Technical Theater

<p>Bumping this thread for us tech and design kids/parents.</p>

<p>Has everyone survived? Made decisions yet? Any new thoughts as you review the process?</p>

<p>S2 (scenic design) is having a very hard time with a final decision, mostly due to FinAid questions and appeals. Ack. But in the process (attending admitted student events, more research online) he has gained a clearer idea of what the various programs/majors have to offer. </p>

<p>Anyone on cc made their decision already and (could help others!) willing to share why?</p>

<p>Hope we can re-activate this thread!</p>

<p>I am a design student and I have committed to USC’s School of Theater.</p>

<p>FestivalSM- I applied to Emerson, Purchase, Fordham and USC and was accepted into all four programs (All BFA’s except Fordham which only offers BA). I personally think that it was definitely my portfolio which got me through. As an international, I was not even able to interview in person for two of the schools and had to mail over copies to the admissions team. It is THROUGH the portfolio which shows your amount of talent and motivation. Think hard about your content and presentation. If you’re not happy with something, don’t put it in! </p>

<p>I also had a lot of technical experience and considered doing stage management. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the process ;)</p>

<p>Glad to see another international design & production student! I was worried I was the only one :P</p>

<p>I’m not technically international, but I’ve lived in Singapore all throughout high school, so I wasn’t able to interview in person either. I had some phone interviews at pretty crazy times (2am for one). My portfolio was a website, but I put a lot of time and effort into it. </p>

<p>I’m going to Emerson for the BFA Design/tech major, with emphasis in lighting design.</p>

<p>Hi,
I am currently an undergrad student at the University of Montana. I am on the BFA track for Stage Managment, and I absolutely LOVE my program! Yes, I go to a public university, but I am in a very exclusive and challanging program. Every technical theatre major enters the program as a freshman on the BA track. We have to declare a primary and secondary emphasis, since tech theatre never exists in a vacuum- especially for stage managers. We’ve really got to know how each area- lights, sound, costumes, scenery- works, since we have to deal with the go between all of the areas. My primary is stage managment with a secondary in scenic design and construction (I will also be completing the emphasis requirement for lighting- you can never be too qualified). At the end of freshman year, every design/tech major who wishes to go to the BFA (bachelor of fine arts) track must present a portfolio (we have a mock portfolio review in December to prepare) to the heads of the department (the head of design/technology, the heads of the scenic, costumes, lighting, and sound, the production manager, and the dean of the school of theatre and dance). We are either accepted or rejected based on our potential. Mind you, that is accepted or rejected to the BFA track- if you are rejected from the BFA track (which you won’t be if you work hard, are organized, and are basically very good and dedicated to stage managment (or your emphasis)), you still can earn a BA in the design/tech program.<br>
This is a very competative program. Getting into the BFA track means that you have first priority on production assigments- we have a 521 seat procimieum theatre and a 200 seat black box theatre, and the production callboard announces who will stage manage (or assistant stage manage) a mainstage or blackbox theatre, who will scene design, TD, ME, lighting design, etc. I assistant stage managed our first mainstage production of the year, and am slotted to stage manage the Montana Reperatory Theatre production (the proffesional company based out of my University) next spring- that’s right, me, a second year student, stage managing a professional company’s show.<br>
As to our facilities- we have the best. One building houses both theatres, a fully equipt scene shop (with mechanical paint frame, procenium height load in doors, and every tool, saw, and metal working thing possible), a costume shop, light shop, and sound lab, a comfy and wonderful green room with attatched kitchen (that we can use), a seminar room for production and design meetings, the offices of all the design tech authorities, and a loading dock with procenium height load in doors (and we have two vans for transport from our offsite storage locations). Oh, and the dance spaces- two full size dance studios- and an art gallery live in our building as well (not to metion the radio and television wing). And funnily enough, the building is still homey and comfortable enough that most of us (acting/directing students and design/tech alike) hang out around the green room in our spare time. Students are free to rehearse scenes in any empty space (if the mainstage theatre is open and empty, you might walk in on a Shakespeare monolouge or fight scene being rehearsed). We are never confined to classrooms- the space is ours.<br>
I could go on and on about out 50 rail fly system, our full grid, our enormous wings- but I’ll stop. We have the ability to put on Hair, Crazy for You, Chicago, Peter Pan- any big name production you could want. I hope this has been helpful. I also know a lot about the experiences of the non-stage managment tech students and the acting/directing kids, if anyone needs that.<br>
Basically, don’t forget University of Montana Missoula. I would rather go here than an expensive private school, mainly because of what my director said the night our production of Crazy For You went up:
“I worked on Broadway for 27 years. I worked musicals, straight shows, anything and everything I worked it. I directed shows that were so big I thought they’d never get off the ground. But tonight, I am going to watch Crazy For You open- the biggest scale, most technical, and most well put together musical I have directed in my 40 years of theatre.”</p>

<p>It sounds like you found a great theater school off the beaten track, StageKQ. It’s probably a real bargain, too. Thanks for letting others know about it.</p>

<p>To be_somebody: how hard was it to get accepted into the UMich D&P program? It’s one of my top choices, and I have a lot of experience in high school doing tech in high school. A LOT. Sound, set, lights, media, and plan on applying for stage manager for the next show. I’ve worked on 10 mainstage/experimental shows during high school and numerous other things like dance shows, choir/band/orchestra concerts, etc. I’ve got pretty decent grades- around a 3.6 GPA and a 30 on my ACT. The only thing is I have applied a little late (still before the deadline though) because I didn’t hear about the UMich program until later. What do you think my chances are of getting in?</p>

<p>theatretechie, I sent you a PM. Sorry it’s so late! Drafting and sets kicked my butt last month…</p>

<p>Hi yall! I am currently working my way through this thread (on page 12!) but I thought I would introduce myself before I go to bed! It’s really great how much chatter there is on here (Although it certainly doesn’t compare to the Theatre Major forum…ah well with more activity comes more competition, I suppose)</p>

<p>I am a senior nearly finished with the application process (I did most of them early! I promise! There are just one or two I put off! I am busy!). I am heavily involved both onstage and off and am actually applying to colleges for both theatre and technical theatre.</p>

<p>My list:
DePaul- Acting (you can only apply for one major)
Northwestern- Acting (doesn’t have tech major :/)
Roosevelt- Acting (Doesn’t have tech :/)
UChicago- TAPS (A mix of whatever appeals to me)
Columbia- Acting and Design
Evansville- Theatre Generalist (PERFECT MAJOR for me)
UMinn- BFA/Guthrie (doesn’t have tech :/)
Fordham- Acting and Design
Syracuse- Acting and Design
Marymount Manhattan- Acting and Design
UNCG- Acting (and Design?) (Super safety cheapie)
UNC-CH- Acting (My mother is making me. This is where she wants me to go. I don’t have much interest.)</p>

<p>A long list, I know. But that comes from my also applying for acting, which is frighteningly competitive. A list of 10-15 is typically suggested for actors. </p>

<p>My thought on the schools that don’t have specific tech majors- although it sucks they do still have some tech classes. Also, with the number of performers and so many shows going on annually, and the lack of tech majors, there should be plenty of opporotunities for experience for me, right? And if all else fails most of them are in huge theatre cities so I could tech out of my college.</p>

<p>I am getting a little panicky about having all my monologues ready and my portfolio poliched and applying for scholarships- and I am ALWAYS involved in at least one show (usually both the acting and tech sides- exhausting!) so noooo tiiiiiiime here.</p>

<p>Ok well this is getting really long so I will stop there for now. However if anyone else out there is interested in both acting and tech feel free to PM me! I have done a loooooooot of research and would love to talk to somebody else in my position. I know I have been searching for posts to help hybrids like me and have come up sadly short :(</p>

<p>Oh and Baldwin Wallace. Just sent that one off on a whim last night because it is a free app, no audition, basically no supplement, and a really good program.</p>

<p>Any suggestions for pre-college type programs in technical theater for next summer? My daughter is a junior at an arts high school and does fine art (and photography) but has no background in theater. However, she thinks it’s something she may really like. So I’d like her to have the chance to try it out. Thoughts?</p>

<p>There are many good precollege programs in tech theater. My daughter went to CMU precollege. At the opening session, they told us that the program was open to those with little or no experience and to those who have already chosen theater design as a career. In practice, however, most kids had at least some experience. However, fine arts would translate.</p>

<p>[Drama</a> - Pre College - Carnegie Mellon](<a href=“http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/pre-college/drama.html]Drama”>http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/pre-college/drama.html)</p>

<p>I think Interlochen might also have a summer program for high school students.</p>

<p>Interlochen has a good rep too but is more a camp than a precollege. Another popular choice is Northwestern Cherubs. It is respected and apparently a lot of fun but it focuses on producing shows rather than learning skills. </p>

<p>CMU precollege is unique in that it really is a condensed version of the first semester curriculum in design and tech for theater at Carnegie. Moreover, they generally accept several students from precollege into the D/PTM program.</p>

<p>University of North Carolina School of the Arts has a summer program- [Summer</a> Session| Home Page](<a href=“http://www.uncsa.edu/summersession/]Summer”>http://www.uncsa.edu/summersession/)</p>

<p>Thanks for these thoughts. Anyone know anything about the Emerson summer program?</p>

<p>Muhlenberg College has a summer theatre program that includes high school students.
[Muhlenberg</a> Theatre & Dance: Summer Music Theatre Opportunities](<a href=“http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/academics/theatre-dance/smt/opportunities.html]Muhlenberg”>http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/academics/theatre-dance/smt/opportunities.html)</p>

<p>Check in your area for any summer camps that offer drama, and ask if they also have tech or design. Some will, and others that don’t will still be happy to get an intern who will just work with the resident tech/design person.</p>

<p>Also check the community colleges for summer programs. A design interest may be enough to qualify for the tech crew of the summer theater program.</p>

<p>Thanks for these responses. It looks like she will go to Emerson. For anyone else who is looking, here are some programs we looked at:</p>

<p>[Drama</a> - Pre College - Carnegie Mellon](<a href=“http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/pre-college/drama.html]Drama”>http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/pre-college/drama.html)
Carnegie Mellon</p>

<p>[Savannah</a> Summer Theatre- Musical Theater Acting Summer Camp](<a href=“http://www.savannahsummertheatre.com/]Savannah”>http://www.savannahsummertheatre.com/)
7/16 to 7/29 2 weeks</p>

<p>[Stage</a> Design Program | Emerson College](<a href=“http://www.emerson.edu/academics/professional-studies/programs-high-school-students/pre-college-studio-programs/stage-design-program]Stage”>http://www.emerson.edu/academics/professional-studies/programs-high-school-students/pre-college-studio-programs/stage-design-program)
Emerson College 7/8 to 8/10 </p>

<p>[SUNY</a> Oswego - Summerfame](<a href=“http://www.oswego.edu/academics/colleges_and_departments/comm_media_arts/SummerFame_Theatre_Institute/theatre_institute.html]SUNY”>http://www.oswego.edu/academics/colleges_and_departments/comm_media_arts/SummerFame_Theatre_Institute/theatre_institute.html)
SUNY Oswego </p>

<p>Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas
[K-12</a> Programs | School of Theatre | SFASU](<a href=“http://www.theatre.sfasu.edu/programs.php?link=summerworkshop]K-12”>http://www.theatre.sfasu.edu/programs.php?link=summerworkshop)</p>

<p>Columbia College in Chicago
[Columbia</a> College Chicago : High School Summer Institute](<a href=“Page Not Found - Columbia College Chicago”>Page Not Found - Columbia College Chicago)</p>

<p>[Summer</a> Session| Home Page](<a href=“http://www.uncsa.edu/summersession/index.htm]Summer”>http://www.uncsa.edu/summersession/index.htm)
University of North Carolina School of the Arts</p>

<p>[Purchase</a> College - Academic Programs - CE - Summer Programs](<a href=“Adult Noncredit Programs • Purchase College”>Summer Session • Summer and Winter Sessions • Purchase College)
SUNY Purchase</p>

<p>[Alfred</a> University : Summer Programs : Pre-College : Theater](<a href=“http://www.alfred.edu/summer/camps/theater.cfm]Alfred”>http://www.alfred.edu/summer/camps/theater.cfm)
Alfred (New York) 7/8 to 7/21 actor training in the morning, tech in the afternoon</p>

<p>University of Wisconsin 2011 one week program acting and tech
[Theatre</a> Camp - Camps & Conferences - UW-Whitewater](<a href=“http://www.uww.edu/conteduc/camps/othercamps/theatre.php]Theatre”>http://www.uww.edu/conteduc/camps/othercamps/theatre.php)</p>

<p>[Design/Tech:</a> NHSI Theatre Arts - Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.northwestern.edu/nhsi/theatre_arts/design_tech.html]Design/Tech:”>http://www.northwestern.edu/nhsi/theatre_arts/design_tech.html)
Starts June 26 acting classes as well.</p>

<p>Center for Creative Youth at Wesleyan
[CREC:</a> Center for Creative Youth at Wesleyan University](<a href=“http://www.crec.org/magnetschools/schools/ccy/]CREC:”>http://www.crec.org/magnetschools/schools/ccy/)</p>

<p>[Texas</a> Christian University Design Camp](<a href=“http://www.usperformingarts.com/tcu-designcamp.php]Texas”>http://www.usperformingarts.com/tcu-designcamp.php)
Texas Christian U 7/8 to 7/13 Theater Design</p>

<p>[Costume</a> Design Cmap at UCLA - costume design camp for teens](<a href=“http://www.usperformingarts.com/ucla-costumedesigncamp.php]Costume”>http://www.usperformingarts.com/ucla-costumedesigncamp.php)
UCLA 7/1/ to 7/14 Costume Design</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.usperformingarts.com/webster-techtheatercamp.php[/url]”>http://www.usperformingarts.com/webster-techtheatercamp.php&lt;/a&gt;
Webster University St. Louis 7/15 to 7/20 lights music sets</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.talscamp.com/technical-studies-program[/url]”>http://www.talscamp.com/technical-studies-program&lt;/a&gt;
7/7 to 7/21 at Southwestern University (near Austin Texas)</p>

<p>I’m going to Tal’s Camp. These are the five shows to be produced:</p>

<p>The Laramie Project
The Beggars Opera
The Children’s Hour
Coming Attractions
The Skin of Our Teeth</p>

<p>All will be directed by UIL One Act Play State champion directors. John Ore, the technical director for Southwestern’s Theatre department, will be mentoring the technical studies students. They’re accepting only five students into the tech program, too, although it’s on a first-come, first-serve basis. I’m incredibly excited about it. :)</p>