Lauryn Alexandria Hobbs (2020)

At UMich, Lauryn Hobbs's accomplishments included singing for President Barack Obama and starring in The Pirates of Penzance and The Wiz.

Hobbs's vibrant career post-college has included traditional theatre, including a production of RENT at the Paper Mill Playhouse, but she has also forged a career as a professional "nerdstyle creator," working under the name Toastymarshmellow. She does voice acting, singing and live hosting. Her recent appearances have included working with major brands like LEGO and Viz Media, singing on the 2025 Pokemon World Championships album and touring the country as the lead female vocalist in Naruto: The Symphonic Experience.

Lee Alexander (2021)

Lee Alexander was moved not only that the Eisenberg Award recognized his talent, but that it celebrated his work ethic and growth throughout college.

"At that point in senior year, when everyone is thinking about what comes next, it was really encouraging to feel that kind of support and belief from the department," he said. "Receiving the award felt like a reminder to trust the work I had been putting in and to keep pursuing opportunities even when things felt uncertain. The support from the program helped me step into the professional world feeling like I had a strong foundation behind me."

Alexander's senior showcase was online because of the pandemic, which made it challenging in some ways. However, as an Eisenberg awardee, it was still a joyful experience.

"It was also exciting to share that experience with my classmates," he said. "We had all grown so much together over four years, so celebrating that in a professional theatre environment felt really meaningful and a little surreal."

In the years since college, Alexander has worked all over the world and is currently understudying Raoul in Masquerade, the immersive off-Broadway production of Phantom of the Opera. He relishes every new challenge and exploring different areas of the theatre industry.

"What I'm most proud of is staying committed to the craft – continuing to train, perform and build relationships while figuring out the kind of artist I want to be," he said.

When Alexander thinks back to when he received the Eisenberg Award, he remembers the uncertainty of the path before him. But now he knows how far his work ethic and eagerness to grow would take him.

"I'd probably tell my senior-year self to relax a little and trust that things would unfold in ways I couldn't fully predict," he said.

Maddie Eaton (2021)

Maddie Eaton considers herself really fortunate in her job opportunities since graduation; career highlights include playing Girl in Once in California and spending two years covering Maria on the international tour of Sound of Music. The latter meant a lot to her because she took an extra year at UMich to earn a degree in international studies.

"It was a pretty extraordinary opportunity to merge my worlds," she said. "I was amazed at how well known the show was worldwide, and to see different parts of the world's understanding of that part of history."

Travel especially seemed out-of-reach when she graduated as the pandemic still raged; her senior showcase was virtual.

"We were all graduating into a very uncertain time," she said. "The class of 2021 had it better than 2020, but we were graduating into an industry that we weren't sure would fully recover, and we weren't sure what it would look like when it did. You take an intimidating career path, and you throw those crazy circumstances on top of it."

The "vote of confidence" of receiving the Eisenberg Award bolstered her, both emotionally and financially. The scholarship money didn't last all that long, but it was a crucial head start.

"It's increasingly untenable to live here and not have some kind of support," said Eaton. "That's a shame, but I needed that support and this award let me go to New York with a little piece of mind while I got my bearings."

Eaton was also one of the last Eisenberg Award recipients who got to meet its namesake; he invited her to lunch at legendary restaurant Joe Allen right after she moved to New York.

"He was lovely," she said, adding that they kept in touch via email afterwards.

"I want to impress my gratitude to Alan, to his family. He was a really special person to remain committed to fostering young artists and paying it forward."

These days, Eaton finds fulfilment performing, writing pop-folk songs and teaching music.

"My career has taken me places metaphorically but also physically I never could have imagined," she said. "This business breeds so many rich life experiences that you could never imagine – it's a very exciting industry. The lows are low, but the highs are high."

Eaton as Maria in the International Tour of The Sound of Music. Photo by Henry Wu.

Ethan Hardy Benson (2022)

Ethan Hardy Benson was already a committed performer in high school, competing in the Jimmy Awards in 2017 and participating in the Memphis Orpheum STAR Council. He went on to become a first-generation college student at UMich, working odd jobs in the summers. For Benson, the Eisenberg Award scholarship enhanced his senior showcase experience, not only covering the baseline costs but allowing him to see Broadway shows and connect with other UMich alumni performing in them.

Since graduation, Benson has persisted in his work ethic, performing on stages across the globe, most recently in South Pacific at the Goodspeed Opera House and Off-Broadway in Rolling Thunder at New World Stages. He is currently traveling with the international tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, performing throughout the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand. In addition to musical theatre, he is a guitarist and pianist, who works as a performance coach for all ages and levels.

Maya Sistruck (2022)

Maya Sistruck was honored to receive the Eisenberg Award, not only as a path forward, but for its background; Alan Eisenberg championed values that are dear to her.

"The Eisenberg Award represented exactly the kind of achievements I hoped to make professionally: activism in the industry; promoting diverse, equitable and inclusive policies/creative spaces; and positively transforming our artform," she said, adding that she was inspired by Eisenberg's involvement in Equity's non-traditional casting initiatives during his time leading the union. "If I'm anything, it's non-traditional! ... It was extremely important and affirming to me as a Black woman to constantly push the boundaries of artistic integrity, storytelling and representation – and be supported by those who felt the same."

Sistruck's senior showcase happened to be on her 22nd birthday, and she described it as a "whirlwind."

"Having my birthday and the 'birth' day of my career in the same moment felt symbolic: I was entering a new, more exciting era," said Sistruck, who gained representation as a result of the showcase.

Sistruck's post-college work has included both writing and acting, such as debuting a solo show, publishing original stories and performing in two world premiere musical adaptations of The Great Gatsby, at Paper Mill Playhouse and American Repertory Theatre.

"It is a blessing to live each day knowing that I'm doing what I love with the mentors and peers I've admired for so long," said Sistruck. "I have honed my craft and grounded myself in the business all while remaining inspired about the experiences coming my way.

Three years out of college, Sistruck still finds motivation in Eisenberg's legacy and receiving this honor.

"This award inspired me to further the exploration of my artistry, activism and the projects I pursued, which has led me to some really exciting rooms," she said. "It has allowed me to be extremely intentional about my work and the creatives I surround myself with; to constantly be challenged and growing while making my mark.

"To be seen, heard, and valued for the work I'm putting out there is a dream come true. I can't wait for what's next!"

Sistruck as Katrina in the Off-Broadway premiere of Tarrytown. Photo by Chris Ruetten.

Claire DeJean (2023)

Throughout college, Claire DeJean considered herself an "observer," learning a lot, but not always playing the roles she wanted. Heading towards graduation, she had her doubts.

"Sometimes it can just be hard," she said. "You don't know if you're enough, if you're doing enough."

To DeJean, the Eisenberg Award was especially meaningful because it was a vote of confidence from the faculty who selected her for the honor. And the scholarship meant had a direct impact on her acting career's trajectory.

"Coming to New York, having that money that I was dedicating to that craft, I was able to audition more, I was able to coach material and buy a nice backdrop and do self-tapes and hone in on everything," she said. "I think it sets one up for just better quality of performance because you're not stressed about every penny, which a lot of us actors are, especially when we first start."

And only two years later, it has been quite a start. To her surprise, she has done very little musical theatre, but she has built up her resume with TV shows and movies. Theatre-wise, she is currently in a dream role, playing Diana on the national tour of Stereophonic.

"I think I have grown up a lot through these experiences and learned a lot more about myself," she said. "I feel more myself than I ever have been in this moment. It's just crazy... I had a dream of doing these things but maybe not the complete confidence that it would happen. Just the fact I'm able to do it and I'm enjoying it and I'm really meant to be where I am and meant to be an actor. I have no question about it now and that feels really amazing."

DeJean in Stereophonic.

Tomias Robinson (2023)

"I come from a single-parent household. I had to put in the work in order to get into the university out of state," said Tomias Robinson, who finished high school in Texas. "That was me filling out every waiver, every scholarship. I didn't even have the money to apply to colleges I wanted to go to."

Robinson's senior showcase was going to bear many costs, from travel to headshots, and there can be a scramble for funds to cover it all. Robinson was one of many Eisenberg Award recipients who used the money to make the most of that weekend.

"I got the email and I thought, 'This feels a little more accessible; I can actually do this without taking out a loan or having to work a whole bunch of shifts to figure that out," said Robinson. "I can breathe a little bit better now knowing I can make it to New York City for showcase."

This year, Robinson is performing in Take Me to Dollywood at La MaMa, and they're excited to take on a new work. They have also found a strong sense of community in their job at a barber shop, where a colleague who is also an actor has become a mentor.

"I was really gagged and surprised that even if I'm not learning in the theatre, I'm learning in this barbershop – I'm learning about the theatre and this industry and New York!"

Thinking back to their 2023 self, ready to embark on their post-college career, Robinson thinks they would be proud.

"It's taking some time to get where I wanted to be senior year, but at the same time they'd see the smile on my face and think, 'Oh they're happy – they're very happy,'" they said. "I'm here with my chosen family, and I feel loved every single day. I am very grateful to be in the city chasing my dreams. And I'm so excited for what the future has in store for me. " 

Photo by Andrew Alstat.

Kate Cummings (2024)

As a UMich senior, Kate Cummings had heard of the Eisenberg Award, but she thought it had been canceled during COVID.

"When I received it, I thought it was a mistake at first," she said, noting that she had never even thought she would get into the theatre program. "I was so honored to have received it and so grateful that amount of support was life changing and such at the right moment in time for me.

"Even going to the University of Michigan was kind of a question mark for me and my family," she said. "So getting this kind of support while I'm tens of thousands of dollars in debt and preparing to move to the most expensive city in the United States – there's really no way to properly describe the significance of that impact for me."

Right after graduation, Cummings toured Japan in a production of RENT, moving to New York about a year ago. Right away, she needed vocal surgery, and while waiting for insurance to kick in she covered the cost with her Eisenberg scholarship.

"I would be in negative balance without that award," she said.

Once she recovered, Cummings got a job as a stylist while auditioning. On the difficult days, she remembered what receiving the Eisenberg Award means.

"This industry can get you down at times," she said. "I have so many people who believe in me and believe in my potential. The fact that they believed in me so strongly is one of the best reminders I can tell myself. I do it very often. I hate that I need the validation for it, but sometimes it's a good reminder to wake myself and say, 'Stop being so hard on yourself.'"

Now, Cummings is hitting the road again, in the Equity national tour of Mamma Mia! covering Sophie.

"I love seeing the world," she said. "This is the dream for me."

Cummings also notes that the year working a survival job between tours was pivotal for her.

"The fact that I got to go from university where it's 100% musical theatre to a human living in New York working a 9-to-5 while still auditioning and still performing with friends, I feel like I've been able to grow to a full human," she said. "I had this idea of being a starving artist and struggling all the time. Finding the security and realizing I can have a job that's not in musical theatre doesn't make me a fraud. It makes me a human, and it's been cool to make that realization."

Cole Newburg (2024)

Newburg came to musical theatre through the world of dance, and his time at UMich he continued to expand his horizons, including in a production of A Little Night Music directed by Telly Leung. Newburg has worked frequently since graduation all across the country, including in the cast of the most recent Broadway revival of Gypsy.

Newburg is also a choreographer, and he works as a coach, specializing in dancers who want to hone their other performance skillsets.

Photo by Reg Madison Photography.

Brendan Dallaire (2025)

Brendan Dallaire was honored to learn he was receiving the Eisenberg Award, heartened by the financial security, but he didn't know just how needed it would be – a month after moving out East, he lost all his belongings in a house fire.

"Welcome to New York!" he said. "The generous compensation I received from the award ended up being so important to me."

Dallaire has been dedicating more time to songwriting, a path he credits to his UMich education. His most treasured college memories include workshopping Gavin Creel's musical, Loud Nite, and an assignment where he had to create an autobiographical piece of theatre.

"Michigan creates not only a versatile artist but a more versatile human being," he said.

Dallaire is still a recent college graduate, but he feels excited about continuing to explore the intersection of his art as a performer and a writer. The Eisenberg Award, and its scholarship, add to that confidence.

"It's such a gift, and I am so grateful to be in a position where I can just focus on doing what I love here in the city and pursuing my dream," he said.

Dallaire in Newsies at Music Theatre Wichita's. Photo by Jerry Fritchman.

Keyon Pickett (2025)

Keyon Pickett had lifelong dreams of being a performer, and he grew as an artist in his time at UMich in several productions, from Guys and Dolls to Titanic. He also grew close bonds with his classmates. When he heard he was receiving the Eisenberg Award, he was surprised and thrilled.

"I was not expecting this at all," he said. "I was just showing up and doing the work every day at school."

For Pickett, the Eisenberg Award was a culmination of his educational experience; he was moved by the familiar names of past recipients, and excited about the association with Equity; he had been learning about the union at school and hoped to join soon.

"We exit the school program. Most of us don't have anything lined up; we're going to showcase and move to the city maybe and hope for the best," he said. "Having [The Eisenberg Award's] financial boost and that recognition was amazing and helpful for me.

"As a person of color as well, I think these awards being awarded to students of color is a really important thing and I'm hopeful to see more students of color receive them," he said.

Pickett went into senior showcase with high hopes and excitement to work alongside his classmates.

"Senior showcase was one of the best experiences probably in my life," Pickett said, proud to sing "Mornin'" by Al Jarreau there. Not only did he gain representation, but so did every single one of his graduating classmates.

Only one year out of school, Pickett has been busy. He got his Equity card immediately after graduation for a production of All Shook Up at the Goodspeed Opera House, then quickly had two more jobs after that, and is currently on the national tour of The Wiz – with another job lined up for after that! Throughout it all, he holds dear the relationships he built at UMich.

"I'm humbled," he said. "I'm very, very, very grateful for where I've ended up post-graduation. Not only me, but seeing how my friends are doing. My class is so special to me; seeing us all do our thing is so special as well. Everyone is doing great stuff."

Pickett looks to UMich alum, and Eisenberg winners, a few years older than him, and sees the possibility of where his career can go next.

"Getting to tour the country with an Equity tour, it's been great," he said. "I'm excited to see the next four or five years after that."

Stephanie Reuning-Scherer (2025)

For Stephanie Reuning-Scherer, senior showcase loomed large as she neared graduation. Not only was it a chance to gain representation, but because she minored in musical theatre composition, she had an additional showcase during her New York trip. Learning her professors had selected her for the Eisenberg Award alleviated some of her anxiety.

"It made me feel that even though there were no guarantees going into showcase, a group of people whose opinion I trusted very heavily showed they believed in me," she said. "No matter what happened with showcase, I knew I would have a vibrant career."

The scholarship money alleviated some of her financial concerns, as well.

"Receiving the scholarship basically paid for my entire showcase experience," she said, noting that because she did not need to request for help from the showcase scholarship pool, she was able to pay it forward to her classmates with Eisenberg funds.

"I went into showcase having the best time, which made me more attractive in that experience because I was able to relax and have a good time," she said.

Post-showcase, she had a little bit of rent money for her start in New York. And in her first year out of school, she was cast in the celebrated production of Bat Boy at City Center.

"I would never have believed that this is where I would be a year ago. And honestly, even though I'm sure my faculty would laugh at this, I was completely shocked to receive the award," she said. "It's hard, especially in the dark months of winter, to believe in yourself, but when you get something like that it was the beginning of me realizing that I had more to offer than I had even imagined."

Bat Boy was a whirlwind, but a fantastic launch to Reuning-Scherer's career.

"All my dreams were coming true for a whole month, and then it was over," she said. "Being able to hold on to those bits of joy and external validating which actors do love have given me the strength to stay excited for the future and not lose hope, even in those first few years of building your career up.

"A year ago I couldn't imagine that this is where I would be, but I'm so glad that is."

Reuning-Scherer as Maureen Johnson in Rent at Farmers Alley Theatre in Kalamazoo, Michigan.