IOWA THESPIAN SCHOLARSHIP AND
​COLLEGE AUDITIONS

​The Iowa Thespian Festival offers students an outstanding opportunity to pave the road to their future. At our Festival, all graduating seniors have the opportunity to earn a Thespian scholarship and/or college scholarship to apply toward college tuition. Up to three $1,500 Iowa Thespian scholarships may be awarded to students who plan to major or minor in the communicative arts (theatre, film, radio & television, broadcasting, music, or dance) and/or an education major in one of said fields. ​

At our Festival, we have combined the annual Thespian scholarship and college auditions. Therefore, ONE AUDITION WILL PROVIDE YOU MANY SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!
To receive a Thespian scholarship, students must be inducted into the International Thespian Society by October 19 of their senior year. Applications are only considered complete if the Troupe Director has completed the online registration AND the student has completed the scholarship registration by the registration deadline (October 19, 2023). *Only 2024 graduates are eligible to audition for the College and Thespian Scholarships.

For the Thespian scholarship, applicants MUST select which of the scholarships she/he is applying for: PERFORMANCE, TECHNICAL, or THEATRE EDUCATOR

Audition Schedule
Students who have completed the registration process will be scheduled for an audition time on Saturday morning of Festival. A callback list will be posted, and callbacks will be held Saturday afternoon. Thespian Scholarship winners will be announced during closing ceremonies. College representatives may also ask to see candidates a second time; these meetings should happen throughout Saturday afternoon of Festival. Colleges may or may not announce scholarship recipients during the closing ceremonies on Saturday evening.

​Performance Audition Guidelines
  • Applicants will be given a two (2) minute time limit for performance auditions.  This includes slate, and transitions between pieces. 
  • Audition should consist of two contrasting pieces:
    • For students interested in pursuing an acting concentration: two monologues
    • For students interested in pursuing a musical theatre concentration: one monologue and one song (a track must be used for the song – no a capella auditions are permitted)
  • All performances must be solo presentations. 
  • Begin with an introductory slate that includes the auditionee's name and titles of the selections being performed. Time begins when when the introduction begins.
  • Time will be called if you exceed the two (2) minute time limit. 
  • You will not receive written or oral critiques from the college representatives or the Thespian Scholarship Selection Committee.

Helpful Tips
  • Avoid selections with dialects, accents, or any classical material if not trained in those areas. 
  • Show your range – choose selections that showcase different aspects of your skill.
  • Selections should demonstrate your best work.
    • Highlight your ability to create a dynamic character.
    • Choose a piece that allows you to tell a story – shape, subtext, and resonance are important.
  • Rehearse your full audition, including your transition between pieces. 
    • Rehearse your slate too! Your name and titles of pieces are sufficient.
    • Remember to consider your blocking and physicality in addition to your text work.
    • Don't forget facial expressions!
The performance area will be approximately 5’x5’. No special lighting will be available. One straight back chair will be provided. You may not use additional set pieces or hand props. Costumes are not permitted.
Musical auditions must include pre-recorded accompaniment (NO LIVE INSTRUMENTATION WILL BE ALLOWED). You may have one person (student or adult) play the music for your performance. To help ensure your accompaniment track will work, please bring your own device/speakers for your music!

There will NOT be a question and answer session during the initial performance audition, however, if you receive a callback for the Iowa Thespian Scholarship, each performer will re-perform AND have a brief question/answer session with the Selection Committee.

Technical Presentation Auditions
  • Applicants will be given a three-minute time limit on technical auditions. 
  • Begin with an introduction (name and school). Time begins when the introduction ends.
  • Time will be called if you exceed the three-minute time limit.
  • Please prepare a presentation showcasing your technical expertise and portfolio
  • Students must provide their own presentation aides and/or laptop. Power outlets are available. 
  • Poster boards, photos, or other exhibition materials are encouraged.

Each student auditioning in the area of technical theatre MUST prepare a portfolio that illustrates his or her expertise in technical theatre. 

Presenting Your Portfolio
  • Choose three strong samples that are representative of your work and chosen major. 
  • Each of your samples should be clear and of good quality – good production or process photos, or easily readable documents.
  • Since you're unable to share your whole portfolio, you need to be especially thoughtful about which pieces you pick.
  • Try to include samples that are recent, so representatives can see your current capabilities.
  • Choose samples that are relevant to the work you hope to be doing in your chosen major at college. 
  • Choose samples that are well-photographed or clearly readable. Though you will be able to expand in the written response, the sample should be able to speak for itself to a certain extent.
  • Types of samples might include: drafting, sketches, works in progress, renderings (fully completed/colored)
production photos, light plots, pages from journals, promptbooks, or marketing materials

There will NOT be a question and answer session during the initial performance audition, however, if you receive a callback for the Iowa Thespian Scholarship, you will be asked to repeat your presentation AND have a brief question/answer session with the Selection Committee.

Theatre Educator Auditions
  • Applicants will be given a five-minute time limit on Theatre Educator auditions plus time for questions.
  • Begin with an introduction (name and school). Time begins when the introduction ends.
  • Time will be called if you exceed the five-minute time limit.
  • Please prepare a presentation showcasing your desire to become a Theatre Educator which includes a combination of the following: present a lesson plan, present a portfolio outlining a variety of experiences and work in technical theatre (including documentation such as programs and photos), perform a monologue or musical theatre piece, produce a PowerPoint presentation and use it as part of an illustrated talk, assemble a foam core display board.
  • Students must provide their own presentation aides, including laptops to show video or PowerPoint presentations. Power outlets are available in the audition room. 
  • Poster boards, photos, or other exhibition materials are encouraged. 

Tips for sharing your interest in Theatre Education
  • Consider the value of theatre education. Why have you chosen to pursue a career in this field?
  • Elaborate on what skills, experiences, interests, and/or questions led you to choose this path.
  • Discuss what you want to contribute to the field of theatre education.
Your presentation should be a concise explanation of your desire to be a Theatre Educator. The presentation may include a description of your past work and future goals.  Presentations should not be just a portfolio or performance audition.  
If you receive a callback for the Iowa Thespian Scholarship, you will be asked to repeat your presentation AND have a brief question/answer session with the Selection Committee.
If you have questions about scholarship auditions, please contact Christina Myatt at myattchristina@pleasval.org

SCHOLARSHIP PARTICIPATION GUIDE

1

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT IN THE ONLINE REGISTRATION SYSTEM

  • Troupe directors will need to register students for this event in the online registration system. For more info on how to register events, check out the registration guide
  • The fee for participating in the scholarship auditions is $20. This fee will be included in your school's festival registration invoice​

2

submit scholarship application form in openwater

  • The troupe director OR student must submit this online application in the OpenWater system by the registration deadline (October 19, 2023)​
  • Materials that will need to be submitted in this application include - 
    • Resume
    • Headshot
    • Essays 
    • Troupe Director Recommendation
  • If you would like assistance in creating your resume, click on the sample below.
  • All materials will need to be submitted in the online application form by the deadline for the student to be scheduled for an audition
  • For more information on how to complete an application in OpenWater, check out the registration guide

3

practice, practice, practice!

  • Review the guidelines for the scholarship audition listed above to properly prepare for your audition
  • The best way for students to prepare is to practice their audition in front of as many people as possible - including their troupe director!

4

show up!

  • The audition schedule will be posted on the the festival app and emailed to troupe directors before festival
  • Scholarship candidates MUST attend the "College Meet and Greet" on the Friday of Festival to qualify for scholarship awards

5

CALLBACKS

  • Callbacks for the Thespian scholarship awards will be held on the Saturday afternoon of Festival. A callback list for the Thespian scholarships will be posted on the festival app.
  • The Thespian scholarship callback will include the performance or presentation from the scholarship candidates, as well as a brief interview with the scholarship panel
  • Colleges will have an opportunity to post a callback list on the display board in the Gallagher-Bluedorn lobby. Students are encouraged to check out these lists and meet with college representatives on the Saturday afternoon of Festival

6

AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT

  • The scholarship awards will be announced during the closing ceremonies at Festival
  • Scholarship money will be sent directly to the recipient's chosen college or university by the Educational Theatre Association in the fall of 2024

contact CHRISTINA MYATT (MYATTCHRISTINA@PLEASVAL.ORG) 
​with scholarship questions