College scholarships:

Theater Scholarships

Finding Theater Scholarships

Many colleges provide theater scholarships to their students directly upon admission, and you can apply for these through the regular application process or audition. Browse the list below to see some of the scholarships offered to theater students through independent organizations and colleges.

Studying Theater, Drama, or Musical Theater

The theatre major helps prepare students for many career opportunities including careers in booking agencies, theater production or performance, as well as many related areas such as advertising, television, film, recreation, and academia. Potential careers include:

  • Costume Designer
  • Film Editor
  • Drama Therapist
  • Casting Director
  • Set Designer
  • Stage Manager
  • Talent Manager
  • Playwright
  • Teacher
  • Stage Actor

You can also find out more about careers in theater here.

List of Theater Scholarships

Scholarship & Link Organization Application Deadline Award Amount Notes
Thespian scholarships Educational Theatre Assoiciation February $1000 - $4500 To be eligible for the Thespian scholarship program, you must be a senior in high school, an active member of the International Thespian Society, and planning to major or minor in communicative arts.
Michael Kanin Playwriting Awards Program The Kennedy Center Varies Varies, up to $2,500 Annual awards for theatre students. Offers many scholarships for playwriting students.
The KCACTF Musical Theatre Award The Kennedy Center Varies $4,000 The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival brings the Musical Theatre Award to faculty and college and university students
Robert Sherman Scholarship BMI Foundation Varies $1,000 This $1,000 scholarship is awarded each year to a talented student composer studying musical theatre.
Iowa Scholarship for the Arts Iowa Arts Council 19-Dec $2,000 Awards for Iowa residents who are graduating high school seniors from an Iowa high school planning to attend an accredited postsecondary institution in Iowa majoring in Music, Dance, Traditional Arts, Visual Arts, Theatre, or Literature.
President's Scholarship in Theatre Whitman College Department of Theatre In order to be eligible for the Presidential Scholarship you must apply for admission to the College Awards vary from $2,500 to $28,735. Offers the Presidential Scholarship in theatre for entering student who demonstrate excellence in theatre. Audition required.
Theatre Arts Scholarship Blinn College in Brenham, TX Varies Varies Theatre Arts Scholarship for students majoring in theatre arts. Must audition to be eligible for this award. Must be enrolled in at least three semester hours of theatre arts classes. Must also take part in all Blinn College drama productions.
Performace Scholarship Alma College, in Alma, MI Varies $1000 - $3000 Offers two scholarships
Theater Scholarships School of Theatre at Illinois State University Varies Varies The School of Theatre at Illinois State University offers several scholarships for theater students
The Monster Scholarship for Art, Humanities, Social Science & Education Monster Varies $2,500 Available to students who are majoring in or intend to major in art, humanities, social science or education.