Diversity & Accessibility Scholarship

At Stomping Ground Comedy Theater, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community within our training center that is reflective of the Dallas community. We understand that different barriers can prevent people from pursuing an interest in improv comedy. We want to provide access to those who might face difficulties participating in our programming. We have seen the profound impact that going through our improv programs can have on a person’s life. Improv training provides benefits that reach far beyond performance; it’s been proven to enhance communication skills, confidence, and overall mental health.

The Diversity & Accessibility Scholarship Program is designed to support people facing financial hardship, those who have faced systemic oppression, and those whose voices are underrepresented. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our community in terms of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, financial status, neurodiversity, and persons with special needs, among others.

Applicants who are awarded a scholarship will receive a full or a half scholarship for one of the following programs each term, according to their selection:

  • Beginner Track Scholarship: Improv Levels 1 and 2
  • Advanced Track Scholarship: Improv Levels 3, 4 and 5
  • Musical Improv Scholarship: Musical Improv Levels 1, 2 and 3
  • Improv for Anxiety Scholarship: Improv for Anxiety 1
  • Next Chance to Apply: January 28-March 28th for Summer 1 Term (Sunday, April 28th – Saturday, June 15th). Note: Scholarship Applicants will be notified by April 14th

Please review our FAQs and Selection Process before applying.

Ready to Apply?

Note: Application will be open January 28-March 28 for classes starting in late April

To see our full statement on our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, please see our About Us page.

If you have any questions about the Diversity & Accessibility Scholarship, feel free to send an email to scholarships@stompinggroundcomedy.org.

Be sure to get the latest updates on our scholarship program by signing up for our email newsletter.

Frequently Asked Questions

For which classes do you award scholarships?

You may apply for one of the following programs on each term:

  • Beginner track Scholarship: Improv Levels 1 and 2
  • Advanced track Scholarship: Improv Levels 3, 4 and 5
  • Musical Improv Scholarship: Musical Improv Levels 1, 2 and 3
  • Improv for Anxiety Scholarship: Improv for Anxiety 1
When will the scholarship application open again?

You can find the date that the application will open under “Ready to Apply?” Scholarships are awarded every other term; the application is open two months prior.

Who can apply?

We are open to receiving applications from anyone who has interest in improv comedy and who has a financial need and/or who considers themselves part of an underrepresented community in comedy and improv.  The Advanced track Scholarship or the Musical Improv scholarship programs will require the applicant to have completed Levels 1 and 2 of Improv at Stomping Ground or another theater.

How many scholarships are there available for each term?

Scholarship availability will vary on each term depending on the choices made by the applicants for funding and the funds available to Stomping Ground. All applications will be evaluated and considered according to a rubric system.

What will happen if I am not selected?

All applicants are welcome to reapply for the next term through a simple reapplication process. Our scholarship application form has a question asking if this is your first time applying or if you are re-submitting your application. If you indicate on the application that you are re-applying you do not need to continue filling out the rest of the application; the answers from your previous application will be used. If you are not selected you may also decide to take the classes covering your own expenses or to apply to our internship program. Click here for more info on the Internship Program.

Do I need to take a free intro workshop to apply for a scholarship?

The purpose of this scholarship is to reduce barriers to access to improv. Therefore, attending a workshop at our theater is not a requirement to apply for or receive our scholarship. However, it is highly recommended that you try one of our free workshops beforehand so that you have a better idea if improv at Stomping Ground is for you. In addition, having attended a workshop will add points to your application score, increasing your chance of being awarded a scholarship.

Can this be my first class with Stomping Ground??

Yes, if applying for the Beginner track Scholarship or Improv for Anxiety Scholarship. If you are applying for the Advanced track or Musical Improv programs you must have completed levels 1 and 2 of improv either at Stomping Ground or at another theater.

How much are the scholarship awards?

We offer full tuition and half tuition scholarships, which enables us to reach more students. The application form will ask you to articulate your needs; we ask that you consider your possibilities when making this choice. Depending on the program you select the scholarship will cover tuition for 2 or 3 classes.

When will I be notified of a scholarship award?

All applicants will receive notification via email approximately six weeks after the application deadline.

How does the evaluation process work?

Our scholarship evaluation committee is comprised of a diverse group of individuals who assess applications using a structured scoring rubric.

Before the applications are presented to the scholarship committee for evaluation, the Chair of the Scholarship program removes personal identifying information from the candidates’ materials and assigns them unique application numbers. This anonymization process promotes an impartial and equitable selection procedure.

The application is evaluated on a point-based scoring system, with a maximum possible score of 100. Each applicant has the autonomy to share as much or as little as they are comfortable with. The committee will evaluate responses based on the provided content, adherence to the scoring rubric, and the specific needs and capacities of Stomping Ground during each term.

The following will be taken into consideration to prioritize needs-based individuals:

  • Those currently most impacted by global systems of oppression.
  • Black,  Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
  • People with special needs
  • People who identify as LGBTQIA+
  • People who are neurodiverse
  • Women
  • Veterans and new graduates just beginning their careers
  • Full-time students
  • People who work for nonprofit/educational/government institutions with limited funds
  • People who are 55 years old or older
  • People who are currently unemployed/underemployed
  • People experiencing temporary financial hardship
  • Full- time Caregivers
  • Others as deemed applicable
How long do I have to use an awarded scholarship?

The scholarship must be used during the term for which it is granted. Out of fairness and consideration of other applicants,  scholarships will not be deferred to a future term. If for any reason the applicant is not able to use the scholarship in the awarded term, they should notify the scholarship chair at least two weeks before the beginning of the class. Failure to notify Stomping Ground promptly will be taken into consideration in future applications.

Recipients who are not able to begin or proceed with the classes during the term listed on the application form are strongly encouraged to reapply through our simple reapplication process. They will be evaluated with the next pool of applicants; their personal constraints will be taken into consideration.  

Can the scholarship expire or be canceled?

If not used immediately during the awarded term, the scholarship will expire to allow other applicants to benefit from our programing. The recipient is encouraged to reapply whenever they are ready. They will be considered with the pool of applicants for that term as described above. 

Scholarship recipients are expected to adhere to Stomping Ground policies as outlined in the Student Handbook; their scholarship may be canceled or revoked if they fail to comply with the guidelines in the Handbook. Students are allowed two absences per enrolled course.  If students miss more than two classes during the 7-week duration of each course, they will not be allowed to advance to the next level and will forfeit their scholarship.