College Theatre-Majoring (Directing) and Related Questions

[stacey717]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 7:30pm

I'm getting worried as I'm on the road to choosing a college to apply to...

I'm someone who wants to major in film and theatre, but not for acting, I want to direct.

I've been encouraged by my parents to do what I want to do, they back me 100%, but sometimes I'm the one who has major doubts like, 'what if I can't', etc, because of what I hear--

And you usually never hear enough about directors/directing anyway! Most theatre (or film)-related anything is usually pertaining to actors...

I may sound uninformed or naive or whatever, but truly, what is the directing scene like when someone gets out of college/gradschool/etc?


I'd like to ask if anyone first off (I'll go in order) knows of a good theatre program (in the tristate area or east coast preferably, but I'm open to anything) for the summer, for a highschooler? Especially the latter of the summer...

I really want to learn theatre directing because I really want to start learning, but there is another thing on my mind.

My problem is 'til this point I've only been able to get some film experience with courses/classes-- theatre is so much harder to find-- and especially where no prerequisite of a portfolio is needed (I read about a program that's ABSOLUTELY PERFECT at Columbia that'd if I'm not doing anything at that time of the summer, I'd love to do.

My problem would be the portfolio. The very reason I wish direly to take a program is because 'til now I've been formally, as in a classroom or school-theatre environment, basically unexposed (this is not to say I haven't done my own research and reading and practiced analyzing plays, visualized, etc)

There is only one class with any information pertaining to directing for stage at any point in the year in my school and its Drama III, but i never had time in my schedule to take I or II in freshman or sophomore year, so I'd never make it to three--and the student directed plays are only for seniors, and i'm a junior. I never got involved in stage management or the drama program otherwise inn previous years because it's very cliquey at my school and I was and kinda stil am scared of the drama teacher in respect to this we-take-drama clique-- I'd guess virtually all of her casts are at least 80-90% people that take/have taken drama, possibly more(because I don't know everyone who exactly takes drama.

I have film scripts I've written and made, and a musical film I'm currently making and could write a play (I've started a longer one) and/or produce a play with friends/other students in roles etc, but it would be independent from a school department with I'd assume officiallity type issues.

I'm paranoid because here I am, 16, halfway through junior year, and have no drama/theatre porfolio (what is this world coming to anyway...I thought I was in highschool and I'm worried that i don't have a job portfolio to get into college!) -->and want it to be a part of a double major desperately.

Film AND Theatre Directing; I will take no less.

Therefore:
*Is* there even a school where you can even double major in Film and Theatre?


Or, is there a school that you could double major in these and still take signifigant numbers of courses in your other areas of interest when keeping in mind all the requirements to graduate with a major (that is, you could always be able to fall back on another minor, as in ancient greek or philosophy or english even...?)


Thanks for reading and/or giving information you might have :)

Sorry it was so long, but I was really thinking about it...

Sincerely: Thanksthanksthanks :)

[dancinfan]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 9:03pm

I just googled thatre and film directing programs in colleges and universities and got a ton of hits. When I was in high school and college, there were a lot of people taking acting classes who were more interested in directing (or producing or stage managing, for that matter), but they had to take the acting courses first or as well. It's a good idea, I think, to slog through them just so that you have the vocabulary to talk with actors about what they are doing. It may be that, as with one guy in my class in college, the teacher will spare you the hassle of actually performing scenework, allowing you to observe or direct those scenes instead.

By the way, I think it's perfectly acceptable to write essays for your college applications that explain that your passion and interest in directing have simply come to fruition too late to have a huge resume already. Your description of your exercises in script analysis and visualization seem very accomplished for someone your age in your situation.

Best of luck. Updated On: 1/6/05 at 09:03 PM

[BroadwayDreams2]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 9:23pm

I suggest, to get theatre directing experience, talk to your high school drama director. You said in your post that she is a little intimidating if you arent in her "drama clique". I can assure you that if you show a genuine interest in directing and are mature about it, she will probably give you a chance. Ask if you can hang around rehearsals for your spring play/musical. Maybe even help or co-direct it. I am a senior in high school, going into a theatre major, and a friend of mine is being a directors assistant for her graduation project. She is basically a kiss *ss and does anything the director says, but she's learning a lot. Also, take some acting classes, then when one of your actors complains about something or suggest something else, you at least have a comeback or will know what they're going through. About finding colleges, look at colleges with theatre majors. Most of them will have a directing major or a directing concentration in the theatre major. The two colleges I applyed to are West Chester University and Marymount Manhattan College. They both have production/directing majors. I'm not sure if they are film or theatre but they're worth a look. Good luck!

[serendipity9]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 10:45pm

Directing is definately tough to get out there and do. I'm a directing major in college - my school only has a theater directing major. Generally speaking it's hard to find good directing programs in undergraduate levels. There are a ton of MFA programs that are great, I know personally that the Brown/Trinity Rep Consortium has an awesome program. - Most people studying directing end up at a grad school eventually to really gain the extent and the ability to physically do more as a director, or there are a lot of Director's Lad situations for after undergrad, like at Lincoln Center or the Hanger Theater. I would decide if you want to lean more towards film or theater because it will probably be difficult to find both in an undergrad school.
And DEFINATELY slug through acting classes because it will help immensely in the end.
Hope this helps some.

[stacey717]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:36pm

"Ask if you can hang around rehearsals for your spring play/musical. Maybe even help or co-direct it. "

I tried asking about watching the play earlier, confronting her about the alck of opportunities to really direct. She first said, "well, in drama III" and I said I hadn't had time for drama I or II, so i wouldn't be able to get to three now, as a junior." That's why I asked if I could watch her --and she said no. She said the school newspaper people asked too, etc, and she told them no. SHe said the reason was "because its..."

I tried finishing her sentence like five times, trying to say "an intimate experience", "personal", etc.

SHe finally got the words out, finally after quite some tries basically agreeing to what I'd said.

I curteously said I understood.
But I admit I was kinda annoyed I couldn't even watch *one*. (My orchestra-pit playing friend said it could have been because she'd get embarassed at what she could do while directing-- last year she got mad at yelled at the orchestra during a rehearsal for the musical in front of everyone, as in the actors, and the conductor, the orchestra teacher, and then got really embarassed over it...something like that)

She already has too many stage managers-and stage managers assistants-most of which, both managers and assistants don't do anything really (my friend is the one manager that does more than the others as prop/etc manager) and the director wouldn't accept a co-director "that's what the student directed plays are for". Unfortunate.

She doesn't realize that those are only in senior year, and the experience should be open to at least juniors who are able to do this as well. If I asked to direct one this year, which I'll try anyway and plan for immensely and confront her about (even if its just so I can have the stage and do a play regardless of the school's promoting it...i'll do it as a team fundraiser or charity fundraiser), she will say no becuase i'm not a senior and not one of her own.

I'll try asking her again.

And for acting-- I am VERY interested in learning how to act and taking acting courses. Also for musical theatre especially-- I did used to take ballet (10 years, until 2002 and I had reached my goal of pointe--and started playing ice hockey) and have always wanted to learn how to sing and perform in musical theatre (someday I'd love to direct a musical film and musical on stage)

It is crucial to know how/terms/what the actors feel and experience in order to smooth and aid in the formation of a comfortable relationship. There needs to be understanding and respect on both sides and the director is not the goddess to be obeyed on the set like some might want to believe. It's not about power that way...

I am reading An Actor Prepares, it finally came. I also have a number of other books waiting to be ordered on amazon.com--lots are acting books, too : )

I did get up the guts and try out for the play (but had an immense case of larengitis due to a sinus infection so the director couldn't hear me and didn't cast me becuase i didn't explain my trying-to-quit relationship with field hockey)

And the musical. Cast is posted tomorrow, I doubt I'd get in and kinda wouldn't mind being on stage crew instead (my friend said she could request I help because the director hadn picks 'em and she knows the drama teacher)-- but I tried out but not with the enthusiasm i imagined i'd havep--it was nerve wracking with 70 people on a tiny stage trying to learn combos in front of you, and they're all taller or thesame height so you can't see! (plus it's hello dolly, not one of my favorites, and i didn't really have a part i desperately wanted to audition for)

Anyway, I tried out for two reasons, to get the actor's experience AND to watch the director while I'm at it.

If anything I got to experience the auditions under her command.

Incredibly nervewracking.

(and I know what i'd try to do differently in planning an audition...especially the dancing part)

""I would decide if you want to lean more towards film or theater because it will probably be difficult to find both in an undergrad school.""

Yeah.. I'd guess that it I had to choose right now, based on my current knowledge I'd probably have to lean to film and lesser to theatre-- but that's why I'm desperately seeking a summer program or soemthing so I can see which one I want to lean more for.

I think the thing with undergrad is that it is possible to find both, kinda not tooo too hard, especially if its a liberal arts school (my number one choice right now is columbia)-- the real challenge is getting them to *let* you have a major in both depts, especially if you want to take other courses (this is where some schools' make-your-own concentration/major sounds nice...but i don't think columbia had that..and the schools have to approve the concentration mix)


Thanks for the luck and advice (if worse does come to worse I could write an essay explaining the complications that arose in my not being very able to get hands on theatre experience-- I know that if I had gotten involved earlier or even deeply with the play this year I would have disappointed my field hockey teammates, and the coach, so i should stay for their sake no matter how unhappy i was on the team, ya know? It was my ethical dilemma last year and this year especially-- Especially as a goalie...)

Thanks for all of your help...

If anyone has more advice or anything, again it's appreciated:)

Thanks Again!