WestConn was her last audition and we did it on campus. Here's my braindump of all my notes and everything I can remember.
They have a nearly brand-new, $90M performing arts building that was lovely. The actual performance hall is gorgeous. There's also a recital hall for the music majors that I didn't see. They have a black box space as well. It looks like every other black box, except it's actually dark purple, LOL. They showed us the dance studio--I can't remember if there was more than one. It looks like every other one you've seen. There were other studio spaces as well. I didn't see them, but it's where the vocal/monologue auditions were. Lockers for the kids in the hallway. The costume shop and scene shop are in the building. Costume shop looked bigger than many, but we didn't get to see the scene shop. There are practice rooms in the building as well. I didn't see them, but my D did.
WestConn has two campuses. The performing arts building is on the satellite campus. There are dorms on that campus as well and most of the performing arts kids live there. Head of program said he does what he can to help ensure the kids get housing there. Honors students can get on the satellite campus. The students said the dorms on the satellite campus are newer and nicer than on the main campus. There is shuttle transportation between campuses. Some of the juniors and seniors live off-campus nearby. It's free to have a car on campus. We didn't see the much of the surrounding area, but what we did see was nothing to write home about--strip malls on the way to the interstate.
Overview session was with Tim Howard who is the MT program head and Justin Cowan, who they just hired. He teaches musicianship classes and was the accompanist in the audition. I really liked how he spoke about how important musicianship is as a skill if you want to be someone considered for new works. Faculty are working professionals. The kids get 12 private voice lessons per semester plus 10 voice coaching sessions (this is about acting the song). MT requires 80 credits, another 40 gen ed are required. Study abroad is difficult. Everyone is expected to learn all aspects of theatre and everyone takes tech. They do 6 main stage shows a year as well as student directed one acts. There is a "transition to the profession" workshop senior year. They have a senior showcase. They are aiming for a class of 16 for MT.
The tuition is pretty tough to beat, particularly if you qualify for in-state tuition.