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

Your portfolio is a representation of your technical and theatrical ability as well as your potential to lead, manage and organize.   The purpose for your portfolio is to show the committee what you are capable of doing and what potential you have for further development. 

For a BFA applicant in Technical Direction a portfolio could/should include:

• Photos of scenery pieces that you built.  It is good to see these things in context of the rest of the set and also close up in the shop or on stage.
• Process photos of interesting units at various stages of construction.
• Samples of hand and/or computer drafting if you have this experience.
• Examples of other work that you might have done on a show
• Costumes, lighting, props, sound, stage management, makeup

For the items listed below we understand that in many High Schools this sort of paper work is often done by the teacher or not done at all.  If you created any of these documents it should go into your portfolio.

• Examples of paper work that you used to organize the build of a single unit or of an entire set.
• Examples of paper work used to estimate and/or track the cost of scenic pieces.
• Examples of organization used by the running crew to changes scenery during a production.

Remember, your portfolio needs to be more than a collection of programs, clippings, posters, or show photos.  Show your best and most recent work first

For an MFA applicant in Technical Direction a portfolio should include:

• Photos of scenery pieces that you built.  It is good to see these things in context of the rest of the set and also close up in the shop or on stage.
• Process photos of interesting units at various stages of construction.
• Samples of hand drafting and computer drafting if you have this experience.
• Examples of paper work that you used to organize the build of a single unit or of an entire set.
• Paper work used to estimate and/or track the cost of scenic pieces.
• Build Schedule
• Build tracking sheets or calendars
• Load-in/Strike procedures
• Paper work used by the running crew to changes scenery during a production.
• Construction drawings for selected pieces
• Show Budgets

While you may have your portfolio on a laptop or DVD it is also helpful if you have actual photos and samples of the above mentioned items (especially draftings).
If you have any questions concerning your portfolio, your interview or the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  I look forward to meeting you and seeing your work.

Stirling Shelton, Associate Professor
Resident Technical Director
Theater Design and Production
College Conservatory of Music
University of Cincinnati
stirling.shelton@uc.edu
(513) 556-3709