Student Handbooks

Undergraduate Handbook

Fall 2006
           
UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING
The Advising Office exists to serve academic needs of students studying in the Department of Theatre and Drama.  Students who have the major, minor, or variations of the major in Theatre and Drama are officially registered with the College of Arts and Sciences and associated programs through this office.  There is a logic of organic theatre study to the major and minor:  freshmen and sophomores lay the foundations for their degree program; juniors may begin career exploration more specifically; seniors finally confirm their requirements for graduation.  Thus, all students of the department have good reason to use advising services through all years of study for the degree.

The following areas of service may be important for you to explore.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION/SCHOLARSHIPS:  Be sure to develop good working relationships with the faculty and staff (see the Theatre and Drama listing of official “Faculty” designations.)
Freshman and sophomores:  take advantage of audition and class opportunities so that faculty will get to know your work. 
This office will notify you of scholarship opportunities and has a file of available opportunities.  Check with each faculty member you are asking to recommend you for time limitations, application information forms, etc. Consider these standard practices: 

1. Give your recommender adequate time to write for you. (a two week minimum is suggested)
2. Supply appropriate materials of envelopes, stamps, and key application information.  (A general application information form is available in this office.)
3. Finally, consider supplying complimentary tickets to any faculty member you want to serve as recommender of your performance or production work.  All departmental faculty and staff employees receive complimentary tickets to the major shows of this department.  You may want to ask the director/producer of independent productions if they can support you in this regard.  Remember, your faculty is requested to see many productions during the school year.

OVERSEAS STUDY:  Indiana University offers more than 60 study abroad programs for IU credit, a third of which do not require a foreign language.  Check out IU’s overseas study programs on the Web site:  www.indiana.edu/~overseas.  Advising staff in Franklin Hall 303 can assist you both before you leave the U.S. and while you are abroad.  They will also direct you to students who have studied abroad already.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT: Resources are both in the B-BCC Script Library and also in my office regarding graduate programs, summer theatre, theatre-related careers and internships.  We also keep folders of current opportunities as well as post notices on our bulletin boards.  The Career Development Office for the College has a library of resources in our areas as well as courses which may serve your interests and needs.  Resumes are developed in COAS-Q300 and internship credit may be earned in COAS-Q398.
           
Students may schedule appointments by signing up outside my office, AD 230.
Charles L. Railsback, Ph. D., Undergraduate Advisor