Scholarships

Hawai'i Thespians Festival 2027 Auditions

Three opportunities will be available to high school attendees at this year's festival: The Hawai'i Thespians Scholarship (Performance and Technical) and the Hawai'i Conservatory of the Performing Arts. These awards will be given based upon auditions and interviews conducted at the Hawai'i Thespians Festival, January 16, 2027. All students who wish to be considered for a scholarship must register as a Scholarship Applicant ($15 registration fee) and submit the Scholarship Application and résumé.

Scholarship Application Form and Résumé must be received by January 13, 2027. 

SCHOLARHIP APPLICATION FORMS

To complete a Scholarship Application, you will need to submit the following documents:

1. Résumé: a one page (8.5 x 11) résumé which includes personal information, performance and technical theatre experiences, training, special talents, clubs affiliations, honors, awards and other theatre related information.

2. Fill out and sign the Hawai'i Thespians Scholarship Application, which shall include a a signature from your Thespian Troupe Director or Theatre Teacher who can vouch that you meet the requirements of the scholarship for which you are applying. (See individual scholarship requirements below). 

3. If you are planning on auditioning for the Hawai'i Conservatory of Performing Arts scholarship, please be sure to complete this HCPA Scholarship form in addition to the Hawai'i Thespians Scholarship Application.

Scholarship Application and Résumés should be submitted by January 13, 2027. Payment may be collected on the day of the Festival:

Scholarship Eligibility & Requirements*

Hawai'i Thespians Scholarship

Hawai'i Thespians will award a $1000 scholarship to help with college expenses for a senior Thespian attending the 2027 Hawai'i Thespians Festival.  

In order to be eligible for this award, the student must:

• be a current High School Senior

• have a minimum GPA of 2.5

• intend to major or minor in a performing art (including but not limited to Theatre, Musical Theatre, Technical Theatre, Dance, Film, Vocal Performance, etc.) at an accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher learning (not an online program)

• be a current Thespian, registered with the Educational Theatre Association

• be an active member of his or her school's Theatre program, as verified by the school's Theatre teacher or director

In order to be considered for this scholarship, students must:

• attend the 2027 Hawai'i Thespians Festival 

•  submit the 2027 HTF Scholarship Application Form (which includes verification of current GPA and teacher recommendation; payment for the scholarship audition is a separate $15 fee)

• submit a one-page résumé

• present either two contrasting monologues OR one monologue and one musical theatre song OR present a portfolio of technical theatre work

• if singing, the student must play his/her own music track or sing a capella.

Hawai'i Conservatory of Performing Arts

The Hawai'i Conservatory of Performing Arts scholarship will award a current high school sophomore, junior, or senior one full scholarship toward the Foundation in Acting program at the Hawai'i Conservatory of Performing Arts for one year. The student need not be a current Thespian.

In order to be eligible for this award, the student must:

•  be a current high school sophomore, junior or senior.

• Intend to pursue an Associate of Arts degree at Windward Community College, with Concentration in Theatre Arts.

In order to be considered for this scholarship, students must: 

•  attend the 2027 Hawai'i Thespians Festival 

•  submit the 2027 HTF Scholarship Application Form (which includes verification of current GPA and teacher recommendation)

•  submit the Hawai'i Conservatory of Performing Arts scholarship application form

• present two contrasting monologues

*Scholarship audition requirements are as of November 2026 and may be subject to change.

Scholarship Definitions

Contrasting Monologues

• Two monologues, no longer than five minutes (combined). 

• One monologue may be classical (pre-1900) and one contemporary (post 1900) OR  one monologue may be humorous and one dramatic (from the same time period).

• All monologues must come from published plays (no screenplays, no monologue books and no original material).

Musical Theatre Song

• A song from a musical produced on or off Broadway, OR  a song published by a musical theater licensing company.

• Original material will NOT be accepted.

• Student applicant must bring his/her own music track, on a CD or mp3 without vocals

• A CD player and Bluetooth portable speaker will be provided.

Portfolio 

• Record of all technical theatre work performed by the student (i.e. stage management prompt book, theatrical designs, etc.)

• Photos (either hard copies or digital) are required.

• A two to five minute presentation of the  portfolio 

All scholarships awarded at festival will be ON THE DAY OF THE FESTIVAL by the Hawai'i State Thespians Chapter Director, Lanaly Cabalo.

For questions or more information about the Scholarships offered at our festival, please contact our  Hawai'i Thespians Chapter Director and Scholarship Coordinator, Lanaly Cabalo at lanaly@hawaii.edu