<p>Just a reminder that some of you are posting very pertinent information about yourself on the website....I think it best to be cautious about what you are posting. The majority of the posters/lurkers who frequent this thread are generally good hearted people and it is easy to become comfortable posting your picture along with a name, the name of your hotel and the date you are staying. BUT please keep in mind that this is still the internet and a place that "not so nice" people can also frequent. If I were you I would take advantage of PMs and emails rather than posting such detailed information on the thread. There are so many stories in the headlines of internet based crimes....please be more careful so that you don't end up as a mere statistic...be safe.</p>
<p>5pants-Sue--I'm glad you wrote this post. I hope we all pay attention to it. The more comfortable we all get with this forum, the more personal information is being shared on it. In fact, the more comfortable we are with the internet, the more information is inadvertently share. There are probably a lot of CC posters with MySpace accounts, for example. These are great fun, but they tend to share private info about the individual and also about friends of the individual.</p>
<p>You took the words right out of my mouth. The pix was a concern for me, even though I know the intentions are genuinely well meaning. Perhaps a greater concern could be for those who've mentioned certain students attending auditions w/ out their parents or standard guardian. If help is needed in supervising them or filling the role of guardian, is there a way this could be handled privately, through personal emails or otherwise? Even then, those in such circumstances should be very careful and have a guiding person on their end to review any conversations or arrangements. Most of the students involved here are rather outgoing and approachable; it's just the way most of them are. I'd rather that part of their personalities not be a draw for some who's intentions might not be so well meaning. Most of the adults and other students out there are willing to help or get together for nothing more than moral support. Please remember, though, there are always exceptions. Please consider my two cents a friendly reminder also. It is 2005, the internet, and the world we live in.</p>
<p>True. True. True. Last year I sat and watched a senior from my school that had been reading this group find out who one poster's D was, find pictures of her and get her phone number and a map to her front door in like 5 minutes just to show that she could. Scary scary scary. I would be more than upset with my mom for that. Also, there were some kids that used their real names for their nics or described themselves before auditions. Some said where they had already been accepted and that they weren't serious about the next auditions they had or were just trying to see what kind of scholarships they could get. They never said if they got in. Probaly not ... Remember that there are teachers from some of the MT schools that post here and probably lots more that just lurk.</p>
<p>There are at least 6 posters on here, from old-timers to relatively newbies that I realized from the stories shared that I know. And only one is a student - the rest are parents. I'd be VERY cautious. The theatre world is a small one :)</p>
<p>I agree - I think the information shared is invaluable; it's just sometimes the personal, identifiable points would be better shared via PM, or email.</p>
<p>I think sharing personal stories or information such as which auditions you are attending is one thing (using posting names). But I think it is best to refrain from posting the childrens' names and photos on the message board. Having been through the audition process as a parent last year while also being active on CC, what we all did last year was talk about on the boards which auditions we might be going to that were coming up. If someone then realized they'd be at the same one, they took it to PM and e mail to exchange names or other identifying information or arrange to meet up. It was great fun but that was done off the message boards. The general "sharing about the auditions" and which "members" met up with which and all was shared on the forum but not the names and photos. I would not wish to post those about my own kid and would not want another person/teacher/friend to post those of my child's on here. </p>
<p>I'd like to suggest that for those who wish to share names and arrange to meet up at auditions, PM or email those who share publicly on the forum which ones they will be at and then go from there. That is a good place to also share the photos. That way you are communicating or sharing names/photos/hotels/phone with someone you have CHOSEN to share it with, not the whole world of lurkers reading the forum. </p>
<p>Please continue to share openly as much as you wish in other respects. I would highly suggest leaving childrens' names off as well as their photos on the public part of the board.</p>
<p>Yes I agree. When D. did her demo I had tons of supportive people on this list ask for the website and it was very tempting to just write it in a message..but instead I individually sent it out so I knew where it was going.</p>