Theatre Department

SUGGESTIONS FOR PORTFOLIO PREPARATION

• Whenever you work on a production, keep records and take pictures.
• Purchase an appropriate holder for your portfolio. You can buy a traditional portfolio at art supply stores or get a three-ring binder and a set of sheet protectors at an office supply or discount store.
• Prepare an attractive title page with your name and contact information.
• Neatly organize your portfolio by categories in the same order as your resume.

Also include

• Hand-written documents should be retyped neatly on the computer and printed out.
• Items smaller than one page (photographs, cards, etc.) should be mounted on a full sheet of paper.
• Letters or cards of thanks or congratulations for your work
• Coverage of your work in newspapers, newsletters or magazines

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The materials list is huge. Do I have to include ALL that stuff?
Think of your portfolio as a sample book, providing examples of your work. For a design project, use four to five portfolio pages to demonstrate process and product. For big technical assignments, one to two portfolio pages per assignment will do. Smaller technical assignments may simply be listed on your resume.

I don’t have most of the stuff on this materials list. My portfolio will be small and pathetic.
Gather as much evidence as you can. Check with your teachers/directors and others who worked on the show to see if they have materials to loan, copy or give to you. Find out if parents, friends or classmates took pictures. If costumes or props are in storage, dig them out and take pictures. Reconstruct lists, plots or cue sheets if you need to.

Should I include original documents in my portfolio?
While original documents are lovely, there is always the danger of your portfolio being lost in the mail or damaged in some way. We recommend that you use high-quality copies rather than original work whenever possible.

I live far away from Lamoni, Iowa. Can I mail you my resume and portfolio?
Yes, provided you follow the instructions above.

May I submit an electronic resume and portfolio?
Absolutely. Send it by email, on a CD, or post it on the internet and inform us of the URL.

If I receive a Theatre Production Scholarship, where does the money go?
Theatre Production Scholarship funds are applied to the cost of your tuition. For example, a grant of $1000 would be distributed fall semester ($500) and spring semester ($500).

If I receive a Theatre Production Scholarship, what do I do next?

• enroll in THTR2350 Theatre Production Studies
• attend a theatre orientation meeting at the beginning of the semester
• participate in at least one theatre production per semester
• maintain a 2.8 GPA

More specific information will be provided in a scholarship confirmation letter from Student Financial Aid.

Once I have received a Theatre Production Scholarship, can I lose it?
If you fail to complete the scholarship requirements for any semester that scholarship funds are given, your scholarship may be revoked.