improve catagories

I just applied to become editor or the "stagecraft" listing in http://dmoz.org/Arts/Performing_Arts/Theatre/Stagecraft/

now im not posting because i was rejected (the listing is too big for a newbie) I'm posting because i genuinely believe this category could be better organised - now my intention is not to offend at all.

Im only posting because i really think this whole category needs reviewing first of all in its parent "theatre" "technical" may be found. In my opinion as a member of the theatre industry with experience in theatre production and design "technical" should be inside "stagecraft"

Once inside "stagecraft" the directory is made up of catagories that are not really consistent with theatre practice either in the USA or the UK for example "Set Design"

In most european theatre and north american theatre we would call this "Theatre Design" though an academic might call it "Scenography"

Theatre design incorporates "Costume Design" for two industry related reasons;

Number 1 -

The design of the physical space and that of the costume are one visual image, the costume is just one part of the montage. Therefore its normal practice to employ one designer for both

Number 2 -

The cost of employing two designers (one for costume and one for scenography) is well beyond the reach of all but the West End and Broadway Even the Royal Shakespeare Company will employ one designer for both roles unless the production is of such complexity that its beyond the capabilities of one designer.

Bearing alll of that in mind, I'd reccomend that "set design" is changed to "Theatre Design" and that within that catergory you split costume and set design, though I find it unlikely you'll find many designers who sell themselves as only a set or costume designer only.

Where "costume" might want its own category is where a website solely provides specific information about theatrical costume design, though off-hand i cannot think of a tremendous amount of truly theatrical related costume sites that do (you do however find many that are related to costume of certain eras)

"Costume" may however exist in another root category of "Stagecraft" called "Theatrical Services" in which you could place all chandlers, and hire and supplies services. Though it may be best once in the root of "Theatrical Services" to form a "Lighting and Sound" "Costume Services" and maybe "Theatrical Services"

This may seem a little over complicated but i know that some of our students (NTU theatre design B.A.hons) and even i have had problems identifiying what is a techinical service (costume hire) from a resource of information (costume design) on the directory not because the listing information is wrong but because the "filing system" is so alien to the industry. Perhaps it is understandable to the layman and i have it all wrong, but in my experience as a theatre designer/administrator/educator it's never too tricky for the un-initiated once they have have been introduced to the concept of "Theatre Designer" as opposed to "Set Designer" (which as I said is not a term used either in British or American Theatre)

As "Set Design" isn't a used theatrical term by using it as a catergory its not really inline with the true nature of the theatre designer - take a look inside "Set Design" and you will see that possibly only two of the listings have any credibility (the rest are deep rooted links and one is simply a page of links and a bibliography) and one of the credible sites www.barry-kay-archive.org really should not be where it is Barry Kay is a Theatre Designer and following the current category system should be in the next level down "designers"

But really I would remove the catergory "set design" and replace it with "theatre design" the role of the theatre designer is so wide that to pin-point it to only one of the tasks we tackle is mis-leading.

I hope that this is taken as constructive critisism. Its something thats prompted me to apply as an editor and been simmering for sometime, perhaps for further comment it may be an idea to take some review of the current set-up from some prationers and academics as you only have my word as to my experience in the industry.

I would suggest -

http://www.theatredesign.org.uk/ Association Of British Theatre Designers (though open to all nationalities)

http://www.abtt.org.uk/ (British Theatre Technicians Union)

http://www.usitt.org/ (the union system is a little different in america but i have had dealings with members of this union)

additionally you might try

http://www.pq.cz/english/accomp.html (organisers of the international theatre exhibition)

http://www.csm.linst.ac.uk/index.asp (Central St Martins Art School - Ralph Koltai one of the most influential theatre designers of western theatre is a member of the board and the course is one of the best in the world - though a rival of the course i attended and now sometimes work for)

http://www2.ntu.ac.uk/ntsad/ (NTU art and design - this university was one of the first (perhaps second) internationally to offer a theatre design course)

I will alert editors who may have an interest in this field. Whether they will come here and answer, or whether anything will happen, is out of my hands but at least you will know you haven't been ignored. Thanks for the comments.

Thanks

Thanks i may reapply as the rejection only indicated that it might be too large a task for a beginner

If I am to re-apply though I really can't see myself editing in a category with a name that I see as being out of touch with the industry. I know ODP is volountary but I'm sure the desire is to make it as precise as possible.

My real concern and the reason for my applying is that the catagory could do with a little re-thinking, i know the main editor has some involvement in theatre despite his young age and the fact he's american makes no difference as there are few differences between the ways UK and USA theatres operate having worked on co-productions with US theatres.

Once someone is accepted as a editor (not matter how small or how misnamed the category) they then have access to the internal discussion fora where these types of discussions are ongoing. If you are able to contribute in a positive manner, no one will look down onyou because you only edit in a small cat -- rather they'll likely look upon you as someone with advancement possibilities.

My personal advice, for what it is worth, is to go ahead and apply for a nice small category where you can add value immediately, then participate in teh internal fora.