The application for iO’s DiOversity Scholarship is now live!
The DiOversity Scholarship is a scholarship offered to POC, LGBTQIA, and disabled individuals in order to complete the iO improv program. Submissions will be open until August 2nd, with a workshop/audition taking place on Saturday, August 3rd.
And with any questions, please email scholarships@ioimprov.com
Click Here for the application
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
- Fill out the application and submit it!
- Mark off Saturday, August 3rd on your calendar — that’s the date of the workshop/audition. (More on this below!)
- That’s it! Once your application is submitted, we will reach out to you with a time slot.
Below are some FAQs about the program (these were sent out earlier in the summer to those of you already on the mailing list, but if you’re new to the process this info might help!
And please know you can ALWAYS reach out to us here with any questions about the program
Thank you!
Sincerely,
The DiOversity Scholarship Committee
scholarships@ioimprov.com
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
FAQS:
General Overview:
The DiOversity Scholarship is a scholarship offered to people of color, members of the LGBTQIA community, and disabled individuals in order to complete the iO improv program for free. It’s also possible that certain additional scholarships could be given out offering a discount on the training program, or a specific class for free — it all depends on the interest, turnout, and financial situation of the theater.
The scholarship is one of many ways that iO is trying to ensure that more marginalized voices and performers from communities underrepresented at our theater, and in society at large, have a chance to get on iO’s stage and put great comedy out into the world.
How Does it Work?
The first step to the DiOversity Scholarship is a short written application, which will then be followed by an improv-based audition. I don’t want this to scare anyone off! The auditions take place in a very supportive environment and are run by a number of wonderful performers at iO. No improv skill is required to audition – only a willingness to play and have fun and support your teammates!
Is the Scholarship Available to Those Already In Classes?
This is possible, but will be decided on a case-by-case basis. If you are already enrolled in the program but are having financial difficulty, please contact me with more information and I will reach out when I know what the process will be.
The Summer Intensive:
We’ve gotten many questions about whether the DiOversity Scholarship can apply to the Summer Intensive Program that iO hosts each year. Unfortunately, it does not apply — the scholarship only applies to iO’s year-long Training Center. The reasoning for this is that the scholarship is designed not only to give the opportunity of the entire training program, but also to give scholars opportunities outside of the classroom during their time in classes, through social events, shows, mentorships with existing iO performers, and more. For this reason, all scholarship recipients must be able to go through the whole program.
