Broadway Theatre League of Utica Scholarship Funds for Arts Education
Fund in Memory of Board Member Linda Leogrande
The Broadway Theater League of Utica (BTL) has created a scholarship fund at The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties in memory of a longtime member of BTL’s board of directors. The Linda Leogrande Youth Ambassador Scholarship Fund honors her more than 30 years of service on the board and her passion for theater and the arts.
“It is because of Linda that I am on the Board at Broadway Utica,” said Dr. Anthony Mandour. “She sought me out and wouldn’t stop until it happened—that was Linda. She had an intense love for this community and was totally giving of herself and encouraging and inspiring others to do the same.”
Broadway Theater League of Utica, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1957 to bring touring Broadway-caliber performances to the Mohawk Valley. Those involved in BTL agree that Linda was a shining example for both the community and the organization. Dedicating the new scholarship program to Linda’s memory recognizes her advocacy for getting youth involved in the arts. She was the longstanding committee chair for the Pearle Nathan Scholarship at Utica College, spending many years serving on the nominating committee.
“It’s our mission to uphold the core values of Linda’s generosity by promoting the arts, praising people in their roles, and encouraging open communication and creativity for all,” said Danielle Padula, executive director of Broadway Utica.
The scholarship will acknowledge and support qualifying seniors enrolled in Broadway Utica’s Bernadette A. Eichler Youth Ambassador Program pursuing a major in arts education. The eligible seniors will have participated in the Youth Ambassador Program for two consecutive Broadway seasons.
🏆Applauding 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙍𝙪𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨, a senior at New Hartford High School whose star is already rising! Grace, your talent, drive, and enthusiasm are infectious. We’ll be cheering for you from the front row wherever your journey takes you!
🙌🏼 Celebrating 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙪𝙢 𝙏𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙪𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙖, senior at Sauquoit Valley High School and a bold storyteller whose creativity shines both on and off the stage. Callum, your adventurous spirit and passion for the arts are just the beginning — we can’t wait to see the stories you’ll tell and the places you’ll go!
Winners of the Linda Leogrande Scholarship:
2025 - Grace Ruganis & Callum Torruella
2024 - Geovanni Stoddard & Philip Fiacco
2023- Faith Wilk & Caitlyn Hampe
2022- Ethan Witt
2021- Tessa Stayton & Abigail Morgan
2020- Maggie Parker & Malachi Ward
Pearle Nathan Scholarship
The scholarship is available to full-time students at Utica University majoring in Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts with a concentration in Theater. In the event that suitable candidates from this major are not available, candidates may have other concentrations within the Division of Humanities. Each candidate must have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Preference shall be given to candidates from the Greater Utica Area.
