Kyle Jean-Baptiste's legacy grew larger this week as a substantial gift from the Mackintosh Foundation, founded by acclaimed producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh, helped to launch the official BW scholarship bearing Jean-Baptiste's name. In the aftermath of the rising Broadway talent's untimely death, both BW classmates and the Mackintosh Foundation were moved to establish a BW Music Theatre Scholarship in Jean-Baptiste's honor.
Together, the alumni-led crowd-funding campaign initiated "to make something good come from this tragedy," and the extraordinary gesture of honor and generosity from the Mackintosh Foundation, have now raised more than $130,000 for The Kyle Jean-Baptiste '15 Music Theatre Scholarship. The endowed scholarship "has been established at his alma mater ... to carry forward Kyle's legacy and benefit music theatre students" like the gifted tenor, with the broad
SMILE and big heart, who made Broadway history in July as the first African-American and youngest actor to play the lead in LES MISERABLES on the Great White Way.
Among the earliest donations to the scholarship is a substantial gift from the Mackintosh Foundation, founded by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, producer of some of the world's longest-running musicals, including LES MISERABLES. Jean-Baptiste was thrilled to meet Mackintosh when the
CELEBRATED producer attended the 21-year-old actor's history-making turn as Jean Valjean in July, flashing his trademark megawatt
SMILE in a photo of the pair.
"The tragic loss of Kyle to our company, just as he was on the threshold of a brilliant career, is a numbing reminder of how precious life is," said Mackintosh. "His spirit was infinite and his voice from God - we are all so sad not to have spent more time with him, for he truly was a rare talent and a special person. Our loss is heaven's gain and our prayers are with his family and friends."
As Jean-Baptiste prepared to take on a new Broadway role in The Color Purple, a tragic accidental fall from a Brooklyn, N.Y. fire escape dimmed his star too soon on Aug. 29.
On Tuesday night, Sept. 1, marquee lights on Broadway, at the Imperial and Richard Rodgers Theatres, and across Playhouse Square in Cleveland were dimmed in tribute.
Playhouse Square executive producer Gina Vernaci told the Plain Dealer, "The dimming of marquees is an honor usually reserved for
LEGENDS in the industry. Kyle certainly exhibited all of the characteristics of someone who could have achieved that rank. However, a long career was not in the stars for him. Since we last saw Kyle on our stages in 'Murder Ballad,' his story has been remarkable. And for those who knew him, he was admired for his special gift as a performer -- but more importantly he was LOVED for being such a warm and caring young man. There is no real right way to help those who are feeling this loss."
?To make a scholarship gift in his memory, please make your check payable to Baldwin Wallace University, note "Kyle Jean-Baptiste MT Scholarship" on the memo line and send to Baldwin Wallace University, c/o Advancement Services, 275 Eastland Road, Berea, Ohio 44017. To make an electronic gift, go to
www.b-wcommunity.net/give, in the designation dropdown, select Kyle Jean-Baptiste, and follow the prompts. For more information, call 440-826-2750.
Baldwin Wallace University, founded in 1845, was one of the first colleges to admit students without regard to race or gender. An independent, coeducational university of 4,000 students, BW offers coursework in the liberal arts tradition in more than 80 academic areas. Located in Berea, 12 miles from downtown Cleveland, BW offers students the cultural, educational and business advantages of a major metropolitan area.
