<p>I am applying to a college with a BFA in theater with emphasis in tech. I have been in theater since freshman year and have had a reasonable amount of experience that way. However a lot of what I have done I don't have anything to put in a portfolio, as I didn't discover tech until halfway sophomore year and there's not generally much opportunity to design for shows. Basically for tech I was costumes crew, stage managed several times, and directed. I still have one of my prompt books but seeing as how it was a UIL one act competition piece basically I had to focus on recording blocking, timing, and calling. I still do have my lighting plot.
In addition to that I am in my schools fashion program and I have made several skirts, a cape, that I have pictures of. I have also costume designs that I did for nothing in particular, basically I read some shows and drew up some sketches. Would these things be good to include even though that isn't my main interest now?</p>
<p>It all sounds good to me. Absolutely include your prompt book (and if it includes blocking, timing, calling, and a lighting plot it seems to me that it has everything it needs (by “calling” do you mean calling all the tech cues in the show?)). Remember that most applicants won’t even know what a prompt book IS, much less have one of their own they can show.</p>
<p>I’m not sure that you can include too much, so I would go ahead and include your costume designs and also photos of the outfits you made for the fashion program.</p>
<p>Think about other things you can include. Programs? Other photos? Maybe letters from people you worked with explaining what you did, like letters of recommendation?</p>
<p>There is a recent thread on this subject (and several older ones as well):</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1356462-techinical-theater-portfolio.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1356462-techinical-theater-portfolio.html</a></p>
<p>Search this forum for more information. Best.</p>
<p>Thanks. Yeah by calling I mean for lights and sound during the show and as needed in rehearsal, and I hadn’t even thought about differences in knowledge compared to other applicants, thanks</p>
<p>I’m not sure I agree with The RealKEVP. Most students applying for a BFA in Tech have at least some experience. If they are interested in stage management, they can identify a prompt book. </p>
<p>One book is okay as long as it demonstrates a knowledge of blocking, timing, and calling. At an interview, the auditor only has time to leaf through your portfolio, not read it. In fact, just a few pages would be okay, but those pages should show your best current knowledge. In general, it’s better to recreate a book than to show one that does not accurately represent what you know.</p>
<p>The work you did in other classes would be relevant (to most, but not all, schools) but what exactly is your focus? Are you interested in both design and management? Your book should reflect your experience and interests but meet the requirements of your schools. Most will tell you on their websites what they want to see in a portfolio. Look there first.</p>
<p>I’m interested mostly in stage management but also costume and sound design.
It doesn’t go into much detail but it says that they are essentially looking for signs of accomplishment, dedication, and potential, which should be easy for me to convey. Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>Are you only looking at one school?</p>
<p>I am at the point where I pretty much know what school I want to go to. I just need to apply. I have looked into several schools there just are not a whole lot of school that I am interested in Texas as most of the ones with good theatre programs are big schools with big departments and I am looking for a smaller school where I will get more experience.</p>
<p>Well, since the school’s portfolio description is so indefinite, I would choose pieces that represent your interests AND your skills. Something that no longer interests you is probably a distraction.</p>
<p>Hey there seeingdbl - my daughter is going to St. Edward’s in Austin, which is a nice smallish private liberal arts university with a small program - small in numbers of majors that is but not small in the scope and importance of the program! She had started out intending to do performance but switched her emphasis to costume design. Without going into overmuch detail I’ll just say she’s really really happy so far with the department - with her professors and the program and the other kids. Lots and lots of personal attention. Also it is one of very few schools in the country that can offer equity points to undergrads. (she isn’t going to specialize in lighting, but she does adore all of her teachers including her lighting design professor! The faculty is really really great.)</p>
<p>It is a BA, but one of those BA’s that is more of a hybrid BA/BFA. Also they are adding a BFA in performance. Not one in tech yet, but there are some exciting things coming up - they are expanding and improving a lot in the department, which was a really solid department to begin with.</p>
<p>Another small but really nice program that was on our list was Southwestern University in Georgetown. I think, IIRC, you can get a BFA in tech there, if you are wanting a BFA.</p>
<p>A really good public school with a really good theatre program, which I don’t think is too huge either as far as numbers of kids in it, is SFA in Nacogdoches. They don’t offer an MT degree which is one reason we didn’t pick it. But their costume department is awwwwwesome and you can’t beat their study abroad program for the BFA’s. Simply nobody can touch it, it was hard to walk away from. We saw a few shows they put on - I was really impressed with their tech. Not quite as much with the acting though I couldn’t tell you why exactly as nobody blew lines or anything bad at all, I don’t know…but their tech was superb. </p>
<p>All of these programs start everyone as a BA and students go on to admission in the BFA by review after a couple semesters, which personally, I like.</p>
<p>I don’t know if you had considered any of those programs or not, but if you haven’t, and would like to stay in Texas or are not completely sure of the choice you mentioned yet, there’s some info you may or may not have. Good luck!</p>