General Directing Thesis Information

Columbia University has final authority for all decisions related to thesis productions, regardless of any other money contributed to said production. Sharing ideas early in the production planning process allows space for the kind of creative problem solving that allows a Director's artistic vision to be fully realized. All production questions should be directed to Production Management – please include Production Management on ALL communication regarding the production.

Columbia University will support the success of all productions by providing:

  • Rehearsal space(s)
  • Scheduling of rehearsal spaces
  • Production Performance venue (equipped with lighting, sound, and video)
  • Either a Columbia Production Stage Manager, or, if none are available, a $500 stipend to facilitate the hiring of an outside PSM.
  • Columbia 1st year stage crew (including stagehands, wardrobe crew, light board op, and company manager w/ varying degrees of experience)
  • Sound board operator (student SSP position)
  • Build of approved scenic design
  • Up to 21 hours of scenic build time and 14 hours of scenic paint time
  • Supply of approved lighting instruments
  • Supply of approved sound items
  • Supply of approved projection items
  • Hang & focus of approved technical elements
  • Transportation of approved scenic elements from scene shop to performance venue
  • Department created template for all marketing materials
  • Photographer for Dress Rehearsal Run
  • Graphic Designer for Marketing Materials
  • Access to Materials for the Arts (MFTA) & TDF Costume Collection
  • $5000 Discretionary Budget (please see the Financial Overview section for details)
  • $500 Standardized Design Fee for Scenic, Costume, Props, Lighting, Sound, and Projection Designs (totaling $3000, please see the Financial Overview and Paying Artists sections for details)

 

Columbia University is unable to provide:

  • Supplementary producer(s)
  • Designer team (although we may have suggestions, so feel free to inquire!)
  • Any labor beyond the scope of the approved designs 

 

Selection of Titles

Directing faculty have the final approval of all titles for thesis productions.

Shows with an anticipated run time longer than 2.5 hours require special approval. 

Selection of Slots

Directing faculty will assign students to production slots within the production season.