TECHNICAL DESIGN 
& PRODUCTION

TECHNICAL DESIGN & PRODUCTION
AUDITION SCHEDULE

What We Are Looking For:

Students come to Ellington for pre-professional training and the opportunity of learning how to express

themselves in their artistic discipline, through a challenging and rigorous curriculum that lays a strong

foundation, expanding their knowledge in the classroom and reinforcing it through a hands-on

experience. If you are a creative thinker, self-starter, willing to work hard, problem-solve and a

dedicated team player who can follow your instructions, then the Technical Design and Production (TDP)

Department may be right for you! As one of the nation’s premier college preparatory arts institutions,

we recruit the best and maintain a high standard of achievement for our young artists in training. The

dual academic and arts programing is demanding, immersive and rewarding! All students interested in

TDP MUST complete the interview and if selected MUST participate in the Audition Callback Lab

Sessions and “Boot Camp”.

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What to Upload/How to Prepare:

In addition to the My School DC Lottery application deadline, there are additional materials described

below that must be submitted via Microsoft forms by the My School DC deadline. All additional

materials must be submitted by this deadline so that our staff will have adequate time to review them in

advance.

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Please complete the Microsoft Form: https://forms.office.com/r/PZUZJbRwSb

1. Written Statement: A typed paragraph defining what Technical Design, Show

Production, or Arts Management means to you AND what your contribution to the department

and Ellington would be.

2. A resume (optional – only if you have the experience) of any experience you have in

design, production, management (i.e., set design/construction, lighting, sound design or

production, video production, costume design/construction, stage or production management,

woodwork, or crafts.

3. Digital Portfolio (preferred method)

a. Types of digital portfolios: PowerPoint, Keynote, Adobe Express, Canva,

personal website, PDF. – upload images or other media of YOUR designs, artwork,

models, etc.

b. Audio samples of YOUR music, soundscapes, or podcasts recorded, mixed or

produced. Submit as .wav @ CD quality (44.1k, 16 bit) or .mp3 @ 128k or higher.

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NOTES

Two notes on a key part of the TDP application:

1. For your My School DC Lottery application online essay, please be sure to include your

interest in any aspect of TDP. For example: lights, costume, sound, set, and stage management.

Also, please explain what you plan to do with the training you will receive from Ellington's TDP

Department.

2. If possible, please include an “Art/Other” recommendation as one of your three in the

MSDC Application. This could be a letter from a Director, Production Manager, Stage Manager,

or Designer from a production that you worked on – who can speak to your experience. (Note:

Your application will NOT be penalized if you cannot provide this additional letter.)

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Written Materials Submission Details

All written materials are completed by the student and must be typed in 12-point Times New Roman

font. Materials must be submitted via Microsoft Forms https://forms.office.com/r/PZUZJbRwSb.

Applicants are highly encouraged to submit by the My School DC Lottery deadline. If you have questions

or need help, contact admissions@ellingtonarts.org.

1. 1 Headshot (not a selfie with poked out lips) is required to be attached – if you have

concerns about providing this contact admissions@ellingtonarts.org.

2. Upload your three materials (written statement, resume, digital portfolio)

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About the Audition Interview

For the interview, you will meet with the TDP Chair and Staff and take a “Production & Design

Assessment” that will give us an idea of your level of knowledge in technical design and production. You

must also prepare to have the following to present during your audition interview:

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Present an original portfolio/artifact of your work that highlights your production or design interests and

skills. How should applicants present their professional portfolio? We prefer this to be uploaded, so

please do your best to capture clear images and upload them. You must also have your portfolio with

you during your audition.

Source: Williams, A.G., & Hall, K. J. (2001). Creating your career portfolio: At a glance guide for students.

(2nd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc.

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Examples of work the portfolio might contain are:

• Drawings or paintings from art classes (not necessarily related to technical design)

• Drawings or paintings from arts classes (not necessarily related to technical design)

• Three-dimensional work, models,  sculpture, collages, designs

• Sketchbooks, garments, other hand or machine sewn artifacts

• Visual examples showing your training, graphic abilities, and artistic vision

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Items from a production you have worked on, including (but not limited to the items listed below):

• Photographs or playbills from the production with your name and position. 

• Run sheets, order of services (church), playbooks.

• Production drafting, scenic, costume or lighting examples, (plots), renderings and sketches, sound/video recording samples.

• Other examples of previous experiences are welcomed.

• Sketchbooks, and preliminary sketches (so we can get a sense of your process).

• Prompt books (including the following): Rehearsal/Performance Reports, Cue Sheets, Blocking notations.

• Audio samples of music, soundscapes, or podcasts recorded, mixed or produced. Submitted as .wav @ CD quality (44.1k, 16 bit) or .mp3 @ 128k or higher. 

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The Audition Interview:

The interview for the TDP department is done in three phases:

1. Participate in the audition interview with staff, bringing portfolio, paperwork and/or

audio samples with them and having submitted the other required materials in advance.

Students who have a successful interview then...

2. Selected students will be invited to participate in a Callback (boot camp). This is a very

physically active and hands-on department. Students will be expected to lift heavy equipment.

3. Due to the inherent dangers of personal injury, students should be able to engage in

physical activity. Lack of physical ability to not do so could result in physical injury or

dismemberment. If you are interested in TDP, but have questions about physical confinements

or restraints, please contact admissions@ellingtonarts.org with any questions or concerns.

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Have a Successful Interview:

1. Arrive early. “On time” is considered late! Punctuality is essential in the arts world.

2. Be prepared to be photographed even if you sent one in already.

3. Pay attention and stay focused in your interview and on your lab session days.

4. During your interview, feel free to take notes – this will help you be prepared for your

lab sessions, and show us that you are serious.

5. Be prepared to discuss why you are interested in TDP.

6. Accept direction well.

7. Be a team player.

8. Keep eye contact.

9. Do your research and understand what it means to work in production, be a designer, or

an arts manager (study the career resource videos below):

Scenic Design

Special Effects

Prop Masters: 

Costume Design

Lighting Design

Projection Design

Stage Manager

Sound Mixing

Sound Design