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The Cicely Tyson Scholarship – NYC Campus

THE CICELY TYSON SCHOLARSHIP

OPEN TO BIPOC APPLICANTS
(New York Campus Scholarship)

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, we are privileged to name a new annual scholarship in honor of the legendary actress and humanitarian, Cicely Tyson.

This scholarship for one year of full-time study at 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.

Miss Tyson studied with Lee Strasberg; her work illuminates the essence of Method Acting and is a great inspiration to all of us. Her career in theater, film and television spans over seven decades, and she continues to work and receive acclaim for her performances.

Miss Tyson is known for selecting meaningful roles that communicate a positive message and portraying strong women. She has used her artistic craft to address crucial issues of racial and gender equality, justice, inclusiveness and promote social change.

Her most memorable work includes the film Sounder, for which she received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations; The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman; The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All; Alex Haley’s Roots; and, the play and film, The Trip to Bountiful. Her most notable performances on Broadway include The Gin Game and The Trip to Bountiful, for which she won a Tony Award. Her work on television has received 3 Emmy Awards and 16 nominations, most recently in 2020 for her guest appearance How to Get Away with Murder.

Among Miss Tyson’s numerous other awards are an honorary Oscar, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom for Contribution to the Arts and American Culture, the NAACP’s highest honor, the Peabody Career Achievement Award and induction into the Television Hall of Fame.

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 2024.

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

2024 SCHOLARSHIP DATES

  • October 1, 2023: Opening date for accepting applications
  • June 1, 2024: Application deadline; all materials must be submitted by this date
  • June/July 2024: Finalist Interviews for the Fall 2024 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 2024 Fall semester
  • Intend to study in New York starting Fall 2024, 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 Cicely Tyson 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.