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Theatre Scholarships

Discover scholarships available to students in the Department of Theatre and apply via the Niner Scholars Portal

See available Theatre scholarships

We offer several scholarships to incoming and continuing students based on artistic and academic merit as evaluated through auditions and portfolio reviews. All applicants can apply for Theatre scholarships through Niner Scholars. Students must submit application materials, including an essay and resume, and incoming students (both freshmen and transfers) will be interviewed in the spring. Students are welcome and encouraged to reapply each year.

Apply via Niner Scholars
New Student Scholarships

New students, both incoming freshmen and new transfer students, may apply for these scholarships. These scholarships are merit-based, with some consideration given to need, and include the following requirements:

  • Acceptance and enrollment at UNC Charlotte.
  • A declared major in Theatre.
  • A high school or transfer GPA of 3.2 or higher.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Completed scholarship application through Niner Scholars.
  • Audition or a portfolio review (depending on student’s area of interest) and an interview with department faculty.
Continuing Student Scholarships

Merit is defined as being a good citizen of the program, the college and the University, as well as ability within your area of exploration within the program. In addition, students must:

  • Maintain full-time enrollment in a Theatre major at UNC Charlotte.
  • Maintain a minimum overall and departmental GPA of 3.2.
  • Participate in a faculty interview to discuss the student’s growth over the past year and plans for the upcoming scholarship year.
Ira Yarmolenko Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded by faculty each year to a current/continuing Theatre major who embodies the spirit of our former student, Ira Yarmolenko – positive, energetic, and always with a need to see the best in the world.

Every scholarship recipient is expected to:

  • Maintain full-time enrollment as a Theatre major at UNC Charlotte.
  • Maintain an overall and departmental GPA of 3.2 or higher.
  • Have an active presence in the department, especially within a student’s area(s) of interest. This may include performance, design, dramaturgy, directing and production work.
  • Give a number of hours of service to help with department events and activities. (These may include such events as recruiting days, prospective student tours, guest artist residencies, etc.)
  • Attendance at the yearly Scholarship Dinner (typically the first week of May).

A meeting will be held at the beginning of each scholarship year or term to discuss opportunities for fulfilling this requirement. The scholarship coordinator will work with students to find projects and hours compatible with their schedules. Neglecting this duty may result in the student being ineligible for department scholarships in the future.

All awards are delivered in equal installments for two semesters (Fall and Spring of a single academic year), unless there are extenuating circumstances (such as a student graduating in December).

In addition to departmental scholarships, the University offers a comprehensive program of student financial aid – scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time employment – to assist students in meeting educational expenses. Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at (704) 687‑2461.

Two students on stage from the production, Gather Again

“These scholarships help to ease the financial burden of tuition and other expenses, allowing me to focus more on my studies and performance opportunities. They also motivate me to excel in my classes and contribute to the theatre department, knowing that my hard work is recognized and supported.“

Braden Kneeshaw
B.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Performance and an Undergraduate Certificate in Musical Theatre

Support Scholarships

Donor support provides invaluable scholarship opportunities to our students. Visit our giving site, or email Director of Development Leslie Antoniel at Leslie.Antoniel@charlotte.edu.

Support Theatre Scholarships

Scholarship Questions?

Please contact theatre professor David Fillmore at D.M.Fillmore@charlotte.edu to arrange an appointment time and discuss any questions about Theatre Department scholarships.

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