All Harvard students who wish to direct a show on the Mainstage or in the Ex are encouraged to gather a staff and apply for space. Advice on finding a staff can be found in the HRDC FAQ. After finding your staff, you must then fill out a pre-application. Finally, you submit a completed application. Applications to direct in the spring are generally due in November/early December. Applications to direct in the fall are generally due in late April/May.

A pre-application consists of the following cover sheet (.DOC) and a full staff list submitted via email. Mainstage pre-apps should be sent to president@hrdctheater.com and vp@hrdctheater.com. Ex pre-apps should be sent to president@hrdctheater.com and ex@hrdctheater.com. For the Mainstage, the deadline for pre-applications is NOON on Sunday, April 18, 2010; for shows in the Experimental Theater the deadline for pre-applications is NOON on Sunday, April 25, 2010.

A full application is to be submitted via email and in two hard copies to be left outside the HRDC Board Office in the Loeb Dramat Center. Mainstage applications should be sent to president@hrdctheater.com and vp@hrdctheater.com. Ex applications should be sent to president@hrdctheater.com and ex@hrdctheater.com. For the Mainstage, the deadline for full applications is NOON on Sunday, April 25, 2010 (this is also the deadline for shows applying to the NCT/Ag); for shows in the Experimental Theater the deadline for full applications is NOON on Sunday, May 2, 2010. After you submit a full application, you will be contacted about scheduling a staff interview in the following week; be sure to contact your staff members in advance about this interview so that they are able to advise you of potential conflicts.

The Full Application

A full application consists of an updated cover sheet (.DOC), an updated staff list (include the name, position, email address, and phone number for each staff member), and statements, design plans (if applicable), resumes, and potential conflicts for the semester from each of the following positions:

• Director
  
• Music Director
  
• Producer(s)
  
• Stage Manager
  
• Set Designer
  
• Lighting Designer
  
• Costume Designer
  
• Sound Designer
  
• Props Designer
  
• Technical Director

As well, please submit a preliminary production calendar, the Venue Application (Mainstage/Ex: .DOC, NCT/Ag : .DOC) and, only in the case of obscure or student-written works, a script (hard copy, to be left outside of either the HRDC Office in the Loeb or, for shows applying to the Ag/NCT, Dana Knox's Office in the New College Theater).

Optionally, statements, resumes, and potential conflicts for the semester from assistants may be included.

As an example of a particularly strong Mainstage application, please refer to Sweeney Todd Application (.PDF). For an Ex Application, please view the Henry V application, but note that the cover and venue app should be included in the same document (.PDF). Artistic Statements from all of the major staff members are required. The most important are the director's statement (which should touch upon vision for the show, why the Mainstage/Ex, why this show), the producers statements (how they will sell this show) and the statements from the designers (their initial ideas for their designs). Additionally, the directors and producers should be ready to discuss s anything extra/special required for the show or anything that presents logistical concerns (like children in the show, flying (e.g. Peter Pan), water (e.g. Metamorphoses), etc.). All statements generally will note if members of the staff have worked together in the past. It is highly recommended that you get "artistic" statements from all staff members: for non-design positions, these usually only include a brief description (think: 2 sentences) about why the particular person has signed on to your staff. As well, statements should address potential conflicts, theatrical and otherwise. Conflicts at staff positions are common, but a realistic plan for how to manage multiple activities is to be expected. For the resume, each staff member should list any shows (including their role in the production, where the production took place, etc.) they have done at Harvard and BRIEFLY any other experiences they think would be relevant to the production.

For the interview, we ask that the full staff be present, though the director(s)/producer(s) will be asked the most questions. Questions to think about include: A) Why this show? B) Why the Mainstage/Ex (especially important in seasons with many applications for the space)? C) How will you get people to come see the show? Designers should be prepared to speak about their plan (groundplans/sketches are also welcome), and all staff members should be prepared to talk about the potential conflicts they have in the coming semester.

Shows are expected to have filled all major staff positions by the time the application is due.

For Mainstage Applications:
Mainstage shows are automatically granted a $5,500 budget from the HRDC. They may not supplement or replace this with any outside sources of funding.

For Ex Applications:
Generally, Ex shows plan for a ~$500 budget, including publicity (posters), set + costume construction, and any sort of rentals, but NOT including the rights to the show (which are covered automatically by the HRDC/ART). You have the option of applying for grants if you project will deviate significantly from a $500 budget (a show involving no set and minimal publicity, or a huge technically advanced extravaganza). Please speak to the HRDC Ex Coordinator or Treasurer to learn more about both the advantages (potentially more money) and disadvantages (lots of applications, and the possibility of NO money) of applying for your own funding. Please note below whether or not you plan on accepting a budget from the HRDC or applying for your own funding. If you are planning to apply for outside funding, please note where you will be applying for this money from.