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 8. EdTA is offering two new scholarships in 2008, 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). 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.
Deadline for nominations: February 28, 2008 Also new for 2008 is the Bob and Marti Fowler Future Theatre Educator Scholarship, which is for a student pursuing an education major in theatre in college.
Deadline for applications extended: February 28, 2008 EdTA also offers the Alan D. Engelsman and Penny Lu Engelsman Scholarship and Austin Yeatman Technical Theatre Scholarship. The Engelsman is for a student pursuing an education major in theatre, technical theatre, playwriting, or English at college. The Yeatman scholarship is for a student studying technical theatre in college. These new scholarships are determined by application only—no audition at the Thespian Festival is required. Update: Application for the Engelsman, Yeatman, Marshall/ITO, and Fowler scholarships has closed. Check back in fall 2008 for the 2008–09 application forms. |