Theatre Scholarship Creates Limitless Opportunities

Meet Emilia Pardue ’28, a theatre major and studio art minor from Iwakuni, Japan.

Pardue spent the first half of her high school career in the United States, and she knew she wanted to return to the U.S. for university and to be close to her family in Texas.

“I began researching schools in Texas, and Trinity came on my radar. The lack of an application fee, accessibility to aid, and the liberal arts’ ability to pursue more than one academic focus grabbed my attention,” she says. “I could pursue theatre while pairing it with studio art and music. Getting more context and experience in these fields will help me with the art I want to create.”

Pardue’s passion for theatre motivated her to apply for the Baker Duncan Theatre Scholarship. She had been nervous about applying for the scholarship from overseas, but she found the application process to be smooth and accessible. “The department was incredibly accommodating in terms of scheduling with a time difference. Most of my experience is in theatrical production and design, so instead of presenting a monologue or performance piece, I was able to present and discuss my portfolio,” she says.

The Baker Duncan Theatre Scholarship awards incoming first-year students interested in all aspects of theatre, such as performance, directing, design, and more, with up to $10,000 in scholarship money that is renewed annually. Backed by this generous funding, Pardue has been able to pursue theatre at Trinity in more ways than she anticipated. “As the scholarship requires semesterly involvement in mainstage productions, it opens so many doors for new experiences. I have many friends who not only get involved in stage management but also in various production positions like dramaturgy, assistant directing, and assistant designing,” she says.

Being a Baker Duncan Scholar pushes Pardue to continue exploring what she is capable of. During her first semester, she jumped into assistant stage managing The Thanksgiving Play and The Four Horsemen Present: The Apocalypse. At the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, Pardue knew she wanted to be involved in a new project and was asked to be an assistant lighting designer for Cabaret. “The involvement ingrained in the scholarship allows for so much growth and nurtures a beautiful community of passionate artists across all academic focuses,” she says.

Pardue is also involved in the Trinity University Players (TUPS) as a production manager, as well as First Time Offenders Improv (FTO). These student organizations are also open to non-theatre majors or minors, making them a great opportunity for Emilia to meet people outside her major who still share her passions. In addition to theatre, Pardue is involved in the Trinity Acabellas, the Alpha Chi Lambda sorority, and the Trinity Anglers Fellowship.

Pardue advises prospective applicants for the Baker Duncan Scholarship to bring their passion, ambition, and curiosity to the application process. “The scholarship takes commitment and real love for the art, especially regarding performance, as you may not always get cast and instead get more experience in backstage or production roles,” she says. “Any experience can expand your view and make you a more well-rounded artist. Remain open to those possibilities, and don't sell yourself short.”