DS is just a high school sophomore, and while he loves tech theater, he’s not at all sure if he wants to study it in college, but he’d like to collect things for a portfolio in case that’s what he decides.
He’s not a designer though, he’s a builder. His favorite part of tech theater, and the part that he excels at is bringing other people’s designs to life. He’d be a great technical director, or maybe a master electrician, but has no interest in being a scenic or lighting designer. He’s thinking about doing the construction trades program at our local tech school, to develop his carpentry and electrician skills. He’s also interested in studying computers, so that he can look at things like sound boards from that angle.
What would he put in a portfolio? Pictures of sets and props he built with a note that he didn’t design them? Sketches of lighting designs he brought to life?
Also, any suggestions on programs to look at which have a lot of “tech” and not so much “design”?
My son is in his first year of a technical theater program. He is also a builder and is in the TD track in his program. His portfolio includes photos of sets he worked on. No notes about not designing the sets. I think he included the name of show and date of performance.
My son is a senior in high school now and his portfolio contains pictures of shows that he worked on focusing on specific things that he built. He also shows his process, from the design or drafts to beginning construction to finished product. He is mainly a production guy but does have some design experience. He included some mistakes or problems that he had to deal with and how he overcame them. He also put in some art work, lighting design, and stage notes from shows that he was the stage manager on. He has had good feedback on his portfolio reviews so far.
GCmom how does your son like Purchase? We just had our Portfolio interview at NYC Unifieds and it is one of my son’s top choices. We have not been able to visit the school but plan to if he gets in. When did you get your acceptance? Just trying to see how much longer we have to wait. Thanks!
I can’t remember exactly when, but I’m pretty sure it was mid-March. He actually got Purchase and UNCSA on the same day. But I think he had his portfolio reviews for both in February, so maybe yours will be earlier.
He’s happy there. Like most of the programs, it’s rigorous. But so far he is keeping up and doing ok.