This online handbook covers information and guidelines for the Directing Theses. It is designed to clarify roles and timelines, help each of us understand how we support one another, and present the big picture of the season to all who make it happen.
Please read this information carefully. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Our common goal is a well-planned, seamlessly executed production season. It will take constant communication, patience, curiosity, and a passion for excellence from all. We look forward to making it happen, together.
Quick Links and Resources
2026-27 Thesis Production Dates and Deadlines Document: This is the main list of all the important dates, deadlines, and creative team members for the Directing and Acting Theses for the academic year. Additionally, on separate tabs you will find: 1st year crew assignments, the general tech schedules for the theses, and the basic marketing calendar.
CU Theatre Program Google Drive: This Google Drive contains forms, documents, calendars, inventories, and drawings for the thesis productions at Lenfest, the 1st and 2nd year productions at Schapiro, and the rehearsal spaces at Nash. Not all the forms will be relevant to every production.
Lenfest Flexible Performance Space Drawings and Inventory: This Google Drive Folder contains drafting and photos of the theatre at Lenfest as well as the Lighting, Sound, Scenic, and Video/Projection inventories.
2026-27 SOA Theatre Primary Production Calendar: This calendar outlines all Columbia MFA Theatre productions across all 3 class years.
Columbia Theatre Commitments and Expectations: This document outlines the overarching expectations for students in the Columbia MFA Theatre Program and the commitments the faculty staff, and students make to each other as part of the program.
Please note that non-Columbia collaborators will be given access to those forms, documents, and folders that relate to their position within their production, but will not be able to access all the files in these folders. If you believe you or one of your collaborators needs access to a file they do not have, please reach out to Production Management.
Index
Artist Payments
Auditions
Box Office
Casting
Actors’ Equity Association
Minors
Content Warnings
Design
Costume Design
Lighting Design
Scenic Design
Sound Design
Projection Design
Props Design
Video Design
Filming
Sample Media Waiver
Financial Overview
Firearms
Columbia Weapons Policy
Prop Firearms Rentals
Front of House
Fundraising
General Information
Graphic Design
International Collaborators
Intimacy
Intimacy Calls
Inventories
Production Resources
Lighting Inventory
Scenic Inventory
Sound Inventory
Video/Projection Inventory
Lenfest Policies
Marketing
Nudity
Paying Artists
Petty Cash
Performance Space
Playbills / Programs
Posters
Production Meetings
Production Resources
Production Team
Purchases
Reimbursements
Rehearsals
Dress Rehearsals
Scheduling
Spaces
Tech Rehearsals
Reviews
Safety
Contingency Planning
Emergency Procedures
Illness
Sensitive Content
Stage Combat
Staged Violence
Fight Calls
Stock Inventories
Strike
Student Roles
Company Manager
Director
Producer
Production Stage Manager
Stage Manager
Unions
Actors’ Equity Association
SAG-AFTRA
SDC
USA
Other Unions
Visas
Venue
Weapons