Virginia Thespian Scholarship

Virginia Thespian Scholarship provides financial assistance to high school seniors in Virginia who are interested in attending college in any state to study performance, technical theater, or theater education. Multiple $1,000 scholarships are offered across categories including Theatre Performance (Acting), Theatre Performance (Musical Theatre), Technical Theatre, Theatre Education, and Playwriting/Dramaturgy, plus an Alumni Board Scholarship open to senior students regardless of intended major. Applicants must be Thespians, must be Seniors, must be a part of a registered Thespian Troupe, and must attend the Virginia Thespian Festival. Each school may send up to 3 applicants in the Performance, Musical Theatre, and Technical Theatre categories; additional students may apply in the Theatre Education or Playwriting/Dramaturgy categories. Applicants may apply to only one category. Application materials include registration through Open Water, a letter of recommendation, a resume, a Thespian activities list, a personal statement, a headshot, and an audition (for performers), technical portfolio (for technical theatre), lesson plan (for theatre education), or writing sample and presentation (for playwriting/dramaturgy). Registration is due by 11/10. Judging is based on Thespian Activities/Resume (25%), Recommendations/Essay (15%), and Audition/samples/lesson plan/Interview (60%). Scholarship funds are paid directly to the college/university's financial aid office by the Educational Theatre Association.