<p>You are welcome! Let me know if you have any specific questions. Overall, nothing but positive to say! Break a leg!! Oh….they did suggest you arrive in dance clothes first. Good advice as those who did not ended up having to change for the dance audition. My daughter was the first to sing and do monologue and they gave her enough time to change into audition clothes. Hope it goes great for you!!!</p>
<p>Thanks again to all who continue to post their audition day experiences! We really appreciate the time and effort you are putting into your reports and hope to reciprocate soon. First audition is coming up in a couple weeks.</p>
<p>How did it go this weekend everyone?</p>
<p>My S auditioned for CMU in Atlanta on Saturday and he was “over the moon” about it. They were organized and laid back. My S did 2 songs for Gary. My S spent quite a bit of time with Barbara. He did 3 monologues with a redirect then she asked him to sing his 2 songs for her. Then she had him sit down for a chat while she went through his resume. He absolutely loved her. He felt like she actually “got” him. Of course I reminded him that they are notorious for making auditioners feel wonderful. I know I read that somewhere on this board. In any case it was a much needed confidence builder. Great experience.</p>
<p>Texas State</p>
<p>This is going to be a long post because it was a long (and wonderful) day for my daughter. She was on campus for her Texas State audition which is definitely the way to go if you can swing it.</p>
<p>Started at 7:30 in the theatre lobby with breakfast tacos ( a local delicacy we were told) and other yummy food/drink for parents and auditioners. Followed by an hour long program overview meeting led by the inspiring Kaitlin Hopkins (head of the MT Department) (can you tell she totally sold the school and the MT/theater program - I’d go if I weren’t without talent and a tad too old, LOL). If you have any questions about the program ask and I’ll see if I can remember the answer. A lot of information was given. Kaitlin did mention CC at one point as in apparently every year right before offers are given so nameless school puts out the rumor on CC that Kaitlin is leaving (MANY kids choose Texas State over other programs just because she is there) but she wants us to spread the word - Kaitlin isn’t going anywhere!!! </p>
<p>D walked out of the session saying wow, I love their philosophy and this place could be an amazing fit for me!</p>
<p>Next the had broken down the 42 auditioners (11 boys, 31 girls) into three groups so each group could do a different part of the audition at their own time (extremely well organized, we were sent the schedule ahead of time via email and the email also contained place to stay, eat, sightsee in San Marcos). The kids were given a welcome backpack with their schedules printed out again, information about Texas State and these great green apple dry throat lozenges that Kaitlin Hopkins developed called Fontus (D said they really helped and made me order more once we got home…).</p>
<p>D was in the first group and they auditioned first. D did her 2 songs, was asked to do one a second time at a faster tempo, then the vocal director asked her what kind of songs other than musical theater she liked to jam to. D volunteered to do a “clean version” of Wrecking Ball which she had fun with. The vocal director asked her to just shout out the lyrics at one point in the song which she happily did then she moved on to her monologues. They asked her what she had prepared, let her choose and only had her do one. The audition room was pretty full (D had to hand in 5 headshots/resumes stapled, only 4 at unifieds though) with faculty and current MT students. She felt that everyone was supportive and very nice.</p>
<p>D had 3 hours between her audition and the campus tour so we went off to find lunch (yah, cheese was back on the menu cause she already sang!). There are a lot of places to eat within walking distance from the college so it was easy to find food. There is a lot of construction, road closures going on around campus but it was still pretty easy to get around.</p>
<p>The afternoon campus tour was led by an MT senior with 5 other MT students accompanying the group to answer questions. The Texas State campus is very pretty, very southwestern in flavor (ie different than the typical Northeastern brick and ivy campus but in a good way, D really liked the campus especially the beautiful brand new multi million dollar performing art center which is so new we couldn’t get inside to take a peak). I have one thing to say about the campus, STAIRS!!! and hills - there is no way any of those students are going to gain the freshman fifteen.</p>
<p>After the tour, D had an hour before her dance call (I needed to catch my breath but she was fine, ah, youth!). D said the dance was a MT combo which the teacher taught quickly then they performed in groups of 3. She said it was technical but not too tough and she really enjoyed the teacher and the dance call. She was happy to not be the worst (thought she was in the top half of the dancers so not unhappy) but there were some definite dancers there. They said that the dance call was not part of the admissions process, just used to level the students (freshmen can be placed in either beginning or intermediate ballet and jazz depending on their abilities), so the auditioners were able to have fun with it.</p>
<p>Final part of the day was a master class from 8-9:30pm. It was done on the mainstage and 6 very brave auditioners (3 girls, 3 boys) volunteered to sing or do a monologue in front of a huge audience made up of the auditioners, parents, MT faculty and current MT students. After they sang all or part of their pieces, or in the case of one boy performed his monologue, small corrections (either physical or mental) were made by the faculty and let me say I was blown away how much these kids improved with just a few minutes of working with the faculty. D leaned over and whispered can you imagine how much better the students must get after working with these teachers in groups and one on one for 4 years?! D and I were very impressed.</p>
<p>All and all it was a great audition experience. Kaitlin promised that the auditioners would hear within 2 weeks if they were cut or put on a priority hold for final decisions which will be made after the last Texas State audition day on 2/16. Let the nail biting begin!</p>
<p>Oh, I finally met a CC friend at the audition. It was great talking to you GSOMTMom! Hope your D had a great audition experience too!!!</p>
<p>Cellomom51, my D is a sophomore at TSU. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me. The program is incredible. Kaitlin and faculty continue to amaze each year.</p>
<p>We were there (TxState) this weekend—let me say this - any student who is lucky enough to be part of this program is truly blessed. </p>
<p>This program is a family- you could see it among the current students. The sparkle and enthusiasm for each other and the program was VERY evident. Each current student- and there were many- I would say that at least 30 current students participated and helped throughout the day, seemed happy to help- unlike students at our earlier on campus auditions in the fall at other “Top” programs, where the students were few, not engaged and seemed put upon to be up early. </p>
<p>Kaitlin IS AMAZING- I suspect that the relationship developed with her students will be maintained years after they graduate-.And Jim Price, the Acting Professor, who happens to be Kaitlin’s husband is a bonus! His involvement should not be overlooked- he is just as amazing as Kaitlin. Frankly, Michael and Greg who are part of the faculty we met were just as impressive. </p>
<p>I believe this is one if the best MT programs in the country. Kaitlin and Jim have an ever evolving modern curriculum, their passion and commitment to art and their artist is enormous, the industry contacts (on both coast) are valuable and current - i could go on and on why this program is amazing. </p>
<p>And as another Bonus- They also demand a VERY HIGH moral standard from everyone in the program. Kaitlin spoke of a Zero tolerance policy for drugs - including smoking. </p>
<p>I can only hope and pray that my D gets offered a spot. She feels honored to have been part of the prescreen. </p>
<p>Also- one last thing- the current students in the program seem to come from all walks of life, all types, - there is no cookie cutter at Texas State. Again, not the case at other top schools.</p>
<p>I can only say that my D felt VERY comfortable after her audition. There were many very nice things said to her that made her feel VERY confident about her talent. Although I am happy she is happy, I suspect that each auditionee was made to feel this way. </p>
<p>Fingers crossed!</p>
<p>HEEEEYYY, Cellomom!! Bite your tongue about being too old to audition. I’m dusting off my tap shoes now!!! LOL</p>
<p>cellomom nailed it. The D was in Group 3. It was a long day with lots of breaks. After the overview, we had two and a half hours before the tour. We were in the same tour group as cellomom. Stairs and hills is about accurate. I will say that I’m pretty sure that I shed at least 35 lbs on that tour. Unfortunately, I gained it all back drinking a bottle of water upon our return!</p>
<p>Immediately after the tour, The D had the dance call. Crazy, right? She said that the dance was challenging. Not in level of difficulty, but in speed. The D loves the big band sound, and the song was a personal fave of mine “Sing, Sing, Sing”! She definitely enjoyed the song. At some point, Kaitlin kicked their crutch out from under them - she took away the dance assistant! EEEEEK!!! They had to go for what they already knew and it sounds like they were fine. The D said that the entire faculty came into the room one by one to check them out. EEEEEK!! Kaitlin walked out ahead of the kids and told us, “We just rocked it out in the dance call. They were great!”</p>
<p>After the dance call, we had nearly four hours before we had to be back for The D’s song/monologue audition. The one thing that Kaitlin said in the overview was that each person was there because they want them. She asked that they take out the results part of the audition and just enjoy themselves. Yeah, we all know that’s easier said than done, but you know she meant it. We spent a lot of time going back and forth between the hotel and campus with all the breaks. And we never really left the campus right after each event. Everyone from the auditioners to the students to the parents are just wonderful and you just found yourself getting lost in conversation with everyone. So when we would finally make it back to the hotel, it seemed like we had to turn right back around to head back to campus. The D felt the audition went really well. I believe she said that she did her two songs first and then did two monologues. I believe she had a brief interview afterwards. She came out of the room smiling.</p>
<p>We went BACK to the hotel…again to change and relax before the master class. Cellomom is right, the master class was AH-MAZING! My mouth was hanging open with how different the pieces were after just a few minutes of adjusting/tweaking. I can see that acting is really first and foremost. It seemed that once a point of view was formed for a song when there wasn’t one before, any vocal issues just worked themselves out. Also, you can see that the team truly works together. They all worked together in giving adjustments to each “victim” (Kaitlin’s words) and no one was frustrated with the other for jumping in. I think that every student there left the campus floating on air! Each student stood in a line after the master class to speak or just hug Kaitlin and she stood right there and took time with every single one of them!</p>
<p>The one thing that is evident is that Kaitlin and Jim, her husband genuinely care about their students. Each one is truly like a child that they gave birth to. I would say to the parents of juniors, sophomores and freshmen if this school isn’t on your child’s radar, consider it! VISIT! This is a school that you honestly have to see to appreciate. Most musical theater kids are going to want to be in a bustling, urban environment where theatre is happening and they WILL turn up their nose at Texas. Mine did. Once you see it and are in the presence of Kaitlin, Jim and the team, they will see the school in a different light! Mine sure did!</p>
<p>It was a most amazing weekend and worth every single penny spent traveling to Texas! <strong>shuffling off to shine up those tap shoes…too old to audition, my tap dancing foot!!!</strong> LOL</p>
<p>Great reports!! Glad you all had an awesome day! Fingers crossed for all the Texas State hopefuls!!</p>
<p>GSO - Good luck on your audition LOL</p>
<p>Can you tell that TX State was just ho hum for us? LOL!</p>
<p>I forgot some shoutouts! </p>
<p>iammtmom - Always a pleasure! We’ll catch up again in Chicago.
tarheelmom - your D is just lovely! I enjoyed chatting with her and “tarheeldad”.
theatremomma - I thoroughly enjoyed your friend and daughter and thanks for answering all my questions about the program! I’m sure I’ll have a few more.
cellomom51 - I’m glad you got your warm weather vacay!!</p>
<p>Great weekend! And the 75 degree sunny day was NICE!!</p>
<p>Thanks GOSMTMom. D and Dad had a great time. Loved the program, loved Kaitlin. Now once again we just wait. Could be a big few weeks with information coming hopefully from Point Park and Texas State. I am told her PACE information, (academics is in the mail) and it appears others have been receiving so would anticipate that today or tomorrow but as my husband says, that part doesn’t matter much:) Guess we will see what the next few weeks bring. At CCM this weekend.</p>
<p>Curious as to the dress this year for girls? What are most girls wearing?</p>
<p>We saw a lot of boots, but still mostly solid color dresses. The D wore a dress with <gasp> a print, but with a classic shape. I didn’t see anyone going way off the dress code. Because there was so much going on during the day, the girls were really casual for most of the day until it came time for their individual audition.</gasp></p>
<p>Texas State sounds wonderful!!! Fingers crossed for all Ds and Ss!!!</p>
<p>It does sound wonderful…and a good financial deal too! Thanks so much for the info, my d has her audition February 15th!</p>
<p>Break a leg to your D dancemtmom! You’re going to love it down in Texas!</p>
<p>dancemtmom- Where are you staying in Texas? Trying to figure that one out!</p>
<p>Dreamatinydream and dancemtmom, just my two cents on where to say in TX, there were long breaks in between the various parts of the audition day and it was great to be staying in a hotel that was close to the Texas State campus. My D appreciated the ability to decompress away from the crowds and change in her hotel room rather than the bathroom. As I mentioned before Comfort Suites and Hampton Inn are just a few minutes away from campus and reasonably (for Texas) priced…y’all break a leg!</p>
<p>thank you! Did you land in AUstin and rent a car? Was it an easy travel?
My D is afraid I’m going to get us lost (im good at that)</p>
<p>HA! It’s pretty hard to get lost! We landed in Austin and rented a car (a hybrid which I now need in my life)!! Very straight shot south on I-35. The hotel was at exit 204A and I used exit 206 for the school. We went back and forth all day. </p>
<p>I will say, though, that I hung with a mom and daughter who stayed at THE most charming Bed and Breakfast for four bucks more than I paid for the Hampton Inn. The B&B was a few blocks from campus–Anna Lee’s Viola Street Inn. It’s in the welcome packet that was or will be sent to you. TOTES ADORBS!!! I would highly recommend the B&B!</p>