2010-2011 Auditions

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>If others (like us) are rabidly reading every word on these threads, trying to figure out what to expect from your audition, I thought I’d give an update, as things change over time. Kiddo did the first Point Park audition of the season yesterday. Here’s how the day went…</p>

<p>On checkin, the kids were handed audition sheets to fill out and a multi-page music theory test (thanks to reading these threads, she was expecting that, as nothing in the school’s website or mailed audition materials references that). They said it was for placement purposes only. She said “semi hard.” Looks like there was some piano placement given in previous years. That did not happen yesterday. All kids (I believe about 25 for MT, 5 acting) and parents were in the ballroom, where they gave their welcome speech, and told them they are expecting 1000 to audition this year for 40 MT/35 acting slots. They offered a campus tour. Kiddo chose not to tour, as we’d toured this campus previously and it was cold! yesterday. </p>

<p>They took the papers, headshots and resumes, and took the kids downstairs to another studio where they could talk, warmup, etc. During the day, there were current PP students there to answer questions (nice touch). For a parent, the day was spent in the ballroom (take a sweater!) or otherwise hanging out. They provide breakfast (donuts and cofffee) and lunch (pizza and sandwiches) for kids and adults. </p>

<p>Kids were broken up in 2 different groups by number, then were taken by 3s to wait for an audition room. She was asked to do one monologue (her choice) and both of her songs. Said the accompaniest in her room (faculty who teaches MT accompaniment) was excellent. Auditors courteous. Short and sweet. She texted me when she was out, and came up briefly to grab a sandwich, then go change for the dance call. They went into one studio and were taught a combination, and then were taken in front of the panel in small groups to perform it. </p>

<p>For acting auditionees, a callback list was posted. They took 2 back to callbacks. For MT, apparently they gathered the group in one studio, and called 10 kids for a short master class. Mine was one of the 10, she said 8 girls, 2 guys. They were asked to sing more (same stuff from before) in front of the group and the auditors from both audition rooms were there. </p>

<p>Although the schedule she received said to plan to be there until 5 pm, the entire group was done by 2:30. Nice to get a break. Went to see “Millie” at the Playhouse last night – it was a great show, well done.</p>

<p>All in all, a well-thought-out day. They were kind to the kids, helpful in answering questions. Now the waiting begins…</p>

2

<p>Congratulations on getting number 1 audition under your belt. glad the day was smooth. I</p>

3

<p>My son (1 of the 10 called back yesterday), after he sang 2 songs and did 2 monologues, was called over and told by the head of MT that he was accepted and that they really want him. Does that happen often? Needless to say, the audition process at PP was GREAT! They did everything to make us all feel comfortable in a very stressful situation. Hope your daughter hears good news soon Mommafrog!</p>

4

<p>Mommafrog, sounds like a very positive first audition! Bravo to your daughter. </p>

<p>Singingfrog, I hadn’t heard of the verbal acceptance at Point Park at an audition until last year when at Chicago Unifieds, one of my students was told on the spot that he would be accepted and they encouraged him to attend, and so it does happen with Point Park (most schools don’t do this, however). Congrats to your son! This boy ultimately received the paper acceptance, though chose to attend BOCO. For everyone else, please understand you can be accepted without being told that at your audition!</p>

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<p>And notice that these “on the spot” acceptances were both male.</p>

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<p>A male friend of mine was accepted on the spot last year.</p>

7

<p>my son was sadly not one of the 10 selected for musical theatre. We are both disappointed and a little suprised as he got to sing both of his songs and do both monologues and received positive feedback from the panel on his singing and his “clever” monologue choices.</p>

<p>Has anyone ever heard of someone not asked back for the master class being wait listed?</p>

8

<p>^mommybug, </p>

<p>From what I remember hearing (not sure if it was from kiddo or another girl explaining it to her parents as they were getting ready to go), what the auditors told the kids was that they wanted to hear more from the 10, but that the kids released prior to the master class weren’t to read anything into it. (I know – it’s so hard – it’s like trying to read the future in tea leaves – this person did 2 monologues, this person joked w/the auditiors, that person got cut off…). Other than singingfrog’s son, I don’t think any other auditionees (called back, or not) know of their status. So we all wait together for word (I think I remember them saying that it will be about a month), and get back to life. And meanwhile, at my house, I’m steaming her dress so she can pack for this weekend’s auditions. This year is quite an adventure…</p>

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<p>I guess the part that got me was in the beginning when the PPU representative said that not getting on the list was “not good”. I guess we will wait and see and in the meantime it spurred us to get the other applications out and auditions scheduled. Good luck to all of you!!!</p>

10

<p>oh wow, i didn’t know auditions had already begun! exciting haha.</p>

<p>Well, I am a current Freshman Acting major. Just thought I would throw in my 2 cents. When I auditioned, we were told that if we weren’t put on the callback list, then its more than likely a no :(. I know, it sucks to hear that. But it’s kind of good because then you aren’t just stuck, waiting around, stressing about it.</p>

<p>Furthermore, this year, we were told that they over-accepted students in both Musical Theatre and Acting. And the over-acceptance rate was a lot! That being said, I feel like they may be really strict for the upcoming year with the whole “40 MTs/35 Acting”. This year there are well over that amount. Just keep that in mind when you go to your auditions, so do your best! (not that you wouldn’t do your best otherwise =P). But don’t quote me on that! Who knows?..Maybe they will over-accept again! haha</p>

<p>Lastly, I think both programs here are really worth while. If you get a chance, see some of the productions here. I just saw “Thoroughly Modern Millie” that Point Park put on, it was really phenomenal I thought. Every aspect of the show was fantastic.</p>

<p>What I WOULD like to tell you all though is that the MTs essentially take all the same classes the Acting majors take. That really threw me for a loop when I got here. I thought Acting majors would focus more on acting than the MTs, but this is not the case. The MTs take all the Acting classes and more. Not that the acting training here isn’t good, but it seems a bit weird that the only distinction between MT and Acting training is that MTs take dance and voice. Acting majors just have the acting classes…That being said, I may be looking into transferring out of the Acting program. Maybe to one more geared towards acting, as opposed to just taking the basic acting courses. But I’m torn because the dance program here is incredible, and I’m a dancer. </p>

<p>Oh! and Acting majors have the opportunity to sign up for Private Voice classes Sophomore year. And if you make it into the Dance minor, you can basically call yourself an MT, as you will have acting classes, dancing classes, and voice classes (granted you make it into the extremely competitive dance minor).</p>

<p>And a common mistake: the dance MINOR is NOT easier to get into than the dance MAJOR. the audition is the EXACT SAME for both. If you audition to minor in dance, you will be auditioning with people wanting to be in the dance major. So work on that dance.</p>

<p>Sorry, I’m rambling. And it may seem like I’m putting down the school, but I’m really not. It really is an excellent school with many audition opportunities. It’s only November and I’ve been on 2 professional auditions and have another coming up in a month! There is ALWAYS something going on. And the teachers help you find auditions during the school year (there is a bulletin board in which new auditions are posted all the time). There have been probably about 20 postings of professional auditions already, I only auditioned for 2 because those were the only 2 I could see myself playing. Ok I’m going to stop rambling. I just wanted to shed all the light I could on the program, as this website really helped me with my audition process last year.</p>

<p>Hope I could help! I will probably be signing in periodically to answer any questions. </p>

<p>PS: Just because I’m an acting major doesn’t mean I don’t know things about the Musical Theatre program! A lot of my friends are MTs, so I’m here to help!!! Best of luck in your auditions.</p>

<p>Break legs!!! :]</p>

11

<p>Dream2Danze- Thanks for the great post with the good details! Ramble all you wish! I see you are an acting major with a dance minor; do you know of folks who are MT majors with a dance minor?</p>

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<p>oh no, I’m not a dance minor haha…yet. I’m a freshman, and you can only start a minor your sophomore year. You audition for it at the end of your freshman year. But yes, I do know upperclassmen MTs who are dance minors. There are a bunch of them. And if I’m not mistaken, the dance minor is only open to those in the Conservatory of Performing Arts.</p>

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<p>classicalbk,</p>

<p>I am currently an MT major in my 3rd year, with a Dance minor.
I also work in the Office of Admissions, so if you (or anyone) have questions, feel free to let me know :)</p>