The Miranda Family Scholarship at Skidmore College 

The Miranda Family Scholarship at Skidmore College is intended to create access for current students to education and support that helps to advance careers in theater, dance, music, and arts administration and to increase diversity within leadership in the entertainment industry. 

At Skidmore, the Miranda Family Scholarship program is managed by the Theater Department.

Up to five students will be selected each year as Miranda Family Scholars. Miranda Family Scholars receive financial aid packages that meet their full financial need (through a combination of loans and grants), as well as access to a dedicated summer experience fund to conduct research, intern, or pursue a personal project in theater, dance, arts administration, or music.

Beginning in 2026, Miranda Family Scholars at Skidmore have the option to apply for the Miranda Family Fellowship in the fall of their senior year. Miranda Family Fellows will receive additional professional support and programming as they transition into their careers. The Fellowship program begins during their last semester and continues over the course of two years. Additional benefits are outlined below.

Who Can Apply?
The Miranda Family Scholarship is intended for students dedicated to a pursuing a professional career in the performing arts. As such, the Miranda Family Scholarship is tailored for majors or minors in theater, music, dance, or arts administration, but applications from non-majors and non-minors who are actively engaged in those departments or programs and exhibit an ongoing commitment to production activities and professional development will be considered as well. 

Competitive candidates for the Miranda Family Scholars Program will: 

• Self-identify as an underrepresented individual, and/or a first-generation college student in the arts, with a commitment to pursuing a career in theater, music, dance, and/or arts administration 
• Be rising juniors (entering junior year of their undergraduate program); rising seniors may also apply 
• Demonstrate financial need
• Demonstrate active engagement in arts community 
• Major or minor in theater, music, dance, or arts administration  
• Demonstrate engagement in social justice 
• Priority will be given to US citizens and green card holders

How to Apply: 

Applications should be downloaded, completed, and returned to MIRANDASCHOLARS@SKIDMORE.EDU no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2026

Application Timeline: 

• Application Due Date: March 31, 2026, at 11:59pm 
• Application review: March-April 2026 
• Finalist Interviews:  mid-April 2026 
• Fellows Announced: May 15, 2026 

Applications will be reviewed by Miranda Family Scholarship faculty mentors in Theater at Skidmore College, the Associate Dean of the Faculty for Student Academic Affairs and faculty representatives from dance, music, and arts administration. The financial need and academic integrity status of applicants will be confirmed by the Office of Financial Aid and the Associate Dean of the Faculty for Student Academic Affairs. 

Miranda Family Scholars will receive the following benefits: 

• Financial aid packages (comprising a combination of grants, loans, and family contribution) that cover the student’s full financial need. 
• Access to a dedicated summer experience fund to conduct research, intern, or pursue a personal project in theater, dance, music, or arts administration. 
• Relief from work-study requirements to allow extra time for pursuits in theater, music, and/or dance 
• Personalized mentoring and instruction by experienced Theater faculty  
• Professional development coursework in the Theater Department 
• Unique experiences with guest Theater Artists-in-Residence  
• Cohort activities and opportunities, which may include an annual Theater trip to NYC  
• Ongoing professional development programming and peer networking opportunities over the course of their junior and senior years
• The opportunity to apply to the Miranda Family Fellowship Program in the fall of their senior year, with mentoring from Theater faculty in the preparation of their application

Scholars who are accepted to the Miranda Family Fellowship Program will receive wrap-around programming that focuses on:
– Building Fellows’ business skills and industry knowledge
– Expanding their professional networks and access to industry resources
– Cultivating values-driven leaders who champion new voices
Miranda Family Fellows become part of a national network and receive additional professional support and programming as they transition into their careers. The Fellowship will begin during their last semester and continue over the course of two years. Fellows are selected by the Miranda Family Fund; only Miranda Family Scholars may apply.

Fellowship Expectations: 

• Fellows should plan to remain actively involved in department, programs, and/or production activities throughout the term of their Fellowship. 
• Fellows will attend regular meetings with assigned mentors in Theater and will participate actively in experiences, activities, and events programmed as part of the Fellowship.   
• Fellows will report on their activities, growth, and development throughout the Fellowship period.  
• During their last semester, Fellows should be willing to serve as mentors to incoming junior Miranda Family Scholars. 

Additional Miranda Family Fellowship requirements include: 

Year One:

• Attend the mandatory virtual Miranda Family Fellows’ Orientation in January.
• Update their contact information within the first month of their Fellowship.
• Schedule a 1-on-1 meeting with the Miranda Family Fellowship Team.
• Attend all virtual programming sessions.
• Allowed 1 EXCUSED session absence.
• Complete required 1-on-1s: Q2’s Pitch Practice and Q4’s Coffee Meetings.
• Attend the in-person Miranda Family Fellows’ Summit in NYC.

Year Two:

• Connect with their assigned professional coach or mentor and attend a virtual group meeting in January.
• Complete all assigned benchmarks, deliverables, and progress reports as assigned. *Allowed 1 extension for Benchmarks 1-3.
• Attend all virtual check-in sessions, including 1-on-1 meetings or assignments. *Allowed up to 2 EXCUSED monthly meetings.
• Attend the in-person Miranda Family Fellows’ Summit in NYC.
• Must complete an exit interview with Program Director.

Note: the Miranda Family Fellowship team is happy to provide reasonable accommodations, and we highly encourage Fellows to contact the Fellowship team directly to discuss any challenges regarding program participation.

Questions? 
Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to Miranda Family Scholarship mentors in Theater to discuss their interest, application and/or for feedback on their statements:

• Dr. Lisa Jackson-Schebetta, Chair of Theater: ljackso3@skidmore.edu 
• Professor Teisha Duncan, Artist-in-Residence in Theater, tduncan1@skidmore.edu 
• Laura Menzie, Visiting Lecturer, lmenzie@skidmore.edu 

The Miranda Family Fellowship program fosters and prepares diverse talent to launch successful careers in theater and film. Through our two-track approach, we provide Fellows with financial support, resources, and professional development to help them build long-lasting careers. By supporting emerging artists and arts administrators who come from underrepresented1 communities and/or who lack access to traditional entry points2 to the entertainment industry, we invest in the next generation of storytellers and leaders.
 
1 “Underrepresented” individuals include those with underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, first-generation college students, women or gender-expansive people, members of the LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, or people whose background and experiences would diversify the entertainment field.
 
2 “Traditional” entry points to the entertainment industry include graduating from top-tier schools, parent’s/family’s network in powerful positions in the business, and/or ample funding for their own projects.