The Most Frequently Asked Question:  “What should I have in my portfolio?”

For the MFA

The Sound Design Portfolio should include selected examples of your work which clearly communicate your design methodology and conceptualization skills for both straight plays and musicals.  Photographs and paperwork from realized productions are highly recommended.  Examples of related production experience in music, FOH engineering or other design disciplines, along with a CD containing representative cues and/or compositions should also be included.
Keep all tracks on the CD as short as possible and include a concise description that provides a context for understanding the cue.

For the BFA

The Sound Design Portfolio should include anything you believe will tell the interviewer about you and your experience with theater and/or art.  Photographs of productions or projects, short design statements for each production you designed or on which you had a crew-head position, examples of paperwork you created, and, if possible, a CD containing cues you have built or music you have recorded or composed should all be included.  Keep all tracks on the CD as short as possible and include a concise description that provides a context for understanding the cue.

Chuck Hatcher, Associate Professor
Sound Design
College- Conservatory of Music
University of Cincinnati
Charles.hatcher@uc.edu
513-556-9597

(Revised 10/9/08)