Jake Fruend

2009 Webster Groves High School graduate Jake Fruend has won New Line Theatre’s first scholarship in musical theater.

Jake will use the $1,500 award at Columbia College in Chicago, which he enters this fall. 

Actually, he explained, Columbia doesn’t offer a degree in musical theater, “so I”ll have an interdisciplinary major: Acting, singing and dancing. Three majors in four years! It’ll be cool.”

The son of Dan and Melissa Fruend of Webster Groves, Jake was active in theater all through high school.  His favorite roles include Snoopy in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and Mr. McQueen, the evil mogul’s lackey, in “Urinetown.” “I am not the biggest fan of older musicals,” he confesses. “I hate to say that because some people think that’s blasphemy! But I love shows like ‘Urinetown’ and ’Avenue Q,’ with their sense of humor.”

New Line funded the scholarship with proceeds from its January concert at the Sheldon, “Night of the Living Show Tunes.” Scott Miller, New Line’s founder and artistic director, said the company has wanted to offer a scholarship in musical theater - New Line’s specialty - for years. “But our operating budget is always so tight, there’s never been room to carve out money for a scholarship,” Miller said. “This year, we finally figured out how to do it, and we couldn’t be happier.”

On a personal note: Scott Miller asked me to select the winner of the scholarship. There were several outstanding candidates from schools throughout the area; it was tough to choose just one. Best wishes to Jake in college; hope he has the opportunity to break his legs time and again.