<p>My D is a senior who just this summer decided she would like to study Theater Design and Technology...she is particularly interested in the costuming and make up aspect. She would really like to go to Emerson College (her older sister is a junior there) and needs to put together a portfolio. Therein lies our problem...she does not have the first idea about how you put one together. She does have sketches, paintings and photographs she has done/taken but does not know how to organize this. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>I really think you should organize it in the order of the time in which your project took place. Start off with something that was basic, simple stuff that you did a while ago, and then move onto the “new” stuff where you’ve (hopefully) made lots of improvements!</p>
<p>In most cases, as long as it’s neat and doesn’t look like it was put together literally 5 minutes before the interview time, then it won’t matter. The portfolio is mainly for them to see what they are capable of doing at the moment, and the BIG thing is communication in my opinion. Whatever you do in theater, you need to be able to communicate and if you’re confidently able to talk about the things you have in your folder, it won’t matter how you organized the portfolio. =)</p>
<p>I agree communication is most important.</p>
<p>A design portfolio is usually organized by project, with the most recent project first, like a resume. So she could make a section for each play, starting with the most recent.</p>
<p>But if she has one or two ideas for a lot of plays, few of which have been produced, it might make more sense to group by the type of idea—costumes, makeup, or sets. Or she could just put everything in chronological order if a lot of her art is not theater-related and she mainly wants to show improvement over time.</p>
<p>The portfolio should suit the content, not the other way around.</p>
<p>Alfie:</p>
<p>I agree that there are many ways to organize a portfolio, as long as it is clear that there is an organizational pattern. Well said.</p>
<p>I would tend to disagree with your suggestion about leading with your oldest work, however. Psychology experiments, and practical experience in auditions as well as portfolio reviews, suggest that first impressions count. </p>
<p>I’d lead with your best work in the area that you want to pursue. Then show us other skill areas directly related to theatre. At the end of that section is the place to put something you did when you were younger, to show growth. Finally, include artwork, if you have any.</p>
<p>Start with strength, and end with strength. The same rule applies to political speeches, trials, and plays.</p>
<p>As for content, here’s a link to the page, written by our head of design, Rob Johnson, on portfolios. Other schools have similar lists; there isn’t the variety that one encounters in acting programs about audition material.</p>
<p>[Otterbein</a> College Department of Theatre and Dance - Home Page](<a href=“http://www.otterbein.edu/theatre/dt/dtinterviews.asp]Otterbein”>http://www.otterbein.edu/theatre/dt/dtinterviews.asp)</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much…your suggestions are greatly appreciated. I should have said that she does not have much experience in the Theater…has done the make up and costuming in a few drama club productions; helped to write and compose and perform in a live radio show. She also loves to write and has written many “screenplays”. She has photographs she has taken, sketches, and paintings but that would be the extent of her “portfolio”.
Is she out of her element in terms of getting into a Theater Design and Technology program due to her lack of experience?</p>
<p>She may want to look at strong BA Theatre programs that provide undergraduates with lots of opportunities and experience to work in Technical Production and Design. Many BA programs do not require a portfolio review. A BA program may also allow her to explore both her writing and theatre technology interests.</p>
<p>This is not at all a comment on your Ds background and experience…</p>
<p>Unless they are prepared to take a gap year all students applying for BFA admissions should also have programs on their that do not require an artistic revue for admission. This school should be an academic safety that the student would be happy to attend. BFA admissions is very competitive, and often fluky…</p>
<p>I think that Emerson has both a BA and a BFA program.</p>
<p>I see you are in NH (this is where I am from originally). She may also want to look at the theatre programs at Plymouth State, UNH, and Keene State. Best of luck! :)</p>
<p>I think Colleges are looking for potential rather than experience. A student with fresh ideas and a willingness to learn will look better than someone with experience, no depth, and a feeling that he already knows the material. </p>
<p>My D recently interviewed for a college as part of a group that included one student who wore a suit and carried a professional portfolio. He was one of those who were not accepted. When I asked if she knew why, she said she thought his designs, although beautifully presented, were sort of generic. </p>
<p>I’m not a college rep but it sounds to me like your D has enough experience and the rest will depend on her talent and attitude.</p>
<p>I did not mean to say that your D should not apply to any BFA design programs… more that she might want to include BA programs (or BFA programs) on her list that would allow her to develop her knowledge and interests in design and other areas of theatre.</p>
<p>Particularly since the decision to pursue a degree in Design and Technology is a relatively new one. She could look for an undergraduate program that will allow her to learn design, have opportunities to design, AND explore other areas of theatre. There are some BFA programs that may allow her to do this, but she may find more BA programs that fit this bill. </p>
<p>I was an actor in a BFA program that also had BFA design and technology students… those design students seemed as single focused about design at the age of 18 as the BFA actors were about acting… not to say that 15 years later many of the once single focused 18 year olds have not since decided to pursue other related (or not related) career paths.</p>
<p>A strong BA program or a more comprehensive BFA program may allow her to develop her current talents and discover new ones. 
</p>
<p>Many professional designers go to graduate school to specialize</p>
<p>I should have said “Particularly since HER decision to pursue a degree in Design and Technology is a relatively new one”</p>
<p>Hi. I’m also a senior who wants to major in Theater Design, specifically Costume Design. And I was wondering what schools your daughter is looking into. Perhaps we could help each other out.</p>
<p>My D is also looking for Costume Design, what schools have you found so far?</p>
<p>Check out the Technical Theater thread. There are many schools mentioned—both conservatories and liberal arts programs—and commentary as well.</p>