Scholarships
The School of Communication, Media & Theatre Arts has several endowed scholarships that are available each year. Applications are due by April 30th for the coming academic year, or until all scholarships have been distributed to a recipient who meets the requirements.
- Clarence Rivers Mentorship Endowed Scholarship
- Gail W. Compton Memorial Endowed Scholarship
- James Gordon “Doc” and Aniceta Eidymt Patterson Endowed Scholarship
- Julia Catherine Niswender Endowed TWIN Scholarship
- Mark S. Gallup Memorial Endowed Scholarship
- Luempert-Coy Family Endowed Scholarship
- Worth H. Kramer Memorial Endowed Scholarship
NOTE: Theatre Arts and the EMU Forensics Team offer additional endowed scholarships and CMTA Excellence Awards, scroll down for further information.
Please be certain to also visit the EMU Office of Financial Aid site.
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. Active participants in EMU Theatre 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 December 6, 2025 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 Monday, November 17, 2025.
- 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.
- Those auditioning for BOTH a scholarship AND the Musical Theatre program should follow the requirements for the Musical Theatre program:
- 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 5 minutes.
Forensics Scholarships and Excellence Awards
Students with prior speech and debate experience can apply for scholarships and audition to compete on the team. Successful applicants will demonstrate both academic merit and competitive success. All materials must be received before July 1st, 2025. Please contact Bill Heinze at [email protected] with any questions or for more information.
How to apply
To audition for the team, please send the following materials to [email protected]. The subject line should state "FIRST_NAME LAST_NAME Forensics Audition" and include:
1. Video of a recent performance.
2. Letter of recommendation from a coach.
3. Unofficial transcript.
4. "Forensics resume" that highlights events, major awards, and any coaching. Not to exceed one page.
5. 2-page personal statement that answers the following questions:
a. Why are you interested in EMU?
b. What do you enjoy about the activity?
c. What interests do you hold outside of the activity?