College of Fine Arts School of Dance Undergraduate Handbook

Outside Theatrical Activity

The School of Drama requires that students planning to engage in outside/off-Campus theatrical activities clear their schedule through their advisor and area coordinator prior to committing themselves to projects outside of the School of Drama. This may include working in any capacity with outside theatre companies, film and/or television production companies, or any other short or long-term activities that would impede on your assignments or responsibilities as a full-time student in the School of Drama. (In case of doubt, see your advisor to discuss it.) The Drama faculty considers being a student in the School of Drama to be a full-time commitment and considers its production activities to be a part of the teaching and learning processes of the unit. Therefore, in-house casting, designing and all other production and classroom assignments must take priority over all outside activities while the student is enrolled in Drama. More than other commitments, outside theatrical activities have the potential to create unforeseeable conflicts of scheduling and commitment that can seriously damage on-campus productions, or the student’s reputation as a reliable professional, or both.

If you are considering auditioning, designing or other activities with an outside entity (on or off-campus) we require that you follow these procedures:

  1. Discuss the project with your advisor first before you audition or interview with an outside company.
  3. Check your schedule with your advisor to make sure that you are available for the required amount of rehearsal and production time. Do not expect the School of Drama to shift your production or classroom assignments to accommodate your desire to accept outside roles or assignments.
  5. Fill out the “Outside Activity Form” (available through your advisor or the main office) and ask your Advisor to sign it and forward it to the head of your area and/or the Director of the School of Drama for approval. (See Appendix B for SAMPLE.)

If the above steps are not followed, the student assumes all risk of any future conflicts in scheduling or commitment, foreseeable or not, that may result from the outside activity. If the student fails to honor completely any school of drama commitment on account of the undisclosed activity, such failure will be considered intentional and premeditated, and may have the following consequences: