Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media, Law & Policy
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media, Law & Policy

VPA Student to Appear on ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’

Wednesday, December 6, 2017, By Keith Kobland
Share
College of Visual and Performing ArtsStudents
Jesse Scheinbart appears on the set of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Jesse Scheinbart appears on the set of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”

What started as a search for theater auditions turned out to be a million-dollar opportunity for Jesse Scheinbart ’18, a music major from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “It happened so fast,” says Scheinbart, who was selected as a contestant on the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” this past summer. The show is taped for later broadcast, and will air on Dec. 12 at 12:30 p.m. (locally in Syracuse on WSYR-TV).

Jesse Scheinbart stands next to his dad Jon on the set of Millionaire

Jesse Scheinbart ’18, left, his father Jon and show host Chris Harrison

For Scheinbart, it all started during his internship in Boston this past summer. “I was looking for theater auditions, and saw where auditions for ‘Millionaire’ were being held in town,” he says. “The first day of my internship was the day of the audition, so I raced across town and got there to find 40 other people in my group.” Prospective contestants were given a trivia quiz, and from there, the number was whittled down to eight. “Each of us was given an on-camera interview in which we were asked to ‘think out loud,’ just like on the show.” After the audition ended, Scheinbart resumed his internship and his summer. A couple of weeks later, he received an email telling him he was in the “contestant pool,” which meant he could be called at any time, but also was no guarantee he would appear on the show. “My parents cautioned me about getting too excited,” he says.

But then, as the dog days of summer approached, the phone rang. It was the show producer, congratulating Jesse and inviting him to Las Vegas. where “Millionaire” is produced. “I went with my parents, and we made a little vacation out of it,” says Scheinbart.

Of course, you’re probably wondering if Scheinbart actually became a millionaire. He’s not allowed to say, nor discuss game play, before the show airs next Tuesday.

Scheinbart is inviting anyone who cares to attend to a viewing party to be held at the Schine Dining Center beginning at noon that day. Otto Tunes will perform (Jesse leads the group) leading up to the show at 12:30 p.m. “I hope everyone can attend,” says Scheinbart, not giving away any clues to his performance. We’ll have to wait for the show to find out.

  • Author

Keith Kobland

  • Recent
  • Calling All Alumni Entrepreneurs: Apply for ’CUSE50 Awards
    Tuesday, June 24, 2025, By John Boccacino
  • Iran Escalation: Experts Available This Week
    Tuesday, June 24, 2025, By Vanessa Marquette
  • SCOTUS Win for Combat Veterans Backed by Syracuse Law Clinic
    Monday, June 23, 2025, By Vanessa Marquette
  • Syracuse Views Summer 2025
    Monday, June 23, 2025, By News Staff
  • Tiffany Xu Named Harry der Boghosian Fellow for 2025-26
    Friday, June 20, 2025, By Julie Sharkey

More In Media, Law & Policy

First-Year Law Student to First-Year Dean: Lau Combines Law and Business to Continue College of Law’s Upward Trajectory

Three decades ago, Terence J. Lau L’98 walked the corridors as an eager student in the College of Law, then located in White Hall. He knew he had been given a rare chance—and a full scholarship—to be a part of…

Ian ’90 and Noah Eagle ’19 Share a Love of Sportscasting and Storytelling (Podcast)

There’s a new father-son sportscasting team on the national scene, one with a decidedly Orange background: Ian ’90 and Noah Eagle ’19. Ian finished his second year as the lead announcer for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and has crafted…

Newhouse Professor Robert Thompson Featured on ‘NBC Nightly News’ for Pop Culture Lecture Series

Newhouse School and University Professor Bob Thompson was recently featured on “NBC Nightly News” for his long-running lecture series that uses classic television to bridge generational divides and spark important conversation. The segment, produced by NBC’s Brian Cheung ’15—a University…

Newhouse Creative Advertising Students Win Big at Sports and Entertainment Clios

For the first time ever, Newhouse creative advertising students entered the Sports Clios and Entertainment Clios competitions and won big. Clios are regarded as some of the hardest awards for creative advertising students to win. At the New York City…

Memorial Fund Honors Remarkable Journalism Career, Supports Students Involved With IDJC

Maxwell School alumna Denise Kalette ’68 got her first byline at age 12, under a poem titled “The Poor Taxpayer” that she submitted to her local newspaper. In a few paragraphs of playful prose, she drew attention to an issue…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.