Scholarships

For information on the UK Theatre & Dance scholarships offered for our students, click on the tabs at the bottom of the page. Once you have reviewed our offerings, please apply with one of our online application forms.

Amy Holbrook Mowbray Dance Scholarship

Annual scholarship is available to students admitted or enrolled in the College who are pursuing a degree in dance; have demonstrated potential in the field of dance and for academic success; and have unmet financial need. Recipients will be selected by application and audition process. Established in honor of Amy Holbrook Mowbray ('02) and her love for education, dance and the arts by her husband Adam A. Mowbray ('01). 

Submission deadline for application is attending one of the two BA Audition days, one in November and one in February.

Required Documents

• Attend an on-campus BA in Dance Audition (typically November and February)
• Resume: A one-page resume listing dance training and performance experience
• Entrance Essay: 500-word minimum writing sample choosing one of following prompts.
  • Identify and discuss your future dance goals.
  • Describe a dance work you would like to choreograph. This can be realistic or unrealistic. For example, a dance on the moon.
  • Discuss a person that has inspired you.
• Photograph: A printed recent photograph of yourself (professional or informal); headshot preferred.
• Recommended Audition Attire
  • Wear appropriate attire that will show clean lines: leotard and tights, unitard, or form-fitted pants. Ballet slippers for the ballet class, Jazz shoes for the jazz class, and bare feet for the modern dance portion. If you do not own jazz shoes, ballet slippers will suffice.

Wallace Briggs Scholarship

One-year $1,000 award is given to a deserving freshman at the end of the fall semester who shows commitment to the art and craft of theatre, is actively involved in the department, and has demonstrated creative and distinguished contributions to the department's production program. Mr. Briggs was the first chair of the Department and the Briggs Theatre was named for him in 1986.

Submission deadline: November 1

Required Attachments

• A complete resume of all theatre activities (on & off campus)
• A typed statement in support of your application
• A short statement outlining your financial need

John and Ruth Koch Scholarship

One-year $1,000 awards are given to 1-2 freshmen in the spring semester for demonstrated potential in acting. This scholarship recipient will be chosen by the Department of Theatre & Dance faculty. The Koch’s came to Lexington as Donovan Scholars and attended all the Guignol plays.

Submission deadline: April 2

Required Attachments

• A complete resume of all theatre activities
• A typed statement in support of your application

Charles Hayden Lampe Scholarship

This $500 scholarship is awarded to a sophomore who holds an overall GPA of 3.0, desires a professional theatre career, and demonstrates financial need. This award is made in memory of Sophomore Theatre student Charles Hayden Lampe.

Submission deadline: November 1

Required Attachments

• A complete resume of all theatre activities (on & off campus)
• A typed statement in support of your application

Lolo Robinson Scholarship

This $500 scholarship is available to juniors and seniors for their commitment above and beyond the call of duty to the production activities of UK Theatre. This award is given to students who demonstrate academic worth, character, and need. Mrs. Robinson, an actress, teacher, and business manager, was one of the first directors of the Guignol Theatre in the 1930’s.

Submission deadline: November 1

Required Attachments

• A complete resume of all theatre activities (on & off campus)
• A typed statement in support of your application
• A short statement outlining your financial need

Raymond A. Smith Scholarship

This $500 scholarship is awarded to junior and senior Theatre Majors who have been in residence at the university for a minimum of 1-year preceding the date of the award. Eligibility for this award shall be based on financial need, commitment to the art of theatre, and academic achievement. Ray was one of Lexington’s premiere patrons of the arts and taught in the Department from 1961-1989.

Submission deadline: November 1

Required Attachments

• A complete resume of all theatre activities (on & off campus)
• A typed statement in support of your application
• A short statement outlining your financial need

CFA Theatre & Dance Scholarship

CFA Theatre & Dance Scholarships are awarded to current students who qualify based on the guidelines laid out by the College of Fine Arts, and who have demonstrated a commitment to theatre and/or dance. The CFA Theatre & Dance Scholarships are available to full time declared majors OR minors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Full time status is defined as a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, and a cumulative minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year. Please read the detailed requirements below.

Submission deadline: April 2

Required Attachments

• A complete resume of theatre/dance activities (on & off campus)
• A typed statement in support of your application

Extended Details

• Must be a Department of Theatre and Dance full-time major or declared minor during the semester in which the scholarship is awarded and making satisfactory progress in major applied study
• Must be a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0*
• Cumulative minimum of twenty-four (24) credit hours over the academic year and be in compliance with all Department/CFA/University policies of conduct, including those found in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities”
• Participate in all unit activities as assigned
• Transfer students or currently enrolled UK students are eligible through the equivalent of their eighth semester of undergraduate study; semesters of prior college enrollment at UK and other institutions are considered in the total eight (8) semesters
• Summer term awards for majors and/or minors participating in on-campus College-related activities (e.g., Grand Night for Singing, Summer Band Camp, Theatre/Dance Intensive) will be capped at the cost of one 3-credit course based on residency status; coursework must support the requirements for the degree
• Scholarship awards will not exceed the cost of attendance, as defined on the "Tuition and Fees" page of the Student Financial Aid website.
• If the total monetary value of UK scholarships and any federal, state, or private need-based or non need-based awards for any student exceeds the cost of attendance, the Student Financial Aid Office will adjust the monetary value of the awards accordingly each year
• Students who drop a course may be liable for the expenses incurred. Scholarship money credited to the payment of dropped courses may be removed and the student may be billed for any costs incurred. Students who fail to complete and pass twenty-four (24) credit hours between the fall and spring semesters will lose the remainder of their scholarship.
• Scholarship awards will be limited to lump sums payable in the fall and spring only.
• You authorize the College of Fine Arts to release your name and scholarship award for use in newspaper releases and scholarship recognition programs. 

*Students receiving CFA Scholarships are granted one semester of scholarship probation. Scholarship funds will not be provided during the probationary semester. A scholarship recipient whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 at the May grade review will be placed on scholarship probation for the following term. A scholarship will be reinstated for a student on probation only if the student completes twelve (12) credit hours and earns a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher by the end of the probationary semester. There is no probationary semester for students who drop below full-time status.

Christopher Maier Memorial Scholarship - By Nomination

This award of up to $1,000 is made to one theatre major at the end of the spring semester based upon student and faculty nominations. The recipient should exhibit a passion for theatre, generosity of spirit, a caring attitude towards all, and a zest for life. This scholarship was established in Junior Theatre student Chris Maier’s memory by his family, fraternity and friends.

Submission deadline: April 2

Mary A. Stephenson Scholarship - By Faculty Nomination

This scholarship is available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who demonstrate talent and desire for a career in the area of costume design and technology.  Nominations can be made by Theatre & Dance faculty only. Stephenson was the costumer for the Department from 1968-1996.

Submission deadline: April 2