Director Scholarship Fund: A Comprehensive Guide for Theatre Students

The pursuit of higher education in theatre can be significantly aided by scholarships and grants. These financial opportunities, offered by universities, colleges, and external organizations, support students in covering tuition, research, and professional development expenses. This article explores the various scholarship and grant options available to theatre students, outlining eligibility requirements, application processes, and key considerations for securing funding.

Funding Opportunities from Universities and Colleges

Departmental Scholarships and Grants

Many university theatre departments offer scholarships and grants specifically for their students. These awards often recognize talent, academic achievement, and financial need.

Ohio State University's Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts: This department provides scholarships to both new incoming students and current students. Current majors and graduate students may also apply for project-based funding. Each Spring, the Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts awards several one-year general-aid scholarships to deserving theatre majors for the following academic year. The application deadline for general tuition scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year has been extended to April 6, 2025. Applications submitted after this date are considered as funding is available. Note that students must be actively enrolled in an undergraduate program at the Ohio State University during the semester of funding to be eligible for scholarships and financial aid. The Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts provides small grants to support the independent research, scholarship, and professional development of current undergraduate students enrolled in the department’s major degree programs (theatre, film studies, moving-image production). Funds may support costs associated with internships, workshops, conferences, summer festivals, or other special projects. Successful proposals typically include either a substantial instructive component or identify a specific outcome or product for the project such as a written research project, short film, conference paper or publication. We do not award funds through this process for any applications directly related to a specific course (e.g. Note: you must be actively enrolled in an undergraduate program at the Ohio State University during the semester of the funded project/activity to be eligible for scholarships and financial aid. The Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts provides scholarships to support Moving-Image Production Majors and Film Studies Majors who are enrolled in field work or internships in the film industry. Scholarship funds are made as a credit to student's bursar account at the Ohio State University. Students must be enrolled in at least 1 CH for the semester of the award. Note: you must be actively enrolled in an undergraduate program at the Ohio State University during the semester of the funded internship to be eligible for scholarships and financial aid.
Lehigh University Performing Arts Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding talent in theatre. Recipients must maintain an active presence in the Department of Theatre and realize a 2.8 grade point average or better. Continued active engagement is expected.
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Theatre: The department awards talent-based scholarships annually, including scholarships for performing in touring companies and for stage managing productions.
Lake Forest College: Lake Forest College offers talent-based scholarships in music, studio art, and theater.

College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships and Grants

Many universities offer additional funding through their College of Arts and Sciences, providing opportunities for research, creative activity, and global education.

Ohio State University's College of Arts and Sciences: The College of Arts and Sciences has several programs providing additional funding for research and creative activity, global education, and support for underrepresented student populations.
Arts and Humanities Graduate Research Small Grants Program and the Chu and Riley Graduate Student Scholarships: Administered by the College of Arts and Sciences, these are available to theatre graduate students.
ASC Career Success Career Accelerator fund
Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry funds
ASC Honors Undergraduate Research Scholarship and International Research Grant
The Women's Place Critical Difference grants
Global Arts + Humanities Discovery Theme project funds
Arts & Humanities Undergraduate Research Small Grants

University-Wide Funding Programs

Graduate students may find financial support through various offices across campus, including the Graduate School, the Office of Research, the Office of International Affairs, and the Council of Graduate Students.

Federal, State, and Institutional Grants

Grants are gift assistance awarded through federal, state, or university funds to undergraduate students with high financial need. Eligibility is determined using information from the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Federal Pell Grant: A federal grant program for undergraduate students with financial need.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Another federal grant program for undergraduates with exceptional financial need.
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG): A grant program for first and second-year college students who meet certain academic requirements
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART): A grant program for students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields.
Ohio Grant Programs: Grant programs offered by the state of Ohio for eligible students.

To qualify for these grants, students must demonstrate financial need as determined by the federal and state governments, as well as the university.

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is a need-based program that provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study.

Scholarships from External Organizations

Several external organizations offer scholarships to theatre students, often based on talent, academic merit, or specific areas of interest.

Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF): The Educational Theatre Foundation offers scholarships to inducted Thespians who meet the eligibility criteria. These scholarships are open to International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys®) finalists - students who score a superior overall rating at their chapter qualifying event and qualify for the final round of adjudication during the International Thespian Festival. More than $40,000 in educational and training opportunities are awarded each year. EdTA’s chapters award more than $200,000 annually to Thespians through their own scholarship programs, many associated with participation in state Thespian festivals. EdTA matches up to $1,000 per chapter.

Application Requirements and Portfolio Preparation

The application process for theatre scholarships often involves submitting a portfolio or auditioning, depending on the specific requirements of the scholarship.

General Application Materials

Cover Letter: A cover letter describing your interest in theatre and providing an objective narrative about your qualifications for the scholarship. Material should be of good literary quality, suited to your age and experience and it should be more active than narrative.
Transcripts: Official academic transcripts demonstrating satisfactory academic performance.
Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, or other individuals who can speak to your talent, work ethic, and potential.
Personal Essay: A personal essay outlining your goals, experiences, and reasons for pursuing a career in theatre.

Audition and Portfolio Requirements

Acting: Applicants may be required to submit audition videos or perform live auditions. This typically involves preparing two contrasting monologues, one comedic and one serious. Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos. There should not be a separate "slate" video. Instead, slates are to appear at the beginning of each piece. The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play and the playwright.
Design and Technical Theatre: Applicants may have experience in multiple design or technical areas. Please select your strongest area(s) for submission consideration, and provide the appropriate requested material for that discipline:
- Design: Images of your design(s) and production photographs of any realized designs. Images of your design would include renderings, sketches, models, etc. of your scene, costume, lighting, sound, make-up, properties, or media designs. Technical documentation-such as light plots or sound plots-is also encouraged where relevant.
- Technical Theatre: Documentation of your craft, and photographs of process and/or the final product. Documentation and photographs could include drafting, visual planning, images of built scenic units, painting techniques, draped/patterned garments, etc. for your craft in technical direction, scenic construction, costume construction, or production electrics/audio/video.
- Stage Management: Prompt book(s) and any sample tracking documentation (blocking, props, scene change, etc.). For the prompt book, choose a 10 page representative selection of one production that highlights your work.
Digital Portfolio: Powerpoint, Word, or PDF document with images that should include up to a dozen good quality photographs and samples of your work. Brief descriptions of each photo should be included. Sample pages from a Production Book for a show you have stage managed.

General tips for portfolio and audition preparation

Quality over Quantity: Focus on showcasing your best work rather than including everything you've ever done.
Presentation Matters: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate.
Professionalism: Present yourself professionally in all interactions, whether in person or online.
Seek Feedback: Ask teachers, mentors, or peers to review your portfolio or provide feedback on your audition.

Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility

Many scholarships are renewable, but continued eligibility often depends on meeting certain requirements.

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Academic Performance: Maintaining a minimum GPA, such as a 2.5 overall GPA and a 3.0 GPA in the major.
Active Participation: Maintaining an active presence in the department, especially within a student’s area(s) of interest. Give a number of hours of service to help with department events and activities. A meeting will be held at the beginning of each scholarship year or term to discuss opportunities for fulfilling this requirement. The scholarship coordinator will work with students to find projects and hours compatible with their schedules.
Compliance with Regulations: Adhering to all university and scholarship regulations.

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