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Scholarships & Grants

Departmental Awards

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Each academic year, Theater Studies, Theater Emory, and other Emory organizations offer several awards and nominations to exceptional theater students. These awards are announced at our annual Theater Awards Banquet.

 

The Alice N. Benston Award in Theater Studies

Awarded annually by departmental faculty to one graduating senior or recent graduate who has shown exceptional dedication, promise, and intellectual rigor, to encourage his or her continuing education in theater. The prize is accompanied by a cash award.

Awarded by faculty nomination.

Recent Winners: Hailey Sipes (2024), Willa Barnett (2023), Abrianna Belvedere (2022), Ramona Li (2021)

The Fine Award

Bestowed annually by vote of the Theater Studies faculty on a junior or senior Theater Studies major or minor who has shown outstanding ability in acting. Theater majors and minors vote to acknowledge the faculty member who has done the most to influence the development of his or her students. Established in 2002 by Saralee G. Fine (85G) and Robert A. Fine. The prize is accompanied by a cash award.

Awarded by faculty nomination.

Recent Student Winners: Ashley Alves (2024), J'Dyn Plater (2023), Edith Kwon (2022)

Recent Faculty Winners: Megan Tabaque (2023), Michael Evenden (2022), Caitlin Hargraves (2021)

The Friends of Theater at Emory Award

Recipients are selected by the Theater Studies faculty with input from the Board of the Friends of Theater at Emory. Two to three awards, endowed through the Theater Endowment Fund, may be given each year:

  • to one or two graduating seniors in recognition of outstanding artistic achievement, leadership, and valuable contribution through a body of work to Theater Emory. Student winners receive a cash award.
  • to a professional guest artist with a demonstrated record of mentoring students, artistic achievement, and valuable collaboration through a body of work to Theater Emory.

Awarded by faculty nomination.

Recent Student Winners: Emory MacLaughlin (2024), Ash Aiken (2024), Amanda Przygonska (2023), Paris Bates (2023)

Recent Professional Guest Artist Winners: Meredith Payne (2024), Genesis Perez (2023)

The Friends of Theater at Emory Summer Grants

The Friends of Theater at Emory (FOTE) Summer Grants subsidize tuition costs and/or living expenses of students involved in unpaid or under-paid summer theater internships or summer theater study opportunities. The FOTE Summer Grant specifically awards each recipient up to $1,500 to subsidize either unpaid or under-paid theater internships or theater study programs. 

Students are strongly encouraged to apply early.

Applications are due April 14, 2025. Please click here to access the application and eligibility criterias.

The Martin Foundation

The Martin Foundation, a charitable corporation, founded to support research and education. This contribution is to be used toward undergraduate research in the making and studying of theater at Emory University. Additionally, these funds can be used for students to attend conferences or for faculty to bringing in guest artists and scholars.

Faculty and Students can apply for funding in these areas:

  • Undergraduate Research
  • Conferences and Travel
  • Faculty: help contribute to bringing in guest artists or scholars

The Martin Foundation Achievement Award

The Martin Foundation Achievement Award is presented annually to a student who has made selfless and generous contributions of time, talent, and enthusiasm to the Theater Studies Program and Theater Emory. This award includes a cash prize and honors a student whose dedication has significantly enriched the theater community. The Martin Foundation Achievement Award celebrates outstanding contributions and is intended to further the recipient’s education, research, and creative endeavors in theater.

The award will be voted by faculty and staff. Sara Culpepper will be giving the award at the end of the year.

Please click here for expanded details and the application process.

Deadline: September 1, 2025

The Sudler Prize

The Sudler Prize for Achievement in the Arts is awarded annually to two graduating seniors (one in fine arts and one in performing arts) for outstanding achievement in studio art, creative writing, dance, music, or theater. The recipient need not be an arts major but should demonstrate the highest degree of artistic excellence. The prize was established at Emory in 1983 by Mr. Louis Sudler, a Chicago businessman, musician, and philanthropist, who endowed the same prize at 14 other universities and colleges, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Chicago, Stanford, Oberlin, and Dartmouth. The prize is accompanied by a cash award of about $6000.

Awarded by faculty nomination.

Recent Winner: Ruth Puryear (2021)

Recent Nominee: Dylan Malloy (2024-2025), Ashley Alves (2023-2024), Willa Barnett (2022-2023)

The Stipe Society of Creative Scholars

The John H. Gordon Stipe Society was founded to foster creativity and original scholarship among Emory College students. The Stipe Society is comprised of six appointed scholars each year, one from each area of the creative and performing arts. Stipe Fellows receive a $4,000 academic tuition scholarship.

Awarded by faculty nomination.

Recent Recipients: Maxwell Gui (2025-2026), Makalee Cooper (2024-2025), Ammar al Haq (2023-2024)

The Emory Woman's Club Arts Scholarship

Awarded annually (in sequential rotation) by decision of the faculty of the various Emory College arts departments/programs. The recipient is an arts discipline major in her or his junior or senior year with demonstrated need, merit, and commitment to their major program. Funded by the endowment from a 1998 gift of the Emory University Woman's Club and intended for such purposes as international study abroad or other enrichments not otherwise available to the recipient. The award is approximately $1,800.

Awarded by faculty nomination.

Recent Winners: Makalee Cooper (2024), Yipei Shao (2016), Emily Kleypas (2012)

Additional Scholarships

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While scholarships and awards recognize achievement, they are also vehicles for continued professional and personal growth. Theater Studies strongly supports its majors pursuing internal and external scholarships that will facilitate the kind of training and connection they require for their professional future.
 
Theater Studies majors interested in pursuing internal or external awards are strongly encouraged to contact their theater advisor, who can offer guidance and support.
 

Emory Scholarships

Emory College maintains a current listing of internal awards. It is important to review all information for each award, especially eligibility, application requirements, and deadline(s).

Theater Studies majors/minors interested in these awards should
 
  1. review the list of Emory Internal Awards
  2. work with their faculty advisor and Department Undergraduate Supervisor to develop their application.

External Scholarships

Many nationally competitive external scholarships and awards-including the Rhoades, Marshall, Gates Cambridge, Jack Kent Cooke, Luce Scholars, Beinecke, and Fulbright-actively seek candidates from the performing arts.
 
Emory College's National Scholarship & Fellowships Program (NSFP) provides information and support for current Emory students and recent alumni/ae in pursuit of these merit awards.
 
NSFP offers numerous resources:
 
Theater Studies majors/minors interested in these opportunities should
 
  1. review the descriptions of each scholarship provided by NSFP
  2. make an appointment to meet with Emory's National Scholarships & Fellowships Program to discuss specific scholarship requirements and deadlines.
  3. work with their theater faculty advisor, the theater Department Undergraduate Supervisor, and NSFP office to develop your application.

Additional Arts Funding

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Center for Creativity & Arts Project Grants

Twice annually, Emory's College of Arts & Sciences' Center for Creativity & Arts (CCA) offers grants to support Emory artists and arts-related projects that have the potential to engage a wide audience.
 
These grants are intended to support activities outside of the regular academic responsibility of individuals, departments, or units.
 
Students may apply for grants in the amount of up to $500. Faculty and staff may apply for grants in the amount of up to $1,500. Please review the eligibility requirements and grant application for complete information.
 

Ethics and Servant Leadership (EASL) Summer Internship Program

The Servant Leadership Summer is a funded summer internship program that places qualified Emory University students in Atlanta-area nonprofits, government agencies, and socially responsible businesses. The Servant Leadership Summer Program includes an orientation, weekly class sessions, projects, and 240 hours of work at your placement site. Students receive a $4000 stipend.