Ava Tethal is a 13 year old 7th Grade honor student at St. Theresa Catholic School in Palm Springs. She comes from a performing arts family. Both of her Grandparents, Dr. Bill and Sylvia Layne, were long time educators at Moorehead State University in Kentucky; her Uncle J.W. has his Master’s Degree in both Technical Theatre and Acting from Minnesota State University, and her Mother, Se has her Master’s Degree in Classical Theatre and Voice from Michigan State University. So, acting and performing are in her blood!

Ava has received DTL Nominations for her roles in Les Miserables, The Secret Garden, and The Bad Seed. Last year she was awarded the prestigious BILL GROVES AWARD for OUTSTANDING JUVENILE for her role in The Diary of Anne Frank, winning alongside both her Grandfather and Mother; a first in DTL History to have 3 generations of winners from the same family in one evening. 

She is honored to have been selected as a recipient the DTL Scholarship this year. 

  Saigo Iniguez is in the 10th grade at Desert Hot Springs High School. Throughout his life, his family has supported his love of music and talents and supported his involvement in theatres and studies of the arts. At the age of 10, Saigo started performing with Green Room Theatre Company. Mrs. Karen Lin and Mr. David Catanzarite “started me on my way.” Saigo also wants to thank Mr. Michael Holmes for solidifying his love of Rat Pack era music. Saigo also studied voice with Mrs. Alix Korey, with this scholarship hopes to continue his studies with her. He also is currently participating in Musical Theatre University.

Open Call at the McCallum Theatre was an experience “like nothing I could have ever imagined.” In 2019, Saigo competed and won both the Audience Favorite award and the Grand Prize award. 

Saigo is grateful to the Desert Theatre League for this scholarship.

Charles Schnell is now a Freshman at Emory University, having been admitted with a full academic scholarship. At Emory University he will pursue a career in vocal performance (musical theater and opera) and playwriting. 

Palm Valley School is his Coachella Valley alma mater. At Palm Valley School, his passion for singing, acting, and playwriting was nurtured. He also performed with Green Room Theatre Company and Musical Theatre University. He participated in various choirs and received a California Desert Chorale scholarship. He also was awarded a Desert Star Award for his performance in “The Drowsy Chaperone.” In addition, he is a member of Dramatists Guild of America.

Charles wants to thank the Desert Theatre League for designating him as a scholarship recipient.