The HSU Theatre and Dance program awards a variety of Performance Scholarships for students majoring in theatre. Scholarships are awarded to students who have the potential to contribute leadership to our production program by filling positions as actors, technicians, and production assistants.
- Scholarships are awarded to theatre majors who meet continued academic qualifications.
- Awards are renewable each semester provided that the recipient continues to meet all eligibility requirements, including a GPA of at least 2.5 overall.
- Eligibility for an award will depend upon the applicant's learned skills, demonstrated execution, maturity as a person and artist and potential in the chosen field as determined by the faculty.
For complete Performance Scholarship Guidelines and Requirements, click here.
Application Requirements
- Email to the Director of Theatre at klingel@hsu.edu by February 15 for consideration for the fall semester and by October 15 for the spring semester.
- Include a resume and at least two letters of recommendation.
- Once your application and accompanying materials have been received, the Director of Theatre will contact you to schedule an audition/interview.
Application forms for these auditions may be obtained here.
Auditions and Interviews
Scholarship applicants should audition/have a portfolio review on the Henderson State University campus. We strongly prefer that students who are seriously interested in our university come audition/interview on our campus.Henderson State also participates in the Arkansas Thespians auditions and the Arkansas Audition Day.
- Acting applicants should prepare one comedic and one dramatic monologue from plays, no more than 1 minute each. One piece should be contemporary (20th or 21st century) and the other classical (before 1900, Shakespeare, verse).
- Design and production students should e-mail the Director of Theatre for details relating to portfolio submission, such as a design portfolio, artwork, or other similar materials.
- Design and technical students are not required to present a monologue, but may do so if they wish. A brief interview will follow all auditions and portfolio reviews.
- For further information, contact the Director of Theatre at klingel@hsu.edu or call 870.230.5037.
Selection Process
The Theatre faculty will determine scholarship recipients based on the applications, accompanying materials, and the audition/interview, and potential for contribution in the HSU Theatre Program and the applicant’s chosen area of interest. The Director of Theatre will contact the applicants with award/rejection letters and scholarship agreements.
Recipient Expectations
Award recipients are expected to contribute and participate in programmatic activities in the semester they receive the scholarship in a number of ways, including acting in productions or serving on production crews. Students must also:
- Register for a minimum of 15 hours of coursework during the semester of the award
- Complete a minimum of 15 hours of coursework per semester
- Earn a minimum 2.5 GPA the semester prior to the award and maintain an overall minimum GPA of 2.5
- Register for THA 1241 or 3241, Theatre Practicum
- Become/remain an active member of Masquers
- Declare and remain a theatre major
Work Study
Work study positions are available in scenery, lights, costumes, props, and theatre management. Students interested in these positions should contact the Director of Theatre to apply.