<p>This past year I got the chance to stage manage my school's musical Grease. At first I expected it to be a drag, but much to my surprise I ended up falling in love with stage managing. Unfortunately I am a junior and don't have much time to build up a portfolio. Along with Grease I am stage managing the play, A Midsummer Night's Dream (along with playing Snug :)). I have applied for several internships this summer at local theaters, as well as stage managing a student production of Dr. Horrible's Blog. I have a pretty good GPA and have been involved in theater for my whole high school career. I have held leadership positions in International Thespian Society, and will have one next year in Broadway Enthusiast Anonymous (a group dedicated to raising awareness and funds to Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS). The three schools that I am really interested in are DePaul, Syracuse, and U of Miami. I would like an honest opinion on my chances of getting into these programs, or any recommendation of things I should be doing. Thanks soooo much.</p>
<p>If you are not doing it already, document everything. Save your production books, and other control documents like prop lists and cue sheets. Incorporate some standard shorthand for blocking and other stage directions. Write down exactly what you did on each production.</p>
<p>Look at the specific portfolio requirements at each of your schools. They will tell you what they want in a portfolio and this may suggest other things you can do.</p>
<p>Your portfolio should be fine. You don’t need the same documents over and over again. Your resume may be a little thin but you’re already getting as much experience as you can in the amount of time you have left.</p>
<p>I don’t know your chances but not all schools are looking for years of experience in a high school student. Sometimes, early experience comes with bad habits. Some schools are looking for potential instead of a finished product. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Northsh, Stage managers are one of the most important and needed jobs in theater. Most people come to the job later in life after trying other areas of theater, The fact that as a Jr. You really love this job in theater is amazing. You have already gotten great advice about keeping your scripts( with stage directions, notes and even drawings of sets is great advice) Take pictures and document the shows that you work on. It would be super if you could could keep a diary on the shows that you work on. Document both the good and bad, because that is what a stage manager does. Remember in the professional world of theater, when the director leaves, the stage manger is the person that takes over. Good Luck! I married my Stage Manager, and would be happy to answer any questions you might have! Cam</p>
<p>Thank you so much. I’m trying to document like everything. I am just so nervous about applying.</p>
<p>Just so you are aware, most schools do receive more applications for stage managers more than any design/production field. Competitive schools like DePaul accepts only around 10%, I believe, for stage managers.</p>
<p>Like others said, they are looking for potential. I believe the most important decision ultimately is whether you are articulate enough to express your ideas at your interview. They are looking for people whom they want to work with, to nourish, to load them with experience.</p>
<p>Alfie: I think the odds may be a little better than 1 in 10. When we asked DePaul this question last summer, they said 1 in 4 or 5. Other posters have confirmed this number or better at other schools. For example, according to BrightFuture, the numbers for design and tech admits combined at Carnegie are about 1 in 3.</p>
<p>^ Design applicants had the admit/applied ratio of 1:5, according to DePaul. I specifically called them few weeks ago about their ratio for stage management, and they said that about 45 people applied for a spot of 4 for the year of 08.</p>
<p>Hum. Mixed messages. They told me it was considerably less. And the website says approximately 18% (a little more than 1 in 5) for the entire program but with numbers that work out to 6% for the actors but 18% for everything else–which doesn’t add up. Perhaps numbers are not their strong point.</p>
<p>I just wanted everyone to know that Alfie’s 1:10 appears to be the correct number for the DePaul stage management program. I must have seriously misheard the school rep when we visited.</p>