The American Theatre Wing is now accepting applications for its 6th year of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative University Scholarships – established for high school seniors from populations historically underrepresented in the theater industry. Students can apply to study any aspect of theater from stage management to arts administration, design to performance, etc. The deadline for all submissions is Monday, February 28, 2022.
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The Wing is dedicated to uplifting scholars through every step of their journey as theatermakers. In addition to the $40,000 scholarship, recipients are given exclusive opportunities such as mentorships with key industry players, participation in free master classes, panels for career-advancement, and much more.
What We’re Looking For
Applicants from populations historically underrepresented in the theatre industry who demonstrate exceptional talent and economic need but have a lack of financial resources to attend college. We are also especially applicants interested in students pursuing behind the scenes disciplines such as stage management, lighting design, scenic design, costume design, props, arts administration, to name a few, in addition to playwrighting or performance.
Applying is Easy
The first part of this application doesn’t require any external materials like a transcript or reference letter, which means you can fill out the entire first part completely on your own. In addition to basic information, submissions require the following:
- Introduction Video
- Personal Narrative
- Work Samples
- Statement of Need
About the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative’s University Scholarships
The Andrew Lloyd Webber initiative provides students at all levels with enhanced theater education to initiate meaningful relationships with theater in childhood and open doors for pursuing theater as children become young adults. By fostering lifelong engagement with theater through educational avenues, we provide diverse young people across the nation newfound access to industry success.
The initiative is how we rebuild the established path to working in the theater industry. We reach students across the nation at an early age to make theater transcend background, creating access to industry opportunities for all who seek them.
The initiative provides classroom grants to create or enhance theater programs in our nation’s under-resourced schools. Scholarships for afterschool and summer training programs, and tuition support for students pursuing theater in higher education, provide support on the individual level to students determined to make a career in theater.
The initiative expands The Wing’s legacy commitment to education and diversity. We expose diverse people and places to theater, using performing arts education to give every student the opportunity to play a role in the American theater.
Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation funds the initiative with an influential 1.3 million dollar three-year grant. The project is an extension of the work Webber, a multi-Tony Award winning composer-producer, is doing to promote and fund arts education through the foundation in the UK.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative encompasses three components to bring students everywhere theatre education at every level:
- Classroom Resources: Providing grant funding directly to under-resourced public schools to provide instruments, dance floors, lighting grids, and other necessary materials to create new, and enhance existing, in-school theatre programs.
- Training Scholarships: Funding goes towards covering the costs associated with sending select students to afterschool and summer training programs.
- 4-Year University Scholarships: Financial support is provided to select students pursuing theatre studies at the University level.
Further information from the American Theatre Wing: https://americantheatrewing.org/program/the-andrew-lloyd-webber-initiative/
