The link to the Google Form (where applicant materials will be submitted) appears at the bottom of this page. Please read over all requirements and policies before starting to fill out the form.
VIRGINIA THESPIAN SCHOLARSHIP POLICY
SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED - $3000 TOTAL AWARDED
All Scholarships are awarded in $500 amounts.
Theatre Performance - Acting Scholarship
Theatre Performance - Musical Theatre Scholarship
Technical Theatre Scholarship
Theatre Education Scholarship
Dramaturgy / Playwriting Scholarship
Alumni Board Scholarship
TROUPE DIRECTORS: You must register your students through the registration system. The STUDENT is responsible for filling out the scholarship application online by DECEMBER 16th, 2019.
HOW MANY STUDENTS: Troupe directors may submit up to 3 applicants for scholarship. It does not matter what category the three candidates do.
ELIGIBILITY / GENERAL INFORMATION
SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED - $3000 TOTAL AWARDED
All Scholarships are awarded in $500 amounts.
Theatre Performance - Acting Scholarship
Theatre Performance - Musical Theatre Scholarship
Technical Theatre Scholarship
Theatre Education Scholarship
Dramaturgy / Playwriting Scholarship
Alumni Board Scholarship
TROUPE DIRECTORS: You must register your students through the registration system. The STUDENT is responsible for filling out the scholarship application online by DECEMBER 16th, 2019.
HOW MANY STUDENTS: Troupe directors may submit up to 3 applicants for scholarship. It does not matter what category the three candidates do.
ELIGIBILITY / GENERAL INFORMATION
- All applicants must be Thespians.
- All applicants must be Seniors intending to major or minor in theatre or a related field.
- All applicants may only apply in one category: Theatre Performance - Acting, Theatre Performance - Musical Theatre, Technical Theatre, Theatre Education, or Dramaturgy/ Playwriting
- Virginia Thespians may award one $500.00 scholarship in the categories of Theatre Performance - Acting, Theatre Performance - Musical Theatre, Technical Theatre, Theatre Education, Dramaturgy / Playwriting, and Alumni Board. In the event there is not a qualified candidate in one of the category an additional scholarship may be awarded to a different category. The scholarships will be sent directly to the college / university financial aid director by the Educational Theatre Association.
- All applicants must pre-register (in the registration system) by NOVEMBER 15th, 2019.
- 1 Completed form must be brought to the audition meeting at festival.
- Student must sign up via Signup Genius for a timeslot between DECEMBER 9-16, 2019.
- 1 Google Survey must be filed out by DECEMBER 16th, 2019.
- All Letters of Recommendation, must be turned in, through a sealed envelope at the audition meeting at conference.
- The Virginia State Thespian Director and EDTA headquarters will contact the winner(s) after May 1 and request the address of the financial aid director at the college of their choice. The International Thespian Society and the Virginia Thespian Society will make checks payable to the college / university.
- Under no circumstances will a scholarship check be issued directly to an individual.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Troupes may submit three candidates in any category. Please only bring your strongest candidates. If you do not have three strong candidates please bring less. If more students wish to apply, the final troupe selections will be determined by the sponsor.
- The Scholarship Applicant, must then complete the scholarship Application after registering them in the registration system.
- In addition to the Application Form, troupe directors must also register their students through the registration system.
APPLICANT INSTRUCTIONS
A. APPLICATION PROCEDURES
1. Complete the online application form on time and pre-register with your sponsor.
2. Use the Sign-Up Genius to claim a timeslot during the Scholarship Presentation time at Festival.
3. Complete other parts of the application and bring to audition meeting at festival:
A. Type a one page Thespian Activities sheet including all participation in grades 9-12.
(Note: This is Thespian Troupe related activities and not shows. Those go on
your résumé.)
B. Type a one page résumé including education, theatrical experiences, extracurricular participation, academic achievement, etc.
C. Letter of recommendation from your sponsor.
4. Please complete two essays (maximum of 500 words each) on (1) what being a Thespian means to you, and (2) what you intend your Thespian Legacy to be. These essays will be used by the Alumni Board to select an additional scholarship winner from applicants in the first five categories.
B. SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS
THEATRE PERFORMANCE - ACTING & MUSICAL THEATRE
1. Dress professionally. COSTUMES ARE NOT PERMITTED. Wear clothing that is simple and will allow easy movement.
2. Introductions/Slating: Introduce yourself by name. Introduce the audition piece(s). Your time begins after slating.
3. Acting - 2 minutes total of either a single monologue or two contrasting monologue
4. Musical Theatre - 2 minutes total of any musical theatre song selection or selections. Accompaniment must be recorded. A bluetooth speaker will be provided. RECORDED ACCOMPANIMENT SHOULD CONTAIN INSTRUMENTATION ONLY!
5. The performance area will be approximately 10' by 5'. No special lighting will be available. You will be provided with one (1) straight back chair and one (1) small table. YOU MAY NOT USE ADDITIONAL SET PIECES. YOU MUST SUPPLY ANY HAND PROPS NEEDED. You will be allowed time to BRIEFLY set the stage. Auditions may be conducted on a slick floor, which is not conducive to dance.
TECHNICAL THEATRE
Technical Portfolio - Prepare a presentation speech for a maximum of five minutes on a prepared portfolio of designs, sketches, and/ or photographs of finished designs which illustrate your technical expertise.
THEATRE EDUCATION
Speak for five minutes on situations / experiences where you have had an opportunity to "teach." Explain why you want to become a theatre educator. Be prepared, if asked- to discuss your lesson plan ideas. Provide a real or create a mock lesson plan.
THESE WILL NEED TO BE SUBMITTED BY DECEMBER 16, 2019 THROUGH THE GOOGLE FORM
DRAMATURGY / PLAYWRITING
You will have a maximum of 5 minutes to discuss your work and what your goals in Dramaturgy or Playwriting are in the future.
1 Piece Each in 2 of the following categories (2 written examples total):
- Critical Theatrical Writing (essays on drama, theatre, or performance)
- Production Dramaturgical Work (production research packet, program essays, study guides)
- Original play script (10 pages in 12 pt. font single space maximum)
THESE WILL NEED TO BE SUBMITTED BY DECEMBER 16, 2019 THROUGH THE GOOGLE FORM
JUDGING SYSTEM:
The scholarship judging committee shall consist of a specially selected panel of qualified adjudicators. We typically have at least 4 judges on the panel- one from education, one from a performance background, an Alumni Board representative and one from a technical background.
All applicants will be evaluated using the following scale:
NOTE: Application materials become the property of the Virginia Thespian Society
The scholarship judging committee shall consist of a specially selected panel of qualified adjudicators. We typically have at least 4 judges on the panel- one from education, one from a performance background, an Alumni Board representative and one from a technical background.
All applicants will be evaluated using the following scale:
- Thespian Activities/Résumé: 25%
- Recommendations/ Essay: 15%
- Audition for the performer / sampling of renderings and designs for tech theatre / lesson plan for the theatre educator and Interview, presentation for dramaturgy / playwriting and interview: 60%
NOTE: Application materials become the property of the Virginia Thespian Society
| Sample Thespian Activities Sheet |
| Sample Resume |
