2026 maryland thespian festival
COLLEGE & SCHOLARSHIP
AUDITIONS
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, November 14th, 2025
STUDENT APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, November 21, 2025
~Troupe Directors must register their student(s) to attend the State Festival in the registration system by the registration deadline above.
~The student(s) will then have until the second “application” deadline to sumit the appropriate application in OpenWater.
PARTICIPANTS:
College/Conservatory Auditions: Inducted juniors and seniors who are registered as an in-person delegate at Festival are eligible to submit an audition/application to be reviewed by the college/conservatory programs that will be attending the festival. These program representatives may then reach out to the student and request further discussion, in-person, at Festival.
Senior Scholarship Auditions: Inducted seniors who are registered as an in-person delegate at Festival will also be considered for any available college scholarships, including the annual scholarships awarded by Maryland Thespians. Their applications will require a letter of recommendation and a current transcript (‘unofficial’ is fine).
CONTACT: scholarships@marylandthespians.org
College/Conservatory Auditions & Senior ScholarshipS
Both Juniors & Seniors:
Maryland Thespians is pleased to offer Inducted Thespians in their junior or senior year with the opportunity to virtually audition for college / conservatory programs, summer programs, scholarships etc. Additionally, representatives from colleges, universities, and conservatory programs will be given the opportunity review the auditions/applications and request to meet with students during the festival independently.
You must still be registered as an in-person delegate of Festival in order to participate.
Should the cost/requirements prove to be prohibitive, please reach out to Chapter Director Guy Barbato.
AUDITION / PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS
This year we’re making it easier than ever. All those participating can do so in any category they would like, utilizing the same basic guidelines as the International Thespian Excellence Awards. You can review category-specific guidelines here.
1. Performance-based auditions will submit a prescreen audition tape.
Technical applications should submit a portfolio. (They will also have the option to submit a video to present that portfolio, but that is optional and they must still upload the portfolio itself.)
All applicants will also be required to submit the following materials:
2. A theatrical or professional résumé
3. A headshot or photo of yourself (performance-based applicants only).
Seniors Only:
Inducted Thespians in their senior year should have at least a 3.0 GPA and an intent to major in theatre. They also have a few more requirements to submit and be considered for senior scholarships.
ADDITIONAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the above, they will also need to submit the following:
4. An unofficial copy of your high school transcript.
5. A one-page recommendation from someone who has worked with you in some theatrical capacity. For example, this can be your Troupe Director, a director you’ve worked with either in school or out of school, or your performing arts teacher.
SUBMISSION LOGISTICS
Once registered for the in-person festival, students will complete the appropriate application below. The deadline for submissions is November 21st, 2025, 11:59 PM.
Technical:
https://edta.secure-platform.com/a/organizations/Maryland/solicitations/1441/home
Performance:
https://edta.secure-platform.com/a/organizations/Maryland/solicitations/1442/home