Virginia Thespians Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Virginia Thespians

Mission and Programs

Virginia Thespians supports and advances theatre education across the Commonwealth by providing opportunities, advocacy, training, and recognition for students and educators. The organization convenes an annual state festival, offers leadership and advocacy training, and works to integrate theatre programming into middle and elementary schools through partnerships. It also recognizes outstanding troupes and individual contributions to theatre education. These efforts are intended to ensure equitable access to theatre resources and professional development statewide.

• Hosts an annual state festival to connect Virginians through theatre education.
• Provides advocacy and education for theatre and non-theatre stakeholders.
• Delivers leadership and advocacy training for students and directors.
• Promotes theatre programming in middle and elementary schools.
• Acknowledges exceptional troupe and individual contributions.

Scholarships

The Virginia Thespian scholarship program awards competitive scholarships across multiple categories to recognize achievement and support continued study in theatre-related fields. Each named scholarship targets a particular area—performance, technical production, education, and writing—and generally supports graduating seniors who intend to pursue theatre at the college level. Awards are administered by the Educational Theatre Association and are intended to offset postsecondary costs at accredited institutions. Details for each category follow.

Theatre Performance — Acting (Description): Recognizes outstanding performance achievement in acting and supports seniors planning to major or minor in theatre or a related field.

Award Value: $1,000

Theatre Performance — Musical Theatre (Description): Celebrates excellence and potential in musical theatre for seniors who intend to study theatre or a related discipline.

Award Value: $1,000

Technical Theatre Scholarship (Description): Honors students dedicated to technical production disciplines such as design, stagecraft, and technical direction, intended for seniors pursuing theatre studies.

Award Value: $1,000

Theatre Education Scholarship (Description): Supports seniors committed to pursuing theatre education as a career or area of study at the postsecondary level.

Award Value: $1,000

Playwriting and Dramaturgy Scholarship (Description): Recognizes excellence in dramatic writing and dramaturgical work for seniors planning further study in writing, dramaturgy, or theatre.

Award Value: $1,000

Alumni Board Scholarship (Description): Celebrates distinguished community members and is open to all graduating seniors, regardless of intended college major.

Award Value: $1,000

• Multiple category-specific scholarships target performance, technical, education, and writing.
• Most scholarships require senior status and intent to study theatre or related fields.
• The Alumni Board Scholarship is open to all seniors regardless of major.
• Standard award amount is $1,000 per scholarship.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements define who may apply and how many applicants each school may submit. Applicants must be registered Thespian troupe members and graduating seniors who will attend the Virginia Thespian Festival. Schools have submission limits for certain categories to ensure a fair selection process. Applicants may submit to only one scholarship category per application cycle.

Requirements: Applicants must be registered Thespians, be seniors, attend the festival, and submit to only one category. Schools may send up to three applicants in Performance, Musical Theatre, and Technical Theatre categories; additional students may be sent for Theatre Education or Playwriting/Dramaturgy.

• Must be a registered Thespian troupe member and a graduating senior.
• Attendance at the Virginia Thespian Festival is required.
• Only one application per applicant; schools have category-specific submission limits.

Application Process

The application process is managed through the OpenWater platform and requires a combination of documents and media. Applicants must complete registration by the stated deadline, submit supporting materials including a resume and adviser recommendation, and provide audition materials or portfolio samples where applicable. Some materials, such as a letter of recommendation, may be accepted after initial submission if the remainder of the application and payment are complete, but all items must be finalized prior to the final deadline.

Application Steps:

• Register via OpenWater by the posted deadline (registration deadline noted as 11/10 in current materials).
• Obtain at least one letter of recommendation from your adviser (may be submitted shortly after registration if necessary).
• Submit a resume, Thespian activities list, personal statement, and headshot.
• Provide audition recordings, design samples, lesson plans, or interview/presentation materials as required by the category.

• Follow category-specific submission requirements for performance, technical, education, and writing.
• Incomplete applications may be held until all materials are received but must be finalized before the deadline.

Judging System

Scholarship applications are evaluated by a panel of qualified adjudicators selected for balance and subject-matter expertise. The typical committee includes representatives from education, performance, technical theatre, and the Alumni Board to ensure fair and informed assessment. Evaluation emphasizes documented activities, recommendations and essays, and category-specific auditions or presentations. All submitted materials become the property of the Virginia Thespian Society, and identifying information associated with uploads will be recorded for administrative purposes.

Assessment Criteria:

• Thespian activities and résumé: 25%
• Recommendations and essay: 15%
• Category-specific audition, samples, lesson plan, or interview/presentation: 60%

• Panel composition includes educators, performers, technical specialists, and Alumni Board representatives.
• All application materials become organization property; upload metadata (name/photo) will be recorded.

What If I Win?

Scholarship awards are administered directly to the recipient’s chosen college or university and are not issued to individuals. Winners will be notified by the Virginia State Thespian Director and the Educational Theatre Association headquarters in the spring following selection. The award checks are sent to the institution’s financial aid office and applied according to the college’s disbursement policies. Recipients should coordinate with their chosen institution’s financial aid office to ensure proper processing.

• Scholarship funds are sent to the college/university financial aid office by the Educational Theatre Association.
• Winners are contacted in the spring by state and national offices.
• Awards are payable to the institution, not to recipients or third parties.