Ryan Scholarship Coordinators
Grechen Lynne Wingerter
Pellissippi State Community College
glwingerter@pstcc.edu
Deb Liss-Green
Andrew College
Comic actor Irene Ryan (1902-1973) left behind a long list of memorable roles on stage, screen, and radio — and a generous bequest that supports student actors across the nation through the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Scholarship Auditions
The complete audition process for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship for the 2024 Festival is as follows:
- Preliminary Round (ONLINE) – two monologues, not to exceed 3 minutes. These must be pre-recorded and submitted through the Submittable website for Region IV no later than EXTENDED to SUNDAY, Jan 21 at 11:59pm EST.
- Semifinal round (LIVE AT FESTIVAL) – one monologue, chosen by the nominee from the two monologues submitted for the preliminary round, AND a partnered scene, not to exceed 5 minutes total. Semifinalists will be announced on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2024
- Final round (LIVE AT FESTIVAL) – both monologues from the preliminary round AND the scene from the semifinal round, not to exceed 6 minutes total.
Reminders for 2024:
- Ryan nominees may partner together
- No musical auditions – please audition for the Musical Theatre Initiative
The preliminary audition material should be pre-recorded using the following guidelines:
- Virtual submissions will be recorded with one camera and/or phone in one continuous take — internal edits are not allowed. Each round must be filmed and submitted separately, just as they would be performed separately in a non-virtual, in person festival.
- Please record with a source of light directly in front of you.
- The quality of the recording will not be considered when evaluating preliminary round submissions
- Timing of the audition will begin with the first action or first word in character following setup and introduction and will not stop from that point onward
Check out the link below for some helpful hints on recording a fantastic audition:
Registration Note
Please be aware you must register for Irene Ryans AND for the Festival.
This preliminary round submission is EXTENDED to SUNDAY, Jan 21 at 11:59pm CST. Semi Finalists will be announce at the Festival Key Note Address on Tuesday Night, Feb. 6th.
Self Nomination
Region IV is offering the opportunity for self nominations for the Acting Scholarship Auditions.
Production nominations will continue to be accepted. However, this year, EVERY student can self-nominate for the Acting Scholarship auditions whether they were nominated for the Acting Scholarships or not.
Self-nominated students may be from any institution in the region, however, to be eligible for Final Round selection, their school must have received either a participating or associate response during 2023.
There will be 30 slots open and filled on a first come first served basis.
Self Nominations will be open from Nov. 13 to Dec. 11th, 2023.
Requirements for eligibility (also must be met by partner):
- Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours at the time of registration.
- Home Institution must have at least one production registered during the 2023 calendar year.
- Students must be registered for the festival.
- All due dates for Ryans apply to self nominations.
If you are interested in self nominating, click the button below to submit a self-nomination form!
Helpful Hints
This article and this video intended for film/television work, but also serve as excellent guidance for a virtual audition:
- How To Record A Perfect Self Tape For Audition At Home! – Bombay Actors Guide
- How to Create a Great Self-Tape Audition – Casting Frontier
- 10 Tips for a Perfect Self-Tape – Shasta Lutz, CDC
Student Eligibility and Partnering
All Irene Ryan nominees will receive information on the festival from the Ryan coordinators.
Nominees and partners must be “bona fide” students during the academic year they are to perform. Bona fide is defined as an undergraduate student taking at least 6 semester hours, a graduate student taking at least 3 semester hours, or a part-time student enrolled in a degree or certificate program. Any question regarding eligibility will be referred to the chair of the student’s theatre program.
This year, Irene Ryan nominees may also serve as scene partners.
Rights and Royalties
KCACTF requires written proof of rights to perform any piece at festival that is not designated on the KCACTF national website as available:
KCACTF Guidelines on Rights and Royalties
Any fee required by an author or their representative is the sole responsibility of the nominee.
