<p>Thank you DoctorJohn, I never would have considered a program out in Lincoln, Nebraska being a major draw for students from across the nation. Interesting. One would think that some of the more major metropolitan areas would have something going on when it came to technical theatre and lighting design because, for example NYC is where so much is happening... Obviously, I'm on the road to learning about all of this and more. ;)</p>
<p>By the way, what does DT stand for? Dance Theatre? It can't be, can it?</p>
<hr>
<p>Back to programs that offer areas of specialization within Technical Theatre - NCSA's is awfully impressive - wish I were heading off to college, myself. :D</p>
<p>TaraMom and alwaysamom
Thank you for the recommendation for "Avenue Q." Actually, I was planning on seeing that after it opens at the new Wynn Resort in Las Vegas, though it will probably be a shortened version.</p>
<p>USITT
I found that site, last fall and passed it on to my daughter (at that time she wasn't thinking of transferring, just interested in costume design) and from that site she found a link to a costume design society of some sort and joined as a student member. I'll have to ask her if the society ever sent her anything.</p>
<p>themockery is right, DT is shorthand for Design and Technology.</p>
<p>As for Lincoln, let me explain. The festival in Lincoln is not put on by the University of Nebraska, only hosted by them. The festival is put on by the Educational Theatre Association, which is the group in charge of the Thespian Society, now celebrating its 75th anniversary. (EdTA also publishes "Dramatics" magazine, a great source of information about college Theatre programs.) Many, many high schools have Thespian troupes, and those troupes can attend the International Festival held in Lincoln in June. The site was chosen for its geographical location as well as its abundance of playing spaces and housing.</p>
<p>Troupes can put on productions at the festival, and student members can compete in various contests. Rising seniors (students who have just finished their junior year of high school and who will graduate the following year) may also participate in auditions or portfolio reviews for colleges. Many of us, especially the members of the National Unified Auditions, send representatives to the Festival.</p>
<p>More information about EdTA, Thepians, and the Festival can be found here:</p>
<p>The question has come up a number of times, what belongs in a design/tech portfolio? Rob Johnson, our scenic designer, has created a page devoted to the answer. Here's the link:</p>
<p>Doctorjohn, I don't know if this would be too difficult, but maybe the page could also include a link or two to examples of porfolios that students and/or faculty have made, just so applicants can get a general idea of layout and organization styles. When I was making my portfolio, statement of purpose, and resume, I found that past examples were extremely useful, so I searched web pages for sample technical theatre resumes and also asked my tech teacher to show me his portfolio. I know you didn't make the page, so it's just a suggestion.</p>
<p>Here's what Rob had to say about your idea:</p>
<p>"The only hesitation I have in providing a 'sample portfolio' is that we will then probably see a lot of mimicking and a lot less originality and creativity. Part of what reveals a students design potential is how they choose to put a portfolio together. I have seen a lot of good ones that were vastly different. I think what they choose to show and how they present it tells us a lot about their personality as well. And sometimes it makes for interesting conversation starters. So I guess I am wondering if leaving it a little open-ended is maybe a good thing in the long run."</p>
<p>I'm inclined to agree with him. If a school puts up a sample, almost inevitably every applicant will copy it. But if a neutral site created one, that would be different. Where did you find your examples?</p>
<p>Doctorjohn, he made a good point. I didn't even think of that! :) I didn't actually find examples of past portfolios from the schools I applied to, but rather lists of suggestions of included materials that were all basically similar to each other and not very helpful. When I first started creating some of the materials (like the theatrical resume), I had little to no idea of what to do. I occasionally wandered onto the web pages of theatre professionals and random college theatre departments, and when I found an idea I liked, I would try to incorporate it into my portfolio. So I guess even I can't say that I used any one thing, just pieces from everywhere that fit what I was looking for (or, if I couldn't find anything, I just made it up!).</p>
<p>I've been accepted into UMichigan's BFA Directing program. I was wondering if anyone had any good info on the program - number of directors they accept, what the classes are like, etc.</p>
<p>I know this website has been referenced before, but this page provides one of the best discussions of tech theatre, including portfolios, interviewing and criteria for deciding that I've ever seen.</p>
<p>I posted the message below, recently, on another thread:</p>
<p>modiam asked:
mauretania - where did your daughter decide to transfer to for costume design?</p>
<p>She applied to Otterbein College and Central Saint Martins, London (was accepted at both). </p>
<p>After a great deal of "soul-searching", she felt she really didn't have the
passion to go the theatre route. What really turned her thinking was
the exposure to the working environment experienced through her
part-time internship, these past few months. What she witnessed
didn't involve her, personally, but she didn't like the treatment shown
to others.</p>
<p>The above happened after her visit/interview at Otterbein College.
My daughter said everyone in the theatre department at Otterbein were
very accommodating and wonderful to her. She can't say enough good
things about them and is very grateful for the time and effort they spent
on her I really, really wanted her to go there.</p>
<p>Since she's a bit of a lost soul now, she felt it would be best to stay
at Parsons and decided on Illustration as a major. Parsons Illustration Department were very supportive and wonderful about scrambling to get her re-registered for her sophomore classes (past the deadline!).</p>
<p>Naturally she quit the internship and got a summer job being a dog handler/walker on the upper East Side and will also take a Civil War
History class at Hunter College (it's someplace in Manhattan) to get
some of her Junior Year elective credits out of the way.</p>
<p>I am a student looking intro DT, but I have a few issues.</p>
<p>First off, I don't know whether to pursue a BA por BFA program, or if it doesnt really matter. </p>
<p>Second, whether I should stick to my state (SUNY) schools because in this field, a masters is basically needed and would it be more logical to go into debt over my masters.</p>
<p>Lastly, I don't know whether to pursue Lighting Design or Technical Direction. I have design two shows for lights, and <em>I</em> think I am good at it, but I don't really know. What is the thoughts on this. Is there a huge difference?</p>