Can we start a list of the MT program production schedules for next school year?
There was a list a couple of years ago and it was interesting to see what shows schools were performing and it was helpful for planning visits to specific schools.
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2017-2018 Production Schedule
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Passing the torch to 2022
To coach or not to coach, that is the question. This forum really does to be careful about providing a balance of advice that understands that all is possible – still and even now and really, it hasn’t changed as much as one thinks and if it has, sad.
I’d look at hiring a coach like the decision to hire a master gardener or landscaping professional if you want to transform your yard. The professionals bring in a level of know-how, power tools, a crew and experience that might make transformation faster, and arguably better. They may exert some influence over you in terms of design and what plants you select based on their own bias but if they are good at, they will spend enough time with you to have a sense of who you are so you can end up with something that will feel like you.
Or you could just Astroturf the whole darn thing.
Then there is my friend Becky who isn’t a professional gardener/landscaper. She has one of the prettiest gardens you can imagine and does it all herself. Every plant is hand-picked and caters to details that she personally cares about (color, when it blooms, butterflies, water consumption) that make the net effect entirely personal to her and frankly, extraordinary. She is truly an expert without actually being a professional. And she makes her own curtains and is a top realtor! And maybe I actually hate her… Serenity now!!! (Except I don’t but I do not know how she does it all.)
And in the middle of the night, I may just Astroturf her whole darn thing while she sleeps.
Now my garden is currently full of weeds. Every once in a while I hire someone to come in to go through it “with a flamethrower” so I can go back to keeping up”ish” on my own. Usually that means things that I know are the good things that I want to keep get pulled up with the weeds but that’s the trade-off I make to feel like I’m getting somewhere in a task that otherwise can feel daunting. I occasionally buy yet another power tool to make my ability to keep up a bit easier. It is not nearly as pretty as Becky’s garden. Not as pretty as a professionally done garden. But if you stay on the other side of the street on a good day and squint, it looks ok. It’s where I fall on the continuum. I’m too independent, too budget conscious when it comes to spending money on stuff I still think I can do myself and frankly, not always willing to relinquish the control.
Or I could just Astroturf the whole darn thing but I’m more inclined to have a few weeds have people just squint from across the street.
Or you could be a person without a garden. And just have a bulb that needs to be planted in a public garden. And be equally worthy.
We need to hope these folks don’t just get AstroTurfed.
You can plant a tulip bulb in any one of these gardens in the fall, and come spring… it will sprout. And it will sprout no matter which of the above approaches you take.
Unless you Astroturf the whole darn thing.
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Voice Lesson Time at Schools
We are discovering that each school is different in it's approach to private lessons, from the amount of time to the rep during the lessons. Are there any parents that would share what they know about the time for lessons at your kids' schools? 30 min, 45 min or an hour. Any thoughts would be helpful. :)
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Musical Theater Majors That Allow Double Majoring
I love musical theater and am certain that I want to major in it, but I would also like to major in something like journalism, or professional writing of some sort. I know that with a rigorous BFA in MT it becomes nearly impossible to dabble in another subject, but if there are any universities with a BFA in MT that have and allow a double major in journalism as well, I would love to know. Obviously, in my situation, a BA is most likely better suited if I were to attempt to complete two majors in the standard four years so any schools that offer a BA in musical theater and a degree journalism/writing would be information that would be greatly appreciated. Auditon or non-auditon does not matter much to me, but it would help if the school was in a location where internships and opportunities are abundant. Any information on any of these categories would be helpful. Thank you!
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Summer Program Big List- Data/Info - keep adding
Perry-Mansfield, Steamboat Springs, CO 6-week,
HS & College Session June 16th - July 30, 2006.
Application and video auditions due February 1, 2006
Live will be held February 12 in NYC
Acceptances are sent out March 15th
Major in Dance, Drama, or MT [art & writing classes; private: instrument, voice and equestrian also available]
College Credit thru U of Colorado available
website: www.perry-mansfield.org
[being updated right now-download the PDF file for best info]
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Summer University in San Francisco
Hello there,
I want to pass this opportunity onto all the incoming High School Juniors and Seniors. This is a Summer Intensive Program in San Francisco - June 2017, taught by faculty from CMU, Michigan, Texas State, Syracuse, USC, UCLA, Otterbein, Rutgers, Hartt and Chapman.
Two Tracks - MT and Acting, offered through College Audition Pro.
My daughter took advantage of this program last year and felt very well prepared during her college auditions.
https://www.summeruniversitytheatreexperience.com
I hope this helps!
Thanks!
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How important is taking pre calc for prospective MT majors?
Hi, I'm currently a high school sophomore who is finishing up algebra 2. I took algebra 1 freshman year, and geometry over the summer (that's a whole other story). In my state I can graduate on the amount of math I'll have taken after this year. I'm signed up for pre calc next year, but math is currently the bane of my existence. I'm really tempted to stop taking math after this year. Will this injure my chances of getting into schools like NYU or UMich? If so, how severely?
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Voice Lessons In SF- Bay Area
Anyone know of any voice teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area that have experience with musical theatre style and teach belting.
And since I'm here anyone know of any good dance studios in this area too, I'm starting a gap year for auditions and need to work on my technique
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MT Acceptances for 2021 by Member Name
Copy the existing list (when there is one) and add your info
Username--M/F--School--Date Accepted--Date Auditioned
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New MT Program at Rutgers Mason Gross School
Rutgers University and other partners plan to build a performing arts center that will allow the Mason Gross School of the Arts to launch a musical theater program and expand its opera program. The arts center is expected to open for the fall 2019 semester, when Mason Gross will launch its musical theater program.
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LAMDA/Drama committed students/ parents
Wondering if anyone knows the extent that LAMDA gives committed students help (beyond the LAMDA website links to housing) with connections to rental properties or access to other students to flatshare? This is a US student leaving next fall and looking into all the living aspects of the move? Trying to help out 19 year old with the move?
Also questions with banking, phone services, etc.?
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Temple University
Anyone familiar with this program and have an opinion? I believe that there's an MT BFA in addition to BAs in Acting, Directing, Design/Prod, MT, and Theater Education, some by audition.
Any thoughts on academic and/or merit scholarships? I believe it's a public university? Also, what's the campus like (urban? suburban? campus-y?)--do most students live on campus vs nearby apartments?
Anything else I'm forgetting to ask?
Thanks!
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Drake University
Anyone out there who has gone to Drake for theatre? My D is admitted to the BFA MT and we would love to hear from anyone who's attended regarding program, Des Moines, dance training, strengths, weaknesses, etc. The auditors and students she met at Chicago Unifieds were enthusiastic and very kind. She enjoyed the walk-in audition, and is looking forward to learning more about the program.
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National Competitions
What has been your experience/opinion regarding national competitions? I am mostly referring to vocal/MT competitions like YoungArts, Classical Singer, NATS, etc. Is the experience worth the expense of a trip to the national conventions? I know the exposure is different for preprofessional competitors, I am asking for a high school student.
Thanks for the input.
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Drake University MT Program
I would love to hear from current students or parents of current students in the Drake University MT program. My D has just been offered a place in next year's program and I'm now on the hunt for more information and experiences with the program. Thank you!
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Chance me/Where should I apply/is my list well-weighted?
Hello, so I'm a student hoping to major in MT in college and I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me on how to weight my application list in terms of selectivity/if anyone had ideas as to where I should apply.
Here are my stats:
3.89 GPA unweighted 4.89 weighted
1450 SAT/31 ACT (these scores are without prep so I'm hoping to raise them a bit, probably with focus on SAT)
-selective public school in Chicago
-I've been in both my school's play and musical in the past year and a musical over last summer. I was put into the special performance ensemble for a benefit for the summer musical.
-I've been in plenty of other shows and was also in Goodman Theater's summer acting intensive in the summer before my freshman year. (Few recent leads which concerns me a lot!)
-I danced from ages 7-16 (not dancing now
Bc no time!)
-I've taken voice lessons for the past three years and recently I was selected to sing as a representative of private lessons (as a soloist) in the place I take voice lessons in spring benefit.
I've been accepted into a few summer intensives and Second City's advanced acting program so that will be my summee add one.
Right now I'm thinking about applying to Illinois Wesleyan, NYU, Lawrence University, CCM, University of Illinois, umich (maybe), pace, Marymount manhattan, and maybe a few more. I was wondering if (based on my stats) this list was well-weighted and if I have a real chance at most/any of these schools.
I feel like a total narcissist posting this but I'm concerned and everyone on here seems to have a way better idea of what to do than I do.
Thank you and sorry this was so long
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Audition Dates for 2017-18
When do schools normally start announcing dates for auditions for the new year.
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The Truth About Senior Showcases In NYC (Or at least my perspective!)
I’ve seen folks mention Senior Showcases on the forums, and I’m writing in hopes that with a little more information, you can ask better questions of these programs, because asking “Do you have a senior showcase?” is not enough. Others of course can chime in with their experiences.
There is a lot of stress, angst, and worry associated with “capital-S-Showcase”, and it can be a very important part of your college students’ career, so I wouldn’t be afraid to ask these questions. Asking questions of programs may also help improve their showcases.
My kid is a few years out from the BFA now, and I have friends whose kids have gone the BFA route too, so this is my wisdom garnered from our experiences, and our friends’ experiences. Additionally, my kid has friends from attending camps and doing summer stock that have had their showcases in NYC, so said kid has attended and experienced a lot of showcases in person.
1. What if my school doesn’t have a senior showcase? Of course you don’t have to have a senior showcase to be successful, but if you have a GOOD senior showcase, and you land a great agent, then you have a bit of a head start compared to your peers. But in my opinion, a bad Senior Showcase is worse than no showcase, because you’ve spent all that time, energy and money on it to no (or little) avail. If your kid’s school doesn’t have it showcase, there are other paths to securing an agent, Senior Showcase is just one way.
2. Aren’t showcases just a celebration of four years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears? Of course, but every single kid up there wants to get agent appointments, and then book an agent from showcase, and if they deny that, they’re lying!
3. What makes a senior showcase “good”?
Students are prepared. Some schools prep starting in the fall of their senior year. And when I say prep, I mean: call outside people in to help pick material for seniors, have weekly practice sessions, have casting directors come in and coach kids, have people consult on clothes seniors are going to wear, etc. Some programs do a little of the above, some a lot, some _precious_ little.
Students have good material. Students who know who they are, and can pick great material for themselves are great. They seem to know the best songs/monologues that will show them in the best possible light. If the student doesn’t have that insight and skill level, then the faculty will have to know their students, and use their wisdom to help the students find material that will showcase themselves to the fullest. (Some programs don’t let students choose their own material)
In my opinion, hiring an outside person (or 2) with experience in casting/coaching to pick material (or at least consult on material) would be helpful as they could see the students with fresh eyes. After going through this process with my kid, I thought it would have been ideal for the faculty to start keeping a list of possible showcase material for each student when they are freshman, and then grow that list as the student grows. (You will be surprised what drama the material-picking will involve! Trying to pick material that is not overdone, tells a story, showcases the individual - it’s a LOT) I have heard sad tales about the lack of faculty thought and preparation regards to helping pick each senior’s material.
Rehearsal. Some schools seem to start this process very late in the school year. Some start early, but do not follow through, and students are still remarkably not ready for their spring showcase in NYC. Students that are on internships have to figure out how to rehearse and get help/coaching/lessons without the assistance of faculty which is tricky, and can be expensive.
Agent Attendance. I cannot stress this enough, if agents do not attend a showcase, then everything above is a moot point. Getting agent appointments isn’t the be-all-end-all, but it’ll make life a lot easier in NYC for sure. Casting directors that attend showcase are looking for people they can audition for shows right then, and my kid was called in by CDs surprisingly long after showcase to audition for them, but one really wants agent appointments. Sometimes audiences at showcases seem to be full, and they are, but not with agents.
Agent Attendance II. How do programs get agents to attend their school’s showcase? Some programs “send out invitations” and they are done. It seems that agents attend based on two things: reputation, and leg work by program faculty. (Reputation of the program, and reputation of past showcases mind you.)
My kid has attended many showcases over the years and knows quite a few agents and casting directors, and checks out who is in the audience. A high percentage of agents and CDs (not their interns, or associates, but the head agents or head CD) attend showcases for the programs you would expect: CMU, UMICH, CCM, BW, etc. But what about the other programs?
My kid has been to friends’ showcases from what some would consider Tier 3 programs where there were plenty of agents in attendance, so that must mean the program has done a great job getting the word out, and the reputation of their performances, right?
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Unifieds and Audition travel tips
I thought it might be helpful to share some experiences/tips about audition travel and Unifieds:
We attended Chicago Unifieds and had an amazing experience. The Palmer House Hilton was so fun!
-Exectutive Level- I read about this on CC and it was well worth it! They have a lounge with breakfast, snacks and drinks. all day, and hot snacks every evening. It was a great little getaway for me when my daughter wanted to stretch/warm up in the room or when we needed a little break.
- Unifieds were scheduled for Monday-Thursday. When we made our travel plans (early) we decided to arrive Sunday morning and have the entire day to get acclimated. Well....she ended up doing her BoCo audition an hour after arriving on Sunday. Not all of the schools are there all week. There are also other schools not listed that are there over the weekend. I would have arrived Friday night or Saturday morning and left by Wednesday.
-The room really wasn't available until 3. There is a large restroom not far from the registration area that she was able to change and get ready for her audition with plenty of room. Luckily, we packed what she needed separately from our other bags and checked our other bags while we waited.
- There is a little dance store about a block away if you go out the Wabash exit. Yep, my daughter forgot something. It was a lifesaver....so was the Walgreens that sold wine, lol.
- If you aren't a member yet, sign up for a hotel rewards program. Chances are that you will be staying in hotels not only for auditions, but also when visiting your child at college, so why not build points? I ended up with a couple free nights.
- I had some fun trying to win Hamilton tickets every day in the lottery. Although I wasn't successful, it was a fun distraction for me while my daughter did her thing.
- She had her music and lots of info on her phone. I did make a manilla file folder for each school and wrote important info on the front such as time/place/cuts/ monologue times for each school. Inside I had a copy printed from each school website about the program and their list of audition requirements- any important info particular to that school, as well as two copies of headshot/resumes. We placed them on the desk in the room in order so that she could simply grab the ones she needed for the day. She placed the folders in her bag and could review each on while waiting to audtion.
- Allow plenty of time for travel. She ended up typing in a wrong digit and we ended up spending 45 minutes at the top of Mud Mountain in Ithaca..I know, who could get lost going to Ithaca! It happens!
Any other ideas that worked or didn't??
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Musical Theatre, Theatre, or Music Education major?
Hi! So for as long as I can remember, there have been two constants in my life. I want to be a teacher, and I want to perform. I'm currently a High School Junior, trying to decide on a college major. I already have an awesome University in mind that is in my area that offers incredible programs in all three of the above majors, I'm just not sure what I want to pursue. I already take voice and acting lessons so I could pursue any of the three. I believe I would enjoy a degree in Musical Theatre most, but I highly value being able to be independent and in a job after college, and I'm not sure if that degree can take me there. If I decide on a Music Education major with a minor in theatre, it would be easier for me to hold a stable job, and do to community theatre on the side, but I wouldn't be taking as many theatre classes as I would want. My mom thinks a BFA in Theatre would be the best option for me and my talents, but I can't see myself not studying voice in college. What would be the best major/minor combination for my interests that would still support me outside college?
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