Author Topic: Questions for college interview  (Read 5964 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Eric Toler

  • New to Town
  • **
  • Posts: 6
    • View Profile
  • Experience: High School
Questions for college interview
« on: Feb 24, 2013, 08:12 pm »
So, later this week, I'm going to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for a campus tour and an interview with representatives from the theatre department. I am hoping to go to UNCG this fall (application still pending!) and enter in the school's Technical Production program, designed for people going into design and technical theatre and intend to pursue it professionally or in grad school. Stage management is listed in the program description, but other than that there isn't much information about stage management students, which is why I scheduled an interview with people from the program. My plan is to find out as much information as I can about the program and how it will help me in preparing for a career in stage management professionally, post-graduation.

I know that to get into the Technical Production program, I'll have to do an interview this fall and submit a prompt book as a portfolio. I also know that I'll have internship opportunities at the local professional theatre, but I don't know much about requirements to get into the program, what kind of assignments I'll be given for the school's productions through the program, what kind of things I'll need to do for completion of the program, etc.

I've started to compile a list of questions to ask the school's representatives when I speak to them this week, but my mind is starting to draw blanks about what I may want/need to know and ask about. Which is why I'm posting this. What kind of questions would you suggest I ask, and what might I need to find out about the school? Any suggestions/tips/general advice would be greatly appreciated. I really want to get the most I can out of this interview before I set in stone that this is what I will be doing for my education. :)
"I don't care about money. I just want to be wonderful." -MM

Maribeth

  • Superstar!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1056
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: AEA
  • Experience: Former SM
Re: Questions for college interview
« Reply #1 on: Feb 24, 2013, 10:27 pm »
Hi Eric,
What questions do you have so far? You might find this thread helpful- it addresses the same topic: http://smnetwork.org/forum/students-and-novice-stage-managers/college-questions/msg33901/#msg33901 .  A lot of good questions are covered in that thread, so I won't just repeat them, but I would find out what connections your theatre department has to local professional theatres. Internships, local professionals teaching classes, and workshops are some of the ways a university can maintain a relationship with professional theatres.

I would ask about the different kinds of productions that you will be working on. Do SM students work on musicals? Operas? Dance? Weird performance art? Find out if there are student groups that produce- there may be opportunities outside of the mainstage shows. Are there certain requirements about how many productions you need to work on each semester/year? Do you get experience ASMing as well as SMing? Do you have to work in other production positions (costumes, lights, etc)?

I would also spend some time finding out about life at the university outside of the theatre department. Non-theatre classes, living accommodations, access to transportation, etc can all have a big effect on your overall college experience. If you have other interests for college besides theatre, be sure to ask about those opportunities too!

Are you looking to get a job while in college? If so I would ask about employment opportunities- you may be able to find a job that relates to stage management in some way, or that will provide valuable experience. (When I was a student, I assisted the production manager- most of my job responsibilities involved taking notes during production meetings and scheduling all of the rehearsal rooms. Really useful experience for me.) You could also get experience in a non-theatrical context that gives you valuable experience- don't feel like every single thing you do in college has to relate to stage management.

If you can, talk to current students about their experience. They may be able to give you a better perspective on the experience there, and may have some good advice about what they like/don't like about the program.



Samazon

  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 52
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
  • Affiliations: UNC Greensboro, SMA, AEA
  • Experience: Professional
Re: Questions for college interview
« Reply #2 on: Feb 25, 2013, 12:36 am »
Hey Eric,

I'm a senior stage management student in the technical production program at UNC Greensboro.  I would be more than happy to answer any of your questions about the program, the university and the area in general if you send me a PM. The questions that Maribeth brought up are definitely good ones.
“All things are possible until they are proved impossible and even the impossible may only be so, as of now."

Eric Toler

  • New to Town
  • **
  • Posts: 6
    • View Profile
  • Experience: High School
Re: Questions for college interview
« Reply #3 on: Feb 26, 2013, 12:56 pm »
Thank you Maribeth! Those were really helpful, and the thread you mentioned helped me a lot with coming up with questions. I'm going to meet with the Technical Director tomorrow and it's safe to say I'm prepared!

Post Merge: Feb 26, 2013, 12:57 pm
Hey Eric,

I'm a senior stage management student in the technical production program at UNC Greensboro.  I would be more than happy to answer any of your questions about the program, the university and the area in general if you send me a PM. The questions that Maribeth brought up are definitely good ones.

Thank you so much! If I still have any questions after my visit tomorrow or if any pop up, I'll definitely send them to you. :)
« Last Edit: Feb 26, 2013, 12:57 pm by Eric Toler »
"I don't care about money. I just want to be wonderful." -MM

 

riotous