My daughter had a rough year last year and didn’t do as well as she had hoped in auditions. She got into a few programs but none were the right fit. She is taking a gap year and is terrified, sad, so many emotions. I wonder if there are any other kids on the board that might also be taking a gap year. If so, I would love to have her talk to them, maybe help her not feel so alone.
I got into a program that wasn’t the right fit for me my senior year of high school (I graduated in 2013) and (for a variety of reasons) ended up taking a year at an institution that I didn’t like in a major that I didn’t like while I went through the process of transferring. At the time I hated it, but I think it made me much more capable and prepared to handle what my current BFA program throws at me. I highly recommend a gap year of any sort to anyone who is considering it. If you’d like to PM me, I would certainly be willing to talk to your daughter, or put you in touch with some other individuals who I know have taken a gap year. If she’s on Facebook and looks at the Facebook group “The Troupe” (the group for the class of 2020 auditioning for performing arts college programs), there are already a few people who have identified themselves as taking a gap year after graduating high school in 2015 and trying to matriculate in Fall 2016.
@rittlette I’m available if you need a gap year mom to talk to. I’m not sure where you are located in the country, but my S is auditioning for the professional theater companies in our area. He has one role already for Jan 2016 and is working on a few more for the fall/winter and spring. In addition to working, volunteering, dancing and a few other things, it appears he will have a very busy year.
Thank you both for your insight. I will definitely be contacting both of you. Last night was the last MT Showcase at school before graduation and I shocked myself by breaking down. Im so scared for my daughters next year. I feel pretty alone, look forward to talking to you both!
@rittlette, while I don’t have anyone personally that I can refer you to, I will tell you that I have heard dozens of stories of kids (very successfully) taking gap years. A whole year of additional training and knowledge about the process can do wonders! I was amazed at how much my D improved this year between the time she did her prescreens and her last musical performance in high school. I know of one girl who did not find the right fit this year as far as schools, but found an agent in NYC and has booked professional work. My point is…you are NOT ALONE! If she keeps working on her craft, she will find the right school at the right time.
You and your daughter should be commended for following your heart and listening to your gut. We talk of perfect fit and the right place for our kids, but at least for me, I spent the first semester holding my breath that son picked the right place to be simply because school and a rigorous program isn’t rainbows and unicorns. It is a place to learn and grow and meet people and to begin to grow into the adult you will be. If no program felt right to your daughter, then it was a wise decision to wait. She has learned so much already and will be in such a great place when she begins the process again next fall. Please keep us updated if you want to share your journey. 
The studio where my daughter trains has had many gap-year success stories! Hope she has a great year!
Thank you all so much, your words mean more than I can say!
The coach we used also has many gap year success stories. It is a great opportunity to train and fine-tune your audition material for success next year! Fret not!
@MTTwinsinCA , do students usually use the same coach when they re audition, or do they change coaches?
I think many students who were not happy with their results the first time they auditioned did not use a coach the first time around. But whether you did or didn’t, if you weren’t happy with results this year , you need to honestly evaluate why you got the results you did and then make changes to the way you prepare during your gap year. For some people, they may have underestimated just how hard it it to get into these programs, and they may not have had a realistic list of schools to apply to and only applied to 3 or 4 top tier schools. So next time around they need to apply to more schools and perhaps include some non-audition schools on that list. For others, they may feel their audition material didn’t present them in the best light. Perhaps they need to work with someone to select material but can continue to work on that material with their local teachers. Still others may feel they need to work on the actual presentation of the material. Find someone who is well versed in teaching those skills. Others may feel their pre-screens weren’t done well. Find someone who can help you make them better. Maybe you realize your dance needs work. Whatever it is, figure out what needs to be done better or differently and find someone who can help you with that.
Of course, if you did work with a coach but you do not feel they were helpful to you- or you just need to have a fresh start in preparing for auditions this year - by all means make a coaching change. There are many great coaches out there and you need to find the one you will work best with if you decide to use a coach.
@Notmath1 I don’t think there are any rules to gap year. You might go back to same coach if you got a late start. You might try a different coach if you didn’t feel it was a good fit. It’s also a great year to bone up on dance, acting classes, monologues, read lots of plays, do community theatre, etc. It’s ALL good.
bisouu posted this on the theater forum so I thought I’d put it here. http://www.americangap.org/
Disclaimer: I didn’t look further than the home page