Columbia Central

Alfred Berkowitz Award

For continuing undergraduate students

The Alfred Berkowitz Award was established to provide student directors with financial assistance for the production of their shows. Applicants must currently be in the research and planning stages of directing a production.

Deadline to Apply: April 11, 2025

• How to Apply

  The Alfred Berkowitz Award Application is available online through your MyColumbia portal. Only complete scholarship applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by the scholarship committee. 
  
  Please follow all directions carefully. Students must submit the following materials to make a complete Alfred Berkowitz Award application. There are five parts to the application:

  
  PART 1: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

  In 50 to 100 words, provide a statement of purpose regarding the award you are applying for and how it will serve your development as a director on the production.
  
  
  PART 2: PROJECT PROPOSAL
  In 500 to 1,000 words, provide a proposal that details your statement of purpose and describes how you will use the award in service of your production. Please include language that addresses why you are doing this production, how it will benefit you and other students, why it is important to do now, and how the award will be used.

  Your proposal must include your name and MyColumbia ID in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Please upload your proposal in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. 
  
  
  PART 3: BUDGET
  Upload a detailed budget that includes your projected costs and how you intend to spend the award monies for your production.

  Your budget must include your name and MyColumbia ID in the upper right-hand corner of the page(s). Please upload your budget in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. 
  
  
  PART 4: OPTIONAL WEBPAGE URL
  You have the option of providing a link to a website that showcases your previous work in theatre directing.
  
  
  PART 5: REFERENCES
  Provide the names and contact information for two references who can comment on your work in directing.
  
  
  Access online application form through your MyColumbia portal under MyFinancials.

• Scholarship Terms
  • Application must be submitted by April 11, 2025 (11:59 pm) for review by the committee
  • Award amount ranges from $500 to $1,500 stipend
  • Recipient will receive stipend in August
  • Award is applied toward costs related to the production of recipients' shows
  • Recipients must be enrolled full-time during the Spring 2025 semester and must maintain full-time, undergraduate enrollment during the Fall 2025 semester
  • Recipient must submit an updated budget (including justifications) to Stephanie Shaw (slshaw@colum.edu) by May 30, 2025
  • Recipients will be asked to submit a one- to two-page reflection of the project after the conclusion of the production which details how the award has enhanced the work
  • Students who elect not to produce their shows will forfeit the award
  • Columbia College Chicago reserves the right to withhold the award in any year in which, at the sole discretion of the scholarship committee, suitable candidates cannot be found among applicants
  • If you are receiving state or federal financial aid, the rules governing other sources of financial assistance will apply

IMPORTANT DATES

More Dates