For Directors
Deciding to Direct
In order to apply to direct at Harvard, a student must first have three things:
A play or a clearly outlined concept for a show
A director may apply with any play not performed in the past four years. While there are no restrictions on the type of play that can be put on at Harvard, directors are reminded to choose shows that are feasible with the resources (human and technical) available at the time of the production. It is also recommended that directors be able to demonstrate a clear vision for the proposed show.
A list of venues in which the show could be performed
In order to put on a production, a director must have a venue. It is recommended that directors consider all possible venues for their shows and make themselves aware of the application deadlines for each space in case it becomes necessary to apply to a second choice. Venues with formalized application processes include the Loeb Mainstage, the Ex, OFA spaces (Farkas Hall and the Agassiz Theater), The Adams Pool Theater, and the Cabot House Theater.
A staff
Perhaps most importantly, a director must assemble a staff that includes, but is by no means limited to, producer(s), a music director (if a musical), a stage manager, a set designer, a technical director, a lighting designer, a sound designer, a costume designer, and a properties designer. Depending upon the requirements of the show, it may also be necessary to have other staff positions filled, such as choreographer, video designer, projectionist, or orchestra manager. Each staff position should also have a minimum of two assistants, with more encouraged. It is important to note, however, that the size of a staff is not necessarily indicative of their ability to mount a project, and in certain instances, a massive staff is as likely to be seen as detrimental to an application as it is to be seen as an asset. It is also very important that a director understand what his/her staff is responsible to do. All directors are therefore responsible for familiarity with the information on the Information for Technicians page.
A list of shows performed in the Loeb Theater in the last for years can be found here
Applying to Direct
Please keep an eye out in the HRDC Newsletter for the most current application deadlines and materials.
Applications for the Loeb Mainstage, the Ex, and OFA spaces (Farkas Hall and the Agassiz Theater) are organized in three parts: a pre-application, a full application, and an interview.
Pre-Application
Shows are asked to submit a completed pre-application with staff list a week before the full application is due. Ex shows are also asked to submit their preliminary slot preferences.
Pre-applications for the Loeb Mainstage should be sent to the Mainstage Coordinator at vp@hrdctheater.com and the President at president@hrdctheater.com.
Pre-applications for the Ex should be sent to the Ex Coordinator at ex@hrdctheater.com and the President at president@hrdctheater.com.
Pre-applications to OFA spaces should be sent to Dana Knox at danaknox@fas.harvard.edu and Eric Engel at engel@fas.harvard.edu.
Pre-application forms can be found here
Full Application
A full application consists of the following:
- An updated pre-application
- A staff contact sheet that includes the name, position, email address, and phone number for each staff member
- A preliminary production calendar
- The venue application (OFA or Loeb)
- Statements, applicable design plans, resumes, and potential conflicts for the semester from each member of the production team.
- Mainstage: Faustus
Experimental Theater: Attempts on Her Life
Applications for the Ex should be sent to the Ex Coordinator at ex@hrdctheater.com and the President at president@hrdctheater.com in addition to leaving a hard copy outside of the HRDC Office.
Applications to OFA spaces should be sent to Dana Knox at danaknox@fas.harvard.edu and Eric Engel at engel@fas.harvard.edu.
Interview
Mainstage and OFA applicants will be assigned an interview time upon receipt of their full application.
Ex applicants will be able to sign up for an application slot outside the HRDC Board Office when dropping off the hard copy of their application.
Applications to the Adams Pool Theater require a single application form to be sent to Adams House Drama Tutor Aubry Thelkeld at pooltheatre@gmail.com.
Applications to the Cabot House Theater require a single application form to be sent to Student Theater Coordinator Andrew Howe at andrew.howe82@gmail.com.
Students wishing to put on productions in other campus locations must obtain permission from the administrator of that location before commencing any performances in the space.
Resources for Directors
For information about recent college productions, please visit the Harvard Theater Database
For questions about the Loeb Mainstage, contact the Mainstage Coordinator, Mariel Pettee, at vp@hrdctheater.com.
For questions about the Ex, contact the Ex Coordinator, Maddy Bersin, at ex@hrdctheater.com
For questions about the OFA space application for Farkas Hall and the Agassiz Theater, contact the Production Coordinator of College Theater, Dana Knox, at danaknox@fas.harvard.edu.
For questions about Farkas Hall or the Agassiz Theater, contact the Technical Director of College Theater, Tom Morgan, at tmorgan@fas.harvard.edu.
For questions about the Adams Pool Theater, contact the Adams House Drama Tutor, Aubry Threlkeld at pooltheater@gmail.com.
For questions about the Cabot House Theater, contact the Student Theater Coordinator Andrew Howe at andrew.howe82@gmail.com.
For all other questions, contact the President at president@hrdctheater.com.