Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre

URI Theatre First-Year Student Scholarship Award

The University of Rhode Island Department of Theatre is offering graduating high school seniors the opportunity to audition for First-Year Student Scholarship Awards. If you have received an acceptance letter to URI, are pursuing a full-time major in theatre at URI, and you possess expertise as an actor, designer, manager or director, submit an application to be considered for this scholarship award.

How to Apply

After you receive acceptance to URI, follow these three steps:

  1. Review the Audition/Presentation Requirements given below.
  2. Complete the Scholarship Application Form (link below).
  3. Submit your completed Google form application along with an attached resume and an attached one-page double-spaced summary of your involvement in theatre to date. In addition, email one letter of recommendation to Bonnie Bosworth, bboz@uri.edu. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bonnie Bosworth at 401.874.5922.
application form

Audition/Interview Requirements

For Actors
Actors should prepare two contrasting monologues. Each auditioner will be allowed a total of 4 minutes to present the two monologues. If you are interested in musical theatre, please prepare one song and one monologue. We will supply a speaker if you have a “track” on your device, or you may elect to sing your vocal selection a cappella. Be prepared to stay for a brief conversation after you present your pieces.

For Designers/Technical Production
If you are interested in design and technical theatre, please bring samples of your work. It may include drawings, draftings, photographs, projects, or paintings. Nothing needs to be perfect! Just give us a sense of what you do and how we can help you grow as an artist.

For Stage Managers
If you are interested in stage management, please present your prompt script(s) with samples of your rehearsal and production paperwork. Audition forms, prop, sound, costume and light plots, rehearsal reports, production reports, scene shifting charts, blocking notations and performance cues may be shared.

For Directors
If you are interested in directing, please submit the following:
A proposal for a play that you would like to direct (650 words max) in which you address:

  1. The play’s title and author
  2. Why this is an important play to produce now, and
  3. Your particular vision for this play.

To be considered for this four-year award, students must submit the Google Form application with attachments of a resume, a letter of recommendation and a summary of their creative activity to the department by March 1, 2025. The audition date will be March 23, 2025, from 1-4pm. If you are unable to schedule an in-person audition, we will try to accommodate recorded materials. Email Bonnie Bosworth to request this exception to the standard audition procedure. URI Theatre First-Year Award auditions cannot be rescheduled.

URI Theatre First-Year Award renewability is based upon a 2.5 GPA, good standing as a continuing theatre major, and departmental participation. The scholarship will be reviewed annually for four years.

You must be formally admitted to the University and enrolled as a full-time theatre student in order to receive this scholarship.

If you have questions, please call the Theatre Department at 401.874.5922.