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 the program they select. The programs we offer scholarships for may vary from term to term. This term, we are offering scholarships for the following programs:
Improv Scholarship: Levels 1 through 5 Improv
- Next Chance to Apply: February 23 through March 28 for classes in the Summer 1 Term (April 27 – June 14)
- Note: Scholarship Applicants will be notified by April 2
Please review our FAQs and Selection Process before applying.
Ready to Apply?
Note: Applications will be open starting February 23 for classes that begin late April 2025.
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?
The scholarship programs offered may vary from term to term. This term, you may apply for the following programs:
- Improv Scholarship: Levels 1 through 5 Improv
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 an interest in improv comedy and who has a financial need and/or who considers themselves part of an underrepresented community in comedy and improv.
How many scholarships are there available for each term?
Scholarship availability will vary on each term depending on the choices made by the applicants 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 are free 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 to Improv workshop to apply for a scholarship?
Attending an Intro to Improv workshop at our theater is not required to apply for or receive a 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. 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.
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.
When will I be notified of a scholarship award?
All applicants will receive notification via email approximately five days 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 Scholarship Coordinator removes any 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?
Your scholarship must be used during the term(s) for which it is granted. Out of fairness and consideration of other applicants, scholarships may not be deferred to a future term. If for any reason you are not able to attend the classes that your scholarship covers, you should notify the scholarship coordinator (via scholarships@stompinggroundcomedy.org) at least two weeks before the beginning of your class. Failure to do so may hurt your chances of being awarded a scholarship in the future.
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 programs. 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.