"Theatre UNI taught me so much by giving me hands-on experience. The lessons I learned there have enabled me to go out into the professional theatre world and not only hold my own, but teach others as well. With the continued support of S.T.A.G.E., Inc., future theatre artists can have the opportunity to receive the practical foundation that is so important to the creation of theatre."

Katie Hefel
Stage Manager
1995 S.T.A.G.E., Inc., Scholarship Recipient

   "The UNI Theatre program provides a vital source of intellectual stimulation and pure enjoyment to the Cedar Falls/Waterloo community and S.T.A.G.E., Inc., in turn, provides invaluable support to the Theatre. The faculty, staff, and students in the Performing Arts at the University of Northern Iowa consistently demonstrate their very considerable artistic skills and their infectious enthusiasm. I find it a source of great pride to be associated with them and, as well, with the members of the community, so well exemplified by S.T.A.G.E., Inc., who have for so long provided so much support for these wonderful teacher and student artists/scholars. Indeed, the support of S.T.A.G.E., Inc. helps immeasurably to make each season even better than the one before."

James Lubker, Dean
College of Humanities and Fine Arts
University of Northern Iowa

    S.T.A.G.E., Inc., is a nonprofit group from which the Department of Theatre at UNI profits enormously. S.T.A.G.E., Inc., works to increase community awareness of the UNI theatre program while raising funds to provide special extras that patrons and student appreciate. Contributions by S.T.A.G.E., Inc., have included coat racks in the Strayer-Wood Theatre lobby, a clock above the box office, a listening system for the hearing-impaired, and providing tickets for underserved audiences.

   With an emphasis on student support,
over 60% of the funds raised by S.T.A.G.E., Inc.,
goes directly to students to help pay tuition.

    Another 10% goes toward such projects as providing meals for cast and crew following the final performance, purchasing student-produced art for the Strayer-Wood Theatre lobby, and supporting the residencies of guest artists within the Department of Theatre.

   Since its inception in 1977, S.T.A.G.E., Inc., has awarded more than 45 tuition scholarships to UNI theatre students. Many of these S.T.A.G.E., Inc., scholars have gone on to graduate programs at Arizona State University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Minnesota, the University of Iowa, and California Institute of the Arts. Others are working professionally in their fields, in such places as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., American Players Theatre in Wisconsin and The Actors Theatre of Louisville. A recent group of Theatre UNI alum, including several S.T.A.G.E., Inc., scholars, started a new theatre company, The Key Theatre, in New York City in April 2000.