<p>If indepth research is construed as aggressive, I’ll refrain from looking under the hood.</p>
<p>Please. Because I’ve answered stuff so thoroughly, I really don’t want this thread discredited because of petty remarks.</p>
<p>I’m still open for legitimate questions! As a reminder, my gallery of images and videos I’ve taken on campus can be found at [MobileMe</a> Gallery](<a href=“http://gallery.me.com/thurstonsmalley#100011]MobileMe”>http://gallery.me.com/thurstonsmalley#100011)</p>
<p>Have at me :)</p>
<p>Sorry to be posting yet another question!</p>
<p>I posted this on another thread as well, but you can never go wrong with hearing multiple opinions!</p>
<p>What do you think of the theater opportunities at Andover? Are the faculty-directed shows very selective? Do the students involved enjoy it?</p>
<p>I know it’s a slim chance that you’re involved, but this is just for the off chance that you know someone involved. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Hey, cassat!</p>
<p>I’m not actually involved in any theater at Andover, but a bunch of my closest friends are. Here’s how theater works at PA:</p>
<p>Essentially, there are different levels of theater classes, but the class that produces three major shows per year is THDA-520 (Advanced Theater and Dance 520). This is a class and meets during normal school day hours but also after school during certain slots that do not interfere with athletics. Like most advanced classes, it requires that students complete prerequisites before entrance. The prerequisite is previous enrollment in THDA-310 or permission of the department (e.g. if you were a new student who had acted previously you could explain this to the department). The class itself is not selective - kids enter on the basis that I just explained. However, each member of the class may choose to audition for each show. This usually occurs at the beginning of the term, and usually auditions are packed because most everyone who’s made it to THDA-520 has the ambition to be in a major show. After auditions, roles are assigned. A student may audition for one role but receive another. Competition is usually fairly intense for lead roles, but you don’t hear much smack-talking going on during this competition; it’s goodnatured. THDA-310 also performs shows, but they do not get as much attention as the THDA-520 shows.</p>
<p>In addition to THDA shows, there are DramaLabs and UTB (Under The Bed) shows. DramaLabs are entirely written, directed, and acted by students, and are generally 5-10 minutes each. Each DramaLab show includes two to four DramaLabs. DramaLabs are conducted on a two-week basis. Once an author has prepared his or her script, he or she has two weeks to cast and practice the show. There is no adult involvement except in cases that scripts are construed as possibly inappropriate. The result is an entirely organic production that ALWAYS impresses. The DramaLabs occur at 6:30 on Friday nights, and the house is always absolutely packed.</p>
<p>Under The Bed is an improv troupe. Their shows happen less frequently than DramaLabs, but promise to be entertaining and hilarious every time. I think I almost cracked a rib laughing so hard at their last show. Participants seem to vary show by show, but they always play games that I remember playing when I took drama at my old school. They’re hilarious and the actors often choose the Den as a venue, which is very convenient because it means that the audience can come and go as they please. It’s very informal and a lot of fun to watch!</p>
<p>Hey Tom,</p>
<p>Keep up the good work. </p>
<p>You have the rare ability to paint word pictures that make life at Andover come alive on this thread. Thanks for your thoughtful, comprehensive, and helpful responses!</p>
<p>Thank you, SergeantFriday! It always makes me feel great to help! If you have any questions at all, ask me!</p>
<p>Also, here’s a funny video of something that happened to the orchestra pit during one of last year’s performances of The Who’s Tommy:</p>
<p>[YouTube</a> - Chair Fail](<a href=“Chair Fail - YouTube”>Chair Fail - YouTube)</p>
<p>Oh wow, thank you so much!! It’s so nice to hear about everything so in-depth!</p>
<p>How much acting would you have needed to participate in to be able to join THDA-520? Would you have needed to be a lead in a bunch of shows, or just light participation?</p>
<p>Hmm, that’s a hard one to answer for me - I’m afraid I can’t give you a straight answer. What I can tell you, though, is that THDA-520 is a high-demand, highly demanding course, so I’d assume you’d need to show significant aptitude in order to bypass THDA-310. For example, I took drama in middle school and 9th grade and acted in a middle school show, but I have nowhere near the aptitude of kids in THDA-310, let alone 520. If you have the time, I’d recommend going through 310. Nothing to lose and everything to gain!</p>
<p>Oops, I just checked the course handbook, and I’ve been referring to THDA-210 as THDA-310 this whole time! Sorry!</p>
<p>Oh, ok! Sorry for the questions, it’s all very different from my school… We don’t even offer theater classes! </p>
<p>Do you know if THDA-210 is trimester-contained? Or is it a year-long course?</p>
<p>Hmm, I’m looking at the online course handbook and it doesn’t say there. But if you have access to a paper copy, you’ll be able to find out there. I know THDA-520 is term contained, so maybe 210 is as well.</p>
<p>Tom,</p>
<p>If you are only “average” at Andover (as you mentioned) then its lofty status is well-merited. (Frankly, though, I suspect that you are just a bit above average…)</p>
<p>One thing, when you spoke of those students going to “…truly poor colleges…” did you include Penn State as one? That would be a disservice to one of the better state universities.</p>
<p>You’re right, leanid. In fact, three of my very good friends go to Penn State, and they LOVE it.</p>
<p>I read the SAT averages for Exeter are higher than those for Andover. Is that for real?</p>
<p>Hey Pulsar,</p>
<p>Here is some friendly advice: when you are in a hole, the number one rule is to stop digging. You are already up to your eyeballs with mean-spirited questions. Keep it up and you will figuratively bury yourself in your bile. </p>
<p>In short, please give it a rest. I don’t know whether Andover rejected or wait listed you. But whatever happened, let it go and move on with your life. Your questions are a disservice to Tom and a distraction to the rest of us who genuinely want to learn more about Andover.</p>
<p>And anyways, according to the scores published by the schools in 2008, Andover has a higher average SAT score (2096) compared to Exeter’s 2089. I guess what you read was wrong, Pulsar.</p>
<p>Numbers on a page, pulsar. Numbers on a page. If you think 10 point differences in either direction matter, maybe boarding school is not for you. Andover is about way more than the numbers - which are impressive, here, anyway.</p>
<p>I take note when I see some one on the defensive. You are the one saying Andover is the best and all of us should come there. All I’m saying is back it up with data, plain and simple. If Andover had a higher score you will use the same data to tell us why Andover is the best. But it works both ways. </p>
<p>If Andover has such a strong math and science departments as Tom claims, why aren’t there a lot of Nobel Laureates and Field Medal winners in the last 200 odd years. Public schools like Bronx Science and Stuyvesant produced way more Nobel Laureates than A. If you don’t like the facts, there is nothing I can do about it.</p>
<p>Markalex, we have moved on and we are in 2011 like it or not.</p>
<p>Blueisbest, Good start with your first post. welcome aboard.</p>
<p>Hey Tom! I’ve always loved reading everything you write about Andover! It’s always so thorough and detailedl, I love the pictures (the panoramas with the sunset look amazing).
This is probably the dumbest question someone could ask, but it’s something that I notice happens whenever I do anything knew.
If I’m correct, your a 4 year senior, right? In your first year, did you notice any of the kids who already knew each other kind of immediatly form their group and stack with eachother (hopefully I used the word correctly, where friends come together and dominate a dorm hall or something)? It’s a total fantasy, but what are the chances of two friends being accepted together?
You have probably already posted about this already, but what are the clusters like? Which one is better? Can you describe dorm life?
Thank you so much! I don’t want to make you type useless information, but I’ve just been wondering!</p>
<p>I’m not a walking fact book, pulsar. I can tell you, though, that since 1900 Andover has produced 34 Rhodes Scholars. If you want numbers on other stuff, I’m not searching them for you.</p>
<p>Quite frankly, I’m disappointed you’re choosing to make my thread intimidating for people who want to ask questions. I want to help, but all you’re trying to do is pick apart my beloved school, and this isn’t what I’m here for.</p>