Closing in 3 Days
$2,500
1 Award Winners
Application Open Date
1/1/2024
Application Deadline
4/1/2024
Eligible Grades
Graduate – Postgraduate

Leighton M. Ballew Directing Award

Funded by
Southeastern Theatre Conference
Closing in 3 Days
$2,500
1 Award Winners
Scholarship Open Date
1/1/2024
Scholarship Close Date
4/1/2024
Eligible Grades
Graduate – Postgraduate

The Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) is a national organization that seeks to connect theater practitioners with the necessary training and resources. One of the ways it achieves this is through its numerous scholarship programs.

The foundation’s Leighton M. Ballew Directing Award was established in 2015 to offset the cost of studying for students in graduate directing programs. The award grants one student a $2,500 scholarship to study at an accredited school in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia.

Candidates are expected to submit their resumes, three reference letters, letters of acceptance at an accredited program, and transcripts. The scholarship is open to students of all genders and ethnicities.

Scholarship Summary

The Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) is a national organization that seeks to connect theater practitioners with the necessary training and resources. One of the ways it achieves this is through its numerous scholarship programs.

The foundation’s Leighton M. Ballew Directing Award was established in 2015 to offset the cost of studying for students in graduate directing programs. The award grants one student a $2,500 scholarship to study at an accredited school in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia.

Candidates are expected to submit their resumes, three reference letters, letters of acceptance at an accredited program, and transcripts. The scholarship is open to students of all genders and ethnicities.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Eligible Grade: Graduate – Postgraduate
  • Maximum Age: Any
  • Required GPA: Any
  • Geographic Eligibility: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
  • Gender: Any
  • Race/Ethnicity: Any

Key Information of Leighton M. Ballew Directing Award

Study Details

Area of Study

  • Directing
  • Theater

Country of Study

United States

Specific Schools

Any

Application Requirements

Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.

  • Recommendation letters
  • Present Work Experiences
  • Grade transcript

Leighton M. Ballew Directing Award Timeline

January 1

Application Opening

SETC starts accepting applications from the beginning of the year.

April 1

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted in April.

April – June

Applications Reviewed Candidate Interviews

Applications are reviewed and candidates are interviewed from April until June.

June 30

Winner is announced

The scholarship winner is announced on the SETC website.

How to ace the Leighton M. Ballew Directing Award

1

Learn from past winners

Read what past winners have to say about the scholarship on the website. You can use their stories to gauge what it takes to be a Ballew Directing Scholar, and also reach out to them personally if you have any questions.

2

Get relevant work experience

If you don’t have any already, now is the time to get work experience in play directing or stage management. You could get a job at a local theater company, or even just volunteer to direct plays at your school, church, or wherever. Your résumé needs to reflect that you have pursued work in theater.

3

Choose your references wisely

Make sure you reach out to people who can endorse your potential as a graduate student in theater directing to write your reference letters. They should also be people who you can trust to deliver your letters on time.

4

Review your application

Make sure you finish your application on time, so you can have enough time to go through it before submitting. Avoid grammatical errors and ensure you have followed all instructions correctly.

How the Leighton M. Ballew Directing Award is Judged

After applications are received, they are thoroughly reviewed, and then the committee will carry out interviews to determine the winner. Candidates’ applications should reflect a true passion for theater and directing, academic excellence, work experience, and potential.

Why We Love the Leighton M. Ballew Directing Award

1

Winner attends the SETC Convention for free

Winners get the prime opportunity to network with industry professionals and participate in workshops at the annual SETC Convention. Not to mention, they get to enjoy spectacular performances.

2

Winner gets recognition on SETC website

The winner will be announced on the SETC website with their photo and bio — great publicity!

3

Winner gets free SETC membership

The winner will automatically get a free one-year membership to SETC. This gives ample time to immerse themselves in the community and forge powerful connections.

5 Facts About Leighton M. Ballew Directing Award

01.

The fund is not strictly for tuition

The scholarship fund can be used for whatever the winner decides once they are matriculated.

02.

It is named after the late Dr. Leighton M. Ballew

The eponym of the award served as Chair of the University of Georgia’s Drama Department for more than 40 years.

03.

Past scholars are successful industry professionals

Past Ballew Directing Scholars have all gone on to do exceptional work in the industry.

04.

There have been more female winners

Since the scholarship was established, there have been only two male winners, while there have been five female winners.

05.

SETC has other scholarship programs

SETC has numerous other scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students in theater studies.