<p>With regard to accents and dialects at auditions, I think you have to be very careful. At the PA high school auditions, one of my younger dd's good friends did the Nora monologue from "Brighton Beach Memoirs". She had been coached by her dad, who also owns a dinner theater, and used the New York accent. At the audition, she did the accent but was then asked to do it without it and she responded that she wasn't sure she could. She tried, but it didn't go very well. She was ultimately accepted, but it was a trying experience. At the same audition, my dd did one of Libby's monologues from "I Oughta Be in Pictures" without the NY accent. When asked if she could do it with the accent, she said "no problem" since she had rehearsed it both ways. Again, at the UCF audition, my older dd did the Nora monologue with her normal voice (we're from Florida, but my family is northern, so I still have quite a bit of an accent and she's picked up on this), so it was very natural for her to do somewhat of an accent without sounding like she was "trying".</p>
<p>O.k. I wasn't gonna get involved in any of this, but since my name has been brought up I might as well. These have been a few very stressful months for ALL of us, whether or not our children "made it" or not. And, yes, I've had my share of disappointments and felt many times in these "discussions" that the "oldtimers" have very little tolerance with new people. HOWEVER, there are even newer people here and on other threads who really need help and I think it's vitally important that the past be the past and we all start anew. </p>
<p>To Notabel: Please read some of my posts on other threads. I think you'll see I've become very supportive of everybody. I still think, and will always think, that opportunities that some kids are given over others definitely "sweeten the pot", but it's not going to stop me from giving my dd the best I can. And, yes, it could be advantageous at auditions when you are better prepared by going to camps, taking private lessons, etc. The natural talent is there, but preparation from these kinds of sources help with confidence.</p>
<p>To Soozievt: I think things with us have calmed down. I've been very supportive of your child's problems right now and sent e-mails explaining myself. I can only hope you've read them in the light of how they were written.</p>
<p>Oh, one more thing..............there was a comment regarding southerners. FYI--I live in Florida, but was born and raised in New Jersey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>MidgetMom,</p>
<p>We are not going to rehash all of this....please take a breath and consider if posting personal feelings is worth it. This forum is to educate and support one another. Nothing more, nothing less. Please, I beg you, let's keep this all in proper perspective. Turn the other cheek and let's be productive with our posts. Refrain from emotional posts...it's important that we are all mindful of this.</p>
<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>
<p>I, too, have questioned whether to even be part of this dialogue because it is far too dramatic for me and far too personalized and I am scratching my head wondering how someone felt criticized based on the earlier posts (I felt this same way recently when another mom felt people put down her child's quite positive college result...I didn't see where she got the impression either). But I will say a few things because you started this sort of
adversarial dialogue AFTER my post last night. I truly believe you misunderstood the intent in my post. </p>
<p>It was NOT to drive home the point about dialect in a college audition monologue. It was NOT a criticism of your child at all. Rather I was responding to your previous post where you wrote:
"these people were poor and uneducated and their accent was an integral way of life. it would detract from the character to do it any other way. is that not what acting is? portraying a character to the utmost and most realistic way."
I was trying to tell you that I AGREE with you that that is what acting is so that was not the point of others' previous posts. You are right in your point, in other words. I was trying to say that while it is good acting, the point was to be aware of what some colleges have outlined as do's and don'ts with monologues and so it was not so much about whether it was acted appropriately or not but more to be aware of little guidelines people have heard along this journey. Yes, others had mentioned this guideline but I was relating it to YOUR post about acting and portraying the character and saying that even if you are RIGHT, just be aware of the rules anyway. </p>
<p>Did you read this part of my post?: "Maybe that was not an issue at the college you went to or that she is accepted to so that is great. It is noted, however, on some college audition materials not to use dialects, as well as some other pointers they have (ie., age appropriate, etc.). So, I think that is why people are mentioning it, not because it is not great acting (I am sure she was great at it)."</p>
<p>Am I putting down your daughter or the choices you have made? I don't think so. I am even stating that it may have been absolutely fine at the schools you went to and she likely was fantastic at it. I was saying that at some OTHER colleges, this pointer has been put out to auditioners and so that is a different issue compared to whether it is what good acting is about. That was all I was saying. Others read these posts and it was not about your child per se. It was about passing on advice we have learned in this process. You then picked up on the age appropriate example I gave and again, turned that into something about YOUR child when I never ever was even talking about your child's monologue or if it was appropriate. I am SURE IT WAS. I was giving an EXAMPLE of the kinds of do's and don'ts often listed by SOME colleges as guidelines for monologue selections, that was ALL. </p>
<p>Let me make an analogy here. My child is a belter, that is her forte. She has the kind of voice well suited to a song like Defying Gravity or Wizard and I from Wicked. Had I posted that she was gonna sing those songs for college auditions and someone posted, hey, those songs are great but I have read that colleges do not want to hear the overdone songs that are the latest hit on Broadway at college auditions....I would not take that personally.....I would know my kid is very good at that kind of song, BUT I would heed this advice and be glad that I got it, simply put (and believe me ,she did NOT sing from Wicked at college auditions but had I been inexperienced about this process, I would have said, yeah, you are great at those songs, go for it). That is kinda what this thread was about. That was the spirit of the discussion. And in fact, perhaps she would have gotten into a BFA program with a song from Wicked and none of the helpful advice would have mattered anyway, but I would have still welcomed hearing the general rule of thumb (even IF she had chosen to break it, though she did not).</p>
<p>In my view, you have read into the posts intentions, meanings, and assumptions that others do not see there. </p>
<p>I think the discussion has been supportive, well meaning, and civil. Yes, I think Notarbel's post should have been more diplomatic and toned down and was not stated in a polite manner. Her feelings may be quite valid but no, she did not say them in the best possible way. But any other posts, in MY opinion, have been polite. And you are on the one hand saying that YOU feel criticized but then are going on to criticize others, such as categorizing us all as being outspoken northeasterners. I dunno but that surely sounds biased to me. I also have met posters on this forum from Texas, Indiana, California, New Jersey, CT, (and I am from rural Vermont), Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota....gosh, I hope I am not leaving any one out...oh yeah, and NEW YORK, lol. </p>
<p>I absolutely do not agree with you that "regular long time" posters of this forum do not welcome newcomers. To the contrary, did you read the welcoming posts last night for a mom of a tenth grader? Do you see parents with kids already in college who hung out this year to help all of us green folks learn what to do? The issue about being "new" came up on this thread because many of us who have participated here for years, have NOT seen this kind of adversarial stagemom-ish type of dialogue until certain newer posters brought that kind of posting into the discussions. It has been new or surprising for the rest of us to see this kind of "everyone is attacking me" kind of stream of thought, that's all. I know others join me in welcoming new folks. I think new folks are not maybe as "aware" of the supportive type of interchanges going on here and therefore, I give someone new the benefit of the doubt of not being used to the kinds of exchange that is the norm here. I think many of us think this is one of the best forums on the internet in this field. The tone of it is one of its strengths and we don't like seeing the TONE Of it change but we DO want to welcome new folks to join in but also to be aware of the tone that we like to maintain. I agree with you that Notarabel spoke harshly and should have made her points a different way but I also think your own reactions have sparked strong reactions. </p>
<p>I do not want to keep this discussion going any longer and am only posting because you started on this vein AFTER I posted last night and sadly, took anything I (or anyone else) posted very very differently than intended. I know we can't do anything about that but I wanted you to know that NO ill feelings or criticisms were intended on this thread or on any other. I believe I join many others in hoping for the best for your special daughter. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Good God.....did my post even sound remotely like I was trying to rehash anything? This is unbelievable.</p>
<p>Sorry but I posted the last post without having seen the several posts before it because I started it and then got interrupted by calls from clients as well as my child at college. I explained my thoughts and now, while I welcome any other posters to post, I think we really need to get past this as most involved in the "discussion" have said their due. </p>
<p>MidgetMom, I do not wish to rehash any prior posts here to do with your "situation". I have "known" you on another forum for several years and have only had positive experiences. I do think on this forum on some occasions you took others's comments in ways not at all intended and I truly believe that others, like myself, feel your daughter was INDEED very successful this year with college and has many great opportunities ahead. I did get your email but two things here....I have about 50 emails I owe responses to now due to my daughter's accident/recovery and all the well wishes and thoughtful letters of concern. I have not gotten to your email about the issues discussed here but I am not sure I want to because I don't want to get into someone's assumptions about my financial background because it is QUITE inaccurate and I just do not understand the line of reasoning and would rather just keep the friendly dialogue going and have NO ill feelings, so don't worry. I may not be able to understand your feelings but that is ok. So, let's carry on. ;-)
Susan</p>
<p>Enough already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1</p>
<p>When everybody was being "supportive" of my child not getting into the BFA program she wanted, I thought "how nice, people who really seem to care", until I started to voice my opinions and then things started to get really nasty. Both Mrsark and I have been accused of being jealous and envious of the good fortune of others. We've been accused of having "bad attitudes" and "feeling sorry for ourselves" because our poor daughters didn't get in. They don't have the "it" factor. </p>
<p>Well, after reading and reading and reading, I've come to the conclusion that a lot of YOU are actually the jealous ones since my child was able to audition for one school, got offered a merit scholarship, talent scholarship, BA program, and BM performance program. Same goes for Mrsark's dd, although she auditioned for more schools than my child.</p>
<p>I should be the one who's celebrating and feeling sorry for all of you who had to spend thousands of dollars going to auditions hoping to get into one school. You all had me feeling badly. Well, I'm the winner now. My pocketbook is fuller, my child is happy, she got into her chosen school, and she's close to home in an area that is FULL of performing opportunities.</p>
<p>I've been accused of "rehashing" other discussions. I've said NOTHING to provoke any of that kind of thinking. </p>
<p>And, to Soozievt: Nothing in my opinion is less attractive in a person than being condescending. You have learned the art beautifully. Congrats.</p>
<p>MidgetMom, I do not wish to partake in this discussion further. I have no idea where you are coming from. The bad feelings you have with regard to your child's college process are your own feelings and I have never, nor has anyone else here, come across as thinking lesser of her results. To the contrary, I have stated time and time again, I think she DID GREAT with just one try! How you feel is inside yourself. Why you read intent into posts that is simply NOT there, is not my problem. I have only read positive tones of posts here for three years. This dialogue and the assumptions of intent is just NOT for me. I don't know where you got this feeling but it was never intended on my part or from what I observe of other posters. I can't help how you take it or how you feel. I never meant anything remotely like you are taking it so can't do much about it because it is not based on my reality. </p>
<p>This kind of adversarial posting is NOT what I am used to and I do not wish to be a part of that dialogue, thank you. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>And you, MidgetMom, have absolutely PERFECTED the art of hypocrisy. </p>
<p>"Both Mrsark and I have been accused of being jealous and envious of the good fortune of others"... WHAT?!?!?! I dare say, if you can find ONE SINGLE QUOTE of ANY post on this forum to that effect, I will work every day of my life to provide the extra finances so you're daughter can get the "leg up" that everyone else's kids have been so dutifully provided with.</p>
<p>OK- I apologize for the sarcasm. It's just that this conversation is absolutely ridiculous. I suggest that EVERYONE, regardless of their feelings on the matter, STOP posting on the subject. This site is meant to aid kids who are dizzied with the college process, and provide information and support for them. I actually would like to hear a moderator give the "mission statement" of this website. I can ASSURE you that mom-battles and competitions on who has the better more successful kids is NOT in that description. If you all feel the need to defend your kids, DO IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. It's just NOT what this site is for- no matter how you "percieve" someone else's posts on your situation. Everyone needs to take a HUGE helping of chill pills, and a good old deep breath. I can't believe I'm a 16-year-old lecturing to moms....</p>
<p>Dani, you are a wise young lady ;-)</p>
<p>This has gotten ridiculous. I've written to the moderator requesting that something be done with the situation and would suggest that perhaps we all refrain from replying to midgetmom and mrsark87 any further so that we're not fanning their somewhat delusional flames any longer. It would seem that it is just the type of attention they are desiring. My goodness, I've never seen anything like this in all the years I've participated in online forums.</p>
<p>alwaysamom, i was done with this. what a presumptious and hateful thing you have said. i'm not some child to be disciplined. and a group of grown women on a forum is not a "situation." you have no right whatsoever to boycott anyone on this forum. you don't have to worry about me. if i ever do come back, it will be under a different name. and, how you can blame this mess on any 2 people is beyond me. you, along with all the other posters are a part of this. have you ever heard the old saying, "it takes two.........." and i'd like to say thank you publicly for the private posts i've received indicating support and understanding. my goodness, i don't want any attention from you people. see, it's statements like that that make it hard to not respond. how can you see someone make a completely non-truthful statement about you and impune your good name and not respond. how can you possibly presume to know what i think or feel? i quit posting some time back and yet here you are dragging my name through the mud as if you or anyone else is in any position or has a right to sit in judgement on any one here. this is nuts.</p>
<p>Just a general comment... do the mom's kids read their parent's posts?</p>
<p>I would be humiliated and furious if I found out my mother was accusing people of being jealous of me, or was acting jealous of other people, or was involved in a "cyber" fight about my success or rejection, or had ever made my situation so darn public and belly-ached and re-hashed about on this forum... which is read by SO SO many people... some of whom, will be at the same school as me! Who I'll probably meet! A college professor, parents of kids who are already in programs... so on and so on... I would like to think my mom would have the sense to never embarress me in such a way - when she became internet savvy years back we discussed that I didn't want her to ever share my name and if she wished to rejoice with internet friends in my success or look for support in my dissappointments to be VAGUE!!!! But now I know some people's stories like the back of my hand...</p>
<p>And besides all that... it's not even my mom's situation to be speaking about, it's mine. </p>
<p>I'll never forget when I was a lot younger and had just given a performance watching someone compliment my mother (for my performance) and hearing her say "Well I'm proud of her, but she's the one with the talent, you should tell her". </p>
<p>I would never want my mother telling some of these things. </p>
<p>My 2 cents. (and soozievt sorry for accidentally writing a name out earlier - it was deleted but I felt like such a doof! I hadn't even realized I'd done it!)</p>
<p>Beeze, it is ok, I never saw it and someone took care of it. I don't know who you are but I know you did not mean to post a name, do not worry. </p>
<p>I like your mom. I smiled when I read what you said she would reply when people came up to her after a show and compliemented her for YOUR performance. I have had that same exact thing happen to me and feel dumbfounded. People will say "you must be so proud" and I reply, "that is not the main feeling I am feeling now; I am mostly just happy cause she seems happy performing. I'll pass on what you said to her." I know people are trying to be nice when they tell me compliements but it is not me on stage and I take no responsibility. I'm mostly the driver and support person. I guess she can thank me some day at some awards show....thanks mom for the taxi driving. </p>
<p>I will leave the stagemom stuff to those who like that drama.</p>
<p>I think your e-mail address was included in the mass e-mail I sent out the other day with all my PROM pictures and future plans, etc. :) I know you from the other forum, which I have outgrown (I really hardly ever post there anymore - this forum is more in tune with my life right now! College, BFA programs, graduation, etc!, but I do check into the other forum to see how old friends are doing!) </p>
<p>I made my way here when I read abour your d's accident. In fact, I have to let you know your D is kind of famous - LoL. I showed this website to a few MT friends and one day in theatre class we were all discussing your D and her awesome scholarship to Tisch and how young she is and what not. :) I'm thrilled for her awesome oppurtunities - I feel like she has worked so hard (from what I've read over the years on the other forum!) and just really really deserves her positive outcomes! Congrats to your D!</p>
<p>I've only posted a few times but I'm hoping this forum will still be around when my younger siblings are ready for their college auditions. Know who I am now? :) If you read the e-mail and remember me from when we spoke online a few times yearrrs ago, then I think you know who I am from the other forum. (LoL).</p>
<p>O.k., girl......better start working to support my dd's lessons.</p>
<p>MTheatremom said (april 3, 2005, 9:17 a.m.) (College Acceptances Part 2)</p>
<p>"With that said, there has NEVER been a parent-poster quite like Midgetmom. How old are you exactly? I mean, my 18 year old is more mature than you. As a parent, you just very recently even got on this forum - And yet in no time you have shown such immaturity, jealousy and just plain poor adult behavior."</p>
<p>Dani--when you're ready let me know and I'll send you my bank account number.</p>
<p>Geez, Louis! Give it a rest, will ya?</p>
<p>Wow, BEEZE, now I DO know who you are from another forum and I had recently read your wonderful "update" email with the GORGEOUS Pictures of you at your prom! I was mentioning your email to my D last night (she does not know you as she does not read that forum) because you mentioned the specific performance you did with your school at that recent event in Tampa and my D has some very close friends in FL who were also at that state event in Tampa (we have NOTHING like that here and marvel at how great it all sounded) and their school was the one that put on Beauty and the Beast and her very close male friend got some individual award as well. Anyway, I had read about the school that did what yours did and told her about it because last summer when she was the host to a "talent show" at her theater camp, she did many take offs (rewriting the lyrics) to the songs you performed in Tampa...if you follow me, lol. She would have loved seeing what you did! I also was so happy to get that email because I knew you online for several years as you guys grew up doing theater, you down there, my child up here. And to read how successful you have been and about your acceptance to a certain BFA program next year (and yes, I agree that people might wanna think before they post because they may have kids who run into other kids from here when they get there). You have done so well over the years and I am very excited for you as you take the next step in your journey. I know I am going to hear great things about you, I just do. And I hope each year (or sooner), I keep getting updates because I get a thrill when I do. </p>
<p>I also noticed you wore a short dress to prom and I smiled cause my D wants to do that too and is looking for one tomorrow. You looked LOVELY...loved the dress, loved the hair, you looked stunning and have grown up. Looked like fun with your friends too. </p>
<p>My D was not going to be able to go to prom because every year my girls have the dilemma that our prom falls on the same weekend as their annual dance performances. And she has to do the performances of course. But now that she can't dance at her final show, the bright spot means she CAN go to PROM! </p>
<p>Many congratulations to you dear. I did not realize who you were on this forum but thanks for letting me know. </p>
<p>The other forum I knew you from was always such a supportive one and this one usually is too and I hope we can return to the "norm" here because I like it better when it is that way. </p>
<p>I hope your siblings are doing shows and I know you have a great mom who runs all over Florida for you guys, lol. </p>
<p>I'm excited for you and I hope you keep posting and letting us know how you enjoy your BFA program in the fall!
Susan</p>
<p>And next on Jerry Springer.... Musical Theater Moms!!!</p>