Portfolio?

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

I will preface this by saying that I am new to the theater college programs and am on a steep learning curve.

I now understand the differences between BA and BFA programs and think that a BFA may be better suited to my son’s needs and interests. He is interested in theater tech, build and construct more than design, with sub-interest in lighting.

That said, many of the programs seem to require portfolios. My question is simply this - are there people or services who can provide guidance as to how to set up a portfolio that best highlights the student? I don’t want someone to do a portfolio FOR him, he needs to be able to explain what’s in it and to do that, he has to have prepared it. What I am looking for is more guidance than what the school websites say and a way to figure out what’s important and what isn’t and how to best showcase him.

Thanks,

TM

2

I teach in a private high school, which my son does not attend. The head of our performing arts department has a tech theater background. I was thinking of asking him if he would do some portfolio/interview coaching. I would pay him of course.

My son is also on the tech side, and I haven’t quite figured out that translates to a portfolio.

3

I have been reading on different websites of different schools and getting the old glazed eye shuffle. My son is not artistic and neither am I. I was able to get a head shot for him from the summer program he is doing. Although they don’t usually do them for the crew kids, they like my son and took a half dozen shots of him. The reading I am doing says that a photo of the student should be on the resume or somewhere on the portfolio as it can help the viewers distinguish one applicant from another. That’s why I asked for the head shot.

Most of what my son does is physical building and figuring out how to do it. He’s not the designer, he’s the muscle. I’m trying to get photos of the as built sets but need to make it clear that he didn’t do the design, although he may have done some painting.

He’s also done lighting but I don’t think he has any charts and he did some sound but after he recruited 2 friends who are actual musicians, his time on the sound board has been more limited.

His resume will be stronger because he has done the summer project for 3 years, drama club of 3 musicals in middle school, one or two musicals and dramas each year in HS, plus running tech at school events like pep rallies, drama day, and various productions outside of school for other kids who were doing their capstone projects.

I don’t know any art teachers. None of my kids took an art class in hs and the ones in the middle school run screaming from me. My oldest son is the one who, when they were assigned to take a classic painting and update it, drew a picture he titled “Starry, Starry Night over Baghdad with jet fighters,” where he made the stars look like planes. It was 2004, right after the invasion - can you imagine the phone calls I got? All the way through to this one, the art teachers steered clear of my family!

In any event, maybe we can share tips on this process of portfolio-ing…

4

We were a bit in the same boat. Our tech theater teacher helped my D get started with her portfolio, but she was going through some health issues and was unable to do a lot. One thing my D found helpful was a book by Rafael Jaen called Showcase: A guide to designing…a portfolio. At one point we panicked and sent an email to a nearby PA high school asking if they had anyone who could help. They were incredibly generous with their time, and would not let us pay them. I also think you could contact the theater tech department at a university to see if they know anyone you could hire to help you.

One thing I can add is to buy a book that showcases the work. My D started off with a binder but switched to a portfolio book, and it really made a difference. She got hers at Michaels. She also made two copies of her book which made it easier for some of the reviews. The book should tell the story of who your child is and what they are excited about. It should show both why they would be an asset to a program and that a college tech program is the next logical step. They should go into the review with enthusiasm, interest and showing they want to work hard, but they need to also realize they will feel a fit at some programs and not others.

5

Thank you for the suggestions. There is a Michael’s close by so I can take him over and let him pick out a portfolio that suits his personality. I am also going to check at the library for the book you recommended. There is no theater tech teacher at our HS. The drama club advisor teaches special ed.

I’m getting more and more confused. For instance, there’s a school nearby that is having an application day next week where the fee is waived. I can’t afford it, even if he lived at home, but if the app is free, maybe it’s worth going over to take a shot at it. He’s above their desired numbers on gpa and act and it’s a portfolio optional program. Maybe he can get some money. This particular program gives money to Eagle Scouts and he will, hopefully, have his done soon. Maybe actually going and filling out an app will get him more motivated.

6

Most portfolio books are simple black books with pages where you can slip materials under plastic (some you mount, but at plastic is easier, and things can be moved more easily).

It sounds like his experience and interest are in the area of Technical Production.

Photos of things he built, or helped to build should be included, and he should practice talking succinctly about what he did exactly, and how much autonomy he had in terms of how to build what was built. Meaning did he read plans and build from those, did he have to create the plans, did he work with a team, or was he the one primarily responsible, did he lead the team, or was he led by a team leader.

If he has any process shots, those would be helpful to include. If he does not, and will be working in something this fall, he should make sure to take process shots to demos rate the steps to the finished product. This will help him talk about the process.

Photos of shows he has lit can be included. He should be able to discuss his role… if not the designer was he the Master Electrician (leading others), or one of the electricians.

In terms of sound it is difficult to communicate that on paper, but if he ran live mix with mics, or ran playback for shows, even a pictue of him behind the sound board could help open up that conversation. Maybe next to his picture he could include the shows on which he has worked sound and his primary responsibility.

If he has any paperwork… hand or computer draftings that he either generated himself or that he had to read in order to build, those could be included by the photographs of the completed set.

If he has light plots, cue sheets either that he created or worked off of, those could be inclued by photos of the productions on which he was involved in lighting.

Same for sound cue lists.

Depending on what he includes, and how many different jobs he did on the same show he may choose to organize the portfolio by show, and talk about all the different things he did on a particular show, or by area… (scenic, lighting, sound, etc…)

Practicing talking about what he has highlighted in the portfolio, and being comfortable answering questions about the work itself, why he wants to study Technical Production, and what some of his possible post graduation goals may be, will help him to feel more confident going into the portfolio review process.

Is there a professional or community theatre close by, or a college department he will not apply to where he can (1) get assistance putting together his portfolio, (2) practice the interview?

7

@techmom99 I sent you a PM. But to add to what KatMT said above, adding a few captions to the photos or a short paragraph describing his work on a particular show or project will also help interviewers quickly clarify what they are seeing, and also help remind your son of his talking points in case he gets nervous in the interview. These typed snippets should be the same font and very neatly cut out and applied within the portfolio. In general, he should try to make the portfolio as neat as he can, only including his best work.

Did you son ever work on shows that had a professional photographer? All of our high school shows were photographed professionally so D got images from all the back years of shows she worked on.

8

Thank you both, KatMT and Craspedia. My work computer doesn’t allow me to send out responses to PMs, not sure why but everything bounces back as undeliverable.

I got him some nice head shots in June from the photographer who was doing the cast photos for a summer production he is stage crewing for. What size should I make the photos? 8 1/2 x 11 seems conceited, is 5 x 7 also too big? Do I put it on the front of the portfolio, on the inside page, on his resume (uploaded like the ACT entrance ticket?).

Is there leeway in choosing a font? I detest Times Roman 12 but it’s what schools and my work require. I’d love to use a nicer font, like Century Gothic, for his porfolio. Is that acceptable?

How far back should he go? He started in drama club in 6th grade and did one musical each year; he was inducted into the International Thespian Honor Society youth division. Or should he start at HS?

I really like the idea of having him write a few descriptive paragraphs to accompany the photos.

I really have to thank you. Everyone is so generous with their time and advice. I hope to be able to reciprocate at some level.

9

For actors the standard picture size is 8x10, and the resume is attached to the backnowledge the photo and also cut to 8x10. If the school asks for a photo to go along with his resume that they will keep it could be an 8x10, but I think a 5x7 would be fine too for a tech/ design applicant.

In terms of the portfolio I also 5x7 would work. The picture and resume could be put on the first page of the portfolio.

Generally, unless the credit was significant (ie. He was on the national tour of Billy Elliot, played child roles in regional theatre, interned at a professional theatre in 7th grade, etc…) start with HS for his resume. Although he could put the Thespian Society Youth induction at the bottom with any othe awards or memberships.

He does not have to stick with Times New Roman for the resume. He can use a font that he likes better, and shows his personality more. Although, nothing so fancy that it is unprofessional or hard to read.