Frequently Asked Questions

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

Improv Levels 1-5

Improv for Anxiety Scholarship: Improv for Anxiety 1

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 SG or another theater.

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.

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 enter re- applying, you do not need to continue filling out the rest of the application as we will know for which level you are reapplying now and we will have the answers to your questions from your past application. You may also decide to continue on and take the classes covering your own expenses or to apply to our internship program. Click here for more info on the internship program.

One of our scholarship’s missions 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 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 obtaining a scholarship.

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 SG or at another theater.

We offer full tuition and half tuition awards, 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. If you select the Improv Program the scholarship will apply towards all five levels of the training program. Each level is seven weeks.

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

Our scholarship evaluation committee comprises 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 is implemented to promote an impartial and equitable selection procedure.

The application is evaluated on a point-based scoring system, with a maximum possible score of 100. We recognize that each applicant has the autonomy to share as much or as little as they are comfortable with. Our committee evaluates 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 DEI 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 institution 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

The scholarship must be used during the term that it is granted for. Out of fairness and consideration of other applicants,  scholarships will not be deferred. If for any reason the applicant is not able to use the scholarship in the awarded term, they must notify the scholarship chair at least two weeks before the beginning of the class. If an applicant cannot proceed with the classes due to personal constraints, they need to notify Stomping Ground as soon as possible. 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.  

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, and their scholarship may be canceled, revoked or not renewed if they fail to comply with the guidelines. 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.