Each year the Indiana Thespians hosts a college audition process for students wishing to study theatre after high school. Junior and Senior Thespians may participate in the process. Each college or university theatre program that participates in the process awards a minimum of 2, $500 scholarships, for students to study at their school. Most schools award much more than that!

Annually, this program awards nearly $500,000 in scholarships to prospective students!

What colleges have attended?

Here is a list of colleges who have attended in recent years. Each is a link to their program’s homepage!

Albion College
Anderson University
Ashland University
Austin Peay State University
Ball State University
Butler University
Earlham College
Huntington University
Illinois State University
Indiana State University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University South Bend
Indiana University Southeast
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion University
Miami (OH) University
Millikin University
Ohio Northern University
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Purdue University West Lafayette
Studio School LA
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Findlay
University of Indianapolis
Valparaiso University
Vincennes University
Western Illinois University

How do I qualify to participate in the College Auditions?
  • You must be an inducted Junior or Senior Thespian
  • You must have a cumulative and current GPA of 2.5
  • You must be looking to study theatre in college
How do I prepare?
  • First, develop a portfolio of your work. Things to collect are videos of realized work (both actors and designers need this), as well as documentation of your process (designers).
  • Get your resume in order!
  • If you are doing a performance-based audition, you have 3 minutes to perform anything you want from plays or musicals to showcase your talent.
  • If you are doing and educational or technical portfolio, you should prepare a 3-4 minute presentation of your portfolio.  
  • If you are doing the college auditions, we also recommend bringing about 15 copies of your headshot and resume to State to distribute in the audition room or to other college reps at the booths (some colleges do not do the college auditions).
What further reading can I do?

Qualities of a Top-Notch College Audition Monologue

College Audition Monologues:  Where to Find Them

5 Myth of the Audition Room

So Tell Me About Yourself

How One Extra Minute Can Make Your Best Audition Ever

9 Tips to Make Auditors Cheer

7 Tips on How to Get Through Your Audition Day

Nail Your Audition:  6 Tips from Gary Kline

3 Ways to Impress Colleges and Nail Interviews as an Artist

I have more questions. Who do I contact?

Tom Mackey ([email protected]) and Peggy Matanic ([email protected]) College Audition Coordinators

To get apply, click the link below.  Note that this is the same application that is used for the Thespian Scholarship Program.  The deadline is January 5. 

If you are interested in being awarded scholarships from Indiana Thespians and the Educational Theatre Association, be sure to check out our Thespian Scholarship page! The great thing about our programs is one form can register you for both, and they are FREE!