY at Footlite Musicals, and Sharpay Evans in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL at Danville High School. Rebecca has been the recipient of multiple scholarships and awards including the Jean Cones Scholarship in 2009 and the Tri Kappa Fine Arts Scholarship in 2007 & 2008. Rebecca is the daughter of Jennifer Whitcomb of Danville.

2009 - PETER G.A. MEYER

A 2009 senior from Arsenal Technical High School, Peter will be pursuing a career in music education by attending the Indiana University School of Music. His performing arts background has included almost every band and chorale group at Tech including Concert Band, Orchestra, German Band, and Barbershop Quartet. Peter was also active onstage and backstage with the drama program at Tech appearing as Prince Charming in RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA and Cogsworth in DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Peter is the son of Andrew and Beth Aubrey Meyer of Indianapolis.

2008 - HILARY SMITH

A 2008 senior from Cathedral High School, Hilary is following her dream by majoring in musical theater with a dance minor. Her performing arts background has included roles at Beef & Board Dinner Theatre, including Alice in ALICE IN WONDERLAND in 2007 and Wendy in their most recent production of the musical, PETER PAN. Hilary has also been the recipient of both a Prelude Award (for a vocal duet) and Excel Award (for performance choreography). She also was very active in the drama program at Cathedral. Hilary is the daughter of Brian and Kelly (Butler) Smith of Carmel.

2008 - REBECCA TEKOLSTE

A 2008 senior from Cathedral High School, Rebecca majoring in theater with a concentration in directing and stage management. Her background includes creative, technical and on-stage work. Creatively and technically, she has assistant directed, stage managed, designed sets, designed lighting and been on many construction crews for Cathedral's theater program. Onstage, she portrayed the leading role of Billie in HAIKU, as well as roles in THE LAST OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, I NEVER SAW ANOTHER BUTTERFLY and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. A resident of Carmel, Rebecca is the daughter of Henry and Jeanne TeKolste.

2008 - ALEXANDRIA VAN PARIS

A 2008 senior from Avon High School, Alexandria majors in Musical Theatre at Ball State University. Her resume includes both community and professional theater from performances in the Indianapolis Symphony's YULETIDE CELEBRATION to playing Nancy in OLIVER! at Avon High School. A multiple Encore Award-winner and nominee, Alexandria has garnered awards for her performances as the title role in ANNIE (Carmel Community Players), Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ, and Gertrude McFuzz in SEUSSICAL: THE MUSICAL (both at Hendricks Civic Theatre). Alexandria is the daughter of Jeff and Jan Van Paris of Avon.