<p>Hi. I'm new to this message board but have been viewing posts for a while now. I see it is very helpful and I hope someone can help me. I've been doing the whole Musical Theater thing forever - singing, dancing, acting -- But a few years ago I had an epiphany and declared I wanted to become a Director -- preferably theater but I wouldn't mind a background in film as well.... I looked at many websites for colleges that offer the program, but most admissions "auditions" say the prospective directing majors need a portfolio... Uh oh -- I've never had the chance to actually DIRECT a show here in my school or community theater -- it's just something that isn't really done until you become a senior and... by then all of my college applications will be sent already! What do I do and what's included in a portfolio anyway!?!</p>
<p>MattyB-
Have you thought about doing a project on your own outside of school? Maybe a children's theater production or rent some space in a community center or church and produce your own show. You don't necessarily have to do it on your high school campus. Most cities have a park and recreation department that offer summer classes. You could contact them about directing a play or review. Many of our students start projects on their own outside of school.</p>
<p>In your post you wrote "it's just something that isn't really done until you become a senior and...". I say be the first one in your school/community to do something that hasn't been done!!! </p>
<p>All you need is the desire and the will to do something and you will do it.</p>
<p>There is a poster on the MT thread by the name of collegebound87. Send him a PM. He would have a lot of great info for you as would SinginIzzy. Also Briarbrad posts on this site too and I bet he would have a wealth of information also.</p>
<p>I agree with the suggestions. My daughter ran a program at a local homeless shelter and then eventually with some other low-income kids. Introduced them to tap for the first time, as well as improv and scenes. In her case, she did not have an end production, but that had as much to do with the changing group of kids s he was working with.</p>
<p>A great show to do with young kids is How to Eat Like a Child -- or at least the various scenes.</p>
<p>Hey Matt :) ... Guess who?!</p>
<p>lol no way --- dani firm??</p>
<p>hehe. How's Smile?!</p>
<p>MattyB,</p>
<p>I agree with wct's suggestion, look into local children's theatre groups. We are fortunate to have one in our city, and their artistic director empowers high school students with such avenues you are looking for. Does your high school offer a mentorship program? Perhaps you could shadow a drama director/instructor at a local college or even high school. How about the local 4-H or church/temple....would it not be possible for you to organize a show? So many possiblities, you just need to look for them or create them.</p>
<p>I encourage you to look at Webster University's Directing program. At Webster students have the unique opportunity to work side by side with the St. Louis Rep. Lots of great opportunities. Many of the directing students find great summer work. </p>
<p>Best wishes...we look forward to hearing about your progress!! Keep us posted.</p>
<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>
<p>Matty B- i just sent you an email:</p>
<p>I think that its really different for each person. For me, personally, I've known that I've wanted to direct for a long time now. My teacher has given me ample opportunities to build up my directing portfolio through performance, directing, stage management, dramaturgy, etc. But this is probably not the norm for most people, and these programs KNOW that most high school students out there haven't had a chance to direct alot. Ask your drama teachers if there's a chance for you to do a one-act or something next year. Stage manage. Do independant study directing projects, i.e. direct shows without actors - so create a production book with blocking plotted out, lighting & set design, etc. This is a GREAT way to build up a portfolio right in your own bedroom!
Ask your drama teachers if you can assistant direct for them next year - probably the BEST advice i could give is to watch how other (good) directors direct. You could also try to get an internship somewhere this summer...any regional theatres in your city? </p>
<p>And read alot of plays!!!</p>
<p>Oh- and since you said you wanted to direct theatre w/ some film training - @ Carnegie you make 2 films before you graduate although the focus is on the theatre. Make sure you also take a look at NYU and Michigan.</p>
<p>People have given you great advice here. I don't know anything about directing programs so I will defer to these experienced folks on this thread.</p>
<p>However, when you mentioned that you can only direct a show/project senior year....I urge you to create your own opportunities rather than whatever is the "norm" or rule so to speak. As an example, for the past two years, when my D was in tenth and in eleventh grade, she initiated her own student run musical, something that never has been done at our school. She conceived of her own musical cabaret revue that she wrote, cast it, produced it, directed it, choreographed it, musical directed it, hired musicians, lined up lighting and other tech aspects, did publicity, and so forth. These two shows were successful and she gave all the proceeds to charities. While there was no set up to do this at her school, she just made it happen. She even ran into obstacles this year, her second show like this, with certain faculty who were not too into a student run production. Some say it was the best show they had ever seen done at the school. I know you could try to do something like this too even though nothing is IN PLACE NOW for you to do it...initiate it, make it happen. </p>
<p>Again, on this same vein, this summer she is creating a summer program for kids ages 9-14 that will center on musical theater....while she will teach lessons/workshops in all aspects of musical theater, the core of the program will be another musical cabaret she will write/create and direct and then these kids will perform it. She found a local theater venue that will let her use their space for two weeks. Again, none of this was things already in place....it is just coming up with an idea, and finding a way to make it happen. </p>
<p>I think you might be able to do the same....either a play you write, a known play, anything....through school, in the community....maybe start small and be a play that has just a few characters in it. Forget what your school "usually" does or does not do. Our school NEVER has kids direct or run their own shows but they have now! </p>
<p>GO FOR IT!</p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Advice to MattyB:</p>
<p>Hi. I am a high school senior who applied for directing, and I totally hear your concerns about not being able to direct before you audition...but don't freak out! I just got into the directing program at Carnegie Mellon and I hadn't directed a single show before. In fact, I just finished directing my first show a few weeks ago...however, that doesn't prevent you from putting together a portfolio! Your portfolio is just evidence of your artistic life. Pick a show you love, and "pretend" to direct it. Write how you perceive the show, your "vision", and put down some blocking. Include photos and newspaper clippings of shows you've been in. STAGE MANAGE! I know most directing programs rely on their students to stage manage shows, and you need to know how to do it. Assistant direct. Draw pretty pictures and designs for shows you like and pop them into your portfolio. Listen, when you apply for directing, they care about who you are as a person. The portfolio's primary purpose is to give you something to talk about during the interview, so it should just highlight some of your training, but most importantly, what YOU do best. But my best advice is to live (as a human being) with integrity and passion, and it will show in your interview. They don't expect an eighteen-year-old to have a huge body of directing work. However, I know the people I respect as directors are people I respect as people: they are interested in the world around them, they are interesting as people, they care not only for the work but also the workers around them, and above all they are good people. Convey that, and you'll be great.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. And best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Theaterapplicant,</p>
<p>What a FABULOUS answer!!!!!!! Couldn't be more impressed. No wonder they scooped you up at CMU. Many people would say "Lucky you!." I say "Lucky them!" Go get 'em.</p>
<p>theaterapplicant and briarbrad-</p>
<p>I only know of the two of you by what I read on this forum, but I sense that both of you are very intelligent, wonderful people. I am sure that CMU will be very proud to have you and I hope my S will have the opportunity to meet you next year.</p>
<p>I cannot thank you guys enough -- I ran out immediately and picked up books on Directing and a few notable plays I can (sometime in the near future) start dissecting and really create a new-found passion for Directing. I never thought about it before, but you are so right. I can only hope that your advice and my hard work will someday pay off -- AND MOST DEFINITELY keep me updated on CMU, one of my top-choices for Directing when I start applying to schools next year... Matt</p>