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A scholarship fund has been established in honor of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, a Rochester native and Oscar-winning actor. The Philip Seymour Hoffman Scholarship Fund will support scholarships for Geva Theatre Center’s training programs.

According to a press release, the goal is to raise $25,000 to provide two annual scholarships for Geva’s Summer Academy Program, which is for youth ages 12 to 18.

“Phil’s interest in theatre began when he saw a play at Geva,” Hoffman’s mother, Marilyn O’Connor, said. “He called it magic and it changed his perspective on life. That is what good theatre does. That is what Geva does.”

Hoffman earned praise for his originality and versatility as an actor. He never seemed to struggle to find work, and earned an Oscar in 2005 for playing author Truman Capote.

Hoffman died earlier this year of acute mixed drug intoxication. He was 46.