Coppin State University is a member of Alpha Psi Omega (ΑΨΩ), a National Theatre Honor Society for participants in collegiate theatre. It began in the early 20th century as result of the growing interest in dramatic arts among colleges and universities throughout America, with the aim of encouraging dramatic production at every step in a person’s academic career. Alpha Psi Omega is the largest national honor society in America. Membership is open to students who are active in collegiate/university theatre at four-year institutions. Students strive to earn membership into this prestigious organization.

Apply for the Scholarship

Theatre is a part of the Urban Arts major at Coppin. We are searching for talented individuals who are interested in majoring in theatre (Urban Arts) and whose gifts and passions are found in areas that feature on stage performances, and backstage work. Theatre is a gateway major that accommodates skills and competencies that will prepare students to work in environments that require integration and cross-pollination of thought, philosophy, and skills as 21st century learners.

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Preparing for the Scholarship Audition

What you need to do

• Perform a monologue that suits you and your age (no more than 5 years older or younger than your actual age)
• No overdone selections                                                
• Choose and show drama that is active
• Character must tell an urgent story right now  
• Know selection well
• No profanity (know sensibilities of the adjudicators)
• Selection should honor time limit
• No dialects

Pre-preparation

• Give yourself time to get ready (can’t start the night before)
• Make a good impression
• Spend lots of time reading scripts, screenplays, poetry, fiction, musical scores, and other sources for audition material. Give yourself many options to make your final choice(s).
• Find or adapt the perfect selections
• Spend time rehearsing under the guidance of a trusted director or coach
• Research the full production
• Understand every word you speak (look up unfamiliar terms and expressions)
• Make it fresh
• Practice your slate
  • short and upbeat
  • A sincere greeting, your name, the play from which your selection is taken, and the author is sufficient information
  • Place a chair, if needed, and set before your introduction
  • Begin and end strongly
  • Practice your entire presentation
  • At the end, restate your name, the selection, your number and say a dignified “Thank you” and exit

 Your Appearance

•  Dressing is a part of the “package”
•  Polished, professional appearance
•  Clothing with neutral, plain, and solid colors work best
•  Avoid noisy footwear and jewelry (keep jewelry small and  unobtrusive—again, loop earrings may steal the attention from your work; you are not there to make a fashion statement)
•  Dancers should not hide their bodies beneath loose clothing

The Printed Materials

Résumé, application, sheet music:

• Neat and error-free
• Music should be in the proper key (with returns, tempo changes, and other irregularities marked clearly for the accompanist—remember, this is somebody who will be reading the music on the spot)

Taking Care of Yourself

• Take care of your voice
• Get a good night’s sleep
• On Audition day
  • Eat lightly before the audition
  • Arrive early enough to scope out the audition space, if possible
  • Find a quiet place to warm up your voice and body
  • Know where you will focus your eyes during your presentation
  • Experts suggest visualizing your partner at some point just above the heads of the auditors
  • Address your listeners directly
  • Be sensitive to the acoustics of the space. Use sufficient breath to fill the room with your voice

What Not to Do

• Do not apologize or make excuses                                                      
• If you blank out, take a breath, remember your character’s objective, find a line, and continue
• Never ask to start over, particularly in a singing or dance audition
• Be prepared to answer auditors’ questions when your presentation is over. Know the full play, your character’s objectives, and intentions
• Dancers, especially, should remain in their places until excused
• Enjoy yourself. Share your love of performing with your audience

Pointers for Completing the Audition

• Be animated
• Show range in pitch and physicality (do not be monotone)
• Use your whole body and not just from the waist up
• Use the stage
• Do not turn your back to the audience or turn your performance to the side. Let the director see the open (full front) view. It is the strongest body position for your presentation.
• Feel free to use several levels, i.e., sitting in a chair, standing, walking with a purpose
• Speak with a clear, distinct, and articulate voice
• Listen to the text that you are speaking or singing or dancing to for the show. Let it make sense to you.
• Please look and learn to pronounce words that are not familiar to you before coming to the audition
• Do not perform an act that has offensive words, trigger words or vulgar language (plenty of time to explore that avenue later)
• Stay away from sexually suggestive works.
• Either sing a cappella or with an instrumental track. DO NOT SING WITH THE CD. We want to hear you and not the original artist singing.
• Act like you want to win a spot in the show! Make it hard for the sponsors to say no to you.
• Choose a work that shows your range of talent.
• Choose one that is age and gender appropriate.

“Luck is what happens with preparation meets opportunity.”

Be very prepared. You are trying to make a good impression. Break-a-leg!

Students participate in a myriad of co-curricular activities, including plays, concerts, art exhibits, workshops, presentations, competitions, tournaments, field trips, and conferences.

Student Collaborations

Our theatre students participate in a range of collaborative and community service projects with other student organizations and with other colleges and universities.

Recent collaborations include participation in Bowie State University’s annual Ten Minute Play Festival and a co-production on the show, Best of Enemies with McDaniel College.

Students also work with professional theatre practitioners as guest directors, actors, designers and playwrights (One Night Only, Harlem Song, Brother’s Keeper).

Internships

Our students have participated in various internship opportunities, such as:

• Daniel Carter, Ensemble Theatre of Houston, TX
• Louis Williams, III, Baltimore Shakespeare Factory
• Dorrian Wilson, Chesapeake Shakespeare Theatre
• Anthony Murcia-Santos, The Juilliard School
• Juan Ogando, Upright Citizens Brigade in NYC
• Kai Crosby-Singleton, Baltimore Center Stage
• Anthony Murcia-Santos, Baltimore Center Stage

Advanced Study Opportunities

Coppin State theatre students go on to advanced study, such as:

• Dorrian Wilson, MFA Acting Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Mama Rashida Foreman-Bey, MFA Community Arts Program, Mrayland Institute College of Art (MICA)
• Dorrian Wilson and Ryan Pratcher-Bey, the Kennedy Center

Broadway Field Trips

Students are encouraged to participate in our trips to professional productions. Past activities have included:

• The Color Purple. Students interviewed Natasha Williams, who played Sofia.
• Cat on A Hot Tin Roof. Students participated in a talk-back with cast member Anika Noni Rose, who played Maggie the Cat.
• Porgy and Bess. Students participated in a talk-back with cast members Natasha Williams (Mariah) and Norm Lewis (Porgy).
• Chicago. Students participated in a talk-back with cast members Brandy Norwood (Roxie), Natasha Williams and full cast.
• The Lion King. Students interviewed L. Steven Taylor who plays Mufasa.
• A Soldier’s Play

Engaging the Community

Our theatre students participate in a range of community activities, including:

• Summer theatre program
• Performances at Churches
• Audience talk-backs after all theatre performances

Regional and National Competitions

Coppin State theatre students participate in regional and national competitions, such as:

• NADSA
• KCACTF, one of the few HBCUs participating
• Forensics Tournaments

School Matinee Performances

• Middle and high school students

Participating in Public Showcases

• Acting I
• Acting II
• Acting III
• Unscripted: Improvisation for the Actor
• Oral Interpretation
• Directing
• We Heart Art Festival

We Nurture. We Engage. We Transform.

The arts are essential to our lives!  Theatre art is an avenue to intellectual, social, personal, professional development, and enrichment. The theatre concentration in the Urban Arts major prepares students for careers in theatre and related disciplines through character, leadership, and service for building relationships and community. The program supports the following fundamental beliefs and values:

Excellence, the highest artistic quality

Integrity, the highest standards of honesty and fairness in the pursuit of equitable, ethical, and professional practice. 

Lifelong Learning the best continuous training for artistry, knowledge, and skills

Service is our noble and worthy responsibility to our community

Diversity of opinion, freedom of expression and each person’s individuality. 

Creativity in all endeavors. 

Commitment to the arts and to the mission of the University its role in supporting the highest quality of life 

Intellectual Freedom for the ethical and scholarly inquiry in an environment that fully respects the rights of all in their pursuit of knowledge

Stewardship of Resources dedicated to the efficient and effective use as we accept the responsibility of public trust and accountability for our actions 

The Theatre concentration focuses on the student as the center of the educational enterprise. We place a high premium on nurturing, engaging, and transforming the individual so that creativity is expressed with honor and value. Learn about theater-related jobs.

Our academic program is ably supported by Coppin Repertory Theatre, the producing arm and Coppin Players, a student run organization where our students collaborate, invest, and own the work they do.

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Learn about the Theatre Scholarship

Coppin State University Hosts the 84th Annual Conference National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts (NADSA) - April 6-9, 2022

Coppin Repertory Theatre will host the 84th Annual Conference of NADSA, an association of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other arts/entertainment professionals from historically black colleges and universities across the country. Founded in 1936, NADSA is the nation’s oldest surviving educational theatre association. The annual conference features workshops, competitions, performances, and plenaries. Attendees use NADSA as an opportunity to network, build skillsets, and share best practices in the field.

Thank you for your interest in the Maxie Collier Scholars Program at Coppin State University. The Program has a strong legacy of preparing undergraduate Scholars for professional careers in the field of public behavioral health services.

Application Packet

Please complete and include the following documents in your application packet: 

• Application 
• Personal Statement: Responses to three questions on application 
• Signed applicants’ agreement included in application 
• Proof of Maryland residency 
• Three submissions addressing your strengths and why you should be selected as a Scholar. Two submissions from CSU professors and one submission from a community person (examples: supervisor, clergy member, volunteer coordinator ). Submissions are due by March 17, 2021 and may be submitted to Maxie Collier Scholars Program Recommendation Form.

Submit Your Application Packet 

Applications may be submitted in person or by email. Please submit the complete application packet to: 

• Email: Email your application packet to MaxieCollierScholarsProgram@coppin.edu 
• In Person: Drop your application off in room 522 of the Health and Human Services Building (HHSB) 

Important Dates 

Please be reminded of the following important dates: 

• January 20, 2021 - Applications available 
• March 17, 2021 - Deadline to submit completed Applications and Recommendations
• April 7, 2021 - Interviews for Applicants 

Please feel free to reach out if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,

Julie Manley, MCSP Program Coordinator

• From the State of Maryland 
• Officially enrolled as a Coppin State University undergraduate student
• Have a minimum of 1 year remaining as an undergraduate student at CSU
• 3.0 minimum GPA preferred
• Declared major in criminal justice, natural sciences, nursing, psychology, or social work
• Commitment to pursue a behavioral health career in the State of Maryland
• Completed Application to include a required personal statement
• High rating in a required personal interview
• Three letters of support from recommended sources
• Official college transcript

Completed applications should be returned to:

Maxie Collier Scholars Program Coordinator
Coppin State University
2500 W. North Avenue, HHSB Room #523 or 339
Baltimore, MD 21216

Graduation Requirements

The Mental Health Seminar HEED 105 is a graduation requirement for Maxie Collier Scholars.

Participating Departments

In order to participate in the Maxie Collier program students must declare a major in the following departments/schools:

• Helene Fuld School of Nursing
• Psychology, Counseling & Behavioral Health
• Department of Criminal Justice
• Department of Natural Sciences
• Department of Social Work

Honoring the name of a prominent practitioner, Dr. Maxie T. Collier, lends prestige and honor to a scholars program designed to increase the number of minority professionals in the field of Mental Health.

Maxie Collier graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee with a degree in psychology in 1967. He graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1977. Dr. Collier began his private practice in 1980 where he offered his expertise in the areas of family therapy, individual psychodynamic therapy, and forensic psychiatry. In 1987, Dr. Collier became the Chief of Psychiatry for the Johns Hopkins Health Plan where he was responsible for the management and supervision of mental health services including outpatient treatment, inpatient admission, and rehabilitative services.

Dr. Collier sat on numerous boards and committees, including the Baltimore City Medical Society Board of Directors, Baltimore Urban League Executive Board, Congressman Benjamin Cardin's Health Advisory Committee, and the University of Maryland School of Medicine Admissions Committee.

In addition to his many professional activities, Dr. Collier was an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Dr. Collier created "The Baltimore Project," a novel prenatal care project aimed at reducing infant mortality and future unwanted pregnancies. He established the Baltimore City Health Consortium, which acts as a resource for health care partnerships, and the Health Expo intended to recruit high school juniors and seniors into the field of health. Dr. Collier also created an office of Minority Health to conduct research and education and to orient Baltimore Health Department services to better serve minorities. From 1987 to 1990, Dr. Collier served as the Commissioner of Health for Baltimore City, a cabinet level appointee of the Mayor.

Prior to his unexpected death in April of 1994, Dr. Maxie T. Collier was President of Spectrum Development Services, Inc. and in addition provided consultative services for the Green Spring Mental Health Services, Inc.

Purpose of the Maxie Collier Program

The Maxie Collier Scholars Program is a behavioral health workforce development program for Coppin State University undergraduate students who reside in the State of Maryland. The purpose of the Maxie Collier Scholars Program is to prepare promising undergraduate students at Coppin State University for completion of undergraduate school requirements and placement in professional behavioral health career positions in the State of Maryland.

More specifically, the charge is to prepare Coppin State University students from the fields of Criminal Justice, Elementary Education, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Nursing, Psychology, and Social Work, with a recommended minimum of two years remaining for completion of undergraduate work, who will be well trained and available to serve children, adolescents and their families in the Baltimore Metropolitan area.

The Program is funded by the Behavioral Health Administration and the Maryland Department of Health. Partners of the Program include the University of Maryland at Baltimore, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Behavioral Health Systems, Baltimore, and the Black Mental Health Alliance.

Criteria for Scholars

Program Goals

The goal of the Maxie Collier Scholars Program is to educate and recruit more African-American professionals into professional behavioral health career positions in the State of Maryland.

Maxie Collier Scholars receive an enriched, career focused, academic background; financial support; graduate school preparation; internship experience; access to a network of career placement resources; and financial resources which encourage and support their educational advancement.

Program Elements

• Behavioral Health Seminar (Emerging Issues in Behavioral Health and Well Being)
• Internships
• Stipends
• Graduate School Mentors
• Individual Advisement
• Coppin Undergraduate Faculty Advisors
• Enrichment Activities

The program is expected to promote college-wide interest in behavioral health issues at CSU. It is also expected to increase community awareness of resources to assist people who are interested in a career in the field of behavioral health.

The project is named for the late Dr. Maxie T. Collier, former Baltimore City Commissioner of Health and practicing psychiatrist.

How to Apply

Please complete no later than March 14, 2025, 5:00pm:

• Program application *Please refrain from using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to complete your application.
• Online Recommendation Form: TWO SUBMISSIONS: One submission from a CSU professor addressing your strengths and why you should be selected as a Scholar; Second submission from a community leader, supervisor, mentor.

Eligible Applicants will be invited for interviews.

Application Process

The Social Work Student Experience

The Social Work program is much more than the curriculum. We educate, advocate, and continuously create opportunities for our students to shine.

Social Work Association

20 years ago, the Department Chair, Eloise Bridges founded the Coppin State University Social Work Association. She established this student organization to:

• help students learn about the field of Social Work.
• assist students in planning social work career goals.
• provide a mutual support system for students' educational and personal needs.
• provide services that support campus, neighborhood, and  community well-being.
• increase awareness on the Coppin campus of the Social Work program.

Social Work Honor Society

Phi Alpha Honor Society is the national honor society for students studying social work. Coppin State University is home to the Theta Rho chapter which was chartered in 1999. A primary goal of Phi Alpha is to nurture closer bonds among students of social work as well as promote humanitarian goals and ideals. It continues to foster high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.

Theta Rho inducts new members annually, and also conducts 2 meetings every year. The first meeting hosts a speaker, and the second one is a business meeting. Students run the business of the Theta Rho chapter under faculty advisement.

Admissions Eligibility

Any student who meets the eligibility criteria automatically gets an invitation to join. Once a student receives the invitation, they may submit an application. To be eligible for Phi Alpha admission, a student must have:

• Declared social work as a major
• Achieved sophomore status
• Completed 9 semester hours of required social work courses
• Achieved top 35% of the social work major

Social Work Alumni Association

The Social Work Alumni Association commits to support, mentor, and advocate the needs of students, social work faculty, and the University. It also exists to:

• maintain a close relationship between alumni and the University
• support the social work program
• promote the University's growth and development

Membership

Any graduate of the Coppin State University's Social Work Program may join the Social Work Alumni Association. Membership dues cost $40.00 per year.

Maxie Collier Scholars Program

The goal of the Maxie Collier Scholars Program is to educate and recruit more African-American professionals into public mental health and to address the shortage of trained clinicians available to serve seriously emotionally disturbed children, adolescents, and their families.

Influencing State Policy

Influencing State Policy (ISP) is an open group of policy-minded people who are interested in informing, creating, and evaluating state-level policy. Founded in Chicago in 1997 by social workers and educators, ISP works to help increase the efficacy of those in the social work profession in influencing policy and legislation.

Department of Social Work Student Handbook

The Department of Social Work Student Handbook is the catalog for the social work degree program at Coppin State University. The Handbook includes:

• a description of the social work profession.
• social work course descriptions and requirements.
• faculty profiles.
• admissions policies and procedures.

Several appendices include important documents for social work majors, including a degree check sheet that enables each student to track progress through the social work curriculum.

Dorothy I. Height Center for the Advancement of Social Justice

The Dorothy I. Height Center for the Advancement of Social Justice is a community-based resource that focuses on community engagement through social justice-related education, advocacy, research and referrals. The Center honors Dr. Height’s name and contributions by actualizing her visions, applying her strategies, and emulating her determination to affect positive social change locally and beyond. Our mission is to heighten awareness regarding national and international human rights and social justice issues that impact marginalized populations and communities.

The Coppin State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews all human research conducted under the auspices of Coppin State University.

The protection of human Subjects is of utmost importance. As such, we believe it is important to provide a “user friendly” environment by which you can seek approval to conduct research using human subjects at Coppin State University.

The IRB will not review applications for projects that are already completed. If a project is already underway, research should be immediately suspended until the application has been reviewed.

Function

The function of the IRB is to ensure adherence to all federal, state, local, and institutional regulations concerning the protection of human subjects in research. All human research conducted at CSU or associated with the university must receive IRB review and approval prior to conducting the research.

Application to Use Human Subjects in Research

The Application to Use Human Subjects in Research and appropriate forms should be completed and submitted to irb@coppin.edu. You will receive a response within 14 business days after the IRB has met.

The CSU Human Subjects Handbook provides guidance for applicants.

Should you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the IRB Chair at irb@coppin.edu.

Begin Your Application

CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) Program

Effective January 1, 2025 Principal Investigators, Faculty Advisors (for students serving as PIs), Co-PIs and research team members who will interact with human subjects and/or their identifiable data for the purposes of research must complete CITI Training before the Initial Application, Amendment Application, Continuing Review Application can be fully approved, or they must be temporarily removed from the research team until the training has been completed.

Register for training

Meeting Schedule

IRB monthly meetings are held on the the 4th Wednesday of each month from August to May.

• August 23, 2023
• September 27, 2023
• October 25, 2023
• November 15, 2023
• December 20, 2023
• January 24, 2024
• February 28, 2024
• March 27, 2024
• April 24, 2024
• May 22, 2024