dear evan hansen college essay writing challenge 2023

Dear Evan Hansen Announces National “You Will Be Found” Essay Challenge with $10,000 College Scholarship

February 12,2021

Reposted from Performing Arts Fort Worth

Dear Evan Hansen, along with partners The Broadway Education Alliance and Gotham Writers Workshop, is proud to announce the third annual “You Will Be Found” College Essay Writing Challenge, inspired by the Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning Broadway hit musical. In recognition of the record-breaking National Tour and meeting millions of new fans nationwide, the initiative builds on a contest previously exclusive to the New York City area, and now extends to high school juniors and seniors nationwide with one scholarship of $10,000 awarded to the college of the recipient’s choice.

Additionally, Performing Arts Fort Worth, the non-profit owner and operator of Bass Performance Hall, will also recognize a regional North Texas winner from entrants in the “You Will Be Found” College Essay Writing Challenge. Details of the regional prize package, awarded on behalf of Performing Arts Fort Worth’s Children’s Education Program, will be announced at a later date.

"The college application process, and the essays that accompany it, have always played a role in Evan Hansen's story of a young adult coming into his own.  It's what inspired us to create this essay challenge three years ago, and we're so appreciative of the chance to play a small role in supporting the education of our first two winners,” said Stacey Mindich, lead producer of Dear Evan Hansen. “Now, more than ever, we realize how the past year has impacted the educational experience for students across the country - and how those students have responded with incredible resilience and adaptability.  We're excited that this is the moment we're able to expand the essay challenge nationwide, and to further lend support to a student embarking on their college journey.  We're hopeful that the year ahead will ultimately find productions like Dear Evan Hansen on track to return to the stage, and students across the country able to get safely back to their classrooms."

Participating students are asked to respond to the following essay prompt:

Dear Evan Hansen, at its core, is a story about connection. During the past year, connection has never been more integral to our daily lives, yet we find ourselves in a moment where it requires more creativity than ever to maintain.  In your essay, describe how you've managed to ensure those around you were a little less alone in recent months - or, alternatively, a moment where you yourself have found comfort in connection.

College application-style essay submissions (no more than 650 words) should be specific, have a clear narrative arc, and adhere to the theme of the challenge. Participating students must submit entries online at https://www.writingclasses.com/contest/you-will-be-found-college-essay-writing-challenge-2021. Upon submitting, participants will also be asked to provide their city, state and zip code so they can be considered for supplemental regional prizes and recognition that may be awarded locally by venue partners.

Contest rules are available at Gotham Writers’ official “You Will be Found” College Essay Writing Challenge page. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 pm on Monday, April 5. Entries will be judged by members of the Dear Evan Hansen cast and global production teams, experts from Gotham Writers Workshop and Broadway Education Alliance, and education directors and marketing teams from performing arts venues around the country. The winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship to the college of their choice, funded by Dear Evan Hansen lead producer Stacey Mindich. Dear Evan Hansen also looks forward to hosting the challenge winner at the show when the production returns to the stage on Broadway or on tour.

The winner of the national challenge will be announced on Monday, May 10.

Dear Evan Hansen features a book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy®, Tony®, Olivier® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal).

Declared “One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by the Washington Post’s Peter Marks, Dear Evan Hansen launched its First North American Tour at the Buell Theatre in Denver, Colorado in October 2018 and since, has performed in more than 40 cities across North America playing for more than 1.5 million audience members. The Broadway production of Dear Evan Hansen opened at the Music Box Theatre to rave reviews on December 4, 2016, where it’s broken all box office records and struck a chord with critics and audiences alike. It went on to win six 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the Drama League Award for Outstanding Musical Production, two Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, and two Outer Critics Circle Awards and two Helen Hayes Awards. Recently, the West End Production of Dear Evan Hansen won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, along with two other Olivier Awards.

Like all Broadway and touring shows in North America, Dear Evan Hansen is currently on temporary hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and looks forward to returning in 2021.

The Fort Worth premiere engagement of Dear Evan Hansen was originally scheduled to play Bass Hall this week. Due to COVID-19, the show now plans to return to Fort Worth as part of the 2021-2022 Broadway at the Bass season. Performing Arts Fort Worth expects to announce the new Broadway at the Bass season lineup later this spring.

The Broadway Education Alliance and Gotham Writers, along with Dear Evan Hansen, are presenting the “You Will Be Found” Challenge, recognizing excellence in storytelling and promoting student engagement with Broadway. The challenge is administered by the Broadway Education Alliance and Gotham Writers Workshop, a creative home both in New York and online for writers to develop their craft and come together in the spirit of fellowship and discovery. Gotham is also a leader in college application essay coaching.

The guidelines for this annual contest, including word length and the goal of the essay, align with the Common Application, the undergraduate college admission application that students may use to apply to any of more than 700-member colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, China and many other European countries. Students who enter the “You Will Be Found” Challenge will be able to adapt their essay and use it as their personal statements for their college applications.

For more information about:

Dear Evan Hansen, visit https://dearevanhansen.com

Gotham Writers Workshop, visit www.gothamwriters.com

Broadway Education Alliance, visit https://bealliance.org/

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DEAR EVAN HANSEN College Essay Contest Open for Entries from 11th and 12th Grade Students

$10,000 scholarship to be awarded to grand prize winner.

Providence, RI - Dear Evan Hansen , The Broadway Education Alliance and Gotham Writers Workshop invites 11 th and 12 th grade students across North America to write a college-application style essay for the 4th annual Dear Evan Hansen College Essay Writing Contest . The contest, sponsored by Stacey Mindich, lead producer of the Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning Broadway hit Dear Evan Hansen , awards a $10,000 college scholarship to a student whose essay is selected through an extensive adjudication process led by a cross-industry panel of professionals. Submissions must be received by the contest administrator, Gotham Writers Workshop , by Monday, May 9, 2022, at 11:59 pm . For contest rules and submission guidelines, click https://v2.writingclasses.com/contests/you-will-be-found-college-essay-writing-challenge-2022

Dear Evan Hansen features music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, a book by Steven Levenson, and direction by Michael Greif. The 2022 essay contest theme is inspired by a moment in Act 1, Scene 7, when Evan’s mother, Heidi, offers Evan a hopeful view of life after high school. “ College is going to be so great for you… how many times in life do you get the chance to just… start all over again?”

To enter the contest 11 th and 12 th grade students must write and submit a college-application style essay (no longer than 650-words) that describes their experiences with or ideas about reinvention, at any stage of their life. The prompt question is as follows—

Have you ever had the chance to reinvent yourself? As you look ahead to life after high school, will you introduce a whole new you to a fresh community, or further shape the best version of yourself?”

The Dear Evan Hansen Essay Contest aligns with the Common Application guidelines, the undergraduate college admission application that students may use to apply to any of more than 700-member colleges and universities throughout the United States, and internationally.

Dear Evan Hansen makes its highly anticipated Providence premiere at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), April 5 – 10, 2022. Tickets are available at the PPAC Box Office window, by phone at 401.421.ARTS (2787) and online at ppacri.org.

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Dear Evan Hansen Launches Nationwide College Scholarship Essay Contest

The production will award one winner with a $10,000 prize.

Dear Evan Hansen has teamed up with the Broadway Education Alliance and Gotham Writers Workshop to present the third annual "You Will Be Found" College Essay Writing Challenge. The nationwide contest will award one high school junior and senior with a $10,000 scholarship for the college of their choice.

Students wishing to participate should respond to the following prompt:

" Dear Evan Hansen , at its core, is a story about connection. During the past year, connection has never been more integral to our daily lives, yet we find ourselves in a moment where it requires more creativity than ever to maintain. In your essay, describe how you've managed to ensure those around you were a little less alone in recent months – or, alternatively, a moment where you yourself have found comfort in connection."

Essays should be no more than 650 words and should be specific, with a clear narrative arc. Upon submitting, participants will also be asked to provide their city, state, and zip code so they can be considered for supplemental regional prizes and recognition that may be awarded locally by venue partners. Entries will be accepted until 11:59pm on Monday, April 5, with submissions judged by members of the Dear Evan Hansen cast, global production teams, experts from Gotham Writers Workshop and the Broadway Education Alliance, and education directors and marketing teams from performing arts venues across the country. In addition to the scholarship, the production will host the winner at the show when the Broadway or touring production returns to the stage. Winner will be announced on May 10.

For more information and to enter, click here.

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“Dear Evan Hansen” College Essay Writing Challenge Announced

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New York, NY— Dear Evan Hansen , along with partners The Broadway Education Alliance and Gotham Writers Workshop, is proud to announce the third annual “You Will Be Found” College Essay Writing Challenge, inspired by the Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning Broadway hit musical. In recognition of the record-breaking National Tour and meeting millions of new fans nationwide, the initiative builds on a contest previously exclusive to the New York City area, and now extends to high school juniors and seniors nationwide with one scholarship of $10,000 awarded to the college of the recipient’s choice.

“The college application process, and the essays that accompany it, have always played a role in Evan Hansen’s story of a young adult coming into his own.  It’s what inspired us to create this essay challenge three years ago, and we’re so appreciative of the chance to play a small role in supporting the education of our first two winners,” said Stacey Mindich, lead producer of Dear Evan Hansen . “Now, more than ever, we realize how the past year has impacted the educational experience for students across the country – and how those students have responded with incredible resilience and adaptability.  We’re excited that this is the moment we’re able to expand the essay challenge nationwide, and to further lend support to a student embarking on their college journey.  We’re hopeful that the year ahead will ultimately find productions like Dear Evan Hansen on track to return to the stage, and students across the country able to get safely back to their classrooms.”

Participating students are asked to respond to the following essay prompt: Dear Evan Hansen , at its core, is a story about connection. During the past year, connection has never been more integral to our daily lives, yet we find ourselves in a moment where it requires more creativity than ever to maintain.  In your essay, describe how you’ve managed to ensure those around you were a little less alone in recent months – or, alternatively, a moment where you yourself have found comfort in connection.

College application-style essay submissions (no more than 650 words) should be specific, have a clear narrative arc, and adhere to the theme of the challenge. Participating students must submit entries online at https://www.writingclasses.com/contest/you-will-be-found-college-essay-writing-challenge-2021 . Upon submitting, participants will also be asked to provide their city, state and zip code so they can be considered for supplemental regional prizes and recognition that may be awarded locally by venue partners.

Contest rules are available at Gotham Writers’ official “You Will be Found” College Essay Writing Challenge page. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 pm on Monday, April 5. Entries will be judged by members of the Dear Evan Hansen cast and global production teams, experts from Gotham Writers Workshop and Broadway Education Alliance, and education directors and marketing teams from performing arts venues around the country. The winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship to the college of their choice, funded by Dear Evan Hansen lead producer Stacey Mindich. Dear Evan Hansen also looks forward to hosting the challenge winner at the show when the production returns to the stage on Broadway or on tour.

The winner of the national challenge will be announced on Monday, May 10. Dear Evan Hansen features a book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy®, Tony®, Olivier® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ( La La Land , The Greatest Showman ), and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif ( Rent , Next to Normal ).

Declared “One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by the Washington Post ’s Peter Marks, Dear Evan Hansen launched its First North American Tour at the Buell Theatre in Denver, Colorado in October 2018 and since, has performed in more than 40 cities across North America playing for more than 1.5 million audience members. The Broadway production of Dear Evan Hansen opened at the Music Box Theatre to rave reviews on December 4, 2016, where it’s broken all box office records and struck a chord with critics and audiences alike. It went on to win six 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the Drama League Award for Outstanding Musical Production, two Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, and two Outer Critics Circle Awards and two Helen Hayes Awards. Recently, the West End Production of Dear Evan Hansen won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, along with two other Olivier Awards.

Like all Broadway and touring shows in North America, Dear Evan Hansen is currently on temporary hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and looks forward to returning in 2021. The Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen , produced by Atlantic Records, was released in February 2017, making an extraordinary debut on the Billboard 200 and entering the chart at #8 – the highest charting debut position for an original cast album since 1961 – and went on to win the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. 

The guidelines for this annual contest, including word length and the goal of the essay, align with the Common Application, the undergraduate college admission application that students may use to apply to any of more than 700- member colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, China and many other European countries. Students who enter the “You Will Be Found” Challenge will be able to adapt their essay and use it as their personal statements for their college applications. For more information about:

Dear Evan Hansen , visit www.dearevanhansen.com Gotham Writers Workshop, visit www.gothamwriters.com Broadway Education Alliance, visit https://bealliance.org/

Local Scholarship Winners Announced in DEAR EVAN HANSEN Essay Challenge

In addition to the scholarships, a workshop was presented featuring admission personnel from various colleges and universities.

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Marcus Performing Arts Center and Overture Center for the Arts, in partnership with Rogers Behavioral Health, have announced the five Wisconsin students awarded with a $1,000 scholarship as part of the Dear Evan Hansen "You Will Be Found" College Essay Writing Challenge.

The students awarded scholarships are:

Anya Kelley, Appleton West High School

Clara McElfresh, Shorewood High School

Meghan Morgan, Pulaski High School

Maxwell Roquitte, Middleton High School

Isidore Simon, Xavier High School

Participating students were asked to respond to the following essay prompt:

Dear Evan Hansen, at its core, is a story about connection. During the past year, connection has never been more integral to our daily lives, yet we find ourselves in a moment where it requires more creativity than ever to maintain. In your essay, describe how you've managed to ensure those around you were a little less alone in recent months - or, alternatively, a moment where you yourself have found comfort in connection.

"As a provider of mental health and addiction treatment in Wisconsin for more than a century, Rogers is honored to be part of this opportunity to shine a light on how teens are helping each other during these challenging times," says Pat Hammer, president and CEO of Rogers Behavioral Health. He adds, "We know firsthand how important it is for people to be willing to talk about their mental health struggles with the confidence that others will be willing to listen and support them."

In addition to the scholarships, a workshop was presented featuring admission personnel from various colleges and universities to provide tips and tricks for writing an impactful essay and things they look for in the college application essay process. The virtual workshop was made available to students throughout the state and provided a valuable educational component to the essay challenge.

"We are so proud of each of the students who shared their successes and challenges of the last year in an emotional and vulnerable way," said Fox Cities P.A.C. president Maria Van Laanen. "Each essay inspired us, moved us and reminded us that the future is full of bright, talented students who can change the world. We are honored to recognize these five students with this scholarship, and applaud all of the students who submitted essays for sharing their impactful stories."

Dear Evan Hansen, along with partners The Broadway Education Alliance and Gotham Writers Workshop, announced the third annual "You Will Be Found" College Essay Writing Challenge, inspired by the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning Broadway hit musical. In recognition of the record-breaking National Tour and meeting millions of new fans nationwide, the initiative builds on a contest previously exclusive to the New York City area, and now extends to high school juniors and seniors nationwide with one scholarship of $10,000 awarded to the college of the recipient's choice.

"The college application process, and the essays that accompany it, have always played a role in Evan Hansen's story of a young adult coming into his own. It's what inspired us to create this essay challenge three years ago, and we're so appreciative of the chance to play a small role in supporting the education of our first two winners," said Stacey Mindich , lead producer of Dear Evan Hansen. "Now, more than ever, we realize how the past year has impacted the educational experience for students across the country - and how those students have responded with incredible resilience and adaptability. We're excited that this is the moment we're able to expand the essay challenge nationwide, and to further lend support to a student embarking on their college journey. We're hopeful that the year ahead will ultimately find productions like Dear Evan Hansen on track to return to the stage, and students across the country able to get safely back to their classrooms."

Entries were judged by members of the Dear Evan Hansen cast and global production teams, experts from Gotham Writers Workshop and Broadway Education Alliance, and education directors and marketing teams from performing arts venues around the country. The winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship to the college of their choice, funded by Dear Evan Hansen lead producer Stacey Mindich . Dear Evan Hansen also looks forward to hosting the challenge winner at the show when the production returns to the stage on Broadway or on tour.

The winner of the national challenge will be announced at a later date.

Dear Evan Hansen features a book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson , a score by Grammy, Tony, Olivier and Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal).

Declared "One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history" by the Washington Post's Peter Marks , Dear Evan Hansen launched its First North American Tour at the Buell Theatre in Denver, Colorado in October 2018 and since, has performed in more than 40 cities across North America playing for more than 1.5 million audience members. The Broadway production of Dear Evan Hansen opened at the Music Box Theatre to rave reviews on December 4, 2016, where it's broken all box office records and struck a chord with critics and audiences alike. It went on to win six 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the Drama League Award for Outstanding Musical Production, two Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, and two Outer Critics Circle Awards and two Helen Hayes Awards. Recently, the West End Production of Dear Evan Hansen won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, along with two other Olivier Awards.

Like all Broadway and touring shows in North America, Dear Evan Hansen is currently on temporary hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and looks forward to returning in 2021. The Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen, produced by Atlantic Records, was released in February 2017, making an extraordinary debut on the Billboard 200 and entering the chart at #8 - the highest charting debut position for an original cast album since 1961 - and went on to win the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

A special edition coffee table book authored by Levenson, Pasek and Paul, Dear Evan Hansen: through the window (Grand Central Publishing / Melcher) is now available, offering an in-depth, all-access look at the musical, including never-before-seen production photos and cast portraits, behind-the-scenes stories, and a fully annotated script by the authors.

Dear Evan Hansen features scenic design by David Korins , projection design by Peter Nigrini , costume design by Emily Rebholz , lighting design by Japhy Weideman , sound design by Nevin Steinberg , and hair design by David Brian Brown . Music supervision, orchestrations and additional arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire . Ben Cohn is the Associate Music Supervisor. Vocal arrangements and additional arrangements are by Justin Paul . Danny Mefford is the choreographer. U.S. casting by Tara Rubin Casting. Danny Sharron , Adam Quinn and Trey Ellett are the Associate Directors. Judith Schoenfeld is the Production Supervisor.

Dear Evan Hansen, along with partners The Broadway Education Alliance and Gotham Writers Workshop, presented the "You Will Be Found" Challenge, recognizing excellence in storytelling and promoting student engagement with Broadway. The challenge is administered by the Broadway Education Alliance and Gotham Writers Workshop, a creative home both in New York and online for writers to develop their craft and come together in the spirit of fellowship and discovery. Gotham is also a leader in college application essay coaching.

The guidelines for this annual contest, including word length and the goal of the essay, align with the Common Application, the undergraduate college admission application that students may use to apply to any of more than 700- member colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, China and many other European countries. Students who enter the "You Will Be Found" Challenge will be able to adapt their essay and use it as their personal statements for their college applications.

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