Theater, Dance & Media will hold two Professionalization Workshops for students interested in making their way into the performing arts industries as writers, directors, performers and more after graduation. Led by leading industry professionals in theater, dance, TV and film, these workshops offer practical perspectives on self-promotion, networking and representation for early career artists.

Session One: Promote Thyself: Networking, Self-Promotion, and Communication Strategies

Friday, March 28, 10am-12pm at 1280 Massachusetts Ave., 3rd Floor

Led by Ilana Ransom Toeplitz, this session will be a two hour in-person workshop to discuss first steps and best practices in entering the field of the performing arts. Toeplitz is a director, choreographer and writer who has been creating work from Boston to Broadway for more than 10 years. Toeplitz’s presentation will cover networking and communications strategies, resumes, websites, headshots and other self-promotional materials, and how to get yourself into the rooms you want to be in with the people you want to work with.

Open to all undergrads! RSVP REQUIRED - please RSVP via the "Registration" button!

About Ilana Ransom Toeplitz:

Ilana Ransom Toeplitz - Broadway (AD): THE PROM (2018, Tony Noms for Direction & Best Musical.), VIOLET (2014, Tony Noms for Direction, Musical & Actress - starring Sutton Foster). Lincoln Center: CRAZY FOR YOU - 25th Anniversary (2017). Associate Director: A CHRISTMAS STORY! (1st National Tour), DIRTY DANCING (International Tour); with the Boston Pops: SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, HOLIDAY POPS, RAGTIME & MODERN MASTERS.  

Favorite credits: REEFER MADNESS (Dir/choreo, feat. Alan Cumming), CHICAGO (Dir/choreo), THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Dir/choreo), ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Dir/choreo), 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Choreo), SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (Choreo), LEGALLY BLONDE (Choreo), CABARET (Director), BAT BOY (Director, plus a revised reading with Laurence O’Keefe), MARY POPPINS (Choreo) & SEUSSICAL! (Choreo). Upcoming: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Director) and LATE: A NEW MUSICAL (Director/Choreo).

Direction of world premieres with: The Drama League, Berkshire Theatre Group, Lincoln Center, 54 Below, NYMF, Adrienne Arsht Center (Miami, FL), Museum of Sex, York Theatre Company, Keen Company & the direction and choreography of the workshop world premiere of Drew Gasparini’s WE AREN’T KIDS ANYMORE. Ilana is a proud native of Pittsburgh, PA, the 2018 SDC Foundation Mike Ockrent Fellow, and a Drama League Directors Project Alum (Leo Schull New Musicals Directing Fellow). Ilana is an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Emerson College. Insta: @IlanaRansom, www.IlanaDirects.com

Check out and save the date for Session 2 of TDM's Profesionalization Workshops: Agents and Managers Roundtable on Friday, April 11th! Please reach out to tdm@fas.harvard.edu with any questions.