Theatre Student Brissa Lopez Receives Cody Renard Richard Scholarship

Theatre Management & Producing student Brissa Lopez has been named a recipient of the 2025 Cody Renard Richard Scholarship. Founded by Tony Award-winning Adjunct Assistant Professor Cody Renard Richard, the scholarship champions artists of color working in non-performance roles to become the next generation of theatrical leaders. 

Lopez joins a class of ten 2025 Scholars hailing from schools across the country, all of whom will receive a grant of $10,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City this summer to learn their craft in the heart of New York’s theatre scene (a journey considerably shorter when made from 116th and Broadway). 

Recipients will also attend online sessions with Richard and scholarship partner the Black Theatre Coalition, as well as various leaders in the theatrical community, offering them a chance to grow in their practice and connect with mentors and their fellow Scholars.  

“I am immensely grateful to be selected for this year’s cohort,” said Lopez. “The CRR Scholarship Program’s financial support and invaluable mentorship will empower me to champion a more just and equitable industry—and, ultimately, a more inclusive world.”

Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the program has already awarded $340,000 to 45 students from 31 different universities, with many past recipients now working on Broadway. Lopez becomes the fifth student from the School of the Arts and fourth from the Theatre Management & Producing program to be selected for the scholarship. 

“Our incoming cohort is full of creative thinkers who are passionate about building community and shifting the landscape of our industry,” said Richard. “I can’t wait to uplift their talents and learn from them along the way.”

This year’s scholars were chosen by a committee including Richard and Program Manager Nzinga Williams, Tom Andre Bardwell, Jhanaë Bonnick, Lani Fu, Ann James, Zhailon Levingston, Tina McCartney, Kenneth McGee, and Timothy Oliver Reid.

Support for the scholarship comes from the Jeffrey Seller Family Foundation, The Miranda Family Fund, Broadway Cares / Equity Fights Aids, Tiger Baron Foundation, Kevin McCollum, Tommy Kail, Junkyard Dogs, Jenny Steingart, and Jill Furman.

See the full list of this year’s Scholars here.