Special Talent Scholarships - Theatre and Interpretation

Our Special Talent Scholarship program is part of our ongoing effort to identify and attract talented performers, designers, theatre technicians, and dancers.  Recipients receive an award of $500 in the initial semester, and upon meeting the renewal requirements, $500 in each subsequent semester to a maximum of $4000.

• Students applying for an acting/performance scholarship are asked to prepare a memorized audition consisting of two contrasting monologues. The entire audition (including introduction) should be no more than 3- minutes in length. A straight-backed chair will be provided for audition: no additional props pieces or costumes, please.

• Students applying for a design/technical scholarship will meet with our designers in an interview setting. These students will be asked to discuss their design/technical background and interests in the areas of scenery, costuming, and lighting. Students should bring a resume of design/technical theatre experience. A portfolio is not required; however, students who have a portfolio will be able to make a brief presentation to the interviewers.

The application for students who have not attended classes at CMU is available for download here: Special Talent Scholarship Application - Theatre, and the application for students that are already enrolled may be downloaded here: Special Talent Scholarship Application - Theatre (current CMU student).  Both are also available in our office at 333 Moore Hall.  Please direct any questions to Becky Getchell at: mozur1rl@cmich.edu.

Debate and Forensics

Renewal of Theatre Special Talent Scholarships

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Donor Scholarships

First Nighters Scholarship

First Nighters, the CMU Theatre support group, have endowed a scholarship for TAI majors and minors.  The First Nighters Scholarship is awarded each spring for use in the following academic year.  The amount of the award changes, but has been between $1,000 and $2,000 for the past 3 years.  TID Faculty and Staff will choose recipients with regard to their demonstrated overall contribution to the theatre program at CMU. (Note: requires a minimum of 15 completed credit hours of TAI coursework with a grade of "B" or above, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5)

For information about additional requirements and an application form, please contact Steven Berglund, Director of University Theatre, Moore Hall 134, 989-774-3961, bergl1s@cmich.edu. 

Lawrence E. Abbott Endowed Scholarship

Established in 2004 by Lawrence E. Abbott '55. The income from the endowment will support a renewable award for a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in the College of Communication and Fine Arts and majoring in speech. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need and maintain an overall GPA of 3.0.

For more information please contact the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts department at 989-774-3177.

Denny L. Bettisworth Theatre and Interpretation Award

Established in 2005 by Denny and Linda Bettisworth and friends, this scholarship is a renewable scholarship for a junior or returning senior who has demonstrated outstanding promise in theatre directing, as determined by the Chair of the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts.

For more information please contact the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts department at 989-774-3177.

Marie Donner and Fred R. Bush Scholarship

The Marie Donner and Fred R. Bush Scholarship Fund was established by Fred R. Bush, his family and friends. Professor Bush, former Director of the University Theatre, was a graduate of Central Michigan University and a member of the faculty for 33 years. Mrs. Bush was a faculty member in the Music Department. The earnings of the funds are to provide an annual scholarship for a student studying in the Fine Arts.

For more information please contact the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts department at 989-774-3177.

Eugene C. Chenoweth Debate Award

Established in 1980 by an estate gift of Eugene C. Chenoweth; income from which is to be used as an award for undergraduates who shall exhibit excellence in intercollegiate debate competition. The award is to be administered by the Director of Debate and Chairperson of the Communication Department.

For more information please contact Ed Hinck, Director of Forensics and Debate at 989-774-3177 or email hinck1e@cmich.edu.

Herbert L. and Lillian M. Curry Debate Award

Established in 1955 by Karen Heydenburg and Dennis Curry in memory of their parents, with preference for junior or senior COM majors with a 3.0 or better GPA and an emphasis in oratory/debate or speech education and participation in debate, oratory or other forensic activities.

For more information please contact Ed Hinck, Director of Forensics and Debate at 989-774-3177 or email hinck1e@cmich.edu.

Jean Mayhew Interdisciplinary Award in Language Arts

Professor Mayhew, member of the faculty from 1952 to 1981, established this scholarship to be awarded annually to a Language Arts major who is a Michigan resident. The recipient must be a junior or senior with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better. The CDA faculty chooses recipients each year.

For more information please contact the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts department at 989-774-3177.

The Wilbur Moore prize

Established in 1989 in memory of Wilbur E. Moore, founder of what are now known as the Summer Remedial Clinics and the university's first vice president for academic affairs, for a junior who is enrolled as a major in one of the three departments: Communication and Dramatic Arts, Communication Disorders and Broadcast and Cinematic Arts.

For more information please contact the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts department at 989-774-3177.

Gilbert Rau Oratory Award

Established in 1982 for three students chosen as the best speaker in the annual Gilbert Ray Oratory Contest.

For more information please contact the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts department at 989-774-3177.

Gavin J. Smith and Mary C. Mertz-Smith Endowed Scholarship in Technical Theatre

The Gavin J. Smith and Mary C. Mertz-Smith Endowed Scholarship in Technical
Theatre is named in honor of Gavin Smith, a CMU theatre alum and his wife, and is awarded to a student in good academic standing with an interest in technical theatre.

For more information please contact the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts department at 989-774-3177.

Irvine N. Smith Scholarship

Established in 1978 by Nancy Page Smith, family, and friends in memory of Irvine N. Smith, a member of the faculty for eight years and director of university theatre from 1974 through 1976, for a freshman, sophomore or junior student as an incentive award in acting and/or directing.

For more information please contact the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts department at 989-774-3177.

William E. Valle Design and Technical Theatre Award

Established in 2005 by William E. Valle and friends. Bill is a retired professor who taught scenery design, lighting design, and technical theatre at CMU for 35 years. Income from the renewable endowment will support an award for a student who participates and has an interest in the study of design or technical theatre, has demonstrated promise in the field of scenery design, lighting design or technical theatre and has a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.