Download a PDF - Stage Directions Magazine

Special Section: Education
from there to entertainment mega-markets. Easing the
transition from school to life adds relevance.
Michaelsen says to take nothing for granted: For example,
if you’re a liberal arts college, don’t just talk about
those who get degrees in Theatre, but all of your students:
the acting class students who gain a sense of confidence in
their presentation skills to do well on a job interview; the
tech class that provides skills that are applicable to other
disciplines. “We teach AutoCAD, how to make costumes,
and build stage elevators—all things that some administrators
might not think of us doing.”
6. Always Have a Plan (Or Three)
“Have a sense of priorities, and constantly be educating
administrators to what you do and the importance of
the work,” Michaelsen says. “That way when you do ask
for something, there’s a basic understanding.”
Not everything at Dean is accepted, and the administration
does push back, “and that’s good,” Morgan says.
It leads to a vetting process for the argument. “Do the
research. Don’t just say I want this new technical toy; you
have to say why it’s important for the curriculum, how it
serves the college as a whole, and how it’s going to get
students work ahead of others in this
tough job market.”
“If it’s a good idea, and you’re
persuasive, they will always listen,”
Michaelsen adds. Think the idea
through, be clear, and keep it short
and to the point—as in “elevator
pitch.” “These are busy people, and
if you have an opportunity to present
an idea, have done your homework.”
The idea needs to be complete, too, so
they can think of funding.
Always have at least three plans for
projects ready to go—even if there
might be an item or two that “shoots
for the moon.” Administrators can
sometimes end a year with a surplus
and want to invest in something. So
have a list, and a varied one at that.
One of the biggest items is trying to
add personnel, because that requires
salary, benefits, and “everyone loathes
taking on that kind of expense.” Don’t
shy away from that being on your list,
just understand that challenge and
temper it with smaller, less expensive
requests too.
“Make sure that
campus-wide
everyone knows
you’re there
and what
you’re doing.”
—Ralph Zito
A scene in Syracuse University’s production of Samm-Art Williams’ Home
5. Real Campus Applications
Zito says using what else is on campus as a resource
is a way of reaching out and creating better understanding
for what a good theatre department means. The law
school, the architecture school, the school of government,
etc.—all offer a research element. Soliciting them for background
or information on those vocations for a production
offers an opportunity for others on campus to be exposed
to what’s involved in working toward a theatre degree.
Also reach out to everyone, from the administrators to
the students. Ask for ideas on what kind of plays to do.
Interact with other professors—is there a scene from something
that could be done for their philosophy class? Could
12 Angry Men inspire debate for law students? “There’s a lot
of ways to make bridges on campus, and that’s something
administrators really appreciate,” Morgan says.
7. Be a Great Public Relations Agent
“It’s a public relations issue,” Zito
says. “Make sure that campus-wide
everyone knows you’re there and
what you’re doing.” This can include
intriguing ads for the campus that catch the imagination
and spark conversation. But “work together with the
university to keep theatre very much in the forefront of
university life.”
“We try to make sure that the administrations understands
what we’re doing here and the impact we have,”
Michaelsen says. Invites to productions are obvious, but
go a step further when you’re doing something unusual,
and especially reach out then.
He adds that always be providing the administration
nuggets that allow them to tell others—including
donors—what is new and exciting in the department.
“Always be informing them, because they have to talk to
people all the time, and if they can say we have ‘x’ and ‘y’
going on in the theatre department, that’s to your and
their benefit.”
44 October 2010 • www.stage-directions.com