Portfolio Projects
As an actor, your portfolio would include a professional headshot; resume; clippings5 ; at least two classical, two comedic and two modern dramatic monologues—memorized and deliverable at audition quality at any time upon demand; and the name, address and contact information for all theaters within a two hour drive of the students “home” all presentable to faculty in a neatly bound black book. NOTE: The resume must include at least one, non-collegiate performance credit. Production and Academic track requirements would be of the same depth, yet require differing items as designated by the faculty member mentoring those students.Senior projects can include an internship at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, utilizing the university’s Urban Life Center, or a season with a summer-stock company, such as The Barn in Michigan, obtained via competitive auditions. It could also involve producing a production within Anderson University’s main-stage season, if directing is the student’s major interest. The senior project is a critical component of the major, as it provides you with “real world” experience in the theatre profession. It cannot be waived.
Students pursuing a theatre major are required to complete a portfolio and a senior project. The portfolio should be started no later than the sophomore year, and completed by the beginning of the second semester of their senior year. Completion of the senior project requires enrollment in SPCH 4950. This course is designed to grant the student and faculty a chance at a comprehensive, summative assessment of the student’s accomplishments in her/his particular area of specialty. The course requires the student to formally complete the compilation of her/his portfolio, which can be objectively assessed and commented upon by participating faculty. The course also offers students the opportunity to create and present a historically and theoretically documented performance, production and/or academic project to an audience. This “capstone” project should practically demonstrate the artistic skills acquired in the Theatre Studies Program. The latter requirement may also be filled through an approved internship documented with a professional theatre company.
| Units vary as follows: | Design projects can earn 2-3 credit hours |
| Performance projects can earn 1-2 credit hours | |
| Directing Projects (full length production) can earn 3-4 credit hours | |
| Internships earn hours as above, based on duties outlined | |
| Office based internships (PR, development, etc) will receive credit hours based on the length of assignment and hours worked per week. |
5A “clip book” is newspaper reviews that mention your performance specifically—or other published materials that highlight your talents.
