Thespians are eligible to apply for scholarship funds from two programs sponsored by the Educational Theatre Association. Each year, the Association grants at least $25,000 in scholarships. To be eligible for the Thespian scholarship program, you must be a senior in high school, an active member of the International Thespian Society, and planning to major or minor in communicative arts.
One scholarship program matches funds raised by chapter organizations with funds contributed by the Educational Theatre Association. The process usually includes a scholarship audition conducted at the chapter Thespian conference. Some chapters also offer scholarships in addition to the EdTA matching funds scholarships. Contact your chapter Thespian director for details (see the Leadership directory) or check your chapter’s website. The other program involves scholarship auditions held at the International Thespian Festival. Awards granted are the four-year, $2,000 Robert L. Johnson/Hector S. Cruz scholarship for acting or technical theatre; the four-year, $4,500 Melba Day Henning scholarship for future theatre educators; a $2,500 theatre educator scholarship; one $2,000 performance scholarship; and a number of $1,500 scholarships for education, performance, and technical theatre. Details and application forms are available through Thespian troupe directors beginning in February. The deadline for applications and reservations is May 1, 2009. Additional scholarships include the Jhon Marshall/ITO Outstanding Student Achievement and Outstanding Student Technical Achievement Scholarships (formerly known as the Outstanding Student Achievement and Outstanding Student Technical Achievement Awards), and the Bob and Marti Fowler/Practical Theater Scholarship. For the Jhon Marshall/ITO scholarships, selections are made based on contributions of talents and service to the positive image and ideals of educational theatre and the International Thespian Society. Nominations may be submitted by teachers or students. Students must be graduating seniors, and are not required to attend Festival to receive the scholarship. Final interviews will be conducted over the phone. Scholarship recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship to be used toward college. It is not required that the student continue in theatre arts.
Updated deadline for nominations: February 9, 2009 The Bob and Marti Fowler/Practical Theater Scholarship is for a student pursuing an education major in theatre in college.
Updated deadline for applications: February 9, 2009 EdTA also offers the Austin Yeatman Technical Theatre Scholarship. The Yeatman scholarship is for a student studying technical theatre in college. The scholarship is determined by application only—no audition at the Thespian Festival is required.
Updated deadline for applications: February 9, 2009 |