Niche College Scholarship

Theatre Scholarships

Contrary to what many believe (and what your parents probably hoped), theatre is more than just a hobby and a high school extracurricular activity. To theatre majors, it’s a calling, a passion and, hopefully, a career. As with any of the arts, there is work to be found in theatre, but the process of landing a theatre job and a theatre degree will be incredibly grueling. A theatre degree can also be expensive, and you may find yourself with little free time to work while attending college.

Beyond the federal aid you receive, you’ll want to apply for as many scholarships as you can to minimize your student loan debt and make your transition into a theatre career that much easier. Luckily, theatre majors have numerous scholarship opportunities, and compared to landing the lead in a play, winning scholarships might even seem like a piece of cake.

Many colleges and universities (like Wayne State, Temple University and the University of Central Florida) offer theatre scholarships to offset the cost of earning a theatre degree, while a number of outside organizations also offer awards specifically for those planning to pursue a career related to theatre. More general art scholarships often include acting and playwriting, as well. Film and video scholarships may also be attractive prospects for theatre majors. And since many aspects of theatre require a great deal of hard work, strong communication skills and a deep understanding of people and their motivations, you may even find success with essay scholarships or other awards. You may even find yourself with better odds of winning local theatre scholarships if you participated in high school drama or community theatre — both are very visible activities that have probably brought joy to the people judging the scholarship awards.

Whether you’re an actor, director, playwright or other member of cast or crew, there are theatre scholarship opportunities available. We’ve included a few examples of theatre scholarships below to get you started but to see the full range of scholarships available for those in the theatre, in addition to awards based on your other unique characteristics, conduct a free scholarship search on Scholarships.com.

CFPCA LGBT Endowed Scholarship

  • Amount
    $500
  • Deadline
    February 1, 2024

The CFPCA LGBT Endowed Scholarship provides financial support and hope to meritorious students who demonstrate positive sensitivity to and involvement in LGBT issues. Preference is given to currently enrolled Wayne State University LGBT students, although all Wayne State University students are invited to apply. All current undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least half-time with ... Read more

Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Scholarship

  • Amount
    $1,000
  • Deadline
    February 1, 2024

To be eligible for the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Scholarship, applicants must be a high school graduate who plans on attending UAB. Via audition and testing, the student must prove to be of substantial talent and show promise for continued excellence in music. There will be a strong focus on incoming freshmen; however, current UAB students and transfer students are eligible to apply. ... Read more

JSU Alabama Theatre and Film Scholarships

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    February 1, 2024

We are committed to helping you finance your college education. JSU offers several types of scholarships to help defray the cost of attending school for new and continuing students. JSU-funded scholarships are non "refundable," and unused funds cannot be carried over to subsequent semesters. Each scholarship may be regulated by a different set of requirements. Some scholarships are automatically ... Read more

ISF Congressional Policy Fellowship

  • Amount
    $30,000
  • Deadline
    February 19, 2024

The ISF Congressional Policy Fellowship is a 9-month, full-time program that provides fellows with an opportunity to work in Washington D.C. on legislative and public policy issues at Congressional offices. To be eligible for the ISF Congressional Policy Fellowship, applicants must: be Islamic; have graduated with an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited university; be a U.S. ... Read more

Hope College Distinguished Artist Awards - Theatre

  • Amount
    $12,000
  • Deadline
    February 21, 2024

Hope honors talented artists in the areas of creative writing, dance, music, theater and the visual arts. You’ll need to audition or submit a portfolio. The Distinguished Artist Award in theatre is for high school seniors and transfer students who intend to enroll at Hope College in the upcoming Fall. Renewable for four years, the Distinguished Artist Awards (DAA) provides eligible incoming art, ... Read more

GRCF Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids Minority Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    March 1, 2024

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids Minority Scholarship is awarded to students of color (African-American, Hispanic-American, Native-American, AAPI) attending a non-profit public or private college or university in Western Michigan, majoring in Fine Arts (including all visual and performing art forms). Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship, be a ... Read more

Lycoming College Talent Scholarships

  • Amount
    $12,000
  • Deadline
    March 1, 2024

Auditions and portfolio reviews for Lycoming College Talent Scholarships can be scheduled throughout the academic year and during open houses. Deadlines for auditions correspond to the application deadlines respectively. Specific requirements for each talent scholarship are listed. Each talent scholarship is eligible for annual renewal provided students maintain satisfactory progress and meet the ... Read more

GRCF Grand Rapids Combined Theatre Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    March 1, 2024

The Grand Rapids Combined Theatre Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to students who are full-time Theater Arts majors at an accredited college/university in the United States. Theatre experience is required at one of the local community theatres. Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation. Dollar amounts will vary. Applications run from December until the due date.

By ... Read more

ISF Film Scholarship

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    March 21, 2024

To be eligible for the ISF Film Scholarship, applicants must: be Muslim or active members of the Muslim community; be enrolled full-time at an accredited university in the U.S. by August (or employed full-time in an ISF Supported Field and a part-time student at an accredited university in the U.S); be an undergraduate (at least an incoming junior or senior) or of graduate standing (master's, ... Read more

ISF Policy Scholarship

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    March 21, 2024

To be eligible for the ISF Policy Scholarship, applicants must: be Muslim or active members of the Muslim community; be enrolled full-time at an accredited university in the U.S. by August (or employed full-time in an ISF Supported Field and a part-time student at an accredited university in the U.S); be an undergraduate (at least an incoming junior or senior) or of graduate standing (master's, ... Read more

ISF Law Scholarship

  • Amount
    $10,000
  • Deadline
    March 21, 2024

To be eligible for the ISF Law Scholarship, applicants must: be Muslim or active members of the Muslim community; be enrolled full-time at an accredited university in the U.S. by August (or employed full-time in an ISF Supported Field and a part-time student at an accredited university in the U.S); be an undergraduate (an incoming senior) or an incoming 1L, 2L, or 3L; be pursuing a supported ... Read more

ISF Media Scholarship

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    March 21, 2024

To be eligible for the ISF Media Scholarship, applicants must: be Muslim or active members of the Muslim community; be enrolled full-time at an accredited university in the U.S. by August (or employed full-time in an ISF Supported Field and a part-time student at an accredited university in the U.S); be an undergraduate (at least an incoming junior or senior) or of graduate standing (master's, ... Read more

ISF Scholarships

  • Amount
    $10,000
  • Deadline
    March 21, 2024

To be eligible for the ISF Scholarships, applicants must: be Muslim or active members of the Muslim community; have enrollment full-time at an accredited university in the U.S. by August or be employed full-time in an ISF Supported Field and a part-time student at an accredited university in the U.S.; be majoring in an ISF Supported Field; be maintaining a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average; be a ... Read more

Robert W. Thunen Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    April 1, 2024

Applications for the Thunen Memorial Scholarship may be submitted by full-time students who desire to study illumination as a career. Applications for the Thunen Memorial Scholarship may be made by those who will be an undergraduate junior, senior or graduate student (Fall semester only) in an accredited four year college or university located in Northern California, Nevada, Oregon or ... Read more

CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship

  • Amount
    $3,000
  • Deadline
    April 14, 2024

The CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship was established in 2000, in honor of the late Curtis Mayfield to ensure that African American or Black students pursuing a degree in the performing arts receive financial assistance. Performing arts include theater, drama, comedy, music, dance, opera, marching bands, etc.

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident who is preparing ... Read more

Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship

  • Amount
    $1,000
  • Deadline
    May 31, 2024

The Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship provides financial assistance and promotion of Asian American college students pursuing a major in the performing, visual arts, journalism and/or mass communications. To be eligible, applicants must: be of at least 25% Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity; be a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the U.S.; have a 3.0 GPA; have ... Read more

Francis D. Lyon Scholarship

  • Amount
    $2,500
  • Deadline
    May 31, 2024

The Francis D. Lyon Graduate Fellowship is awarded annually to a graduate student in the field of film making or a closely related field such as theatre/drama, writing or entertainment. Only graduate students are eligible to apply. Membership in Phi Delta Theta is not a requirement. The student is required to be enrolled in a college or university in the United States or Canada. Students of film ... Read more

University of South Alabama/Drama Assistantships/Scholarships

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    Varies

We’re the University of South Alabama. Home to nearly 14,000 students and more than 125 academic programs, South is a dynamic community of leaders and learners who support and challenge one another to be actively engaged citizens who advance the Gulf Coast region and the world. Founded in 1963, South’s vision is to foster an environment that couples engaging learning experiences with high-level ... Read more

The Fulbright Program

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    Varies

Through our unique international educational and cultural exchange programs, Fulbright’s diverse and dynamic network of scholars, alumni and global partners fosters mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, shares knowledge across communities, and improves lives around the world. Since its establishment in 1946 by Congress, the Fulbright Program has given more than ... Read more

Last Reviewed: September 2023