Designer's/Technician's Portfolio Presentations

What to Prepare:

Collect samples of your work as an artist, based on the area of design of technical theatre for which you are interviewing. Place the samples in a binder or portfolio in a logical order. For a scene designer, for example, you would include sketches, renderings, models, photos. A lighting designer would include light plots, cue sheets, photos. A costume designer would include sketches, renderings with swatches, photos of completed costumes. Scenic artists would include painting samples in assorted styles and textures. Master carpenters would include photos and working drawings of set pieces built. Stage Managers would bring their prompt book.

What to Wear:

Remember, the presentation is like a job interview, so dress appropriately.  You want to present yourself in a professional manner.

What to Say:

Bring your materials to the table, introduce yourself and your area of specialty, hold your portfolio up so that all may see its contents. Describe what you will be presenting in general terms, then highlight what is in your book with an explanation of what each segment represents: “This is a photo of the spiral staircase I built for Hello Dolly”, “This is the costume I constructed for Juliet in Act IV”, “I was the milliner on this production and these are several of the hats I created”, “This is the model for Of Mice and Men and here is a production photo.” Share the information that would be most useful for those viewing your work to get to know your talents and skills.

Sometimes, a story about a challenge and how you dealt with it is interesting. Be prepared for questions. Less is more. It is not necessary to describe every single page of the book, but to find the pages that best represent you. Know the budgets you worked within. Know the titles of each show, the names of the directors and designers with whom you worked.

Be sure to include a resume. Make eye contact with those interviewing you. Establish who you are as a person. Remember that we are looking to hire or admit you-the human being as well as you-the talent, and if you are to spend several semesters with us, we want to assess whether Kean will be a good fit for you.

You will also be asked to complete a writing and drawing assignment.

Conclusion:

Gather your belongings, say a warm thank you and goodbye, and exit the room.

Establish who you are as a person. Remember that we are looking to hire or admit you-the human being as well as you-the talent, and if you are to spend several semesters with us, we want to assess whether Kean will be a good fit for you.