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THE CHANDRA WILSON SCHOLARSHIP

OPEN TO BIPOC APPLICANTS
(New York Campus Scholarship)

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, we are establishing several new scholarships named in honor of prominent alumni whose work exemplifies Lee Strasberg’s Method Acting and inspires us all.

We are thrilled to announce a scholarship in honor of multi-talented actor, director and alumna, Chandra Wilson. This scholarship for 1 year of full-time study at the LSTFI in New York will be awarded to a talented BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color) actor who demonstrates great potential and passion for a career in the performing arts.

Chandra Wilson studied at The Institute for four years though NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts program. Prior to this, she had extensive training and performance experience in musical theatre.

“I chose Strasberg because, with all my years of being a musical theatre actor, I felt I lacked knowledge of the internal journey of creating a character when song and dance were not an option. And, as difficult and painful as that journey was sometimes in class, leaving me full of doubt about what I was doing, I was made to understand that my talent is what got me in the room. Now it was my job to ground it in Lee’s instruction. I would love the scholarship to be a vessel to support an actor like me who has the talent, but is seeking to be more grounded in the work.”

Chandra Wilson

In her theatre career, Wilson has performed in Broadway productions, “On the Town,” “Avenue Q,” “Caroline, or Change” and “Chicago,” as well as in Off-Broadway plays. Best known on television for creating the role of Dr. Miranda Bailey on “Grey’s Anatomy,” she has also worked on “Law and Order, SVU,” “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City,” “Third Watch” and other shows. Among her many awards, she has won a Theatre World Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, 4 NAACP Image Awards, a People’s Choice Award, 2 PRISM Awards, and been nominated for 5 Emmy Awards.

This scholarship includes three full-time terms of study. The award will be given to a non-matriculated student to study for one academic year starting in Fall 2025.

Application information and due dates may be found below. Questions can be sent to [email protected].

2025 SCHOLARSHIP DATES

  • October 1, 2024: Opening date for accepting applications
  • June 1, 2025: Application deadline; all materials must be submitted by this date
  • June/July 2025: Finalist Interviews for the Fall 2025 start date. Only finalists will be interviewed (in person or via Zoom)

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

  • Must be 18 years or older by the start of the 2025 Fall semester
  • Intend to study in New York starting Fall 2025, if selected
  • Have completed high school or the equivalent with a 2.5 GPA (75/100) or higher

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for The Chandra Wilson Scholarship, please email the following material to [email protected]. Subject line: “FIRST NAME, LAST NAME – Scholarship Application”

Please note, applicants may apply for more than one LSTFI scholarship. Applicants must indicate all scholarships they wish to be considered for in their application form.

  • Completed scholarship application
  • Copy of your latest academic transcript
  • Two letters of recommendation, no more than six months old from a professional or teacher who can speak about your work
  • Passport-size ID photo, for identification purposes only
  • Headshot and resume
  • Copy of valid passport (non-US Citizens only)

Non-native English speakers must also submit:

  • TOEFL exam results with a score of 85 or higher (taken within two years of application deadline), an equivalent test, OR a transcript from a school where the language of instruction was English

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Any incomplete applications will be disqualified.
  • Application deadlines are strict; do not apply earlier or later or your application will not be considered.
  • After we receive your completed application, you will receive a confirmation receipt email.
  • Housing, books, and materials are not included with the scholarship. Scholarship recipients will need to make their own housing arrangements.
  • There is no audition for admittance at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. If you are selected as a scholarship finalist, you will be interviewed via Zoom or in-person.
  • The scholarship application is the only application you need to submit to be considered for the scholarship; you do not need to submit the standard application for admission to the school in order to apply for a scholarship.