NCT Scholarships
Needham Community Theatre awards scholarships to Needham High School seniors who have been involved in theater and the arts during their high school years. Congratulations to our recipients!
2025
Lily Katz. Max Scott . Liam King. and Mia Maffeo
Lily Katz
was a member of the cast of every NHS play and musical except the senior-directed show, which she co-directed. She served as president of SAMD (Students Acting to Make Difference) during her 4 years as a student at Needham High School. In addition to her theatrical accomplishments, Lily was also a member of the NHS chorus for 4 years, co-leader of the Treble Rebels a capella group, and editor of The Hilltopper, the student newspaper. She will attend Northwestern University in the fall.
Max Scott
participated in all NHS shows and SAMD performances, co-directed the senior-directed show, and served as SAMD treasurer, while a student at Needham High School. In addition to acting, Max spent 3 years as part of the Counterpoint c capella group while serving as its co-leader, 2 years as a member of the Concert Chorale, 4 years on the Speech and Debate team, and served on the Needham Student Theater Board for 2 years. He will be attending Dartmouth College this fall.
Liam King
has been a drummer in the NHS Jazz Band for 4 years, participating in all of Needham High School’s musicals during this time. He has also played in the orchestra pits of many local theater productions, including Needham Community Theatre’s The Music Man and Fiddler on the Roof. In addition, he has played in the New England District Jazz Band and the Massachusetts All-State Jazz Band and has produced and recorded original music. He will attend Dartmouth College in the fall.
Mia Maffeo
has been a member of every theatrical production during her 4 years at Needham High School and has also been in the cast of many camp productions. As a member of the Fermata Nowhere a capella group, she has performed solos in two concerts. She has also been a member of the NHS Speech and Debate team for 4 years, winning many awards, and served as chairperson of Own Your Peace, a mental health and equity coalition. She will be attending Villanova University this fall.
2024
Hazel Barzilay, Julia Goldman, Lucas Herrera, and Boyoung Paik
Hazel Barzilay
has been participating in theater since childhood, often along with her father and siblings! Hazel has been in multiple productions with Needham High School as well as community productions. Hazel most recently helped to produce the senior directed show The Lightning Thief.
Julia Goldman
has been in multiple NCT shows starting as The Little Dutch Girl in Miracle on 34th Street. She then went on to have roles in The Little Princess, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins and Shrek. She recently was the Assistant Stage Manager for The Crucible. Julia has also appeared in all of the shows during her time at Needham High School as well as multiple community productions. Julia went on to study psychology at American University.
Lucas Herrera
has been involved with theater since childhood, participating in several shows with the Fringe Theater. He has been in most Needham High School productions, most recently starring as Bobby Strong in Urinetown and Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. Lucas went on to study psychology at the University of Michigan.
Boyoung Paik
was in NCT’s Mary Poppins and has also been in multiple Needham High School shows. She played Morticia in The Addams Family and Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown. Boyoung went on to study psychology at Ithaca College.
2023
Brian Curry and Juliana Swartz
Brian Curry
has been involved in every Needham High School musical in his four years. He also participated in several NCT shows including Shrek: The Musical and Mary Poppins. Brian went on to the University of Massachusetts - Amherst.
Juliana Swartz
has been involved in multiple productions at Needham High School. She also participated in several NCT productions, including Miracle on 34th Street, The Little Princess and The Little Mermaid. Julia went on to the University of Richmond.
2022
Frankie Mendes and Ellie Yonchak
2021
Lauren Biedron and Jonathan White