The  Booker T Washington Theatre Guild is proud to present two scholarship opportunities to our student body. Below you will find details on the Louise Smith Theatre Guild Scholarship and the Karon Cogdill Theatre Guild Scholarship. All applications are due by May 1, 2024 and will be awarded at the End-of-Year Theatre Guild Senior Awards Dinner.  An applicant need only submit a single application to be considered for either or both of the scholarship categories. 

Scholarship recipients have up to one calendar year from the date the scholarship is presented to redeem the scholarship.   

the KARON COGDILL Theatre Guild Scholarship:

The scholarships are made possible by the Booker T Washington Theatre Guild and are named in honor of Karon Cogdill who served the Booker T Washington Theatre family for 44 years, from 1977-2021, retiring as the Theatre Conservatory Director. 

The Booker T Washington Theatre Guild will award up to two (2) Karon Cogdill scholarships of $1,500.00 each to BTW Theatre or Film Track seniors who have exhibited high interest and involvement with Theatre Conservatory performances and activities as well as a need for financial assistance.  This scholarship may be used for tuition, housing, books or necessary supplies related to university/college/conservatory expenses. Every reasonable effort should be made to redeem the scholarship by payment directly to a university, college, conservatory, or housing department. Alternatively, the scholarship can be redeemed as a reimbursement to the parent or student after providing valid receipts of proof of qualifying purchases, using the 529 Plans for guidance on what constitutes qualifying purchases. As a last resort, the scholarship can be redeemed by payment on behalf of the scholarship recipient directly to a vendor or retailer for qualifying supplies.   

 A maximum of two (2) Karon Cogdill scholarships can be awarded each year of up to $1,500.00 per scholarship.

Who is eligible for a Karon Cogdill Theatre Guild Scholarship?

• Applicant need not have first enrolled in grade 9 at Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts as a Theatre Conservatory Student or as a non-Theatre Conservatory Student enrolled as part of the Film Track.
• Applicant must be a graduating Senior in the Theatre Conservatory or a non-Theatre Conservatory Student enrolled as part of the Film Track. 
• Applicant must have a 2.5 GPA or higher (the school counselor will verify GPA and provide their official transcript to the Committee)
• Applicant is planning to continue his/her education beyond high school in an accredited institution of higher education and major in theatre or film related studies beginning in the fall semester immediately following graduation.
• Applicants for the Karon Cogdill Scholarship must demonstrate need which will be confirmed by the Booker T. Counselor's office. 

The Karon Cogdill Theatre Guild Scholarship Committee will consider the following for purposes of awarding scholarships:

2. • Involvement (Amount of time committed, and versatility of student across all forms of theatre art) in Theatre Conservatory productions and activities.
   • Video submission of approximately 45 seconds to 1 minute responding to the Prompt: Please describe how your experience and involvement in the Booker T. Theatre Conservatory contributed to who you are today and who you want to become tomorrow.   
   • Recommendation Letters from Booker T Faculty/Staff
   • Digital application form and recommendation letters should be uploaded by May 1, 2024.
   • Scholarships will be awarded at the End-of-Year Theatre Guild Senior Awards Dinner on May 21, 2024.

THE LOUISE SMITH THEATRE GUILD SCHOLARSHIP

The Louise Smith Theatre Guild Scholarships are made possible by the Booker T Washington Theatre Guild and are named in honor of Louise Smith who was the founder and first director of the Booker T Theatre Cluster from 1976 until her retirement in 2008.  

The Booker T Washington Theatre Guild will award up to three (3) Louise Smith scholarships of $1,000.00 each to BTW Theatre or Film Track seniors who have exhibited high interest and involvement with Theatre Conservatory performances and activities.  This scholarship may be used for tuition, housing, books or necessary supplies related to university/college/conservatory expenses. Every reasonable effort should be made to redeem the scholarship through direct payment to a university, college, conservatory, or housing department.  Alternatively, the scholarship can be redeemed as a reimbursement to the parent or student after showing valid receipts of proof of qualifying purchases, using the 529 Plans for guidance on what constitutes qualifying purchases. As a last resort, the scholarship can be redeemed by payment on behalf of the scholarship recipient directly to a vendor or retailer for qualifying supplies.

Who is eligible for a Louise Smith Theatre Guild Scholarship?

• Applicant need not have first enrolled in grade 9 at Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts as a Theatre Conservatory Student or as a non-Theatre Conservatory Student enrolled as part of the Film Track.
• Applicant must be a graduating Senior in the Theatre Conservatory or a non-Theatre Conservatory Student enrolled as part of the Film Track. 
• Applicant must have a 2.5 GPA or higher (the school counselor will verify GPA and provide their official transcript to the Committee)
• Applicant is planning to continue his/her education beyond high school in an accredited institution of higher education and major in theatre or film related studies beginning in the fall semester immediately following graduation.

The Louise Smith Theatre Guild Scholarship Committee will consider the following for purposes of awarding scholarships:

2. • Involvement (Amount of time committed, and versatility of student across all forms of theatre art) in Theatre Conservatory productions and activities.
   • Video submission of approximately 45 seconds to 1 minute responding to the Prompt: Please describe how your experience and involvement in the Booker T. Theatre Conservatory contributed to who you are today and who you want to become tomorrow.   
   • Recommendation Letters from Booker T Faculty/Staff
   • Digital application form and recommendation letters should be uploaded by May 1, 2024
   • Scholarships will be awarded at the End-of-Year Theatre Guild Senior Awards Dinner on May 21, 2024. 

Digital Application Form:  https://forms.gle/4g95rVFiQAavuFgB7

Digital Teacher Recommendation Form:  https://forms.gle/6fDRd6Yoikn5hQE5A

For additional Information and Instructions on how to apply for each scholarship, please contact us at: scholarships@btwtheatreguild.com