Two decades after graduating, a group of UC Riverside alumni reunited in Las Vegas and reminisced about their time in the theatre department in the early 1990s. During their talks, the former classmates got inspired to give back to their alma mater and establish an award in recognition of an influential staff member, Marc Longlois, retired production manager.
“Marc expected a lot from us, and that caused each of us to learn so much about what it meant to be a professional,” said David Betts ’90, member U.C. Riverside Foundation Board of Trustees and founding donor to the Marc Longlois Endowed Award for Leadership in Theatre Fund. “While some of us are no longer working in theatre, the lessons that we learned are still applicable — pay attention to the details, don’t accept less than your best, treat each other with a high degree of respect, work together and challenge one another, and create a sense of community with your colleagues. These are still lessons that I carry with me.”
Established in 2019, the award supports a senior theatre, film, and digital production major recognized by faculty, staff, and peers in the department for excellence in their work, leadership, a sense of community, humor, and aplomb, qualities Longlois both exemplified to and inspired in his students during his three decades at UCR.
“Marc’s profound impact on his students is evident in the creation and substantial funding of this award,” said Ben Tusher ’93, who now holds Longlois’ former position at UCR. “Indeed, my career as a lighting designer, production manager, and educator is a direct result of the undergraduate experience here at UCR, and the faculty and staff I learned from in the Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production all those years ago.”
The award has been presented to four students since its inception. The alumni who started the scholarship chose to specifically recognize seniors to provide them with assistance as they wrap up their undergraduate degree programs and to support them in their next steps, whether that be attending graduate school or launching their careers.
“Recipients should know that this well-earned seed money is a vote of confidence and a big 'Go get 'em!’”
“Graduating and starting a career is scary, but especially for those in the arts who rarely have a straight path toward their profession,” said Denise Cameron ’93, a former Longlois student and donor to the scholarship fund. “Finances might be a roadblock to pursuit of that profession. Recipients should know that this well-earned seed money is a vote of confidence and a big ‘'Go get 'em!'”
Awardees like Nataly Ceniceros ’24, who received the scholarship during her senior year at UCR and is currently pursuing an MFA with a specialty in sound design at UC San Diego, have felt that encouragement from donors.
“Receiving the Longlois Award impacted my education very positively,” she said. “Awards like these are extremely beneficial for students because they show that others care and appreciate the current hard-working students. I am very grateful for this award and am excited for upcoming students to be recognized.”
The award’s namesake shares that excitement.
“I believe this scholarship is a great investment in the future of the arts and in the young artists who have worked so hard to realize their dreams,” Longlois said. “Where would we be without dreams?”
