Mission
The mission of the SAPMSF is to provide scholarship funds and other aid to aspiring students of theatre.
Vision
The vision of the SAPMSF is to fund a full scholarship to a student of theatre by sharing Seth’s story and love of theatre.
PROCESS
Apply
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The 2024 application window has closed. The 2025 application process will be announced next spring!
DEcide
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The application committee will review all applications once the application window is closed.
award
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The 2024 Seth Alan Peterson Memorial Scholarship was awarded at the annual Upper Merion Area High School Underground Players Drama Banquet on May 22, 2024.
Seth’s Legacy
Dash Durning, 2024 Recipient
Dash Durning is a senior in the Upper Merion Underground Players. He is planning to take a half-year gap after which he hopes to attend a 4-year performing arts college. Dash plans to use the funds for vocal, acting, and dance lessons to help further his dream of pursuing performing arts.
In his winning essay, Dash wrote, "Theater is a beautiful art that shows us worlds beyond our own, brings people closer together, and builds an environment of companionship and love that can’t be replicated. I have loved theater since the moment I was introduced to it." Community, creativity, imagination, and love were such significant parts of Seth's theater experience, too.
Summing up his future plans, Dash concluded that winning the scholarship "would continue to motivate me to honor those who have paved the way before me in theater, in order to inspire future theater lovers as well."
Malak ibrahim, 2023 Recipient
Malak Ibrahim is a senior at Upper Merion High School and has played many roles on stage and behind the scenes in the Underground Players. In her winning essay, she wrote, “There’s something truly magical about being transported to another world for a few hours and completely immersing yourself in a story.”
As an international student, Malak found a welcoming community in the theater, a place where she could express herself on stage, as part of the tech crew, and as a Cappies critic, among other things.
While still undecided on where she will attend university, Malak plans to triple major in political science, theater, and journalism. The funds received from this scholarship will help her prepare for continuing pursuits on the stage.
Kyra Keenan, 2022 Recipient
Kyra Keenan served as president of the Underground Players drama club and was been lead critic of the Upper Merion Cappies troop for two years. During her high school theatre career, she co-authored Upper Merion's virtual musical cabaret, Bittersweet, and also assisted with Arsenic and Old Lace and The War of the Worlds. She has performed in The Drowsy Chaperone, Moon Over Buffalo, Big Fish, and various Red-Eye performances.
She is grateful to have been a part of The Drowsy Chaperone and Big Fish, as these shows have been awarded "Best Musical" in the GPC cappies program. Kyra and the Upper Merion Underground Players' marketing team also won best marketing team in 2022. Kyra was been nominated for individual cappies, such as Outstanding 9th/10th grade critic and Outstanding 12th grade critic.
Outside of the Underground Players, Kyra served as class Vice President, Mini-THON head of hospitality, and DECA officer. She attends Susquehanna University for graphic design, but will never forget her four years at Upper Marion. She has an endless amount of love for Upper Merion and an immortal soft spot for the Underground Players. Kyra thanks her directors, parents, and all of the adults who have held her hand through the years.
Kyra intends to use the funds to pursue theater as a minor at Susquehanna University, and she hopes to continue vocal lessons with Cunningham Music over the summer.
Molly Levine, 2020 recipient
A graduate of Upper Merion Area High School and a proud former member of the Underground Players. Molly served as the Vice President of Underground Players during her junior year and was one of the Co-Presidents in her senior year. Molly was also very involved in the Cappie Critic program from her sophomore through senior years, serving as the Lead Critic of the team her senior year.
She has received two Cappies nominations as an individual for performing (Comic Actress in The Drowsy Chaperone, Lead Actress in Arsenic & Old Lace) and one for writing (Outstanding Junior Critic) as well as three nominations for Outstanding Critic Team, winning the award in 2018. Outside of the Underground Players, Molly was involved in Choir, Band, Viking Call, and the Mini Thon Leadership Team during her time at Upper Merion. Molly will be attending Muhlenberg College to study Theatre and Political Science. Her favorite part of the Underground Players was the relationships formed over the four years with her wonderful peers, and the lessons she learned from the directors. ”
Steven Burke, 3rd recipient, 2011
"The Seth Peterson scholarship was a pivotal moment in my artistic development. It allowed me to take classes to prepare for a professional life in the arts. I would not be working in Hollywood today if it weren’t for this scholarship and the support I received from The Upper Merion Underground Players.”
Steven Copp, 2nd recipient, 2010
“I received the scholarship in 2010, and was honored to be recognized in this way, especially in memory of Seth. Seth was an incredible performer who I literally grew up watching on the Upper Merion stage, and it was performances like his that inspired me to continue the legacy of the Underground Players. The scholarship was put towards my education at Wagner College, where I received a BA in Theatre & Speech. Since then, I continue to perform in musical theatre and work as a librarian after receiving my Masters.”
Gigi Watson - 1st recipient, 2009
“The support I received from Seth’s scholarship helped me to realize a lifelong dream of pursuing a college degree in Musical Theatre. With it, I began a life changing journey at Emerson College and started my career in the arts, which I am happy to say is now my full-time job.”
