Scholarships

We want to help you achieve your goals and financial assistance may be available for qualified students.

CMTA is pleased to announce six scholarships that are now available through our department (criteria [PDF] — due by April 1):

Apply Now

  • Gail W. Compton Memorial Endowed Scholarship
  • Mark S. Gallup Memorial Endowed Scholarship
  • Worth H. Kramer Memorial Endowed Scholarship
  • Julia Catherine Niswender Endowed TWIN Scholarship
  • James Gordon “Doc” and Aniceta Eidymt Patterson Endowed Scholarship
  • Rev. Clarence Rivers Mentorship Award


NOTE: Theatre Arts offers separate endowed scholarships and CMTA Excellence Awards, scroll down for further information.
Please be certain to also visit the EMU Office of Financial Aid site.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships We have two types of assistantships in the School of Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts.

1. Graduate Teaching Assistantships in Communication

2. Graduate Staff Support in Theatre, Theatre for the Young, Interpretation/Performance Studies, and Forensics.

Before your application can be considered, please know that you must first be awarded admission to a program in the School of Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts. Please also note that there are two types of assistantships and both have separate applications which can be found on EMU’s Human Resources jobs page.

Postings and portals for applications open in mid-January and close on March 15th.

Communication Teaching Assistantships

GPA Requirements: 3.0 minimum; 3.5+ preferred

Competitive Graduate Teaching Assistantships in the Communication program offer Graduate Students the opportunity to teach sections of COMM 124: Foundations of Speech Communication. Most of these assistantships are 50% appointments and students are awarded 50% reduction in tuition costs and a stipend to assist with living expenses. Awardees may be offered the chance to teach a second course each semester for additional compensation when opportunities arise.

Assistantships are competitive and are based upon GPA, knowledge of the basic communication curriculum, experiences in/comfort with public speaking, and recommendations. Final applications must be submitted through Eastern Michigan University's Job Opportunities portal and qualified applicants will be asked to meet for a Zoom interview. Please search the job postings and locate the position for "Graduate Assistant (Teaching), Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts" to apply for this position.

The portal opens in early January and closes on March 15th. In the portal you will fill out an employment application profile and will be asked to add in a 250-word statement describing your qualifications and interest in the assistantship. In addition to applying in the portal, applicants must have two recommendation forms [PDF] filled out and submitted by recommenders via email to Dr. Nick Romerhausen by March 15th. Questions on these assistantships may be directed to Dr. Nick Romerhausen [email protected].

School of CMTA Graduate Staff Support Assistantships

GPA Requirements: 3.0 minimum; 3.5+ preferred

Competitive Graduate Staff Support Assistantships offer Graduate Students the opportunity to work in co-curricular support for a variety of activities in the School of Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts. Students may work in the capacity of helping with the Costume Shop, Scene Shop, the Theatre Tour, Interpretation/Performance Events, and/or as coaches in Forensics. Graduate Staff Support Assistantships in Theatre, Interpretation/Performance, and Forensics are competitive and are based upon your GPA, prior experience in working in a specialized area, and recommendations. Final applications must be submitted through Eastern Michigan University's Job Opportunities portal. Please search the job postings and locate the position for "Graduate Assistant (Staff), Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts" to apply for this position.

The portal opens in the first week of January and will close on March 15th. In the portal you will fill out an employment application profile and will be asked to add in a 250-word statement describing your qualifications and interest in the assistantship. In addition to applying in the portal, applicants must have two recommendation forms [PDF] filled out and submitted by recommenders via email to the matching GA coordinator below by March 15th.

Questions on these assistantships may be directed to one of the following coordinators based upon the area of specialization:

Theatre Scholarships and Excellence Awards

Current Students

Current EMU students can apply for theatre endowed scholarships and CMTA Excellence Awards by completing our online application, or by visiting 103 Judy Sturgis Hill Building and completing an application in person. Active participants in EMU Theatre will receive first priority in consideration for awards.

Incoming First-Year Students/Transfers

EMU Theatre holds bi-annual auditions for incoming students interested in applying for endowed scholarships and CMTA Excellence Awards. These auditions provide the opportunity to be considered for up to $3,000 per academic year.

Next Audition

Our next in person scholarship audition will be March 16, 2024 for Incoming First-Year and Transfer Students.  Please arrive by 4 p.m. to be checked in, auditions will begin at 4:30 p.m. See below for details. If you have any questions email Pam Cardell at [email protected]

What do I need to prepare?

  • Complete the online Audition Form. Completed forms are due Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
  • Performance auditionees should prepare two contrasting monologues (i.e. classical/modern or comic/serious) not exceeding 90 seconds each. Optional but strongly encouraged - Singing 16 bars/measures from a musical theatre selection. An accompanist will be provided, please bring sheet music in a 3-ring binder.
  • Technical presentations: Prepare a display of photos, drawings, renderings, models, costumes, etc. that demonstrate the auditionee’s skills in the technical, design, stage management, or publicity areas. A brief explanation of the items displayed will be part of the presentation.
  • A letter of reference from a theatre director, tech director, acting/singing coach, etc. is required and should be emailed to Pam Cardell at [email protected]
  • Audition/Presentation time should not exceed 3-4 minutes.