Mabel P. Robinson Artist Awards

About the Award

SETC’s award offering is through a partnership with NC Black Rep and the Black Theatre Network. The Mabel P. Robinson Artist Awards will present six scholarships to acting, directing, and design students (two in each discipline) to attend the 2022 National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF), the 2023 Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC), and the 2023 Black Theatre Network Conference (BTN).

These events introduce students to industry veterans, provide professional experience, and present audition opportunities for graduate schools and summer stock theaters.

Applications are now being accepted through March 31, 2022 for the inaugural awards. There will be no application fees. Auditions/application materials will be submitted virtually, and travel/housing/per diems will be provided. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and do not need to be currently enrolled in an educational institution.

SETC procured grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support this project.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• Submissions for all categories are open until March 31, 2022 at 11:59pm EST
• Two total scholarships will be awarded per competition.
• All Drawings, renderings and documents should be sent as PDF files, all production photos should be sent as JPGs.
• Self-tape files should be submitted as .avi, .mp4, or .mov files
• Competition areas in include an Acting Competition, Directing Competition, and Design Competition (Scenic, Costume, Lighting, Sound)

ACTING COMPETITION:

1. One 2-3 minute contemporary monologue submitted via self-tape
2. Resume
3. Headshot/Photo
4. Essay on what inspired you to become an actor (600-word count max)
5. Two letters of reference
6. Website (if available)

DIRECTING COMPETITION:

1. Video of fully staged production and/or Theatrical analysis of contemporary play (600-word count max).
2. Resume
3. Essay on what inspired you to become a director (600-word count max)
4. Two letters of reference.
5. Website (if available).

DESIGN COMPETITION:

Scenic:

1. Ground plan, section, elevations, etc., using Vectorworks or AutoCAD for a contemporary play of your choice (Prior production not required).  Sketch/rendering or model photo, research, and statement of design approach.
2. Production photos (if available).
3. Resume
4. Essay on what inspired you to become a designer (600-word count max).
5. Two letters of reference.
6. Website (if available).

Costume:

1. Color renderings with fabric, research, and statement of design approach for a contemporary play of your choice (Prior production not required).
2. Production photos (if available).
3. Resume
4. Essay on what inspired you to become a designer (600-word count max).
5. Two letters of reference.
6. Website (if available).

Lighting:

1. Vectorworks or AutoCAD, ground plan, section, paperwork, research notes, magic sheet, and statement of design approach for a play of your choice (Prior production not required).
2. Production photos (if available).
3. Resume
4. Essay on what inspired you to become a designer (600-word count max).
5. Two letters of reference.
6. Website (if available). 

Sound:

1. Research, a speaker plot using Vectorworks or AutoCAD, cue sheets and statement of design approach for a play of your choice (Prior production not required). Optional paperwork can include a schematic block diagram, music composition scores, shop prep list, and speaker elevations.
2. Three Play-able samples which should also include production photos (if available) of the corresponding cues.
3. Resume
4. Essay on what inspired you to become a designer (600-word count max).
5. Two letters of reference.
6. Website (if available).