It didn\u2019t take long for freshman Griffin Shoemaker to make himself at home as a Red Hawk. As the Class of 2023 gathered on their first day, there was Shoemaker, an actor used to being in the spotlight, bringing his Texas spirit and a new cheer called the \u201cHawk Squawk\u201d to Montclair State\u2019s athletic fields.<\/p>\n
Shoemaker is studying in the prestigious BFA in Musical Theatre program, which combines conservatory training with a liberal arts education. He performed at Sunnyvale High School near Dallas and auditioned for 19 college theater programs. He chose Montclair State after receiving a National Student Scholarship, which guarantees that academically qualified out-of-state college students pay in-state tuition.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so lucky to have ended up exactly where I belong,\u201d says Shoemaker, one of nearly 150 freshmen who received the award. After his pep rally college debut \u2013 \u201cschool spirit is a huge thing where I\u2019m from, we go all out\u201d \u2013 come December, the curtain will rise on his second act. He\u2019s been cast as a lead in the student-directed production of the musical The Last Five Years<\/em>.<\/p>\n Shoemaker represents a growing breed of out-of-state students who are studying at Montclair State because of its top-tier programs, New York City connections and the new National Student Scholarship that provides a savings of nearly 40% for out-of-state students, effectively supporting their passions in theatre, dance, fashion and the arts, TV and film, and business.<\/p>\n