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American Dance Festival

Scholarships (SDI)

ADF offers three different scholarship opportunities for SDI participants. Students will apply for scholarships in the SCHOLARSHIP stage on the application. Students may apply for all scholarship opportunities but will be awarded only one type of scholarship: Tuition, Matching, or Work-Study. Once the scholarship is offered and accepted, an applicant cannot change the scholarship type (i.e., tuition scholarship changing to a matching scholarship). Part-time students can not apply for scholarships.

Tuition Scholarships

Initial awards offered at or after live auditions are based on merit. Applicants offered a merit-based scholarship must complete all required financial paperwork (financial aid statement + current tax return) to request additional financial aid-based assistance. All students submitting a video audition or requesting additional financial aid must complete a financial aid statement. International students do not have to submit tax forms but must complete the financial aid statement.

How to apply for a tuition scholarship
  1. Fill out an online application form via Acceptd and submit a $75 nonrefundable application fee (not credited toward tuition).
  2. Audition Options
    1. Option 1: Attend a live audition as part of our ADF Coast to Coast tour! (link to the calendar). Those attending live auditions can optionally upload one 2-minute video for additional consideration when completing the online scholarship application.
    2. Option 2: Submit a video audition: Submit a 2-minute video of your work as a dance artist. Examples of your work could include performance/technical skill, choreography, improvisation, or dance-based community projects. We’ll use this video to assess your strengths as a dance artist.
  3.  Complete the self-interview video that responds to ONE of the questions below. We’ll use this video to learn more about you as a person who not only dances but also has ideas about dance.
    1. Question 1: What does community mean to you as a dance artist?
    2. Question 2: What are you passionate about as a dance artist?
  4.  If submitting a video audition or requesting additional aid, please complete a one-page financial aid statement. The financial aid statement should include why you are asking for assistance, why you want to come to ADF, and how attendance will help you meet your professional goals.

 

ADF does not automatically apply initial scholarship offers made after a live audition. Students must complete the scholarship stage of the application to be considered for tuition scholarship. Students who do not complete an application and all required scholarship guidelines will forfeit their scholarship.

Work-Study Scholarships

Want to dance at ADF this summer AND learn about the inner workings of one of the world’s largest dance festivals, gain valuable work experience in the arts, develop professional connections, and have fun? Apply for our work-study program!

Work-study recipients receive partial (75%) scholarships in exchange for working 15 hours a week during the festival. You will take daily SDI classes, participate in drop-in classes, get one free ticket to all performances, and receive mentoring from ADF staff while building your resume!

How to apply for a work-study scholarship
  1. Fill out an online application form via Acceptd and submit a $75 nonrefundable application fee (not credited toward tuition).
  2. Submit your resume in the scholarship stage of the application and highlight relevant work experience (customer service, retail, production, box office, studio assistant/teacher). Please do not include dance training or performance experience on your resume.
  3. A recommender must complete the Letter of Recommendation Form:
    • Provide your recommender’s email in your online application, and they will automatically receive the digital form. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the digital form is completed and submitted by your recommender before a scholarship deadline.
  4. Complete the self-interview video that responds to ONE of the questions below.
    1. Question 1: What three things can you do to create a positive work environment?
    2. Question 2: Describe a challenging work situation and how you worked through it.
  5. Submit a one-page statement explaining your current financial situation to help us assess your level of need. The financial aid statement should include why you are asking for assistance, why you want to come to ADF, and how attendance will help you meet your professional goals.
  6. Costume Apprenticeship positions only: Upload a media file of your portfolio of your work or contact the School office for other material submission options.

Matching Scholarships

ADF will match up to $500 towards tuition fees from sponsoring organizations, businesses, colleges, and universities. Matching scholarships cannot be applied to anything other than tuition. Sponsors can make one payment over the phone or via check. ADF can only accept one external payment from a supporting school or organization. Any additional payments must be made through your Acceptd portal.

How to apply for a matching scholarship
  1. Fill out an online application form via Acceptd and submit a $75 nonrefundable application fee (not credited toward tuition).
  2. Contact Heather vonReichbauer, Director of School Administration, via email at heathervonr@americandancefestival.org to request a Matching Scholarship form.
  3. Have your sponsor complete the form by March 1 for the priority deadline and April 5 for the final scholarship deadline. All payments must be submitted by March 21 for the March 1 deadline and April 25 for the April 5 deadline.

Stagecraft Apprentices

Stagecraft apprentices are awarded to students with interest and experience in the technical aspects of dance production. Apprentices are integral to the technical crew preparing and running performances by visiting companies. Must be at ADF from June 6 to July 30, 2025.

Please note that this is strenuous work that requires mature and responsible individuals. Apprentices will be working afternoons, evenings, and weekends and take the first two class blocks. Apprentices are responsible for finding their housing.

Stagecraft Apprentice Required Materials
  • Résumé: highlighting work experience pertinent to the work-study position
  • One letter of recommendation

To apply, submit your resume and letter to: adf@americandancefestival.  Please put Stagecraft Apprentice Application in the subject line.

Costume Work-Study Apprentice

Costume apprentices work with the ADF Costume Designer to shop costumes for the Footprints​ repertory pieces. The costume apprenticeship will assist with fittings, alterations, and repairs as needed. Strong home sewing or cosplay sewing skills are required. Experience in a university program or a professional setting is helpful. Due to the nature and quantity of work, apprentices cannot audition for or perform in showings that conflict with shop hours. Costume apprentices can take two-morning classes and must leave the 3rd period open for the apprenticeship. Work hours are 2 pm-6 pm, Monday-Friday, some nights and weekends as needed (particularly during the festival’s last week). Costume Apprentices will work approximately 15 hours per week.

Applicants should send their resume and portfolio to school@americandancefestival.org

Duties will include:

  • Stitching, altering, and mending costumes
  • Attending assigned fittings
  • Attending assigned technical rehearsals, designer runs, and dress rehearsals
  • Assisting costume management by producing and organizing paperwork
  • Serving as wardrobe crew for ​Footprints​ performances, including laundry and repairs as needed
  • Other opportunities and duties may be assigned depending on the skill level of the apprentice