Brooks McNamara Performing Arts Librarian Scholarship
Brooks McNamara – beloved theater historian, scholar, educator, and mentor – was Professor of Performance Studies at New York University and founder of the Shubert Archive. The Brooks McNamara Performing Arts Librarian Scholarship acknowledges the outstanding professional accomplishments of promising students currently enrolled in MLS or archival training programs specializing in performing arts librarianship.
Apply for the 2013 Scholarship
Applicants must be students currently enrolled in an ALA-accredited MLIS or archival training program. Prospective applicants should submit proof of their student status, a current resume, contact information for three references, and a 500-1,000 word essay.
The theme of this year's essay is: “Theatre Library Association: The Next Seventy-five Years.” The theme is open, but some possible topics may include: How do we continue to serve users in diverse and innovative ways? How can we support artists in their creative endeavors? How can we mentor a new generation of performing arts librarians and archivists?
Interested students are encouraged to apply by submitting the application form and supporting materials by June 28, 2013 to Francesca Marini or to the address listed on the form. Applications will be screened by the Scholarship Committee.
The winner will receive a $500 check and a one-year complimentary TLA membership. The essay will be published in BROADSIDE, TLA’s online newsletter. The Scholarship winner will be publicly announced in October 2013.
2013 Brooks McNamara Performing Arts Librarian Scholarship Award Committee: Francesca Marini, Chair; Susan Brady, Phyllis Dircks, Abigail Garnett, Karen Nickeson, Kevin Winkler
For more information about the McNamara Scholarship, contact Professional Awards Committee Chair, Francesca Marini
2012 Brooks McNamara Performing Arts Librarian Scholarship Winner
Lisbeth Wells-Pratt is a MSLS student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently holds a library fellowship at the United States Environmental Protection Agency at Research Triangle Park, NC. After receiving a BA in Theatre from Slippery Rock University, she became interested in the American Theatre Archive Project, and the ways in which the performing arts are documented. She is currently writing a master's thesis on issues of representation and the politics of memory as it relates to avant-garde theatre archives, and plans to apply to theatre PhD programs this upcoming application cycle.
2012 Brooks McNamara Performing Arts Librarian Scholarship Award Committee: Nancy Friedland, Chair; Phyllis Dircks; Francesca Marini; Karen Nickeson
McNamara Scholarship Winners, 2011-Present
Last updated: April 7, 2013