tuition scholarship (requires audition)

Tuition scholarships are offered to promising students who demonstrate a high level of technical and creative ability or potential and financial need. Scholarship amounts range from $200 to full tuition. Tuition scholarship students are responsible for their room/board fees and living expenses during the six weeks.                       

Click here for Audition Locations & Times.
Audition dates are subject to change.

Please bring the following to each audition:
1. Completed 6WS application with $40 application fee.
2. A minute and a half solo (choreographed or improvised).
3. Copy of your or your parents’ 2012 Tax Form 1040 (first page only).

What to expect at a tuition scholarship audition:
Check in for the audition will usually begin approximately 30 minutes before the audition is scheduled to begin. At check in, students will need to fill out an application and pay the application fee (only if not previously submitted) and obtain an audition number provided by the ADF representative. An ADF audition consists of a 1-hour modern technique class. Please come to the audition warmed up and ready to begin with phrase work. Following the technique class, students will be asked to perform a one and a half minute solo. The solo can be choreographed by the student or by someone else, or improvised. A stereo will be provided for music. Following the solos, there will be an information session about the American Dance Festival where students can ask specific questions and find out more details about the Six Week School and financial aid.        

Students unable to attend an audition may submit a DVD containing two minutes of technique and a minute and a half solo along with their application package. The deadline for DVD submission is March 22, 2013. 

ADF Representatives will also be in attendance at the National High School Dance Festival scholarship audition in Norfolk, VA, however, you must be enrolled in this festival to participate in the scholarship audition.

staff assistant scholarship

The ADF offers staff assistant scholarships to mature and responsible students who have skills to help with the operation of the Festival. Useful skills include: receptionist experience, general office and computer skills, childcare, and audiovisual equipment operation and maintenance. Staff assistants will receive a full tuition scholarship, may take a full 6WS course load, and will be required to work up to 20 hours per week. A handful of staff assistant positions will preclude students from participating in repertory projects. Staff assistants are responsible for their room/board fees and living expenses during the six weeks. Staff Assistant positions are contingent on passing a criminal background check. Due to legal and insurance restrictions, most staff assistants must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Staff assistants will be asked to arrive on Monday, June 10, and to stay through Monday, July 29. Staff assistants may take WFSS classes only as their schedule permits. Responsibilities include weekend and evening duties. 

To apply for a staff assistant scholarship you must submit:
1. Completed 6WS application with $40 application fee.
2. Resumé highlighting experience pertinent to the staff assistant scholarship.
3. Letter of recommendation directly addressing your candidacy for the staff assistant scholarship.
4. Copy of your or your parents’ 2012 Tax form 1040 (first page only).

bus driver scholarship

Daily bus transportation is needed for a small number of off-campus studios along with transportation for students to the theaters where performances are held. ADF Bus Drivers receive a full tuition scholarship in exchange for driving the ADF buses up to 20 hours per week. Bus drivers may take a full 6WS course load, and are responsible for their room/board fees and living expenses during the six weeks. Bus Drivers must be 21 years old or older, and either hold a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or be willing to obtain one. If a student wants to obtain a CDL with ADF’s help, he or she must live in North Carolina and hold a NC Drivers License. If the student lives outside of North Carolina, a CDL must be obtained on his or her own. Bus Driver positions are contingent on passing a criminal background check. 

To apply for a bus driver scholarship you must submit:
1. Completed 6WS application with $40 application fee.
2. Copy of Commercial Drivers License or intent and plan to obtain a Commercial Drivers License.
3. Copy of your or your parents’ 2012 Tax form 1040 (first page only).

dorm counselor scholarship

Mature students with related experience may apply to be dorm counselors. Counselors supervise Three Week School students and under-18-year-old 6WS students residing on campus. Counselors live with these students in the dorms and accompany them to meals, classes, and off-campus excursions. Counselors will receive a full tuition scholarship, a double air conditioned dorm room, and a stipend for a small percentage of meals. Counselors may take a full 6WS course load, however, it is possible that restrictions on class schedules may be enforced depending on the size of the Three Week School enrollment. Dorm Counselor positions are contingent on passing a criminal background check. Dorm counselors will be asked to arrive on Tuesday, June 11 and stay through Sunday, July 28. Responsibilities include weekend and evening duties. 

To apply for a dorm counselor scholarship you must submit:
1. Completed 6WS application with $40 application fee.
2. Resumé highlighting experience pertinent to the dorm counselor scholarship.
3. Letter of recommendation directly addressing your candidacy for the dorm counselor scholarship.
4. Copy of your or your parents’ 2012 Tax form 1040 (first page only).

stagecraft and costume apprentice scholarship

Stagecraft apprenticeships are awarded to students with interest and experience in the technical aspects of dance production. Apprentices act as an integral part of the technical crew in the preparation and running of performances by the visiting companies. The work involved is strenuous and requires maturity and responsibility. Apprentices receive a tuition scholarship for two morning classes and the apprenticeship itself, which counts as a double class for those receiving academic credit. The apprenticeship commits the student to afternoon and evening hours and precludes performing in faculty or repertory presentations. The ADF also seeks Costume Stagecraft Apprentices. This apprenticeship is similar to the Stagecraft Apprenticeship, however, experience working in costume design and construction is required. All apprentices are responsible for their room/board fees and living expenses during the six weeks. Stagecraft and Costume applicants must be over the age of 18. Apprentices are required to arrive on Thursday, June 6, and to stay until Thursday, August 1, to assist in setting up and dismantling the ADF’s equipment. Room/board costs costs will be covered for the days worked prior to and after the Festival.

To apply for a stagecraft or costume apprenticeship you must submit:
1. Completed 6WS application with $40 application fee.
2. Resumé highlighting experience pertinent to the stagecraft or costume apprentice position.
3. Letter of recommendation directly addressing your candidacy for the stagecraft or costume apprentice position.
4. Copy of your or your parents’ 2012 Tax form 1040 (first page only).

cooperative scholarship

The ADF matches tuition grants from sponsoring dance studios and college dance departments for accepted applicants. These matches are up to $125 for studios and up to $250 for college/university groups and departments. The grants are matched on a first-come, first-served basis, and only a limited number are available. 

To apply for a cooperative scholarship you must submit:
1. Completed 6WS application with $40 application fee.
2. Name and address of the representative at your school or studio who will process the ADF paperwork and matching scholarship (this can be filled out directly on the ADF application). Please include a brief statement of intent from your home institution, indicating planned sponsorship.