auditioning for dance and MT at the same school

<p>My DD has committed to (well for this month but she has actually begun planning) to graduating at end of junior year. So she is now thinking about visiting colleges she is interested in this summer and next year. One of her undetermined still is the dance/MT issue. (I know people say that if you can imagine yourself doing anything other than MT do it, but dance falls into this same category of college choices and careers. Not much of a backup plan.)</p>

<p>What I am wondering is, would it seem odd to a program to have a student who is looking at or considering auditioning in both areas? Would this make her appear uncommitted? There area few MT schools that also have dance programs D feels she could fit in with - they need to be mixed programs not fully ballet or fully modern.</p>

<p>I would say to consider places that either have very strong dance (like Pont Park) or have a MT/Dance minor option, like Otterbein (you're from Ohio, I see, so it shouldn't be too tough to check that out). I believe Shenandoah allows you to pick a focus (voice/acting/dance) and BoCo has you pick a focus senior year. In my BoCo audition last year they said they were considering a MT/Dance minor program, so you may want to call them and see if that is looking like it's going to happen.</p>

<p>In schools that let you audition for more than one program, I don't think it will necessarily look BAD to audition for both programs, but some schools (NYU, for example) ONLY let you apply to one area. So, you can't apply to Tisch for Drama/MT and also apply for dance. You CAN double-major at NYU, however, but I think you apply to the second major after you're already there. </p>

<p>Another option could be to apply to BA programs that allow you to double major, then double in either MT or Drama (depending on what the BA program is) and Dance.</p>

<p>Just a note, you cannot double major in Dance and Drama at NYU. </p>

<p>The dance program is an accelerated 3 year program, in which the students continue their training through the summers for those three years. </p>

<p>But there are dance electives, but that is not what you are after, so it seems to not be a worthy investment of your time to look there. Good luck in your search,</p>

<p>Chris</p>

<p>Thanks for the suggestions. Park Point is definitely on her list. The issue isn't double majoring, as I don't think there is enough time in the day to double major in two performance areas. More the problem is, she can't decide which direction to go in terms of a career, if she should be one of the few who have careers in either area. She says she could see her herself dancing with a company like Ailey, or Merce Cunningham, OR she could see herself doing MT and theatre.</p>

<p>I guess she is hoping that if she auditioned in both areas then she would not be forced to decide. She is in a classical ballet program and so it is only recently that she has gained experience in other dance forms (well other than MT dance stuff). The more contemporary ballets and modern/jazz type programs have really increased her desire to dance ad continue to dance at a professional level. Where as before this she saw MT as this dance outlet.</p>

<p>OK this is probably more information than anyone cares about. But I would be interested in others who have auditioned thought about looking uncertain if you audition for 2 different programs.</p>

<p>You may want to look at Ball State. When my D auditioned for the MT program there last year they said you could double major in MT and dance. The dance portion of the MT audition was with students who were also auditioning for the Dance program. When the MT auditioners left to go to the the monologue/singing part of the audition, the asked my daughter and two other experienced dancers to stay and finish the Dance program audition before they went to do the rest of the MT audition and then she would be considered for both programs. My daughter has also been torn in the past about whether she likes dance or MT better so she loved being able to do this and actually get to show off in an audition her dance abilities.</p>

<p>Thanks skbmom-
we will look into Ball State. That is the kind of audition that would make my D most happy. Not sure what kind of dance program it is, but as it is not too far from us it definitely sounds like something to check out.</p>

<p>My d goes to Wright State (also in Ohio) and the MT majors there can take dance classes with the dance majors if they are a strong enough dancer. You cannot double major, but if you are a strong dancer, you do get this additional challenge. At many schools, MT students cannot take dance classes with the dance majors or there is not a dance major in existence. My d also loves dance very much even though she knew she wanted MT. Good luck!</p>

<p>University at Buffalo has a special double major in both Musical Theatre and Dance. I believe it's the BFA MT and BA in dance though, not 2 BFAs:)</p>

<p>I know at Montclair State University in NJ you can major in MT with a concentration in dance (as well as theater or music). I posted the curriculum for each concentration in one of the Montclair threads so you can check out if it seems like it would be a good fit for your daughter.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the help. At this time it is more an either/or decision not a double major. Given the nature of dance prorgams and MT programs I don't see that it is possible to dance at a high enough level and do MT. Eeven now at the high school level D has had to basically decide she is not "training" in MT and just focus on dance. She currently dances about 4 hours a day except Sunday, so the two just don't fit together.</p>

<p>I have had some opinions about whether people think it would be good/possible/or inadvasable to audition at the same school for a dacne performance major and MT major. If oters have thought about this I would love to hear. My gut, says not a good idea.</p>

<p>Check with Elon. I believe it may be possible to double major in MT and dance. The MT program is BFA, and I think dance is a BA. No doubt the student would be very busy! Elon has some wonderful dance teachers, and the MT students are able to take several dance classes a semester, if they choose to do so. I think quite a few MT students dance for several hours a day at Elon. I know it is possible to major in MT and minor in dance.</p>