Mentoring
The UMass Department of Theater believes that mentoring is critical to the development of successful students and young professionals. In addition to assigning an individual advisor to each student, the UMass Amherst Department of Theater feels that it is the responsibility of all departmental faculty and staff to provide mentorship and guidance to students in the department. Graduate students also serve as vital mentors to our undergraduate students and provide a high level of accessibility and considerable presence. Students can seek out guidance not only for academic support with their studies here at UMass, but also support with professional development outside of the department.
Students in the Department of Theater receive mentorship in a number of ways.
Faculty Mentoring
Undergraduate primary majors are each assigned a faculty mentor within the department who is able to provide support and guidance throughout their college careers. Students are expected to meet with their faculty mentor each semester prior to enrolling for the following period. Mentors provide guidance in designing an individualized course of study that will not only aid students in meeting core requirements for graduation, but also prepare students for successful careers beyond UMass.Peer Mentoring
In addition to receiving the mentorship of graduate students, select upper level undergraduate students also serve as mentors and act as liaisons between the undergraduate student body and the faculty. They serve as peer mentors to first-year and transfer students new to the major and minor and provide a valuable resource to incoming students as they get acquainted with the Department and life at UMass Amherst.Student Surveying
The Department is constantly searching for ways to better serve our students and actively seeks out feedback from students to identify the services that would be most beneficial. All Junior year theater majors are required to participate in a survey detailing feedback on their experiences here at UMass. Seniors participate in exit interviews with the Department Chair. The feedback provided is carefully analyzed and used to tailor the program to meet student needs. We also occasionally survey students to provide a space for them to raise questions or issues regarding their goals for their time with us.Chat with the UPD" and "Chat with the Chair" events
We want to hear from you! What is working for you and what challenges do you face? The Undergraduate Program Director welcomes feedback from students and is here to support you. Look for occasional informal drop-in opportunities to talk with the chair and/or Undergraduate Program Director about the department.
Theater majors should reach out to their assigned advisor or faculty mentor. Theater minors should contact the Undergraduate Program Director. Theater majors and minors should contact HFA Advising with questions related to their degree requirements: Academic Advising : College of Humanities & Fine Arts : UMass Amherst
Coming this summer: Grant Research
To assist students in the processes of searching for grants and funding opportunities the UMass Amherst Department of Theater is working on a database that gathers funding sources open to undergraduate students. (These are separate from on-campus sources of scholarships such as AcademicWorks.)
Additional Grants Resources
Below are links to a few resources you can use as well:
National Endowment for the Humanities grants: http://www.neh.gov/grants
PEN America Literary grants: https://pen.org/literary-grants/
On The Move Directory (International travel funding): http://on-the-move.org/funding/
Fundsnet Services Arts & Culture Grants: https://fundsnetservices.com/category/grants
UMass Grant Search tools for Graduate Students: https://www.umass.edu/graduate/funding
Internship and Job Search Tools
Department of Theater strongly urges students to seek professional experiences in their chosen areas of interest. Apprenticeships, internships, and shadowing, offer valuable professional experiences for students who want to pursue a career in theater and the performing arts. Opportunities are available locally and nationally with many positions offering stipends and/or room and board. Students may be able to arrange university credit for their activities. Below are links that can get you started in your search:
HFA Career Advising offers advising appointments as well as listing of various arts and humanities positions: https://www.umass.edu/humanities-arts/careers/career-advising
o Offstage Jobs: https://staging.offstagejobs.com/jobs.php
o Playbill: https://playbill.com/jobs
o Backstage: http://www.backstage.com
o New England Theater Conference (NETC): https://www.netconline.org/netc-theater-auditions
o USITT jobs listing: https://www.usitt.org/industry-resources/jobs
o A.R.T. New York Resources: https://www.art-newyork.org/
o American College Theatre Festival: https://www.kcactfregion1.org/
o Artsearch*: https://www.tcg.org/artsearch/
*The Umass Department of Theater has a subscription to Artsearch, which students can use to search for jobs and internships. Please contact the administrative assistant or managing director for the log-in credentials
In addition to the resources above, the faculty and staff at UMass have an extensive professional network and can provide support in identifying internship opportunities tailored to the individual needs of each student. Students are encouraged to meet with their faculty mentor or to seek out guidance from other faculty and staff members in the department.
TH493U Your Move: Career Preparation for Theater
This course is designed for Theater majors who intend to pursue careers in the professional theater. Through projects, activities, lectures, discussions and guest lectures, the course covers such topics as auditioning, interviews, resumes, portfolios, websites, contacts, agents, unions, job-hunting, and professional theater practices. This course is offered once a year.
Spotlight Network
Spotlight Network is focused on building a community within the UMass Department of Theater, and on students helping each other to grow as professionals (performers, directors, playwrights, designers, technicians). Each week the Network focuses on Play, Growth, or Career Development. "Play" is designed to build community by doing fun activities: movie nights, pizza parties, hot cocoa parties, or spending time with wonderful people. "Growth" is centered on developing skills in one's chosen field. The Network will host workshops where professors and alumni will come in to teach, answer questions, and meet the students involved. In growth week, the Spotlight Network is a space of creativity and trying new things. "Career Development" is focused on preparing for the job market. The group will host resume workshops as well as a photographer to take headshots. Students do not have to come to every meeting, they put their spotlight on what matters to them.
· Follow them on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/umass_spotlight_network/
Alumni Networking
UMass Amherst Department of Theater has an extensive network of Alumni working professionally in a wide variety of Theater and Arts related fields.
- The Department’s news page includes articles about alumni who are using their training both in the field of theater and in exciting other ways. You can browse these stories here: https://www.umass.edu/theater/news Many alumni welcome contact from students
- Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/40227187972/ Private, membership is moderated. Open to members to post job opportunities and events
- Social media — public-facing, publicize upcoming events and alumni and current member achievements:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UMass-Amherst-Theater-364984540197022/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/umassamhersttheater/?hl=en
UMass Campus Services
- Career Services: https://www.umass.edu/careers/
o Offers a variety of services designed to assist students with career development including advising, training, interview and resume prep and assistance with job and internship search.
- Arts Extension: https://www.umass.edu/arts-extension-service/
o A national arts service organization located at UMass that offers Arts Management training for students and professionals in the arts including professional certification programs in Arts Management.
- Graduate Student Office of Professional Development: https://www.umass.edu/graduate/professional-development
o Offers Graduate Student training and professional development opportunities including workshops on grant application, teaching, and academic writing, which are designed to complement the graduate student academic experience and position students for success in their careers at UMass and beyond.
- Writing Center: https://www.umass.edu/writing-center/
o Provides feedback and support with written work at any point during the writing process. Helps student writers develop drafts, clarify arguments, edit sentence structure, re-organize texts, and build productive writing practices.