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Theatre > Scholarships > Scholarship Application Guidelines

Scholarship Application Guidelines

Theatre Studies

Eligibility and Requirements for Scholarships in Theatre

Theatre Artistic Merit Scholarship

To be eligible for the Theatre Artistic Merit scholarship, students must have:

  • Minimum ACT score of 26
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.5
  • A successful audition and/or portfolio review, interview, and writing sample
  • Two letters of recommendation

To maintain their status as Theatre Artistic Merit Scholars, students must

  • Minor in theatre* and significantly contribute* to the Theatre Department
  • Maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in Theatre courses. If the GPA falls below this average the scholarship will not be renewed
  • Attend all meetings called by the Department of Theatre or present an acceptable excuse (such as a class conflict) prior to the meeting
  • Demonstrate a positive collegial attitude at all times

* Requirements for completion of the minor differ for recipients of the Artistic Merit scholarship. Of the twenty credit hours required for the minor all twenty must be completed through THEA coursework.  Any performance or production credit will not count toward completion of the minor in theatre.

Definition of "significant contribution": All scholarship students must work on a crew, or perform in a faculty- or guest artist-directed production each semester. Working from an ensemble-based theatre model, we believe students benefit from crew assignments that provide alternating theatrical experiences. Whenever possible, students will be given their preference of job assignment, but to provide a variety of experiences over the course of four years, responsibilities might be rotated. Additionally, assignments will be based not only on student interest but also on scholarship amount and the needs of the department. All students receiving $20,000 may be required to serve as a stage manager or assistant stage manager at least once during their four years at Millsaps College.

Theatre Ensemble Scholarship

Theatre Ensemble scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate the potential to significantly contribute to the Theatre Department.

To maintain their status as Theatre Ensemble Scholars, students must:

  • Take one four-credit class in Theatre each academic year.
  • Maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in Theatre courses. If the GPA falls below this average the scholarship will not be renewed.
  • Attend all meetings called by the Department of Theatre or present an acceptable excuse (such as a class conflict) prior to the meeting.
  • Participate in one faculty- or guest artist-directed production per year, for each of the students' four years at Millsaps.  Participation can include performance, stage management, run crew, or front of house management.
  • Demonstrate a positive collegial attitude at all times.

Production Assignments

Theatre Ensemble scholars must participate in one faculty or guest artist-directed production per year. Scholarship students who are not cast in a faculty or guest-artist directed production must work on a technical crew in order to complete this requirement.  Working from an ensemble-based theatre model, we believe students benefit from crew assignments that provide alternating theatrical experiences. Whenever possible, students will be given their preference of job assignment, but to provide a variety of experiences over the course of four years, responsibilities might be rotated.  Additionally, assignments will be based not only on student interest but also on scholarship amount and the needs of the department.

Possible Crew Assignments:

  • Costume: Construction & Wardrobe
  • Scenery: Construction, Painting, & Running Crew
  • Sound: Production & Operation
  • Lighting: Hang and Focus and Operation
  • Properties: Procurement, Construction, Running Crew
  • Business Operations: Ticket Sales, House Management, Publicity, Fundraising

 

 

Fine Arts Day Audition, Portfolio Review, Interview and Application

This document outlines requirements for the Theatre Ensemble Scholarship and the Theatre Artistic Merit Scholarship.  Both scholarships, at this time, are focused towards student actors/performers.  Prospective students interested in either theatre scholarship should submit a Fine Arts Day Application to Admissions as soon as that is available. Prospective students interested in either theatre scholarship should submit a Fine Arts Day Application (PDF) to Admissions as soon as that is available.

Requirements:
Prospective students interested in theatre performance funds must audition and participate in a short interview following the audition. Please submit a Fine Arts Day Application (PDF).

For the audition the applicant should prepare two contrasting contemporary monologues which meet the guidelines below:

  • Character should be age appropriate
  • Each monologue should not exceed two minutes in length
  • Both monologues should be fully committed to memory

Applicants for the Theatre Artistic Merit Scholarship must submit a one-page, typed essay defining your goals and purpose as a theatre artist. Mail this essay in advance of your audition/interview to the following address:

Chair, Department of Theatre, Box 150263
Millsaps College
1701 North State Street
Jackson, MS  39210

Candidates for the Theatre Artistic Merit Scholarship must meet the Basic Application Requirements below:

  • minimum ACT score of 26
  • cumulative GPA of 3.5
  • two letters of recommendation

For further assistance please contact Dr. Shane Grant.