1. Friends of Theater and Dance
Guide for Merit Awards 2018

2. Who Can Apply?
All declared SIUE Theater and Dance majors regardless of specialization.
Having a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Must be enrolled full time in Spring Semester 2018.

3. What Do I Need to Apply? On Line Application Form
Letter of Recommendation from Theater & Dance Faculty Member – No longer than 1 paragraph.
Unofficial Transcript
Letter of Application
Resume
Photo of Yourself

4. The On-Line Application Form
The On-Line Application Form is available at the FOTAD Website:
siue.edu/artsandsciences/theater/FOTADMerit2.shtml

5. The Letter of Faculty Recommendation
Ask a member of Department of Theater & Dance to write a letter of recommendation.
The Faculty Member should be from the Theater Specialization in which you are applying (I.E: Professor in Acting for Acting Scholarship Candidates).
The Faculty member should be someone you have worked with in a production, taught a class you successfully completed, or has been a mentor to you in your time of study.
Tell the Faculty Member that the recommendation should be short, only one paragraph long.

6. The Unofficial Transcript
Your Unofficial Transcript is available on your Cougar Net Account.
This is used to verify your status and grade point average as well as pertinent class completion information. Send transcript all in one attachment.

7. The Letter to FOTAD Letter must be one page maximum
Must be double spaced in Times New Roman 12 pt. Font
Should reflect the following:
An overview of your studies in Theater or Dance
Your Specialization or areas of interest in Theater or Dance
Your individual skills, attributes that make you a qualified candidate
Your future goals

8. The Photo This does not need to be a professional headshot
This photo is meant to be used as a means of identification for the Committee
Consider that this is a professional situation, consider the appropriateness of photo when submitting to the Committee

9. The Resume
There is no need to reinvent the wheel! Use a resume that you have created in classes or use the format that you have seen on past audition forms or job applications
Include:
Your Name
Address
Phone Number
Address
Past Experience (Current to Past)
Locations of Experience

10. Where Does this Information Go?
the materials directly to
Cheri Schuler-Faust,
Chair of Merit Review Committee
Note: Faculty Members must Letter of Recommendation to the same address.

11. What Happens Next?
After all materials have been received from all applicants, you will be contacted with an interview, audition, or presentation appointment.
At this appointment you will present your monologue, dance piece, lesson plan, paper, or portfolio of technical achievement.
Each appointment is 20 minutes long, time for you to present your material & the Committee to ask you questions.

12. The Awards and Requirements
Alice Wiltz Merit Awards In Dance:
Two 1 ½ Minute Dance Piece and Interview
William Best Merit Awards In Theater Performance:
Monologue Presentation, Two 1 ½ Monologue Performance (one dramatic and one comedic), and Interview
William Vilhauer Merit Awards In Design/Technical Theater:
Design/Technical Portfolio, 5-Minute Portfolio Presentation, and Interview
Theater History Literature Criticism Merit Awards:
Paper Submission Or Presentation of Research Topic and Interview
No longer than 2-3 pages
Lana Hagan Merit Awards In Theater Education: Teaching portfolio and Interview. You Must Have Completed the First Section of Theater Teaching Methods

13. Can I Apply for More Than One Award?
You must be specializing in the area in which the award is intended as in the examples: The Wiltz Award is intended for Dance Specialists, The William Best for Performance Specialists.

14. I Have More Questions! Email Cheri Schuler-Faust schfu55@gmail.com
For specific questions regarding your intended application.

15. Due Dates
The application materials are due by January 19th at 4 PM CST. There will be no exceptions to this due date.
The Interviews and Auditions will be held February 2 from approximately 9 AM to 5 PM. You will be assigned an appointment time upon receiving your materials. Please be at the interview room 15 minutes before the assigned time.

16. Checklist of Items included all ed at the same time in one __ FOTAD Merit Award Application Form ( ed to ) __ Faculty Recommendation Letter (Tell Faculty Member “No longer than one paragraph”) (Faculty member should ed to by January 19, 2018) __ Current unofficial transcript (obtained through SIUE) (screen save ed to ) __ Letter to FOTAD – One typewritten page. ( ed to ) __ Résumé ( ed to ) __ Digital photo (can be cell phone photo) ( ed to ) __ Design/Technical Theater Majors: Portfolio compiled and shown at interview with FOTAD awards committee. __ Theater Education Majors: Teaching portfolio compiled and shown at interview with FOTAD awards committee. __ Literature-History-Criticism Majors: Position Paper only 2-3 pages (must be submitted electronically by Jan. 19, 2018) and present at interview with FOTAD awards committee. __ Dance Majors: Two 1½ minute dance pieces present at interview with FOTAD awards committee. __ Performance Majors: Two contrasting monologue presentations, 1 Dramatic and 1 Comedic, no longer than 1½ minute present at interview with FOTAD awards committee

17. Friends of Theater and Dance