So, I am positive I want to do something in theatre. I’ve loved it my entire life and have been an active member in my drama club for all four years of high school. This year I even got the lead in our play!
I’d like to pursue theater, however, I am interested in the business or backstage creative part of it. For stage management, production, or directing majors, most of the schools I’m applying to require a “portfolio review and interview.” I’ve never produced or directed my own show - there weren’t really that many opportunities for me to do so? I don’t understand how kids come in with portfolios of shows they’ve done, especially if they do not attend any sort of arts high school. However, I still really want to enter this field. How would I go about preparing for a “portfolio review” when I have no prior experience? It just seems unfair; I want to major in this area to learn about it, since high school didn’t give me that chance!
Hello! It is true that most of the BFA tech/backstage programs require portfolio reviews. Most of them have suggestions for what to include on their websites. Many do not expect you to have a lot of backstage experience—they know that not all high schools have those opportunities. At this stage they are looking for raw talent and most portfolios will rely heavily on artwork (drawing, painting, sketchbook) that you have done for art class or personal enrichment. They want to see how you work. Search YouTube for theater tech portfolio examples and also take a look at UNCSA’s Design and Production page for a good video with the faculty about portfolio review and what they want in a student.
If you don’t have material for a BFA program, don’t be discouraged! There are any number of BA Tech Theater and BA Stage Management programs out there that don’t require a portfolio or interview at all. (Literally, Google “BA stage management” or something similar.) They often cover a broad range of backstage work, so you can try a bit of everything before you decide what to specialize in. There is a short list in OrangeFish’s thread below. Other schools with general Theater BAs and Film BAs are worth looking into, as well, as they often have backstage programs.
I hope this was helpful. There are MANY ways to reach your goal. Sometimes it just takes a little out-of-the-box thinking. Good luck!
My son is a freshman in a BFA theater tech program; he is hoping to major in lighting. He didn’t decide that he wanted to do theater as a major until the end of junior year so we were behind the curve. He used a couple of scripts that he had written lighting cues in, some light plots that the lighting director gave him (he explained at the audition that his school didn’t allow students to actually plot the lighting, just execute it), he had a resume listing all of the productions that he was involved in and what he did, some photos of sets he had helped build and the like. He set it up himself and he was accepted at all 3 schools where he displayed it.
The one thing I will say is that everyone he and I spoke with about this process emphasized that they understood that many kids come from non-performing arts HS’s, where theater is an underfunded EC and that they are looking for drive, interest and potential more than actual skills. After all, they are enrolling in college to be taught and trained, not applying for a job.
Good luck to you.
My daughter thought she only wanted to be an actor then she found the love of stage managing at Drew University. She is currently a senior and just finished SMing Heathers the Musical and is doing two professional gigs one in NYC and one in NJ. Maybe looking into a BA program that lets you try a bunch of different aspects of theatre would be good for you. She also has done playwriting and directing. Let me know if you want more info.
Wright State near Dayton, Ohio does not require a portfolio for acceptance into the BFA program for Design/Technology. It is required for scholarship consideration. Their coursework gives exposure to all areas of DT, regardless of your concentration, allowing you to switch if you find another area more to your liking.