Theatre/Film Opportunities at Harvard & in Boston/Cambridge

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>Hi everyone - I was just accepted to Harvard. I qualify for full aid under the HFAI so that makes it even better. However, I was also selected to be a part of the Tisch University Scholars Program at NYU Tisch. Only 15-18 people get this each year and it is a VERY impressive leadership-training program (perfect for someone like me who wants to go on to direct film and theatre).</p>

<p>The only problem with NYU Tisch is its cost, I'll definitely have to take out some bigger loans.</p>

<p>So I want to know, if finances don't work out for me and I can't attend film school at NYU Tisch, what does Harvard have to offer for students like me interested in a career in film and/or theatre?</p>

<p>Are there any good production-based courses? Any film production opportunities in Boston/Cambridge? Any related student clubs/activities? Any programs that can really help me with my goals in film and theatre?</p>

<p>Any input is greatly appreciated!</p>

2

<p><a href="http://prefrosh.net/go/Drama%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://prefrosh.net/go/Drama&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I believe there is a new program in film studies starting up. Check out VES. I know that some documentary film makers teach courses at Harvard regularly. Ross McElwee's of Sherman's March taught for several years (I don't know if he still does or not).</p>

3

<p>You can check out <a href="http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/courses/VisualandEnvironmentalStudies.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://webdocs.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/courses/VisualandEnvironmentalStudies.html&lt;/a> for a list of the courses offered in the VES department.</p>

<p>Don't fail to notice everyone's favorite course (though not film related):
*Visual and Environmental Studies 80. Loitering: A Studio-Based Seminar: Studio Course
Catalog Number: 9394 Enrollment: Limited to 12.
Stephen Prina
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 1–4.
You will hang out in the vicinity of culture and make things in response to it. This class is not thematic or linked to any particular discipline.
Note: Freshmen encouraged to apply.</p>

4

<p>Thanks everyone for your help.
And actually, I had planned on majoring in VES.</p>

<p>**<em>Does anyone know if there are good *outside</em> opportunities like internships or jobs related to film and theatre production in the Boston/Cambridge area?</p>

<p>I was also kind of curious - do a lot of Harvard actors work with Am. Rep. Theatre in Cambridge? I know the LOEB Experimental Theatre is in that same building...
Also, does anyone know of alumni that have gone on to become successful in the film and theatre?</p>

5

<p>John Lithgow (he founded the Arts First festival in May and comes back to lead the parade every year).
Tommy Lee Jones (he roommed with Al Gore)
Conan O'Brien (I think he majored in English)
Mira Sorvino (she majored in East Asian studies)
Mira Nair (Radcliffe)
Natalie Portman
lots of writers for Saturday Night Live and the Simpsons.
I think the Loeb Experimental Theatre is actually staffed by Harvard students but I'm not certain.<br>
I don't know about internships, sorry.</p>

6

<p>Yeah, the Ex is a student theater space. The mainstage is shared with the ART.</p>

<p>The ART does have a bunch of internship opportunities--check out <a href="http://www.amrep.org/intern/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.amrep.org/intern/&lt;/a> --although I don't know whether students tend to pursue them. Harvard does have a summer theater program that quite a few students participate in, probably while doing other stuff as well.</p>

<p>One group at Harvard that you might want to look into is the Office for the Arts (OFA): <a href="http://www.fas.harvard.edu/%7Eofa/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~ofa/&lt;/a> . They have lots of information and would probably be thrilled to inundate you with information on theater and film at Harvard. Also check out <a href="http://www.harvardwood.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.harvardwood.org/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Just about every school has a bazillion theater groups, so I won't go into them, but Harvard also has a student-produced TV show, Ivory Tower: <a href="http://ivorytowersoap.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://ivorytowersoap.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

7

<p>Thanks Phoenixy!</p>

<p>Yeah, I knew the Ex was a student space.
I actually interned at the Harvard summer theatre in 2004 (I was doing SSP that summer)...it was actually a lot of fun, even though i didnt get to do THAT much since it was only for a short time...
Thanks for the links - I'll check them out. :)</p>