🎭 The Dr. Walt Newman
Scholarship Fund
Honoring a Life of Generosity, Service, and Joyful Support for Young Artists
Help Build a Future Where Every Child Can Shine.
Dr. Walt Newman believed deeply in the power of the performing arts to uplift, include, and transform. As a longtime supporter and advocate of CMT San Jose, he brought wisdom, joy, and generosity to our entire community. To honor his extraordinary legacy, the Newman family has established the Walt Newman Scholarship Fund—a dedicated effort within the Kevin Hauge Endowment to ensure all who wish to participate in CMT artistic programming are served, regardless of financial limitations.
💙 Remembering Dr. Walt
"Dr. Walt" was a true Renaissance man: a brilliant physician, a devoted arts supporter, and a generous presence in the CMT family. He served on our Advisory Board for many years, rarely missed a show, and frequently brought friends, family, and colleagues to experience the joy of youth theater. Inspired by Kevin Hauge’s artistic leadership, Walt believed CMT wasn’t just a theater—it was a life-shaping institution. His support went far beyond applause: he provided annual flu shots for our families, helped coordinate PPE during the pandemic, and worked tirelessly to ensure the health and wellbeing of our community. Walt never sought the spotlight—but he changed lives every day.
Why This Moment Matters
We are at a historic turning point.
As we celebrate and close Kevin Hauge’s 30th and final season, CMT has launched a $1 million endowment campaign to secure the future of our mission: artistic excellence and radical inclusion.
Within this campaign, the Walt Newman Scholarship Fund represents a powerful commitment to the values Walt championed—access, equity, and opportunity. Designated within the Kevin Hauge Endowment, gifts to the Newman Fund will:
Safeguard access for families with financial need—so no child is turned away,
Fuel bold artistic vision and innovation, continuing Kevin’s legacy of pushing creative boundaries,
and expand opportunity by investing in long-term equity and inclusion, ensuring every child hears, “Yes, you’re cast.”
Together, we can carry forward Walt’s belief in the transformative power of youth theater—and ensure future generations have the same access to excellence that he helped protect.
The Kevin Hauge Endowment is a permanent fund designed to sustain CMT’s impact for decades to come. Gifts to the Dr. Walt Newman Scholarship Fund will be permanently directed toward scholarship and access-based programming, making your contribution part of a lasting legacy—for Walt, for Kevin, and for every young artist to come.
To learn more about planned giving or major gifts, please contact: Joey Dippel, Donor Relations Manager, at joey@cmtsj.org.