College and Iowa Thespian Scholarship Auditions

The Iowa Thespian Festival offers students an outstanding opportunity to pave the road to their future. At our virtual 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 virtual Festival, we have combined the annual Thespian scholarship and college auditions. Therefore, ONE AUDITION WILL PROVIDE YOU MANY SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!

The scholarship auditions are for students graduating in the spring of 2021. You MUST be an inducted Thespian to receive an Iowa Thespian scholarship. However, you do not need to be an inducted Thespian to have your audition materials be shared with the participating colleges/universities. ​

​If you have questions about scholarship auditions, please contact our scholarship coordinator, Christina Myatt (center.stagepaa@gmail.com) for more information.

College/Thespian Scholarship Auditions

Click the link to access the audition video and form submission for College/Thespian Scholarship auditions. 
Deadline for submissions:
Monday, February 1, 2021
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Step 1. Troupe Directors MUST register students for the scholarship auditions through the school registration form. The cost for a scholarship audition is $10, which will be included in your school's invoice.

Step 2. Scholarship candidates should look through the scholarship audition information carefully for all audition details.  

Step 3. Students MUST submit their scholarship documents (resume, headshot, Troupe Director Recommendation) with their audition video via the online form included on this page. These are required and must be submitted with your audition.

Step 4. Practice, practice, practice! The best way to prepare is to have candidates and troupe directors work together in rehearsing for the audition.  

Step 5. After the Iowa Thespian Scholarship Selection Committee has an opportunity to review the candidates, a callback list will be posted. Those receiving a callback will be contacted via email to set up a Zoom interview with the selection committee. The interview will last roughly 10 minutes. 

​Step 6. Scholarship recipients will be announced during the virtual Thespy Showcase at our virtual festival. 
Scholarship Guidelines

​Please remember: a scholarship candidate is not fully registered for Festival until they have submitted all documents via the online form on this page AND been registered by their Troupe Director through the school registration. Incomplete submissions will not be shared with the selection committee.

To receive the Thespian scholarship, students must have been inducted into the International Thespian Society by February 1 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 audition deadline (February 1, 2021). * Only 2021 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 MATERIALS
​The following forms should be uploaded with your online application form.
  • Resume (uploaded by STUDENT via the online application form)
  • Headshot (uploaded by STUDENT via the online application form)
  • Troupe Director Recommendation Form (submitted by TROUPE DIRECTOR - form will be emailed to troupe directors after the student completes the application form)
​
If you would like assistance in creating your resume, click on the sample below.
General Information
Your virtual audition will consist of either a performance audition or technical portfolio review which will be viewed by college representatives and the Iowa Thespian Scholarship adjudicators. Please read through the information below to help you prepare for your audition.

What to Wear
For your audition/portfolio review/theatre educator presentation, please wear professional but comfortable clothes. Do not dress in a costume or wear jeans, flip flops, sneakers or sweats. Do not wear what you would wear to rehearsals or to work crew for a show.

Callbacks will be conducted via Zoom by individual colleges and the Thespian Scholarship committee. You will not receive written or oral critiques from the college representatives or the Thespian Scholarship Selection Committee.

Performance Auditions
Performance audition videos must:
  • Be ninety seconds long (no longer than two minutes including slate and transition between pieces)
  • Contain two contrasting pieces (one song and one monologue OR two monologues). 
  • Be solo presentations.
  • Begin with an introductory slate: name and titles of selections being performed.
  • Use a track if singing. NO a capella submisisons are permitted.

Helpful Tips:
  • Avoid selections with dialects, accents, or any classical material if not trained in those areas.
  • Any musical pieces should show range and vocal quality and may be from contemporary or standard musical theatre literature.
  • Obtain help from your high school theatre teacher or coach to prepare for your audition.
  • Do not do original (unpublished) work
  • Do not do a stand-up comedy routine or a piece that sounds like one
  • Do not do material from screenplays
  • Choose pieces similar to your own age and experience. Read the entire play and understand your character in the context of the play.
  • Avoid using materials specifically written for monologue books or songs contained in musical theatre anthologies.
  • Look for pieces that speak to you, to which you deeply connect and which you love and can’t wait to perform.
  • Know what the piece means, what all the words mean and how to pronounce them.
  • Show your range -- choose selections that showcase different aspects of your skill.
  • 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.
  • While your slate does not count toward your ninety seconds, you should still rehearse what you plan to say -- name and title of pieces are sufficient.
  • Remember to consider your blocking and physicality in addition to your text work.
  • Don't forget facial expressions! 

Video Audition Tips:
  • Consider your frame (how much of your body you want to show during your audition). At a minimum, make sure to show from a few inches above your head to your belly button.
  • If performing a song, make sure you have a solid track to use for your accompaniment.
  • Pay an accompanist to record a track for you and send you an .mp3 file. Try reaching out to your local university's music or theatre department as a start.
  • Find a karaoke track online. Make sure there are no vocals on the track.
  • Consider where you're placing your "scene partner." You do not need to look straight into the camera.
  • You may use one straight back chair and one small table in your video; additional set pieces are not allowed. 

Filming Your Audition:
  • Find an effective filming location
  • Area should be quiet so we can hear both you and your track (if applicable).
  • Film in front of a non-distracting background. If possible, choose a solid-color wall or consider hanging a sheet behind you.
  • Dress neatly, and in a contrasting color from your background. No costumes.
  • Make sure you are lit enough to be clearly visible.
Reminders
  • Before filming, conduct a full-volume test to make sure you can be heard (and that your track can be heard).
  • Ensure your blocking is effective and visible when filmed. Consider whether to decrease your movement or to adjust your camera angle.
  • Shoot your video horizontally, not vertically.
  • Try multiple takes and submit your strongest. Uploading Your Video:
Uploading Your Video:
  • Watch your video both before and after uploading to ensure it's what you want to share.
  • To upload your video, complete the application form on this page
  • Give your file a clear name. Consider something like FirstNameLastName_IaTF Performance Audition
  • Check that the link will allow for open access to all representatives.

Technical Theatre Audition/Portfolio Review
For college technical auditions, students will upload portfolio samples, and provide an accompanying video to further illustrate their skills and work details. Students may also provide an optional written response.

Presenting Your Online Portfolio:
  • Choose three strong samples that are representative of your work and chosen major.
  • Each of your samples should be clear and 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 could include:
  • drafting
  • sketches
  • works in progress
  • renderings (fully completed/colored)
  • production photos
  • light plots
  • pages from journals, promptbooks or marketing materials 
Filming Your Interview Video:
  • Video should be 3-5 minutes of you speaking about your work.
  • The goal is to provide additional context around the work samples you have submitted and who you are as a technician/designer.
  • You may consider including additional images or close-ups of work if that adds value to the conversation.
  • Consider addressing some of the following: 
    • Your work processes, challenges, and takeaways from the productions featured above.
    • Additional details around the work you did that may not be communicated by images alone.
    • Your working relationship with the production team and your philosophy on how to effectively serve in your particular role.
  • Find an effective filming location
    • Area should be quiet so we can hear you.
    • Film in front of a non-distracting background. If possible, choose a solid-color wall or consider hanging a sheet behind you.
    • Dress neatly, and in a contrasting color from your background.
    • Make sure you are lit enough to be clearly visible. 
Uploading Your Video:
  • Watch your video both before and after uploading to ensure it's what you want to share.
  • To upload your video, complete the application form on this page
  • Give your file a clear name. Consider something like FirstNameLastName_IaTF Tech Theatre Audition
  • Check that the link will allow for open access to all representatives. 
Answering the Optional Response Question:
  • Provide further context to the attached samples, including more about your work, processes, challenges, and takeaways from the featured productions.
  • Elaborate more about your work generally, your work philosophy, why you're interested in your particular major, etc.
  • Include a link to your website or additional production photos if desired.

Theatre Educator Audition
For theatre educator auditions, students will upload an audition video.
  • Applicants will upload a five-minute video.
  • Begin with an introduction (name and school). Time begins when the introduction ends.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Filming Your Interview Video:
  • Video should be no more than 5 minutes.
  • Find an effective filming location
  • Area should be quiet so we can hear you.
  • Film in front of a non-distracting background. If possible, choose a solid-color wall or consider hanging a sheet behind you.
  • Dress neatly, and in a contrasting color from your background.
  • Make sure you are lit enough to be clearly visible.
Uploading Your Video:
  • Watch your video both before and after uploading to ensure it's what you want to share.
  • ​To upload your video, complete the application form on this page
  • Give your file a clear name. Consider something like FirstNameLastName_IaTF Theatre Educator Audition
  • Check that the link will allow for open access to all representatives.​

​Troupe Directors MUST submit their Recommendation Form by the registration deadline: February 1, 2021. The link to the troupe director recommendation form will be emailed to directors after the student completes the online application.
​

Thank you to our festival sponsors!

IOWA THESPIANS
​
Our mission is to honor student achievement in theatre and enrich the educational experience, to support educators by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition, and to influence public opinion and policy-makers that theatre education is essential and builds life skills.
​
We are passionate about theatre education and believe all students should have access to theatre curriculum which provides critical life skills for educational and career success in the 21st century.

Questions? Contact our Chapter Directors at adean@dbqschools.org and lacorte.leslie@gmail.com