Robert Porterfield 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 Denise Halbach Performance Scholarship in honor of the founder of The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, and the first lifetime member of the SETC.
The annual scholarship awards $2,000 to one graduate student pursuing studies in theatre. 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 and a complete transcript from all universities attended. Three recommendation letters are required and should speak to the applicants’ potential as graduate students.
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 Denise Halbach Performance Scholarship in honor of the founder of The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, and the first lifetime member of the SETC.
The annual scholarship awards $2,000 to one graduate student pursuing studies in theatre. 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 and a complete transcript from all universities attended. Three recommendation letters are required and should speak to the applicants’ potential as graduate students.
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 Robert Porterfield Scholarship Award
Study Details
Area of Study
- Arts
- 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
- Recommendation letters
- Grade transcript
Robert Porterfield Scholarship Award Timeline
January 1, 2025
Application Open Date
The application opens in January.
April 1, 2025
Submission Deadline
The deadline for submissions is 11:59 PM ET.
April–June 2025
Interviews
Applications will be evaluated and interviews conducted during this period.
July 2025
Winner Announcement
The winner will be announced.
How to ace the Robert Porterfield 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. Ensure that you inquire about their availability and inform them early to ensure they have ample time to write and review the recommendation letters.
Collect your transcript early
You will need to submit official transcripts. Pick them from your school if you don’t have them ready yet. If you went to multiple institutions, make sure you have a transcript from each. Scan them and save them in PDF format ready for upload whenever you need to submit your application. Ensure that the scans are clear.
Revamp your résumé
Your resume is your chance to show your experience in the performing arts. Include all projects you’ve been on and highlight the roles you played. You could also add a Drive link to a portfolio of your work. Revamp your résumé and give it a fresh look. You could include the contacts of the recommenders in your résumé.
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 theatre. 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 Robert Porterfield Scholarship Award is Judged
Applicants are judged based on their academic performance and experience. Significant experience in theatre 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 Robert Porterfield 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
It offers five other scholarships
SETC offers five other scholarships to students in theater-related studies.
It has a design competition for students
Undergraduate and graduate students display their designs at the SETC Convention and receive feedback from distinguished professional designers.
They have a quarterly magazine
The ‘Southern Theatre Magazine’ offers tips and insights to get you up to date with the latest trends and developments in the theatre industry. It is free to download on the SETC website.
It has more than 4,400 individual members
More than 4,400 professionals and students are members of the SETC and make up the vibrant community.
It has 347 institutional members
347 theatres, art-related companies, and educational institutions are members of the SETC and offer many opportunities to members of SETC.