These donations are intended to provide financial assistance to Theatre Conservatory Seniors and recent graduates. The Booker T Washington Theatre Guild awards two types of scholarships to graduating BTW Theatre seniors: Louise Smith Scholarships and Karon Cogdill Scholarships. All Theatre Guild Scholarship recipients must exhibit high interest and involvement with Theatre Conservatory performances and activities. Additionally, Karon Cogdill Scholarship applicants must demonstrate financial need to be considered. Both types of scholarships may be used for tuition, housing, books or necessary supplies related to university/college expenses. The Louise Smith Scholarship honors the founder and first director of the Booker T Theatre Cluster from 1976 until her retirement in 2008. The Karon Cogdill Scholarship honors the former Conservatory Director and dedicated teacher who served the Booker T Washington Theatre family for 44 years, from 1977-2021, retiring as the Theatre Conservatory Director.
