# Theater and Performance Studies : Stanford University

**Source**: https://admission.stanford.edu/arts-portfolio/taps.html
**Parent**: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/arts.html

## Required Portfolio Elements

**Students may submit a TAPS portfolio in one of the following categories: Actors, Directors, Designers/Theater Technicians/Stage Managers, or Playwrights.**

### Actors

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Acting portfolios must contain two monologues, each under two minutes long. One monologue should be from a Shakespeare play, a play written in verse, or a play that uses heightened language. The other monologue should be from a contemporary play. For the contemporary monologue, please choose a monologue from a published play and from a character close to you in age. For both monologues, choose material that speaks to you. Optionally, in addition to the two monologues, students may also prepare a song from a musical.

**The following will not be reviewed: monologues from television or movies, original monologues, videos of performances that are not monologues or solo songs (such as scenes between two or more people).**

### Directors

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Students should submit a résumé of theatrical experience and a “Director’s Portfolio” that documents a fully realized production, including pictures of the performance and links to video, if available. The portfolio should include a blocking script, set/costume/light designs, as well as a short (1-2 page) analytical statement about the approach to directing the production. Please submit the portfolio as a single PDF file, with links to external videos. A single production is required to submit; multiple productions can be included in the portfolio.

### Designers/Theater Technicians/Stage Managers

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Students interested in Design or Technical Theater are required to submit a portfolio of 5–15 images, which may include design sketches or renderings and photos of the realized theatrical productions with focus on scenery, costumes or lighting images. Students must also include a brief statement about each image.

Students interested in Stage Management must include examples of their prompt book, shift plots, prop lists and other relevant materials.

### Playwrights

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Students are asked to submit only 1 play or screenplay of any length, along with a description of their prior experience with reading, watching and writing plays. Please include a brief plot summary of your script.

## Letter of Recommendation

Students submitting a portfolio in Theater and Performance Studies may include an optional letter of recommendation from an arts instructor who is familiar with your efforts in theater. Please visit the general Arts Portfolio instructions page for more information.

**Mixed category portfolios are permitted but not recommended.**

If you have questions, please contact the Department of Theater and
Performance Studies: [TAPSstudentservices@stanford.edu](mailto:TAPSstudentservices@stanford.edu).