Educational Theatre Association Scholarships

The Educational Theatre Association offers a variety of options to recognize student achievement through its scholarship opportunities.

Attendance at the International Thespian Festival is not required for the following scholarships:

1) The EdTA Board of Directors Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship created with donations by, and in honor of, past and current members of the EdTA Board of Directors. One applicant will receive a one-time scholarship to be applied to tuition and fees associated with full-time enrollment at an accredited college or university. This award is intended for undergraduate students currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university who are upcoming sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Upcoming freshman and graduating seniors are not eligible. Applicants must be Alumni of the International Thespian Society and pursuing a career in theatre education. 

2) The Mark Drum Scholarship is a new scholarship created with donations from and in honor of ETF Trustee and Thespian Alumni Mark Drum. This is a $1,250 one-time scholarship that seeks to support applicants from groups traditionally underrepresented in the theatre industry. Applicants should be Asian or Pacific Islanders who are inducted members of the International Thespian Society who are graduating seniors, or Thespian Alumni who are pursuing undergraduate studies at an accredited college or university. 

3) The Future Theatre Educator Scholarship is a new scholarship created by Nebraska and Indiana Chapter leadership. One applicant will receive a one-time scholarship to be applied to tuition and fees associated with full-time enrollment at an accredited college or university. This award is intended for upcoming freshman and graduating high school seniors. Applicants must be members of the International Thespian Society and pursuing a career in theatre education. 

4) The Dr. Kenny D. Hasija Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that seeks to support applicants from groups traditionally underrepresented in the theatre industry, such as those who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Applicants should be inducted members of the International Thespian Society (Thespians) who are graduating seniors or Thespian alumni who are pursuing undergraduate studies at an accredited college or university, and who plan on a career in any area of the theater, from performing to producing.

5) The Christopher L. Hunt Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship created with donations in honor of the late Chris Hunt, Director of Marketing at EdTA. This scholarship is intended for inducted Thespians who plan to use skills learned through theatre in a career focused on business or marketing. 

6) The Gai Laing Jones Theatre Education Scholarship was created by past EdTA Board President and theatre educator, Gai Laing Jones. Two applicants will receive a $2,000 scholarship to be applied to tuition and fees associated with full-time enrollment at an accredited college or university. This award is intended for undergraduate students currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university who are upcoming juniors, or seniors. Applicants must be Alumni of the International Thespian Society and pursuing a career in theatre education. 

7) The Michael J. Peitz Leadership Scholarship is a $1,500 scholarship awarded to an inducted Thespian of the International Thespian Society, the student honorary organization of the Educational Theatre Association, who successfully demonstrates leadership abilities. 

8) The EdTA Presidents' Leadership Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship created with donations from and in honor of past and current EdTA board presidents. This scholarship is intended for inducted Thespians who successfully demonstrate leadership abilities.