I thought I'd circle back around and revisit the Paper Portfolio that I had written about while I was interviewing for graduate schools. Having now finished my MFA I thought I'd give some updated tips. For the most part the only time you will need to have a physical paper portfolio is when interviewing for school (grad/undergrad) or in very specific summer stocks, regional theatres, etc. 

1. Start with a page dedicated to your Resume. It is classy, gets info across quickly, and sets a sort of "index" for your portfolio.
2. Give credit where credit is due. Some photos on the two sample pages above have names attached. Make sure you credit the photographers as well as your fellow designers and director. If one photographer took all the photos on one of your pages just credit them in the header with the other designers. It keeps the page looking clean.
3. Show side by side sketches and productions shots so those hiring you can see how you represent things and how they materialized. 
4. Create your portfolio digitally so you can have it printed but also available on an iPad or in a PDF to email. Although most places will be happy to follow a link to a website (take a look around if you need inspiration), sometimes having something you can "flip through" is also a good idea. I used photo shop so that I could keep my template and fonts the same throughout. 
5. If you are a designer fill your portfolio with mostly designs. Save the last page or two for crafts, technology, or art. Reverse this if you are a technician.

The final page of a portfolio is usually an odd single page (since you started with the resume), so something that is a little different than what is filling most of the portfolio can be a fun way to end/start the discussion you want to have with a future employer or educator. ​

I’ve done it! I’ve finished my MFA and can now go back out into the world. Rather terrifying right!? But, I have learned a few things while in grad school and one of them is it is ok to be terrified as long as you don’t let that paralyze you. New things are always frightening. The fear of the unknown is a real thing and when working as a freelancer in the arts most of your life can feel a bit unknown. Feel that fear and then plow ahead with your plan.
There have been many times where I have been cautious about something new or a bit scared of how it will go, but I come at it with a plan and sense of experimentation. I recently had the opportunity to meet the head of a large costume shop in New York City and sit down with the staff to practice a bid for a project play. I was terrified of messing up, looking unprepared, etc. but, I didn’t let that stop me. I came with a plan, a positive attitude, and the knowledge that this was a fantastic opportunity that would never come around again in such a nurturing environment.
You can be terrified. There is no weakness in being scared as long as you don’t let it rule how your life. Feel that fear, acknowledge it, and use it to fuel yiurself forward.

New can be good. It brings a freshness to your spirit. Here’s to all the new terrifying things to come and may we all meet them with gusto. Happy Holidays.

When I was graduating from Northern Arizona University with my BA in Theatre Studies I was very anxious about what to do next. I had applied frantically to many places but none had responded. I graduated and headed back to my parents' home to keep applying and applying. Around July I was running out of hope until I received an email...from Walt Disney World Resorts. They were offering me a six month job in Costuming at the parks. 

Now, this was not just a magical job offer out of the blue. No, this was a magical job offer from a well constructed application, cover letter, and interview I did months before graduating. A friend of mine was a Disney College Program rep and she (with very little convincing) got me excited about the prospect of working for Disney after graduating and helped me through the application process. At the time of graduation I was not selected for the summer extended program so I assumed I wouldn't hear back from them. But, I did hear back in July for the Disney World College Program fall semester. 

"Hold up! You graduated already! How can you do the Disney College Program "

This is true, but I had applied while still in college which qualified me for the program. Having graduated already made the program a little different for me than for others who were still at university. The biggest difference was that I didn't have to take any extra classes. While on the Disney College Program (DCP) most cast members still at university are required to take some courses that count for credit back at their originating university. Having graduated already I was able to use that time for other things; like meeting with other Walt Disney World Resort cast members who were part of the creative team behind many of the costumes used in the parks and resorts.

Working under the DCP umbrella right out of undergrad was a great transition time for me. I was surrounded by other people close to my age with planned community events. I also had a paycheck that already had my rent taken out so I didn't have to worry about paying on time. It was a good mix of college familiarity and "real world" responsibilities. 

So from August 2012 to January 2013 I worked at Disney's Animal Kingdom backstage costuming the parades and characters guests could meet in the park. During my time there I enjoyed sneak peaks into upcoming Disney experiences, memorable interactions with fellow cast members and guests alike, and magical holidays. The people I worked with made my time at Disney's Animal Kingdom a great first job out of undergrad. I look back fondly on my time with Walt Disney World Resorts and encourage the experience to costumers out of undergrad who enjoy running shows and obviously Disney. 

First job out of undergrad:
Disney College Program-Animal Kingdom Costumer

I could have extended my time working with Disney and DCP into the spring and following summer, but I had another position lined up. Sometimes I wonder what I would have been doing right now if I had stayed. I probably would not be getting ready for my final thesis semester at Rutgers, but who knows, I may have ended up here through another path.