THEATRE SCHOLARSHIPS

The theatre department controls the distribution of 16 full (or the equivalent of 32 half) in-state tuition scholarships of various kinds, although this number may fluctuate at times depending upon economics: 

            1.         1 Friends of the Fine Arts Scholarship

            2.         1 Schulenberg Scholarship

            3.         10 Theatre Department Scholarships

            4.         Corbett Scholarships (When Funds are available)

Corbett Scholarships are usually awarded at full in-state tuition amounts, while others are mostly awarded at half in-state tuition amounts.  The Faculty makes exceptions to these practices on a case-by-case basis. 

Through the first 4 types of scholarships listed above, the theatre department endeavors first and foremost to recruit gifted students into the department.  In early December, theatre faculty audition high school seniors and/or transfer students and then rank order them according to 4 major criteria: talent, academic achievement, growth potential and likely contributions to the program.  Top candidates are awarded available scholarships; while select others comprise an alternate list. 

To be considered for a scholarship, currently enrolled students with an overall 2.75 GPA must maintain good academic standing as detailed below, high visibility in the production program, and consistent contributions to departmental activities.  To apply, please go to the Theatre and Dance Department’s online callboard and click on the link for the continuing student scholarship application and complete the form.  In the event a scholarship becomes available the scholarship committee will review the applications on file and make awards accordingly.

Corbett Scholarships are awarded only to currently enrolled students who are junior or seniors and have been in the program for at least two semesters and have an overall 3.0 GPA.  Qualified students apply for these scholarships according to posted procedures and then are nominated by the faculty in rank order to a Corbett Foundation representative who ultimately validates faculty choices. 

1.      Maintain full-time status (minimum 12 hours per semester).

2.      Maintain a 2.75 GPA (3.0 for Corbett Scholarships).

3.      Performance students audition for every season production, unless the Chair in consultation with faculty directors(s), grants special (and rare) exceptions prior to auditions.

4.      Participate responsibly in 2 productions per semester, either onstage or in technical and/or managerial capacities.

5.      Assist with regularly sponsored departmental recruitment events:  i.e. Incoming student Scholarship auditions

6.      Help when requested with occasional non-regularly scheduled departmental endeavors such as registration, tours of the facility, and others.

7.      Give first priority commitment to departmental operations.  The Chair must approve all theatre work undertaken outside departmental venues before the job is accepted.

Students who fulfill all obligations in a reliable, responsible, and professional manner and who in a variety of ways actively support and contribute to the growth of the academic and production programs are said to demonstrate a high degree of loyalty to the department.  The department guarantees continuance of scholarship support for these students until graduation.  An exception is the Corbett Scholarship which ends after a period of 4 years.

Students who fail to fulfill all obligations or who do so in what the faculty consider to be a less than reliable, responsible, and professional manner risk loss of scholarships. The first infraction results in a meeting with the Assistant Chair to discuss problems and determine remedies.  The second infraction results in probation.  The third infraction results in immediate revocation of the scholarship.  As used here, the term "infraction" refers to the 7 obligations listed above, each of which carries equal weight.  For instance, a performance student's failure to audition for a production is the same as missing a strike, not assisting with the acting competition, not maintaining the proper G.P.A., etc.  The term "infraction" also refers to the performance of a task in a careless or ineffectual way.  Standards of professional conduct are purposely high for all scholarship students.

If a student loses a scholarship, s/he must still complete all scholarship obligations remaining in the semester partially or fully funded by the scholarship.  Failure to do so results in the faculty's complete review of the student's degree status and eligibility to participate in departmental activities.