College of Fine Arts Theatre

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Scholarships

Freshman Talent Scholarships

A limited number of Freshmen Talent Scholarships are available to incoming students who declare Theatre as their major. Recipients must:

  • Register for two theatre classes (six credit hours total) each semester
  • Maintain a 2.50 overall GPA
  • Participate in at least one University Theatre production each semester
  • Participate in an interview and audition or submit art/technical portfolio
Auditions

To audition for a talent scholarship in any area of theatre (acting, design/tech, musical theatre) and/or to apply for admittance to the Musical Theatre specialization complete the Application and Scholarship Form. Dedicated audition days are:

  • Dec. 3, 2011
  • Feb. 25, 2012
  • April 21, 2012

Auditions will be held at the Arena Theatre in the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts on the USD Campus.

Audition Process 
  • The process begins at 1:00 p.m. with a welcome and Q and A. session where you and your parents meet department faculty and ask any questions about the program that you might have. 
  • Following the Q and A, prospective design majors will interview with design faculty and discuss career opportunities in technical theatre, while performance auditionees attend a physical warm-up and learn a short jazz combination. Please bring comfortable, non-binding clothing to wear for this part of the process. Bare feet, a soft soled shoe, jazz shoe, or ballet slipper will be fine for footwear. 
  • Following these sessions, performance auditionees will attend a vocal workshop, which will include a vocal warm-up in preparation for the audition while prospective design students attend a design workshop. The presentation of audition materials/design portfolio will follow. 
  • The process concludes with a tour of department facilities. If a production is in performance, you and your family are invited to be our guests for the evening performance.
Requirements

To audition for talent scholarships and for admittance to the Musical Theatre Specialization:

  • Prepare 16 bars from two different songs (1 ballad, 1 up-tempo) for a total of 32 bars. Songs from Broadway musicals are preferred. Bring your sheet music; an accompanist will be provided.   
  • Prepare either a dramatic or comedic contemporary monologue approximately one and one-half minutes in length.

To audition for talent scholarships in the Acting Specialization:

  • Prepare either a dramatic or comedic monologue that is approximately one and one-half minutes in length. 
  • Actors will also participate in an interview and short improvisation.

To interview for talent scholarships in the Design & Technology Specialization:

  • Please bring a list of positions held in play production along with examples of your work (drawings, sketches, collages, production photos), materials connected to your experiences in theatre, art or crafts.  

Endowed Scholarships

Endowed Scholarships are awarded by theatre faculty to sophomore through senior Theatre majors. Students must maintain at least a 3.00 GPA in the major and at least a 2.50 overall GPA and be actively involved in the University Theatre season.

  Harvey J. & Alwayne B. Gunderson  awarded to an outstanding senior  
  Warren M. Lee University Theatre  awarded to students that display talent, contribution to theatre, academic achievement and financial need  
  Nelville A. Seeley Theatre  preference given to graduates of South Dakota high schools who have a demonstrated financial need  
  First Nighters  awarded to students involved in theatre productions during the year  
  Roger Miller Memorial   awarded to students studying in the area of Theatre who have displayed excellence and potential in theatrical productions  
  Strollers Memorial  awarded to students that demonstrate excellence in the performing arts, have high academic standards, good character, and financial need  
  University Theatre  awarded to students involved in theatre productions during the year  
  Robert & Karen Twitchell   awarded to students involved in theatre productions during the year  
  Louise Hansen  awarded to students involved in theatre productions during the year 


Hourly Student Technical Assistants

These are awarded by theatre faculty to sophomore through senior Theatre majors for technical work in University Theatre.

For more information on any of these opportunities, please Contact Us.