Florida Theatre Conference

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In 2020, the FTC board, along with family and friends, established the Donna White Scholarship for Theatrical Studies to assist students interested in studying theatre in higher education. This scholarship is open to students interested in studying acting, directing, stage management, costume, lighting, or scenic design, technical production or playwriting. Donna White was an energetic and talented educator who for decades shared her wide interest in theatrical studies with FTC and  Pinellas County students. We are honored to present this $2,000 scholarship in her name to a talented and creative Florida student who aligns with Donna’s vision for strong, committed theatre artistry.  The winning scholarship is announced in March. 

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Recommendation Letters

ELIGIBILITY

APPLICANTS MUST: 

  • Register/Pay Scholarship Application fee by Oct14th, 2023, Submit all Materials by Feb 28th, 2024
  • Be a current Florida Theatre Conference member
  • Be a current high school senior in the State of Florida  
  • Plan to attend an accredited theatre program anywhere in the United States (proof of enrollment will be required if selected for the scholarship)
  • Submit a link to an unlisted YouTube or Vimeo video submission with virtual examples of the applicant’s artistry and craft. Details below. 
  • Hold a base cumulative GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
  • Submit only one application for ONE field of interest

REQUIREMENTS 

  • Complete an online application
  • Provide a headshot and a professional-quality resume
  • Two letters of recommendation from a theatre or music teacher, principal or a theatre director endorsing the candidate’s qualifications, talent, and potential for academic and artistic success as a theatre major. The recommendation form may be found here.
  • $25 Application fee

After all required materials are received by FTC, the applicant will receive a confirmation email.

ACTING

The applicant must perform two contrasting, memorized theatre pieces, either monologues, musical theatre songs, or a combination thereof. TWO MINUTES MAXIMUM. Applicants must show depth and range. When uploading the unlisted video, please include the applicant’s full name and school in the video description. Do not slate prior to or after the audition. Additional suggestions for recording an audition are below. 

DIRECTING

Directing is the art of leading a team of designers and actors through the creative process. To prepare for the director’s “audition,” please create a director’s vision statement for The Giver by Eric Coble. Adapted from the book by Lois Lowry. The director’s vision should be no longer than two typed pages, single-spaced, in 11-point font. It should include the applicant’s conceptual vision for the play, and should include a clear understanding of the dramatic action, setting, time, characters and core themes. The applicant should quickly and succinctly share their vision for the scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound. Also include casting ideas, if time permits. 

The applicant must then create a video verbally outlining and explaining their vision for The Giver. FIVE MINUTES IN LENGTH MAXIMUM. Please prepare this video as if a director were “pitching” or explaining their director’s vision to a producer. When uploading the video, please include the applicant’s full name and school in the video description. Do not slate prior to or after the audition. Additional suggestions for recording an audition are below. 

The script may be purchased here: https://www.dramaticpublishing.com/the-giver 

Design, Technical Theatre, Playwriting and Stage Management applicants will require digital samples of the applicant’s work. 

DESIGN

Scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers must be strong collaborators, and are responsible for creating the visual world of the play. To prepare for the designer’s “audition,” please provide:

  • No less than five, but no greater than ten digital examples from the applicant’s design portfolio
  • The examples may be either from a production the applicant has designed or from a yet unproduced production. 
  • Computer-assisted designs are accepted
  • All digital designs and materials should be uploaded in PDF or JPEG files
  • Scenic and costume designers should provide digital color renderings and photographs of any supporting material, such as fabric swatches, construction materials, or photo research supporting the applicant’s designs
  • Lighting designers should  provide design concepts, light plots, lighting paperwork or sketches, photographs or photo research that supports the applicant’s work
  • Sound designers may provide digital examples of sound cues, original compositions, or sound effects that the applicant personally created, as well as any notes, cue sheets, or paperwork created to support the production or performance.

The applicant must then create a video and verbally outline and explain their design vision for the production. FIVE MINUTES IN LENGTH MAXIMUM. The applicant may present and discuss examples of their work, and should include justification for the design as it relates to the dramatic action and major themes of the play. Include a verbal discussion about specific moments in the play or musical’s libretto that supports the applicant’s design choices. When uploading the video, please include the applicant’s full name and school in the video description. Do not slate prior to or after the audition. Additional suggestions for recording an audition are below. 

Theatre Technology

Scenic and properties construction, drafting, rigging, projection design, costume construction, hair/wig design and construction, makeup design, lighting technology and audio technology are all examples of eligible theatre technology fields. Technicians must be strong collaborators and are responsible for creating the onstage visual elements that support the story. To prepare for the technician’s “audition,” please provide:

  • No less than five, but no greater than ten digital examples from the applicant’s portfolio
  • Digital designs and materials uploaded as PDF or JPEG files
  • Examples that may include technical drawings, draftings, and/or photographs of the completed pieces or designs for future projects  
  • Photos of visual or historical research to support their completed work, if applicable
  • Computer-assisted visuals, if applicable
  • Examples may be either from a production the applicant has designed or from a yet unproduced production. 

The applicant must then create a video to verbally outline and explain their technical creations. FIVE MINUTES IN LENGTH MAXIMUM. The applicant may present physical examples of their work and any supporting research to create their work, and explain how their examples were or are used in the production. When uploading the video, please include the applicant’s full name and school in the video description. Do not slate prior to or after the audition. Additional suggestions for recording an audition are below. 

Playwriting 

Playwrights are the foundation for theatre, and their work is central for our art form. Applicants must submit an original play or musical with dialogue and at least two characters. The play should be no shorter than ten pages and no longer than thirty pages in the standard playwriting format: Formatting Guidelines

The applicant must then create a video to verbally discuss and describe their play. THREE MINUTES MAXIMUM. The applicant should approach the video as if they were “pitching” or explaining their play to a producer. The applicant should discuss why they wrote this particular story, and why they feel the play is important for an audience, their community or the world.The playwright should explain the main conflict of the play, and who is the protagonist and antagonist, and why. The applicant should refrain from reviewing the plot as the adjudicators will have read the play. When uploading the video, please include the applicant’s full name and school in the video description. Do not slate prior to or after the audition. Additional suggestions for recording an audition are below. 

Stage Management

Stage managers are strong leaders with impeccable communication and organizational skills.  To prepare for the stage manager’s “audition,” please provide:

  • Ten to twenty pages of stage management paperwork in PDF. All paperwork should be organized, clean and clearly defined
  • Blocking noted on several pages of script, cueing sheets noting light, sound, props and/or deck shift cues, if applicable, rehearsal and production schedules, rehearsal and performance reports, scenic breakdowns, and contact sheets (with personal information blurred or generically altered (555-555-5555; student@email.com, etc.)

The applicant must then create a video verbally outlining and explaining their work as a stage manager on one production only. THREE MINUTES IN LENGTH MAXIMUM. Please address organizational and communication skills, and discuss the paperwork materials submitted and how they supported the production. When uploading the video, please include the applicant’s full name and school in the video description. Do not slate prior to or after the audition. Additional suggestions for recording an audition are below. 

Helpful Tips for Scholarship Application Video Submissions

Accompaniment Requirements for Acting Auditions 

  • Accompaniment is limited to one live piano or a pre-recorded format without any background vocals. 
  • Please do not include the accompanist in the frame while recording the song. 
  • Do not perform songs a capella. A capella auditions are automatically disqualified.
  • Ensure that the sound level of the accompaniment or pre-recorded track is balanced to the sound of the applicant’s voice. 

Guidelines for Recording The Scholarship Audition 

  • If using a smartphone or tablet, set the camera to horizontal (landscape) and place the phone on airplane mode or do not disturb
  • Use a fixed point of view for the camera with the applicant being the main focus. Shoot straight on, leaving the camera in one location. Do not pan or move the camera. Use a tripod, if possible.
  • Actors should not focus directly into the camera, but keep a viewpoint just to the left or right of the camera (or both, if speaking to multiple people). All other applicants may speak directly into the camera
  • Please record the audition in front of an interior, non-distracting background. A plain wall is ideal
  • Edit, if necessary, to give the audition a strong, professional-level appearance
  • Upload the file to an unlisted YouTube or Vimeo Channel. The applicant will copy and paste a link to the video on the scholarship application form.
  • Any forms without the audition link will not be considered and the scholarship audition disqualified.

Recording tips

  • Before recording the audition, film a test. 
  • Perform the first few lines of the audition or speech, then watch and listen to the playback. 
  • Check carefully for the following:
    • Sound: ensure that the acoustics in the room are strong. Practice the piece in the space. If there is an echo in playback, adjust the recording volume or choose someplace else to record. Utilize only the microphone on the camera, a Lavalier or boom mic, but do NOT use or hold a handheld microphone. 
    • Lighting: ensure that the space is well-lit, but not too bright. Your face should appear clearly and with no shadows. Too little light and they can’t see you. Too much light will leave you overexposed and adjudicators won’t see facial expressions or display materials. Light should be focused in FRONT of you. A light or window behind you severely diminishes the light on your face. Also, white halogen light works much better than the yellowish incandescent light. 
    • Framing: The camera should be set horizontally and at a distance to frame your face and body clearly. If the applicant is showing physical examples of their work, ensure that they are in the frame or just outside of frame when referring to them  
    • Clothing: Wear clothing that is simple, comfortable and tasteful. Note: your clothing should never be more interesting than your audition. For example, stripes, patterns, or large advertisements are very distracting. Wear something that has a gentle contrast to the backdrop and will help them see you clearly. If you are recording against a black backdrop, don’t wear black. Refrain from wearing large jewelry. No costumes or stage makeup should be worn. Please wear only one outfit. 
    • Background: Perform in front of a fairly plain, nondescript background. Walls should not be too bright or have wildly patterned wallpaper. There should be nothing moving behind you or in the frame (clocks, toys, animals, people, etc.). Also, tidy up the room. Don’t allow anything to take focus from you and your talent.