Healy Scholarship
The John P. Healy Jr. Scholarship was created in 2008 in memory of John P. Healy Jr., a beloved Oak Ridge High School (ORHS) drama teacher and mentor. The scholarship is designed to recognize seniors who have completed a minimum of one year of Drama at ORHS with a grade of B or better, participated in a minimum of (2) two ORHS theatre productions, and who intend to pursue higher education at a two- or four-year college or university. Oak Ridge Theatre Arts Boosters (ORTAB) is proud to present the John P. Healy Scholarship annually. Award amount based upon strength of application up to $1500.
Our Take a Seat Fundraiser is the primary way we fund the Healy scholarship. Your $250 donation directly funds the scholarship, and you will receive a theatre seat plaque engraved with your name and/or message. For more information, contact ortaboost@gmail.com.
John P. Healy Jr
October 12, 1951 - August 26, 2007
John had many interests in life. As a youth he was active in church activities and Boy Scouts, achieving Eagle Scout. He attended Stanford University on a cello scholarship with a Music and Theater double major from 1969-1972. While attending Stanford, he created a touring group with 15 friends, called the Entr’actes, which was the basis of the Cabrini Community Theater, the predecessor of today’s San Jose Children’s Musical Theater. During that time he was also a professional cellist with the San Jose Symphony, joining as the youngest member of the group in 1967.
In 1976 he was selected by the San Jose Jaycees as the "Outstanding Young Man of the Year". He directed, choreographed, musical directed and designed most of the 150 shows that the SJCMT did in its first 12 years of existence. In 1985 he began teaching Theatre Arts at the Abraham Lincoln Performing Arts High School in San Jose, where he teamed with the renowned choreographer/dance teacher Debbie Wilson and musical director Anne-Marie Katemopoulos to produce outstanding dramas and musicals for the community.
John and his wife, Dee Dee, moved to Cameron Park in 1996 where John taught Theatre Arts, first at Elk Grove High School and then at Oak Ridge High School. Over the years, John developed an award-winning theatre program, including multiple nominations from SARTA. He was one of the co-founders of El Dorado Musical Theatre and directed several of their productions over the years.
2023 Healy Scholarship Recipient
Congratulations to Abby Soroka, winner of the Healy Scholarship in 2023. Abby participated in the theatre program in Drama and Theatre Tech all four years of high school, finding her calling in technical theatre arts. She is currently pursuing a BFA in Technical Direction at University of Southern California.
