Dr. Jay Seller Colorado Thespians Scholarship
Offered by Colorado State Thespians
About This Scholarship
Colorado State Thespians, the state chapter of the International Thespian Society, awards the Dr. Jay Seller Scholarships to theatre students through the college audition process at its annual ThesCon convention. Three $2,000 scholarships are awarded - one each in acting, musical theatre, and technical theatre - plus $1,000 to the runner-up in each category. The audition application deadline is November 18 at midnight, and it is strict.
The smart part of this program's design: your college audition is your scholarship audition. Students register themselves through the state's student portal, upload audition materials (or a technical portfolio), pay the registration fee, and complete the application by the deadline. The same materials go in front of college recruiters at ThesCon and the scholarship judges - teachers who taught an applicant must recuse themselves from selection, and sponsors are not permitted to observe the auditions.
Winners must be present at the closing of the conference to accept, and the money is paid directly to the student's college or university after they confirm enrollment - no checks to students, and awards cannot be deferred. For a Colorado senior already auditioning for college theatre programs, this scholarship is effectively free money layered onto a process they are doing anyway.
Eligibility
- High school theatre student participating in Colorado State Thespians' ThesCon college audition process
- Registered through the students.cothespians.net portal (students must register themselves, not a parent or teacher)
- Planning to enroll in a college or university theatre program (awards are paid directly to the school and cannot be deferred)
- Must be present at the closing of the conference to accept the award
How To Apply
- Register yourself at students.cothespians.net and start the college audition application
- Prepare and upload your audition video (acting or musical theatre) or technical theatre portfolio, following the posted format rules
- Pay the required audition fee and submit your application by November 18 at midnight - a strict deadline
- Attend ThesCon, respond to college representatives who contact you, and be present at the closing ceremony where scholarship winners are announced
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are the Colorado Thespians scholarships?
Three $2,000 awards - one each for an acting student, a musical theatre student, and a technical theatre student - plus $1,000 for the runner-up in each category.
Is there a separate scholarship application?
No. Your ThesCon college audition also serves as your audition for the Dr. Jay Seller Scholarship, so one set of materials covers both college recruiting and the scholarship.
How is the scholarship paid?
Directly to your college or university after you confirm intent to enroll. No checks are issued to students, and the scholarship cannot be deferred.