This snapshot is built from CollegeWhale’s own scholarship database and planning tools. It shows how many awards are available for Theatre majors, how much money is on the table, and what early-career pay and typical college costs can look like.
We currently have 112 Theatre scholarships available in our database. These awards may come from professional associations, nonprofit organizations, and private sponsors. We’re actively adding scholarships tied to Theatre. Check back often or use our main scholarship search to uncover more awards that fit your profile.
Across these listings, the total advertised award value comes to roughly $24,500. Many scholarships for this major list flexible or renewable award amounts. As we continue to add additional Theatre scholarships, this section will show an estimate of the total dollars currently available in our database.
Graduates with a Theatre degree commonly see early-career median pay around $50,000 per year, depending on location, employer type, and experience.
Theatre ROI Snapshot:
We estimate a typical 4-year net cost of college at about
$108,584.
First-year median earnings are roughly 46% of that total cost. At that pace, it would take about 2.2 years of early-career earnings to “earn back” your degree investment (before taxes and living costs).
The average cost of in-of-state college in the United States is $27,146 per student per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses. Out-of-state students pay $45,708 per year. Private, nonprofit university students pay $58,628. According to data provided by educationdata.org as of 8/2025. Our ROI calculation is based on in-state average tuition. Median pay statistics are provided by bls.gov
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The George Heller Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Actors’ Equity Foundation, supports aspiring theatre professionals who demonstrate artistic promise, dedication to the performing arts, and financial need. Named in honor of George Heller—an influential figure in Actors’ Equity Association—the scholarship
Award: Varies Deadline: April Est. Time: Med (~73 min)
The Broadway League Diversity Scholarship supports students from underrepresented backgrounds who are pursuing careers in the theatre industry—both onstage and behind the scenes. Administered by The Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway industry, this scholarship aims to
Award: Varies Deadline: May Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
The NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship, part of the NAACP Inspire Initiatives, provides financial support to outstanding students pursuing undergraduate degrees. This scholarship advances equity in educational opportunities and celebrates students pursuing careers in the visual and performing arts. All
Award: $2,000 Deadline: April Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The Arts for Life! Scholarship, established in 1999 by former First Lady Columba Bush, supports Florida high school seniors who excel in the visual and performing arts. Annually, 25 scholarships are awarded to students demonstrating excellence in creative writing, dance,
Award: $1,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Med (~65 min)
The Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial assistance to high school students who are passionate about the arts and wish to attend pre-college or summer intensive arts education programs. This scholarship honors the legacy of the
Award: $3,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Med (~38 min)
The AGL Over the Rainbow Scholarship, established in memory of Alex G. Luttrell, supports high school seniors pursuing higher education in the fine and performing arts. Applicants should demonstrate a passion for their craft and a commitment to their community.
Award: $1,000 Deadline: May Est. Time: Med (~65 min)
The Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship provides financial assistance to Asian American college students pursuing majors in the performing and visual arts, journalism, or mass communications. The scholarship aims to support students who have demonstrated leadership abilities through community service,
Award: $1,000 Deadline: March Est. Time: Low (~10 min)
The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships, administered by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), provide recognition, honor, and financial assistance to outstanding student performers pursuing further education in theater arts. The Irene Ryan Foundation awards sixteen regional and two
Award: $500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The Theatre and Dance Scholarships at Minnesota State University, Mankato, aim to support talented students in these artistic disciplines. These scholarships are available to students who are enrolled in theatre or dance majors or have made significant contributions to theatre
Award: $3,000 Deadline: February Est. Time: Med (~73 min)
The NAACP Society Awards Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to Black students and students of color through NAACP’s Inspire Initiatives. We offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Through the generosity of our donors,
Award: $1,000 Deadline: June Est. Time: Low (~10 min)
The Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship is open to all students attending two and four-year colleges, universities, and dance schools in the United States. Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship recipients must be residents of the United States, and a minimum award of
Award: $500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~10 min)
Created by Michael Jackson for UNCF students, The Michael Jackson Scholarship provides up to $5000 towards the costs of college to an incoming college student, current college student, or graduate college student. Since it's creation The Michael Jackson Scholarship has
Award: $5,000 Deadline: March Est. Time: Low (~20 min)This comprehensive collection of Theatre scholarships and grants for the 2026 - 2027 school years, curated from our regularly updated databases. To explore all available scholarship matches, visit our Scholarship Database and Grant Database, which both offer easy-to-use filters, current deadlines, and detailed eligibility information to help you discover the best Theatre scholarship opportunities.
Theatre majors bring stories to life through performance, production, and creative expression. To support students pursuing degrees in theatre, drama, or performing arts, many colleges, foundations, and arts organizations offer scholarships recognizing exceptional talent, academic achievement, and dedication to the craft. These awards help cover the cost of tuition, training, and performance-related expenses for aspiring actors, directors, and stage professionals.
Whether your passion is acting, playwriting, set design, or stage management, the following theatre scholarships can help you fund your education and take center stage in your artistic journey.
Yes, many scholarships and grants are available for students pursuing degrees in theatre, performing arts, or related fields. These scholarships are offered by universities, professional organizations, and arts foundations to support students interested in acting, directing, stage management, and production design.
The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship is awarded to college theatre students who excel in acting. Eligibility requirements include:
Scholarship awards range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the level of competition.
Yes, scholarships specifically for women in theatre include:
These scholarships aim to increase representation and opportunities for women in the performing arts.
The Donna Reed Performing Arts Scholarship supports high school seniors and college students pursuing theatre or other performing arts. Eligibility includes:
Awards typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 annually.
Yes, high school students can apply for scholarships such as:
These scholarships encourage young talent to pursue careers in theatre and the performing arts.
The TCG Scholarship supports students pursuing advanced degrees in theatre or related disciplines. Eligibility includes:
Awards range from $2,000 to $5,000, with additional funding for professional development opportunities.
Yes, scholarships for production and design include:
These scholarships support students focusing on behind-the-scenes roles in theatre.
The Actors’ Equity Association Scholarship provides funding for actors and stage managers pursuing theatre degrees. Eligibility includes:
Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 annually.
Yes, several corporations offer scholarships for theatre students. Examples include:
These scholarships often include mentorship and internship opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Many universities offer scholarships tailored to theatre students, such as:
Contact your university’s theatre department for additional opportunities.
To apply for theatre scholarships:
Applying to multiple scholarships increases your chances of receiving financial aid for your theatre education.
Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025. Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.
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