Theater & Dance Talent Scholarships

Students with a passion for the theater arts are invited to apply and audition for the Theater and Dance Talent Scholarship. These are four-year renewable scholarships that are awarded to new Whitman College students who demonstrate outstanding talent or potential in the theater arts. Areas to be considered include:

• Acting
• Dance
• Design
• Directing
• Dramaturgy
• Educational Outreach
• Playwriting
• Stage Managing
• Technical Theater
• Production or Theater Management
• Marketing for Theater & Dance

Whitman College acknowledges that not all incoming students have had equal access or opportunities to develop skills and experience in theater and dance prior to coming to Whitman. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and first-generation college students are strongly encouraged to apply.

What It Means to Be a Recipient

Applicants should demonstrate a strong commitment to making a contribution to the Theater and Dance department during their entire time at Whitman College.

Scholarship recipients must major or minor in Theater and Dance. They are also expected to be active contributors to the department by participating in one production in the Harper Joy Theatre during each semester they are enrolled at Whitman.

By the end of their sophomore year, recipients should have worked in at least two different areas of theatre and dance such as acting, design, dance, dramaturgy, playwriting, directing, stage management, technical theatre, production/ theater management, educational outreach or marketing.

During their junior and senior years, recipients will take on leadership roles, as well as mentor new students. Recipients will be reviewed at the end of each academic year by the department faculty to ensure they are meeting the terms and requirements of their scholarship.

How to Apply

You will gain access to the scholarship application and materials in the applicant portal after submitting your Whitman admission application. Apply to Whitman.

Please note: Students applying in the area of Playwriting must submit their materials at least two weeks in advance of their interview.

All applicants must upload additional materials in a .doc or .pdf format. A brief overview of the required attachments include:

• A resume of experience in theater, dance, or related skills
• Two letters of recommendation pertaining to your theater experience

An interview and audition may be required. For questions regarding the audition or interview process, please contact the Theater and Dance Department at 509-527-5279.

Deadlines

If you are applying Early Decision, your scholarship application is due five days after the application deadline. If you are applying for Regular Decision, you have until Jan. 22, 2026, to get your scholarship application in.

• Early Decision I Talent Scholarship Application Deadline: Nov. 20, 2025
• Early Decision II Talent Scholarship Application Deadline: Jan. 15, 2026
• Regular Decision Talent Scholarship Application Deadline: Jan. 22, 2026

Transfer students interested in applying to the scholarship should reach out to Whitman’s Talent Scholarship Coordinator prior to their admission deadline.

Please refer to the Merit and Talent Scholarships webpage for more information. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Talent Scholarship Coordinator at talent@whitman.edu.