Now in its 12th year, The Majestic Empire Foundation’s Performing Arts Scholarship Program offers countless educational opportunities and awards more than $100,000 in scholarships to performing arts students from San Antonio and the surrounding area annually.

The scholarship program culminates in the Joci (pronounced JAW-SEE) Awards, a one-night showcase of 25 performing arts students from San Antonio and the surrounding area. Since the program’s inception in 2009, Las Casas has awarded over $1 million to deserving students who excel in the performing arts, making it the largest scholarship funding source of its kind in the United States.

Jocelyn ‘Joci’ Straus, the moving force behind the restoration of the Majestic and Charline McCombs Empire Theatres, founded Las Casas and spearheaded the effort to raise more than $10 million for the restoration of both theatres. After founding Las Casas in 1988, Straus led fundraising and restoration efforts that allowed the Majestic renovation to be completed in just 11 months. She then worked to raise the funds necessary to restore the Empire Theatre, which reopened in 1998 after being dark for 25 years.

The Majestic Empire Foundation will award at least $105,000 in scholarships in 2020.

Yes! Las Casas has made several refinements to the scholarship program so that any student who is interested in the performing arts can benefit greatly from the experience along the way. By applying, students have access to free musical theatre master classes, which assist students in repertoire selection and performance techniques. We are proud to be able to offer these opportunities so that every student gains something special from the process.

No. Applicants may only apply in one (1) category. We recommend selecting the category in which you feel strongest in competing.

25 finalists are selected to compete in the Joci Awards.

Not necessarily. The number of finalists selected from each category varies each year based on highest scores and where natural breaks in scoring occur. The number of total applicants in each category may also be taken into consideration.

No. All five categories (Vocal, Acting, Dance, Best Lead Actor in a Musical and Best Lead Actress in a Musical) of The Majestic Empire Foundation’s Performing Arts Scholarship Program are open to students in grades 9-12. Please note that Best Lead Actress and Best Lead Actor applicants must be playing a Qualifying Rolein their high school musical during the 2019-2020 school year and must have their high school production adjudicated. If you’re unsure if your high school production is scheduled to be adjudicated, please contact us.

Absolutely not. Las Casas believes in the importance of the arts no matter which career path scholarship recipients ultimately pursue. Past winners have gone on to study business, communications, pharmacy, and more!