Written by: Liv Garcia and Leah Geisler, Co-Editors-in-Chief
It’s that wonderfully busy time of the year for us TTS dramaturgs, directors, and theatre studies folks: productions in full swing (sometimes two or three at once), working on our own projects, AND on top of all of that, portfolio review is looming large.
For those of you new to the theatre studies scene (welcome!), portfolio review is a process in which students give a presentation of the work they’ve done over the last year to a panel that includes the department head for dramaturgy and other faculty. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our dramaturgy practices to improve and evolve, and the prospect of presenting work can also be absolutely terrifying. Articulating the artistic practices we have cultivated and become connected to is no easy feat. In an effort to ease some of that anxiety, our March editors’ letter is all about how to tackle portfolio review (or any formal feedback session) with a little peace of mind. We hope that this article leaves you with some tools in your toolbelt.
First, let’s define the environment and expectations of portfolio review. You are expected to come prepared on time, with your ideas ready to present, in business casual clothing. Portfolio review is open, so there may be other dramaturgy and theatre studies students observing your presentation. After you present, be prepared to answer questions and receive feedback from the panel.
The first thing to consider is what you will be presenting to the panel. For TTS portfolio review sophomores have 30 minutes, juniors 45 minutes, and seniors 60 minutes. The less time you have, the more you have to prioritize what is the most important to share. Consider the work you have through the course of this year: what worked really well? What did actors/directors respond to? What made you rethink your dramaturgical practice? What will you be taking with you in future processes? Specificity is key in portfolio review; the difference between saying “My actor packet presentation was successful” and “The ____ activity I planned engaged the actors in conversations about ____” is palpable. Having a solid plan for what you want feedback on will make the process a little more straightforward.
Next, think about how you will present the information. You aren’t required to have a powerpoint or other presentation tool, but it might be helpful to organize your thoughts or show images/screenshots from various projects you’ve completed over the course of the year. Remember - you’re in charge of your time and you get to decide what kind of presentation best represents your dramaturgical practice. Additionally, if you want to discuss your process, showing multiple drafts of the same item can demonstrate the progress and growth you had. If you found that an actor packet activity you created was especially exciting to the company, consider bringing it to portfolio review so you can demonstrate exactly why it worked. You know your own mind and practice best, so feel free to be creative and present in the way that makes the most sense to you.
Pictured above: Example of a portfolio review presentation from our very own Co-Editor Liv!
Finally, don’t forget about the future. What are your goals for upcoming production practice assignments? What is an area you still struggle with or a skill you hope to improve? Are there any internships or outside productions that you dream of completing? Honesty is a great quality in these presentations as it gives the faculty information they can use to help you succeed! In fact, when we reached out to Acting Head of Dramaturgy/Criticism Kristin Idaszak, they told us specifically that “The feedback that Maren and I offer during and after portfolio review is in the spirit of helping you achieve your dramaturgical goals at The Theatre School and beyond.”
With your plan at the ready, here are some tips for processing potential feelings of fear and anxiety related to presenting your work:
Portfolio review, or any review for that matter, is intended to help move your practice forward. It is difficult to reflect on what is working and what is not working without feedback. If you are feeling particularly nervous about receiving feedback, make sure to check out last month’s editors’ letter on criticism.
Talk to other dramaturgs who have been through portfolio review before. They can give you personal experience about what the process was like for them, and perhaps what it will be like for you.
Ask questions, lots of them. This is likely one of the few times you have the unwavering attention from a panel of theatremakers, so make use of it! Exhibiting how dedicated you are to improving your practice is a valuable skill, one that may be helpful to take advantage of.
More than anything, remember that you are not alone in this process. Let this portfolio review be a reminder of the fellow theatremakers around you that are just as dedicated to making heart-wrenching, life-changing theatre. Allow yourself to bask in the positive feedback and come away with a plan to strengthen your practice in the upcoming year. We can’t wait to see what incredible things everyone will bring!
Grapple on,
Leah and Liv
If you are participating in portfolio review this year, remember that it will be held in Room 509 at your assigned time on 03/17-03/18.
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