Florida Theatre Conference

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The Steve Bayless Musical Theatre Scholarship was established for a high school senior entering a university musical theatre program. In 2019, the FTC Board of Directors and Randy Bayless established The Steve Bayless Musical Theatre Scholarship in honor of Steve Bayless, The FTC Executive Director who passed away in June 2019. As a middle and high school music teacher for over 35 years, Steve touched the lives of thousands of students, sharing not just his appreciation for music and theatre but also the values of hard work, confidence, respect, diversity and caring for others. Steve served on the FTC Board for over 20 years, and as Executive Director from 2014 to 2019. The winning scholarship will be announced in March. 

Online Form
Recommendation Letters

ELIGIBILITY

APPLICANTS MUST: 

  • Register/Pay Scholarship Application fee by Oct 14th, 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)

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
  • A link to an unlisted YouTube or Vimeo page featuring the applicant’s performance. Details below. 

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

PERFORMANCE 

The applicant must perform two contrasting, memorized musical theatre songs. TWO MINUTES MAXIMUM. Applicants must show depth and range. 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 follow.

Helpful Tips for Scholarship Application Video Submissions

Accompaniment Requirements

  • 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, then watch and listen to the playback. 
  • Check carefully for the following:
    • Sound: ensure that the acoustics in the room are strong. Practice the songs 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.