<p>Is anyone familiar with the interview process for University of Oklahoma’s Dramaturgy BFA? The website says to bring both fiction and nonfiction writing samples, and that they will ask questions about theatre history and dramaturgy experience. However, in my drama classes we focused very little on theatre history or writing for the stage, and there were no dramaturgy opportunities, so I am afraid I will be unprepared. I am really interested in the field, but with so little experience, I don’t know whether it’s worth trying out. Are they expecting a lot of knowledge going into the interview, or is it more checking for interest? Has anyone been through this process themselves?</p>
<p>It might be worth finding out what the percentage of applicants to admittances is for this particular program. If they get, say, ten or a hundred applicants for each place, then there obviously a great deal of competition.</p>
<p>I think if the website is specifically warning you that they will ask about theatre history and about your dramaturgy experience, then they really want you to come prepared to talk about these things. Maybe they have had problems in the past with people who were not prepared to talk about these things.</p>
<p>You say that you are interested in dramaturgy. Theatre History is a MAJOR part of that. You have to be interested in Theatre History to be a good dramaturge. This really means that if Theatre History is not covered in your current drama classes, you should be interested enough in Theatre History to go out and learn about it on your own. (If you are not interested enough in Theatre History to go out and do that, then why are you considering dramaturgy?)</p>
<p>Now, when I direct plays, I do my own dramaturgy. One of my instructors was the Chicago director Terry McCabe, who believes that all directors should do their own dramaturgy, anyone who can’t do their own dramaturgy shouldn’t be a director (obviously a place like OU that has a dramaturgy program would feel differently about this, and Terry McCabe’s views are controversial). If someone were to interview me about my dramaturgy, I would just talk about the dramaturgy I did when I directed plays. Is it possible that when you have been involved in shows in the past, maybe you did some dramaturgy, even if you didn’t have the formal title of “dramaturge?”</p>
<p>OU is asking for samples of fiction and nonfiction writing, but do they specifically say that these have to be theatre related? What do they specifically ask for?</p>
<p>I guess my next question is, why are you interested in dramaturgy, as opposed to all the other jobs in theatre? Do you really know what the term means, or in fact would you really be more interested in some other aspect of theatre, maybe directing or playwrighting?</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>In regards to the interview requirements, the website says: “These interviews primarily discuss your previous experience in Dramaturgy and your interests for future study and exploration. Please bring a sample of your creative or non-fiction writing. The interview will address your work and interest in theatre history, dramatic literature, criticism, dramaturgy, playwriting, and/or directing.”</p>
<p>I am certainly interested in theatre history, and I know it is a big part of dramaturgy. I have done research on my own, but I don’t think I would be able to compete with students that have had the opportunity to learn about these things in their high school drama programs, and considering the extensive history of theatre, I don’t think I can learn everything I would need to know on my own by February. However, I have a strong interest in learning about it in college, which is why I am thinking about interviewing for the program.</p>
<p>To your final question: I am aware of what dramaturgy requires. I am mostly auditioning for acting programs, but I really wanted to add a dramaturgy program because I am a strong writer, and I thought it would be a great way for me to combine my passion for theatre, my skills in writing, and my interest in history. I have researched other similar programs, but OU’s really sticks out.</p>
<p>Okay, so reading that quote, it sounds like the writing sample can be ANYTHING. It can be “creative” OR (it says “or” not “and”) “non-fiction”, and it doesn’t say it has to be something theatre related. So it sounds to me that anything written will meet this requirement, they are just looking for a sample to get an idea of how well you write.</p>
<p>It says the interviews are both about your “work” and your “interests”. So for you, the emphasis of the interview may well be something like “how come someone as young as you are, who has no previous dramaturgy experience, is so interested in dramaturgy?” (I had the same question!). But again, note how the list of topics in the quote from OU says “and/or”, not “and”, so you are not expected to be able to discuss all of these subjects.</p>
<p>Have you found out what the typical age of someone admitted to OU’s dramaturgy program is? Because I really don’t believe there are too many people who get a thorough level training in “theatre history, dramatic literature, criticism, dramaturgy, playwrighting [and] directing” from an American high school. But perhaps the problem is that you will be competing with folks who are much older and more experienced than you.</p>