Marian A. Smith Costume Scholarship Award
Southeastern Theatre Conference
The Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) is one of the largest associations of theatre professionals in the U.S. It connects people to opportunities and resources in theatre. It offers the Marian A. Smith Costume Scholarship in honor of the 26-year Executive Director who helped shape the SETC into what it is today.
The annual scholarship awards $1,500 to one graduate student pursuing studies in costume design or technology. It is open to students who have studied or will study at a university in the SETC region. The SETC region comprises the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Applicants should submit a personal statement detailing their plans and objectives for their graduate studies. They are also to attach detailed resumes, complete transcripts from all universities attended, and ten images of their complete works. They should also provide names, addresses, and contacts of 3 – 5 references.
Scholarship Summary
The Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) is one of the largest associations of theatre professionals in the U.S. It connects people to opportunities and resources in theatre. It offers the Marian A. Smith Costume Scholarship in honor of the 26-year Executive Director who helped shape the SETC into what it is today.
The annual scholarship awards $1,500 to one graduate student pursuing studies in costume design or technology. It is open to students who have studied or will study at a university in the SETC region. The SETC region comprises the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Applicants should submit a personal statement detailing their plans and objectives for their graduate studies. They are also to attach detailed resumes, complete transcripts from all universities attended, and ten images of their complete works. They should also provide names, addresses, and contacts of 3 – 5 references.
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligible Grade: Graduate
- 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 Marian A. Smith Costume Scholarship Award
Study Details
Area of Study
- Costume Design/Technology
- Theater
Country of Study
United States
Specific Schools
Any
Application Requirements
Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.
- Essay
- Present Work Experiences
- Grade transcript
- Portfolio
Marian A. Smith Costume Scholarship Award Timeline
January 1, 2023
Application Open Date
The application opens in January.
April 1, 2023
Submission Deadline
The deadline for submissions is 11:59 PM ET.
April–June 2023
Interviews
Applications will be evaluated and interviews conducted during this period.
July 2023
Winner Announcement
The winner will be announced.
How to ace the Marian A. Smith Costume Scholarship Award
Select recommenders carefully
Select recommenders who know you well and can speak to your abilities in detail. These can be college professors or direct supervisors in roles you’ve played. Ask them beforehand whether you can provide their details as part of your application. It is not polite to share peoples’ details without their consent.
Select your pieces carefully
The samples you upload will be the judges’ only view of your abilities. Pick the pieces that best show your strengths. Select pieces that show different design styles to showcase your versatility as an artist. When taking pictures of your samples, ensure that you have proper lighting. Poor lighting can make it difficult to see the true quality of your work.
Revamp your résumé
Your résumé is your chance to show your experience in costume design or technology. Include all projects you’ve been on and highlight the roles you played. Revamp your résumé and give it a fresh look. You could use digital tools like Canva – just make sure you don’t go overboard.
Write a winning essay
The personal statement is your chance to show your plans and goals for your studies. While those are the bare minimums, you should show off your uniqueness, personality, and passion for costume design/technology. Create an essay outline that defines the structure of your essay and use it to craft the first draft. Revise your draft severally for clarity, coherence, and correctness. Seek feedback from a few people and incorporate it into your essay.
How the Marian A. Smith Costume Scholarship Award is Judged
Applicants are judged based on the quality of their costume designs and experience. Significant experience in costume design technology and a driving passion are qualities that distinguish applicants. Recommendations help the judges get a holistic view of applicants and are critical to the judging process.
Why We Love the Marian A. Smith Costume Scholarship Award
Winner attends the SETC Convention
The winner gets a free ticket to the SETC Convention.
Winner gets a free one-year student membership
The winner receives a free SETC membership.
Past winners’ profiles are available
The profiles of former winners are available on the website.
5 Facts About SETC Convention
It was first held in 1950
The Convention has been held for over 70 years.
It has more than 5,000 attendees
Every year, more than 5,000 people attend the SETC Convention
It hosts over 300 workshops
With over 300 workshops, the convention serves as a great platform to learn and get updated on the world of theatre.
More than 90 schools attend
The Education Expo features more than 90 schools.
It hosts the Theatre Job Fair
The Job Fair serves as a platform to connect off-stage professionals to potential employers.