Theatre is a hands-on art form and there is no better place to get your 鈥渉ands on鈥� than 澳门老奇人论坛 Theatre. Besides the classroom, there are many ways to become engaged through your theatre studies. In fact, your whole college experience will shape who you become once you begin your career and whether you stick with theatre or not, the skills that you learn are easily transferred to almost any profession. Other learning opportunities are available through independent study, internships in theatre, study abroad, or any number of other areas. For additional practical experience and even some extra money you might look into one of the many work study positions available in the department.
Our students are also encouraged to participate in professional organizations such as , and . A prime way to delve into these is by attending their annual conferences. The department often provides some financial assistance to students participating in these activities. Back here on campus, there are a number of other student groups and activities that a student may also become involved with.
The College of Visual and Performing Arts is now a part of the Highlander Success Center (HSC). The HSC is located in Young Hall; and is open from 8 a.m. 鈥� 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
At 澳门老奇人论坛, academic advisors in the Highlander Success Center work together to provide comprehensive services to all students with fewer than 56 credit hours, undeclared students, first-year transfer students, and students who have been readmitted and are initially in poor academic standing. The HSC academic advisor is listed as the student鈥檚 primary advisor in .
Each new student will be assigned a department faculty advisor at the beginning of their first semester. Students can look up their faculty advisor in their and should feel free to email or stop by during their faculty advisor鈥檚 office hours. This advisor can be changed, with permission of the new advisor, after completion of the first semester. It is the student鈥檚 responsibility to notify the first advisor and department chair of any changes.
All students should see their academic advisor by the sixth week of each semester to discuss classes for the following semester. It is the responsibility of the student to be sure all requirements for graduation are met. Any questions regarding policies should be referred to the 鈥淎cademic Policy鈥� section of the Undergraduate Catalog.
This essential information has been assembled to acquaint you with various aspects of the Department of Theatre and Cinema. Though every question may not be answered here, hopefully it will provide enough insight to avoid surprises and help you make your academic studies and artistic pursuits here as rewarding as possible.
Should you have questions or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to talk them over immediately with your advisor or any member of the faculty.
Minimum GPA Requirement
The department requires a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 in the major for graduation.
Production Participation
Any student on academic probation at the beginning of a given semester may not be cast or hold a crew position beyond registered class requirements during that semester. Performance students are still required to audition.
Activities Outside Of The Department
The department requires all theatre majors to receive written permission from the department chair prior to accepting any theatrical work--whether design, technical or performance-- with any production or project outside the Department of Theatre and Cinema during the fall and spring semesters.
Student Involvement
Theatre majors are required to participate in the production program of the department each semester. With respect to this, each student will receive a specific assignment each semester. Students are encouraged to participate as much as their schedules allow.
Casting
Except in cases where race or gender is fundamental to the story, casting is decided on the basis of ability.
Strike
Every major is required to attend the strike for each main stage production. Any absence must be approved by the department chair prior to strike. Students involved as cast or crew of studio productions are required to attend strike for those productions.
Monthly Departmental
All majors are required to attend the monthly department meeting. Any absence must be approved by the department chair prior to the meeting. These meetings are typically held the first Monday of each month at 5 pm.
Class/Rehearsal Attendance
Students unable to attend class are disallowed from attending shop or rehearsal on that same day. When absent from class, the student should contact their teacher, shop supervisor and/or director as soon as possible.
Alcohol & Drug Policy
The Department of Theatre subscribes to and upholds the university鈥檚 policies regarding the use of alcohol and drugs. The use of, or being under the influence of or in the possession of, these substances in the classroom, shop work spaces, rehearsal or performance setting is not permitted.
In cases where the student is alleged to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or their behavior presents a concern for the health and safety of those around them or a compromise of the integrity of the academic process, the student will likely be referred to the university鈥檚 conduct process.
Such behavior will also likely result in an interim removal from the class, production or other projects pending the outcome of this process; should a student be found responsible by the university conduct board, further sanctions may be imposed as deemed fit by the theatre faculty.
In the event of such action, it is likely that the student will be required to meet with the department chair and/or the faculty member directly involved to discuss the student鈥檚 future in the program.
Student Representatives*
One student representative is selected to serve as:
*Criteria for nomination are consistent with the department鈥檚 policy regarding production activities. All students wishing to hold a position must be able to serve, and be in good standing with the department, college, and university. No student on academic probation can hold a major position on any such committee.
Every student in the department is required to submit to a regular periodic review of their work. These reviews are designed to provide students and faculty a structured opportunity to assess and discuss the student鈥檚 academic progress within and without the department, their production work, general involvement, areas for needed improvement and future goals. Typically, which review the student goes through is determined by their area of emphasis (acting/directing or tech/design). However, the student is not limited to that specific area. If, for instance, a performer does a major project such as stage managing, they may wish to have their work on that production evaluated. The student and their advisor should discuss which review is appropriate for the student especially if deviating from their principal area of study. Students are always free to do both reviews but they must go through one or the other. Failure to do so can result in ineligibility for crew head, design assignments, and/or casting. As one of the main thrusts of the department is involvement, such censure could seriously impact the student鈥檚 standing in the program.
The tech/design reviews are held at the end of every semester. The acting/directing reviews are once every year at the end of the spring semester. Each area will post a list of students whom they are expecting to see in their respective reviews. If a student chooses to go through a review outside their expressed emphasis they must make this decision in consultation with their advisor and notify the faculty of their emphasis area of their intention to do so.
END YEAR ONE: Each first year student intent on continuing as a performance student is required to present one 1-2 minute monologue to the performance faculty. This monologue should be contemporary and suited to the student's age and type and may be dramatic or comedic.
The presentation will be followed with a discussion about the student's achievements in academics and the production program during their first year at Radford. This discussion will include the student's future aims in the department and their studies. First-year students who sing have the option to add an additional 16 bars of a song to their monologue. First year students are expected to bring a r茅sum茅 with them.
END YEAR TWO: Students completing their second year will present an audition in the format of a combined audition-- this is to include a monologue and a contrasting song.* This audition must also conform to the time limit of the typical combined audition (90 seconds total time). The student is expected to bring a r茅sum茅 and headshot appropriate for audition distribution to be reviewed by faculty.
A discussion will follow to respond to the student's audition, academic progress, areas in which improvement is needed, and goals for the future.
*Even if the faculty hasn't recommended the student as a singer, non-singers should still prepare a simple song such as folk or children's music as these most closely resemble the music appearing in much classical dramatic literature. Both the song and the monologue should fit within the time limit.
END YEAR THREE: Third year students will present an audition package consisting of three monologues (approximately 2 minutes each) OR two monologues and one song (approximately 2 minutes each). The monologues should be contrasting pieces including one in classical verse (pre-1850) 鈥攚hereas, a lot of classical auditions require Shakespeare, this selection need not be limited to that. The student will also submit a headshot and r茅sum茅 for review.
The discussion to follow will include an update of academic performance, progress in previously identified areas of challenge, and production participation. In addition, the student's post-graduate academic and career objectives will be discussed. If pursuing graduate study, preparation for graduate school auditions and the application process will be discussed. Professional employment in the subsequent summer will be emphasized, calling attention to the student's eligibility for the undergraduate auditions at UPTA (Unified Professional Theatre Auditions) in February of their senior year and other audition opportunities.
END YEAR FOUR: This year requires the student to present an audition package of their four strongest audition pieces (monologues and/or songs). Fourth year students will turn in a list of their audition repertoire to the faculty along with their headshot and r茅sum茅. The repertoire should reflect a range of genres and consist of a minimum of seven selections. The student will choose the first two pieces and lead with those. Then the faculty will select two remaining pieces from the list for the student to present.
In the subsequent discussion the student's academics, personal progress as a performer, and their production activity, along with their audition and preparation for future goals will be reviewed.
Please note: At any point you are free to sing as part of your audition (not only in the second year where it is required). If you do so, these selections should fit your type, suit you vocally and be well-prepared /rehearsed with an accompanist. Please, if you intend to sing, or are required to, sign up on a day on which the accompanist is scheduled to be present at the reviews.
Students expressing a directing emphasis are to meet the following requirements for regular review:
END YEAR ONE: Same as End Year One Acting Review (see above).
END YEAR TWO: Perform one monologue and present orally a brief concept statement from a script that you have studied during your second year of coursework.
END YEAR THREE: Third year directing students will be expected to go through the tech/design review in the fall of that academic year. In the spring, the student prepares a 3-minute oral presentation summarizing their work on the directing application they submitted in March. The performance faculty will discuss the student鈥檚 work and advise them on their career and/or post-graduate education goals. Among other things, graduate school and internship options will be discussed. Third year students should bring a professional-looking headshot and r茅sum茅 to their appointment.
END YEAR FOUR: The fourth year directing student will present a portfolio (either a hard copy, a digital copy or a professional website are acceptable formats) containing documentation of productions and conceptual work (for example: directing work, stage management, classroom projects, design work, and/or acting work). The student鈥檚 future plans will be discussed. Directing students also pursuing professional acting work will include monologue or song performances in their year-end review package.
YEAR ONE: Each freshman intent on continuing as a tech/design student is required to submit to review by the tech/design faculty.
There will be discussion of the student's achievements in academics and the production program including work in the shops and crew assignments during their first year. This discussion will include the student's future aims in the department and their studies. Summer professional employment/internships will be encouraged with particular emphasis on attending Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC). The student will present a basic resume for review no later than the end of the spring semester of this first year. The faculty will advise the student to begin keeping photographic records of individual class and production technical drawings and design projects.
YEAR TWO: The student鈥檚 academics will be reviewed along with their involvement in the department. An updated resume will be presented along with photographs and other material collected toward the end of creating a portfolio suitable to present to prospective employers and/or graduate school recruiters. For designers, the prospects of a studio design will be considered. Continued involvement in SETC as well as participation in the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) will be reiterated.
YEAR THREE: In addition to the student鈥檚 academics and department participation the student鈥檚 professional experiences will be discussed. Suggestions of crew chief or design opportunities which will challenge the student and broaden their experiences will be made. If not before, discussion will take place of the student鈥檚 career or other post-graduate goals with an eye to preparing student for graduate school or professional interviews. In preparation for those the student鈥檚 portfolio and resume will be evaluated. Continued involvement in professional organizations will be underscored along with discussion of URTA/graduate school interviews.
YEAR FOUR: The senior student will present their portfolio and resume as though interviewing for a professional position. By the time of the fall review the student should have arranged graduate school and professional interviews in order to talk about these with the faculty and ready themselves for those interviews. Attendance of the URTA graduate school interviews as well as SETC and USITT opportunities for employment and portfolio review will be strongly encouraged.
Independent study courses are designed to permit students to investigate specific areas of interest under the direction of a faculty advisor.
An independent study course must be approved by the department prior to the deadline for registering for courses for the semester the course is to be taken. Following approval, it is the student's responsibility to officially register for the independent study by submitting the approved proposal to the Registrar鈥檚 Office by the deadline for adding courses.
Such courses are graded on a pass-fail, or letter grade basis, and students may take no more than six credit hours of independent study.
A student taking an independent study course for honors credit may receive a letter grade for it, providing they receive permission from the director of the Honors College before registering for the course.
A faculty member may offer a maximum of six credit hours of independent study per semester.
The department strongly encourages its students to seek internships as a supplement to their onsite study. These internships should be with a recognized professional producing organization. The student is encouraged to work with their faculty advisor in identifying a suitable venue for an internship aligned with their particular area of interest. It is the student鈥檚 responsibility to research the nature of the experience and expectations of interning with the chosen organization. It is possible to develop an internship with organizations that do not have an established internship program. Students are also responsible for soliciting from the proposed organization all material necessary to evaluate the potential internship experience. This should include information about the organization鈥檚 mission and specifically what duties the internship will include. Once this information is assembled the student will work with the department chair to complete the paperwork necessary to registering for credit. Students may earn up to twelve hours by internship.
A short list of places 澳门老奇人论坛 Theatre and Cinema students have interned includes: Battersea Cultural Arts Center, Shakespeare鈥檚 Globe Theatre, Playhouse on the Square-Memphis, Mill Mountain Theatre, The Barter Theatre, Disney World, Kentucky Repertory Theatre, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Berkshire Theatre Festival and Westport Country Playhouse.
As a theatre student, there are items in addition to class textbooks and regular school supplies you will need to obtain.*
All performance classes and many rehearsals require adherence to a dress code. Clothes for class should allow you to move freely, safely, and without embarrassment. Consult your instructor or your director with any questions about what is appropriate to wear to class and rehearsal. In addition to rehearsal clothes, you will find it helpful to bring in clothing items which approximate the costume you'll wear.
Appropriate examples of what to wear for class/rehearsal: t-shirts, sweats, dance wear, running shorts, dance shoes, tennis shoes, hair tied back.
Unsafe/inappropriate to wear: Clothes that don't fit or cover you well, high heels, skirts, dressy clothes, flip flops, hats, clunky shoes, boots, tight or ripped jeans, dangly jewelry, piercings that inhibit speech or free movement, baseball caps.
Additional items you will need as a performance student:
路 Rehearsal skirt
路 Rehearsal jacket
路 Character shoes
路 Hard-soled dress shoes
路 Tights
路 Makeup - Ben Nye makeup kit (available at the RU bookstore)
For work in the scene shop, wear work clothes you are willing to get dirty. Safety is also a consideration when choosing these clothes. T-shirts and jeans made from natural fabrics, such as cotton, are best. Do not wear worn or ripped clothing as it potentially can cause injury. Wear closed-toed shoes, sneakers or preferably boots, and pants or shorts. Sandals, dress shoes or any other form of non-protective shoe are unacceptable. Tie hair back from your face and avoid rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings or any dangly jewelry. Stud earrings are acceptable.
You will be asked to leave a work call if your attire is not appropriate. Consult your instructor, technical director or scene shop supervisor about what is appropriate to wear.
All students who are completing shop hours need to follow the dress code at all times.
Below is a list of basic supplies you will need as a technical student:
路 Scene Shop: tape measure, 8鈥� crescent wrench
路 Costume Shop: fabric scissors
路 Running Crews: blacks (black shirt, black pants, black shoes and black socks), flashlight
with clip
*Please note: As all theatre students are required at some point to work on a running crew, it is advised all majors and minors have the appropriate black clothing or 鈥渂lacks" (see technical/design students requirements).
If you fail to dress appropriately during shop hours, you will be asked to leave.
Below are some widely accepted and observed guidelines for attending or working in professional theatre.
Audience Member
Crew Member
Scene Shop
Performers
Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the building at any time.
DO NOT tamper with safety equipment.
Know placement and how to operate:
Remain calm in an emergency.
Know where the emergency exits are. Plan what you would do if the asbestos curtain must be lowered during an emergency.
Know where the first aid kit is and how to use it.
Have access to a cell or other phone for emergency purposes and make sure the appropriate emergency numbers are available.
Observe all warning signs, barriers and lights.
Leave ghost light and safety lights turned on when exiting theatre.
Unauthorized visitors are not allowed in the stage area or dressing rooms before, during or after performance. Unsupervised children are not allowed backstage at any time.
Never work in the theatre space or shop areas alone.