Your portfolio is your story as an artist, technician, and collaborator. It shows how you think, how you solve problems, and how you bring ideas to life through design and craft. At UAB, we’re not just looking for finished products — we’re looking for process, imagination, and growth.
Before the Interview
1. Résumé
Include a current, professional résumé in PDF format.
If meeting in person, bring a few printed copies. For virtual reviews, have it embedded or linked within your portfolio site. Your résumé should highlight both your theatre experience and any relevant creative or technical work (art, design, fabrication, media, leadership, etc. It doesn't have to be just theatrical work — we want to see you as an overall artist).
2. Portfolio Format
Digital portfolios are now the industry standard. Most students use a website, interactive PDF, PowerPoint/Google Slides to share their work.
If you prefer a physical book, make sure it mirrors your digital version—organized, concise, and easy to navigate.
Aim for 10–20 curated examples that show quality, range, and growth rather than quantity.
3. What to Include
Depending on your focus area (scenic, lighting, costume, sound, projections, props, stage management, or technical direction), your portfolio might include:
- Design & Process Work – sketches, renderings, drafting, research boards, cue sheets, scenic models, or digital storyboards
- Technical Documentation – ground plans, construction drawings, lighting plots, scenic automation paperwork, sound system diagrams, budgets, or production schedules
- Production Photos – clearly labeled with the show title, producing organization, date, and your credited role
- Artistic Foundations – drawings, sculpture, photography, or digital art that demonstrates your eye for composition and craft
- Coursework & Lab Projects – sewing samplers, carpentry builds, paint elevations, rigging exercises, or drafting assignments that show skill development
- Media Samples – short (under one-minute) video or audio clips of realized work or cue sequences
4. Show Your Process
Include at least one project that follows your entire creative or technical process—from concept and research to execution and reflection. Reviewers want to see how you think and problem-solve, not just what you produce.
5. Label Everything Clearly
Each piece in your portfolio should include:
- Your name and contact information
- Project title / production name
- Producing organization and year
- Your specific role (e.g., Scenic Designer, Assistant Lighting Designer, Carpenter)
- Collaborators
During the Interview
Your interview is a conversation, not a presentation.
The goal is to get to know you as an artist and collaborator.
- Start by sharing who you are and what excites you about storytelling through design and technology.
- Highlight a few key projects that best represent your growth, problem-solving, or artistic perspective.
- Be ready to discuss:
- Challenges you faced and how you overcame them
- How collaboration shaped your work
- What you learned and how you’d approach things differently next time
- Allow time for discussion — reviewers may ask questions about your creative process, your technical choices, or how you work within a team.
UAB Design and Technology Tips for a Strong Portfolio
- Keep it updated. Add new work each semester to reflect your latest skills and projects.
- Prioritize clarity over flash. Clean design and thoughtful storytelling always impress more than over-designed slides.
- Stay professional. Use your name consistently in your file naming so we know it's yours. (Resume.pdf can get confusing)
- Be ready to talk about collaboration in your process. We love collaboration and meeting collaborators.
- Show your range. We love to see work that crosses boundaries—design, tech, digital media, drafting, art, or even projects outside of theatre.
Questions?
Call or write
Theatre UAB Head of Design and Technology Therrin Eber
(205) 934-1137
or
Theatre UAB Department Chair Megan Lewis
(205) 934-1433