Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre Awards Annual Jerome H. Kamps Memorial Scholarships

The Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre (BDACT) announces the recipients of this year’s Jerome H. Kamps Memorial Scholarships, awarded to two graduating seniors: Ella Gochenaur and Nash Gartzke.

Ella Gochenaur will be heading to UW-Milwaukee this fall to pursue a BFA in Dance with a Musical Theatre certificate. She has performed in over a dozen productions. Her work with BDACT and Beaver Dam High School includes roles such as Lucy Grant in Bright Star, Maggie Anderson in Brigadoon, and recent work as choreographer for BDACT’s middle school production of The SpongeBob Musical. From her essay..."Being able to view mistakes as learning experiences and not as failures has been essential to growing my confidence and belief in myself... In a world where there is so much division, this community theatre draws people in from all different backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, views and gives them a common bond and a shared positive experience."

Nash Gartzke will attend the University of Wisconsin–Stout this fall, majoring in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. Nash has been a part of nine productions with multiple responsibilities, including stage manager, assistant director, light operator, and actor—most recently appearing as a Little Pig in BDACT’s Shrek the Musical and in the ensemble of Urinetown. From her essay..."Theater has helped me become a better friend, a creative person, and a leader... Throughout hard times and dark days, theater has always been something that I knew I could turn to."

BDACT congratulates both Ella and Nash as they start their college careers.