<p>Barbara Mackenzie-Wood asked kids to run around the room, shouting, last year, too! :) My D, who first did her acting stuff for Don Wadsworth, was then sent to BMW and Barbara had her do her monologue, then run around the room, and then do it again. It's, as people said above, a way for a director/teacher to observe whether a kid is willing to commit to something without inhibitions. :)</p>
<p>My D was asked by Barbara to do her monologue with and without shoes, and run around the "itty bitty" room as well. She was a little disappointed she did not get to do her killer "chicken impression" though :D.</p>
<p>How many monologues are you expected to prepare for CMU?</p>
<p>CMU requires two monologues. However, at CMU or ANY college, you should always be prepared with other materials if asked...be it songs or monologues. Between my D's 8 college auditions, she had to prepare four monologues. Since she had four that were required in sum, when CMU asked her for more (and it was near the end of the audition cycle too), she had two extra since she needed those for other schools. It was a good thing as she was asked to do all four.</p>
<p>Last year, I ended up doing 5 monologues for Barbara Mackenzie-Wood and then when she sent me to the other room I did 6 (3 of the same that I did for barbara, but 3 completely different ones). I did 8 total. So I think the more you have, the better. And don't just have them to have them, really work on all of them equally so they're all performance ready!
At my high school, musical theatre auditionees were required to have 6-10 monologues prepared, and acting auditionees were required to have 12-14.</p>
<p>I don't know if this has changed in the last 3 years, but when my D auditioned for CMU they required that one of the monologues be classical.</p>
<p>onstage....that is still the requirement for CMU.</p>
<p>DD had her OCU audition this past weekend. After her Point Park and CMU auditions she felt confident going in to this audition. Also, she has spent 2 summers at the OCU program summer HS Musical Theatre and knows the faculty and facilities very well.<br>
She had a 3pm audition time and was told to arrive 1hr before (which we did). There were also tours and question and answer sessions scheduled throughout the entire day (which we did not do as my D was very familiar with the campus and MT program already).
She was quite pleased to see many kids that she knew from the summer program who were not only current students helping with the auditions but also ones that were auditioning that day as well.<br>
There was no dance audition (students get leveled for dance at the beginning of school) and so the audition consisted of singing and acting (done in separate rooms with different auditors).
D was surprised by two of the current students (who had been good friends of my D's in the summer program) that seemed unhappy with the choice they had made to attend OCU. I am not mentioning this to upset anyone or put down OCU in any way (It is an excellent MT program in my opinion). (Also, one of them is only 2 months into the program and is most likely still adjusting to college life in general). </p>
<p>I am mentioning this because in one girl's situation, she had liked the summer program so much that she only auditioned at one other school (very late in the audition season) because OCU had always been her top choice. Once she auditioned at the other school she realized (too late) that she had not even thought to look into other schools as she was quite surprised at how much she liked the other school (which she was not admitted to). </p>
<p>My D has also always said that OCU was her "top choice" (even though I have told her time and time again that it is not a good idea to do that with the odds of admittance to these very competitive programs) mostly because of how much she enjoyed her two summers at OCU and therefore she really had not put her heart into researching the other schools on her list. She is realizing now that maybe she should have looked into some other schools more carefully. </p>
<p>This is very frustarating to me as a parent and I'm not sure what to make of it.</p>
<p>On a fun note, I forgot to mention that on the way home from Pittsburgh two weeks ago, the entire cast of the National Tour of Mamma Mia was on our flight! :)</p>
<p>TXKatsmom, as long as your daughter is auditioning at a decent sized list of schools other thatn OCU, then I don't think you need to spend any time at all worrying about your D suddenly wondering if OCU is the best choice for her. There is still time for her to do more research on the other schools on her list and she is likely to find many, many good things about each of them.</p>
<p>I agree with NMR that if your D has applied to more schools and it seems like you are visiting many for auditions, she will come to like a lot of schools and not just OCU. </p>
<p>It is only natural, but what I find is that students who have either gone to a summer program at a college or only visited one school, like that school way more than others. But they are not comparing apples to apples. That is why I think it is important to eventually visit all of the schools and do the same type of visit at each one to make a fair comparison. </p>
<p>By October of my D's audition year, she had seen only four of her 8 schools (this was because I didn't know until midway through tenth grade that she wanted to graduate a year early and that pushed everything up and we had planned to visit all her schools in JUNIOR year and so could not see them all in tenth grade as we were still dealing with my other D's process). But she liked the ones she saw more than the ones she had not seen UNTIL she went to all 8 for the auditions and she came to like something about all 8 and I was glad because she kept an open mind and she had a chance to see how good a place was in person and to know it a lot more than on paper and in fact, it was more attractive to her often once she saw it. </p>
<p>Also, my D had a long held dream to go to NYU since age 12. But that was partly because at that age, that was the only school she knew in her field and was influenced by older theater friends who went. We certainly were not looking into colleges back then! She began her research of colleges in Jan. of tenth grade when she decided to graduate after junior year of HS. She considered applying ED to Tisch since she had always wanted to attend. There was no way I'd let her apply ED to a school when that was the only school she had visited (the only one we got to during tenth grade). So, in early fall of junior year (her app year), we got to see three more schools, and she did particularly like one other a bunch and decided to hold out for RD. I am very glad she did RD because while it was more work and travel to do this, she auditioned at and visited 8 schools and in the end, liked NYU best but she had an open mind at that point to be happy at any school on her list and she knew the chances were so difficult at any of them. When she was offered quite a few options in April as luck would have it, there was no discussion of where she would go. When she got the NYU/Tisch invite (in the hospital no less) there was no question where she was gonna go! BUT, I felt she had come full circle and at that point, had seen all the other options and she could truly say she liked NYU best as a fit for herself, whereas before that year started, had she picked NYU, it would have not been an INFORMED choice.</p>
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That is why I think it is important to eventually visit all of the schools and do the same type of visit at each one to make a fair comparison.
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<p>I think this point that Susan makes is a very important one. As much as it is true that kids from all different types of backgrounds and college programs (and even without!) can make a career in this business, the truth is that not all college programs are created equal. It is sometimes difficult to discern this, for people who have not had the opportunity to see a lot of professional theatre, or who may be from an area where most of the theatre that they see would be high school productions or community theatre. Talent level can be a tricky thing to quantify. However, having the opportunity to see students perform, even in a classroom setting, at various colleges can be an important component on determining whether or not your student will fit in, be challenged, be surrounded by students of like talent, or better. </p>
<p>I had the opportunity earlier this year to travel to several different schools with a couple of prospective students and a friend who happens to be very involved in the NY theatre community. We observed classes, of all types, talked to students and teachers, in addition to the usual campus 'stuff'. The varying ability levels, not only between schools, but within classes at the same school, were profound. </p>
<p>This is an important part of the research in this crazy process of admissions. While it's true that not many kids are in the position to pick and choose as to what school they attend, it makes sense to have a good grasp on details like this about all the schools on your list so that if, in April, your student does have more than one option, they can then reflect on this aspect of their research.</p>
<p>Soozievt, I would assume my auditors were from CAP, because they asked me about a Winter Intensive I did there this past January-March, and I was asked who I worked with. I can only hope that they asked the people I named what they thought of me, because I had extremely good relationships with all of them :)</p>
<p>oh and my Marymount audition went really well too. We danced first, and the combination was very simple.. then we did a classroom-type audition for our monologues/songs. There really isn't that much to say about it except it was pretty relaxed and not what I think a normal college audition would be like.</p>
<p>Arianna, I can't tell by your description if your song auditor was from CAP (in the past they were not from CAP but obviously the audition set up has changed which is why I ask). Any auditor can notice on your resume that you did a program at CAP and ask who you worked with. So, that may not mean they are from CAP. They could have been but that's not how I can tell. Did they give their names? At my D's audition, the auditors were introduced as well as what studio they were from.</p>
<p>TXKatsmom, </p>
<p>Your daughter just needs to go through her currently planned auditions and evaluate each option once she knows her choices. My son attended OCU camp in 2005 and also loved it very much. Not to discourage you, but very few of the students that went to that summer camp were actually admitted into the MT program at OCU. Some were admitted to the theatre program instead (which has been enhanced since that time).</p>
<p>My son was one of the lucky ones from summer camp who was admitted to the BM in MT program at OCU for college, among several other acceptances / college choices for him. He was like your daughter in that he was crazy about the faculty and the summer camp program at OCU.</p>
<p>After getting his acceptances, he evaluated each program where accepted and determined that he was not as interested in the BM degree, offered at OCU and BW, both of which had accepted him, as he was in a BFA degree, which seemed more well rounded in all areas. OCU makes people great musicians. The required course work is pretty heavy in terms of music courses. They still offer quite a bit of drama and dance. </p>
<p>My son chose Elon for being a better fit program for him. It seems to offer more flexibility in taking classes in all areas, with not quite the REQUIRED music courses. He has been very happy at Elon. The majority of MT students probably don't leave Elon being quite as advanced musicians as those who graduate from OCU.</p>
<p>I say this so you will know that some kids go on after OCU summer camp and end up making other choices. </p>
<p>My recommendation is for you to wait until she has her acceptances before spending too much time evaluating course requirements.</p>
<p>I wish your daughter much luck in the process.</p>
<p>To Susan:
Susan, are you the same Susan from the Annie forum? If so, I can't believe how fast time has flown by! It seems like yesterday when you were giving me advice about the National Tour of Annie, and now your daughter is in college and mine is auditioning for colleges! You were always great with giving advice so it is no surprise that you are now a college counselor.
How does your daughter like NYU?</p>
<p>tinamay....yes, that's me. That seems like ages ago on the one hand, and on the other, not so long ago. Our Annie days are over, ha ha. Both of my kids have been in it twice. Fun times. We've moved on. But yeah, that was a fun group of parents who talked about MT and now we have CC. Dramama who sometimes posts here was also on that forum and that's how we "met." I posted as "Susan" which is my real name. You'd have to refresh me as I think I remember you but what was your posting name? Aren't you from NJ? Ah, well, the girls are all growing up! My D is not that much older than your D who must be 17 now? My D recently turned 20 but she is a senior now at Tisch! She LOVES it very very much. It has been all she had hoped for and much much more. We could not be more pleased with the experiences she has had there. We can hardly fathom that she is a senior though. I wish your D much luck with this process and I'm sure she'll land some place for MT. It can be an overwhelming journey at this point but it all works out and I look forward to welcoming you to the "other side" next spring. Keep us posted here how things go for your D and if you have questions about Tisch, I can see if I can help.</p>
<p>(I'm having a vague memory now that your D actually went on the tour, right? And mine had been seen five times and was one of the finalists at one point for Annie, but I was glad she did not have to go on tour, LOL)</p>
<p>We actually turned down the tour. My daughter was only eight when she was offered the role of Kate and the 1st understudy to Annie. We thought she was too young to tour. Luckily, she got to perform in Annie at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook as Duffy for over 100 shows a couple of years later.<br>
This is such a fun year for her. It is exciting to be auditioning for schools. Two weeks ago, she auditioned for the BFA in professional acting at a great university (I don't want to name it until she gets the official letter of admittance) - (they don't have MT) and they called three days later to let her know that they are recommending her for admittance. They said that they are taking 15-20 actors out of approximately 250 that will be auditioning. She had to be academically approved before her audition. So, she is thrilled that she is going to be accepted. And, my husband is so excited because it is such a good school. He wants her to cancel her upcoming auditions at NYU, Carnegie Mellon, Ithaca and Indiana because the cost will be so much higher. With the economy so bad, paying 50,000 dollars a year would kill us. She's already been accepted to Indiana but hasn't auditioned for the MT program, yet. My older son is there and absolutely loves it, but it, too, is very expensive. So, that's where we stand. Although she used to only want a degree in MT, now she's feeling that she could do a lot with a BFA in professional acting (if she can't make a living as an actor, she could teach, becoming a talent agent or casting director, etc.) What are your thoughts on this?</p>
<p>Ericsmom, thanks so much for your reply. Don't worry, you can't discourage me. My D just was so "convinced" that she would definitely be accepted to OCU because of all of the positive feedback she received from the OCU faculty. Believe me, I have tried explaining to her that ABSOLUTELY does not mean that she will receive an acceptance. </p>
<p>Don't get me wrong, my D is not a "diva" and is certainly realistic about her level of talent and of the competition in this field. She knows that she still has lots of room for growth and improvement. Its just that the OCU faculty/summer staff does such a good job of making the kids feel positive about themselves. I guess we'll find out in a few weeks. I told her that it would be quite ironic if she did NOT receive an acceptance (which is highly possible!). </p>
<p>Thanks to the rest of you for your responses as well. We only have 5 auditions scheduled (three of which we have already done...which means only 2 more...3 if you count her local "back-up"). I do NOT think that that is enough...which is why I said I felt frustrated. Hopefully there is still time to schedule a few more. </p>
<p>Her back-up is the local University here in town. Her private voice teacher happens to be on the faculty of the BFA MT program and has already told her she would be accepted most likely with scholarship. My D has expressed CLEARLY that she does not want to stay here, though.</p>
<p>Tina, now I remember you! I also was glad my D did not do the tour, but glad she had those audition experiences (and some others) in NYC at that level. It was a good experience (I think auditioning is a skill and I also think that it is good to get rejected and prior to that she had constantly been cast locally). After that, my D did go on to play Annie at a local theater. </p>
<p>Congrats to your D with her pending acceptance to the BFA Acting program at the university!! Wow. Besides the acceptance, it should feel very affirming to her about her acting skills and her potential to be accepted elsewhere. I would keep all the auditions intact and see what financial aid and scholarships your D may receive as that is the bottom line, not the sticker price. </p>
<p>I think your D should do whichever type of degree program she prefers. A BFA in Acting (where she can still continue to take voice lessons and find some dance classes) can lead to a career in MT. A BFA in MT is not the only path. </p>
<p>I know very talented MT students who opted to do a BA, and some who opted to do a BFA in Acting. They are still going into MT and some are cast on Broadway or National Tours. So, it is more a matter of which type of educational experience your D may wish to have. I can tell you that just at Tisch alone, in the acting studios, there are many highly talented MT students. Either they didn't get into CAP21 or they PREFERRED an acting studio. Some are cast as leads in the musicals at NYU. Some have gone onto professional work in the MT field. My own daughter studied in CAP21 for five semesters and loved it. She is doing three semesters now in Experimental Theater Wing and loves it too. She wanted to focus on acting, even though she is going into MT primarily and is a musician as well. She wanted to hone her acting chops since it is very important to be a good actor. She didn't feel she would benefit as much from more dance and vocal classes at this point. However, even in ETW, she has dance classes (a different kind) and sings. She is in a Vocal Composition class right now, writing her own songs and performing songs. Even in this acting studio, she is writing her own musical which she will produce and perform in. Even today, in her audition class at this acting studio, she will be seen by casting directors in NYC and will sing two songs for them, as well as monologues. And this is an acting studio. So, I think your D could still pursue MT with a BFA in Acting, as well as will potentially be trained to do other facets of theater and drama and screen acting. My D, even though in an acting studio right now, is continuing with private voice lessons (with her CAP21 private voice teacher) and so if your D studies acting, and wants to keep her foot in MT, then she should augment that with voice lessons, some dance classes, and being in some musicals. Not sure what is available at the university where your D will be accepted for Acting, but that would be one way to approach it. Also, she could be in a capella groups (my D is in one and is the MD of it). So, it is not like your D must give up MT in order to do a BFA in Acting. I have several clients with very strong MT backgrounds (have done more with MT than drama) who have chosen to do BFAs in Acting (and some will do BAs). It is a viable option for a MT kid for sure. Off the top of my head, my girls' friend went to Brown and had the lead in a National Tour of RENT and is now on Bdway in Avenue Q. Another friend attended NCSA (did not finish) and is a lead in one of the Jersey Boys casts.</p>