@4angels and @collegeboundSam these are my observations and not opinions weighting the program either for or against. We were there for the university wide event - so not specific to MT. Re travel to and from- it is difficult and expensive to fly in and out of Springfield but easy to drive around the Springfield area. One student said that kids who fly home will usually catch rides with kids who live in Kansas City or St Louis and fly out of those airports
Re the campus- it is relatively compact for a large university The athletic facilities seemed nice. We spent the majority of our time at the Student Union which has chick fil a , either papa johns or dominos ( I can’t remember which), and a Subway, and a Grill/ healthier option that I have never heard of Downstairs they have a bowling alley/ping pong/pool room that was great. They also have a small grocery shop, gift store/clothing store and a copy center there. Lots of areas to sit/lounge and at 7pm on a Saturday we did see two groups in the student union - 4 girls working on a project and 8 kids playing cards. We did not do the dorm tour although they all seem pretty conveniently located. We did go over to Craig Hall where the theatre is located ( it wasn’t included on our regular tour ). The doors into the theatre were locked so we could not see the theatre but the lobby was big and we were able to look at the headshots of all the kids who had done the LA/New York Showcase. Their headshots were amazing! We went in search of kids hanging out ( because that’s what theatre kids do ) and found some on the second floor in the very small black box. They were mostly acting majors ( no MTs) and an English major. They talked to S for a few minutes. They were working on a one act We saw the big concrete pad where the tent theatre will go up. Parking was easy. As a matter of observation- there were lots of empty parking lots
We met with Mr Westenberg for a small breakout type session. Here’s where it will be hard just to give my observations and not my opinions because he is so enigmatic, enthusiastic and passionate it is hard not to fall in love with him instantaneously. Even as I am trying to reign my words in, I really just want to gush about him. He believes that everyone he has made an offer to can make it in this business and he wants to develop that and provide opportunity Freshman can’t audition for the first semester shows because they are cast the semester before. He highly recommends AP/dual enrollment/online summer coursework to open up schedule for more options in theatre coursework Several kids minor (one was asking about dance minor) one of the students there was a religious studies dance minor They have two very interesting opportunities that are by audition. One goes to schools in the Springfield area and does short plays/musicals for them and teaches them how to be an audience ( some very low income schools have no exposure to arts) another group creates shows that handle tough topics ( sexual harassment, sexual discrimination,etc ) and presents them as short skits to corporations, fraternities, etc making it fun and less awkward. They are taking 20 this year They have started a Musical Theory for Musical Theatre students ( I personally love this because not all MT students play an instrument and have had theory -so it helps to give kids a fair shake in a tough music based curriculum subject ). Student MUST get a C ( not a C-) in all Theatre subjects Senior Showcase is by audition. Some kids will get the opportunity to work for the Tent Theatre and thereby start earning equity points before they have graduated.
Re the campus- it is relatively compact for a large university The athletic facilities seemed nice. We spent the majority of our time at the Student Union which has chick fil a , either papa johns or dominos ( I can’t remember which), and a Subway, and a Grill/ healthier option that I have never heard of Downstairs they have a bowling alley/ping pong/pool room that was great. They also have a small grocery shop, gift store/clothing store and a copy center there. Lots of areas to sit/lounge and at 7pm on a Saturday we did see two groups in the student union - 4 girls working on a project and 8 kids playing cards. We did not do the dorm tour although they all seem pretty conveniently located. We did go over to Craig Hall where the theatre is located ( it wasn’t included on our regular tour ). The doors into the theatre were locked so we could not see the theatre but the lobby was big and we were able to look at the headshots of all the kids who had done the LA/New York Showcase. Their headshots were amazing! We went in search of kids hanging out ( because that’s what theatre kids do ) and found some on the second floor in the very small black box. They were mostly acting majors ( no MTs) and an English major. They talked to S for a few minutes. They were working on a one act We saw the big concrete pad where the tent theatre will go up. Parking was easy. As a matter of observation- there were lots of empty parking lots
We met with Mr Westenberg for a small breakout type session. Here’s where it will be hard just to give my observations and not my opinions because he is so enigmatic, enthusiastic and passionate it is hard not to fall in love with him instantaneously. Even as I am trying to reign my words in, I really just want to gush about him. He believes that everyone he has made an offer to can make it in this business and he wants to develop that and provide opportunity Freshman can’t audition for the first semester shows because they are cast the semester before. He highly recommends AP/dual enrollment/online summer coursework to open up schedule for more options in theatre coursework Several kids minor (one was asking about dance minor) one of the students there was a religious studies dance minor They have two very interesting opportunities that are by audition. One goes to schools in the Springfield area and does short plays/musicals for them and teaches them how to be an audience ( some very low income schools have no exposure to arts) another group creates shows that handle tough topics ( sexual harassment, sexual discrimination,etc ) and presents them as short skits to corporations, fraternities, etc making it fun and less awkward. They are taking 20 this year They have started a Musical Theory for Musical Theatre students ( I personally love this because not all MT students play an instrument and have had theory -so it helps to give kids a fair shake in a tough music based curriculum subject ). Student MUST get a C ( not a C-) in all Theatre subjects Senior Showcase is by audition. Some kids will get the opportunity to work for the Tent Theatre and thereby start earning equity points before they have graduated.