<aside> ✨ Are you a fun-loving person from a diverse background, who's keen to give improv or sketch comedy a go but just can't manage the course fees? We'd love to consider you for a Diversity & Inclusion scholarship!
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<aside> 📅 No strict application deadlines: open until annual funds run out Applications will be accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis, until that year’s funding pool is exhausted
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<aside> ♿ Important accessibility notice Our classes and shows run out of three different venues, only one of which is wheelchair accessible. While this allows for candidates with accessibility needs to attend certain 8-week classes and the subset of shows we host at Theory Bar, the situation is far from perfect – more information is available here
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Please read this document in its entirety, then fill out the appropriate form for the scholarship category you’d like to apply for – application forms for each category are all linked in the table below.
As of July 2024, we have broken our larger “full program” scholarship into smaller bite-sized scholarships, each valid for 1 or 2 of our popular 8-week courses.
Successfully applying for one scholarship does not guarantee you access to any additional scholarships, and it’s now possible to start applying for scholarships mid-stream, instead of previously being limited to newcomers only.
| Scholarship Category | Length | Courses We Will Support You Through | Application Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Improv Newcomers | 1 Course | Improv Starter 101 | Link |
| Remainder of Improv Starter Track | 2 Courses | Improv Starter 201 & 301 | Link |
| Improv Performance Track | 2 Courses | Improv Performance 101 & 201 | Link |
| Sketch Newcomers | 1 Course | Intro to Sketch Comedy Writing | Link |
| Remainder of Sketch Core Program | 2 Courses | Page To Stage & Producing A Sketch Show | Link |
<aside> 💰 Our current diversity scholarships budget is $10,000 per year Any funding that goes to you is funding that can not be provided to another applicant – we kindly request that you self-assess the minimum level of support which would make taking these classes financially viable for you based on your personal financial situation. That way our limited budget can benefit as many applicants as possible per year.
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When applying for one of our scholarship categories, we will ask you to select a specific level of financial support that you are applying for. The options are:
| Percentage Off | Budgetary Cost Per Course Term |
|---|---|
| 25% Off | $143.75 |
| 50% Off | $287.50 |
| 75% Off | $431.25 |
| 100% Off | $575 |
When applying for higher levels of support, we may request supporting documentation (e.g. proof of concession card) in order to consider your application.
We will look at the applications and will meet with promising applicants in-person or via Zoom for an informal interview to see if they'd be a good fit.
If an applicant is brand new to the community, we may offer you a complimentary ticket to one of our flagship shows to help you understand what types of comedy we value at our theatre.
Once we get a chance to meet with the applicants, we will make a decision about whether to offer a scholarship based on the following criteria: