<p>Can anyone tell me a bit about the MT program and the audition process at Coastal? It would be greatly appreciated. :)</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>The audition process is a bit different at CCU. And new for this year. The audition process will take up most of the day. The first part of the day will be the traditional one monologue, and two contrasting songs (16-32 bars) from a musical. You will be split into three groups. While group 1 is auditioning, group 2 will be touring the campus and group 3 will be in a "students only" meeting where auditionees get to meet our current students and ask anything they like. Then you rotate.</p>
<p>We have lunch together (current students, auditionees, faculty and parents). The second part of the day we do small group workshops. This offers us the opportunity to see how you work, and for you to see how we work. These will take up most of the rest of the regular day. </p>
<p>After that, we suggest you stay to see the production that evening. You should see a production, it helps to determine the quality of a program.</p>
<p>As for our program. We are a B.A. with the same number of credits as most BFA programs. We do require you take core classes outside of the major (33 credits). You take eight semesters of voice, six of dance (8 are encouraged) Acting I-IV, Movement I, II and Voice and Diction, Musical Theatre Scene Study, Etc. The program will most likely be a BFA before the class of 2010 enters. Current students will be allowed to enter the BFA.</p>
<p>We are a program that has grown tremendously in the past few years. We have nine full time faculty and several part time faculty. Right now, we have approximately 70 majors. However, our incoming class has 32 students and we will begin to cap our classes at 30 (which includes Musical Theatre, Acting and Design Tech) when the BFA is in place. That way we will most likely have about a 10 to 1 student to faculty ratio. </p>
<p>The faculty produces two musicals, five total shows per academic year. The students produce two to three shows per academic year. We also have several other performance outlets including an improv group, and the Musical Theatre Company - a group of the elite musical theatre students who travel the area and perform. </p>
<p>We have a brand new 12,000 square foot production facilities and our two theaters are quite well outfitted. Our faculty are all working professionals with everything from Broadway experience on down. </p>
<p>If there is anything else I can tell you, just let me know.</p>
<p>Hi kgjc! Sally here! Sounds like exciting changes are happening!!! Will you take transfers? Would they be in this same pool? Will they have a separate day? Thanks!</p>
<p>Yes, we will take transfers. They will not be in the same pool, we will pool them as a seperate group and will attempt to hit a certain cap number (as yet to be determined). We will, however, audition on the same day. Anything else I can do, please let me know.</p>
<p>If starting in the BA track can students switch to a BFA once that program is up and running?</p>
<p>oops.. tired brain. i see that you said that current students will be allowed to enter the BFA. sorry.</p>
<p>Thanks, that's so helpful!</p>
<p>Do you think the students at Coastal are at a disadvantage, being in a smaller town rather than somewhere like NY? Also, what have some of your alumni done?</p>
<p>How does a degree from Coastal compare to one from a "top" MT school?</p>
<p>That's a difficult question to answer. If you live in NYC you'll have access to some of the best theatre in the world. Being able to see theatre is an important component of anyone's training. Beyond that, cities offer no advantage to smaller metropolitan areas strictly in terms of training. While it does happen, it is rare for a student in a program to work outside of the training program. It does happen occasionally, but the majority of your time will be spent in the University studios and theatres. (and we do travel to NYC to see shows.)</p>
<p>We have alumni all over the country. Successful actors and writers. Of our recent grads, we have two out on National Tours, two earning their equity cards in regional theatre internships. A few who really wanted to - and ended up on - cruise ships. We have a handful in NYC who have been in showcases and small productions and who continue to work towards the dream. And we have some who simply didn't have the desire and have left the business altogether. Most of those never tried. That happens more than most departments are willing to admit.</p>
<p>But, as I said earlier. We have a mostly new faculty. 7 of the 9 of us are here three years or less. This is a new era. And, with the faculty that we've put together the training will be outstanding. </p>
<p>Finally, what gets you a role at the end of the day is talent and training. Knowing the business aspects of the art, having a solid grasp of the craft, and having ability will help you. The name on the degree may open a door or two, but nothing more than that. There is a thread somewhere on this site that lists past Tony winners and where they studied (and what they studied). While this is a ridiculously small sampling of the working actors across the country, it is an interesting thing to look at. They come from all over, and have studied a variety of different things. Some of our best never even studied theatre. Do you get great training at Carnegie Mellon? Yes. But I believe you can get great training elsewhere, and in some cases - for some students - even better training. </p>
<p>I know of a program that I won't name. Small, midwestern school, private, and outside of a metropolitan area. They run an intimate BFA whose students I have worked with many times over the years. They are all excellent. Because the program is small, and has teachers who continue to work professionally, and are great TEAHCERS. I would argue that we are far more like that program than CCM or CMU or Tisch. We are a training program that is great for some, and for others we won't be a great fit. That's why our audition process is longer than most. We want a student who will help us to form an ensemble and who is willing to work within that company. Some programs (and I won't presume to suggest any) don't work that way. They see this as a cutthroat business and college as an introduction to that. We don't. I think that this is a collaborative, but competitive business. But it is collaborative first. It won't work any other way. </p>
<p>Long winded answer, but I hope a good one.</p>
<p>Excellent answer, because I fully believe in collaboration. The best work I've done has been that with an ensemble. You've strongly encouraged me to check out Coastal; I will definitely be applying in the fall.</p>
<p>Anything you specifically look for? Any tips? ;)</p>
<p>Thank you, again, so much!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the information! I'm a rising senior in South Carolina, and as I began my college search I thought for sure I'd have to go out of state to be in MT. Now I know I'll definitely be looking at Coastal! Thanks.</p>
<p>rubyslippers,
One of the biggest problems we've faced is that no one in the state knows about us. It doesn't make sense. We are an excellent program, and have a decent reputation OUT OF STATE. Very odd. </p>
<p>We look forward to seeing your audition in the fall. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.</p>
<p>Oh. And the biggest tip I can give for auditions. Come prepared. Seriously prepared. Think about your audition material now. Not a week prior to the date. Read the entire play. Know the character and play the character. And please... from a play/musical... not your best friends monologue for the junior showcase! </p>
<p>And be yourself. Tell the truth. You'll always to better with the truth.</p>
<p>I can see what you mean about being known only out-of-state. My friend told me about Coastal, she and her best friend are attending in the fall. She said I'd love it...so far, I do! :)</p>
<p>Ms. Cameron perhaps?</p>
<p>thanks for all this great information. i also plan on applying to ccu this fall.</p>
<p>i also have an audition question. i live in ukraine, but i am from south carolina. i only visit during the summer and christmas vacation(when there are no audition times). i know that sending in a video audition is an option, but from the conversations i've had with some faculty at various schools, it sounds like a video audition doesnt really get you anywhere. is this true at coastal? is it possible to arrange an audition date other than the ones that will be posted?</p>
<p>and im a little confused about the amount of students accepted into the major. how many do you let in each year and about how many usually audition?</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>It isn't that a video audition doesn't get you anywhere, it is just that it really is difficult to get a proper evaluation. We can see talent (or lack of) but not whether or not you take direction, or what your desires are, or your natural presence. We like to work with you for some time. Some people audition well, but can't make changes, some people audition horribly but when you work with them they are able do make changes and transform themselves. I would rather have the latter.</p>
<p>That said, if you come to the area at Christmas, or late this summer, we would be happy to set up an audition time.</p>
<p>Acceptance is tricky question. Our goals are to have 16 MT students in every class. This year we auditioned 75, but expect to see at least 125 t0 150. We already have people asking for places at the major audition dates and they aren't even posted yet.</p>
<p>With the tremendous growth we've seen, it is hard to predict the upcoming year. </p>
<p>If you have any other questions, please contact me.
Thanks.</p>
<p>Do you try to keep an even ratio of males:females?</p>
<p>We do what is best for the program, which is to get talented and dedicated students. That said, we would be doing a great disservice if we had a class of 90% women. It would severely limit our show options (I've done QUILTERS already :) . </p>
<p>So, in the end, we try for a favorable ratio, but unlike many schools, our goals are not set at an exact distribution.</p>
<p>Oh, another question: how is the dance audition handled at Coastal? Cause dance is definitely not my strong suit...</p>
<p>Also, I'm visiting next month. Anything I need to know?</p>
<p>kjgc, </p>
<p>Just wanted to say that a boy from my kids' rural high school here in VT (where my kids have since graduated and are in college) who does MT, is heading to your program this fall. I guess kids here in VT have heard of it and so the word is out. I have seen him in several shows, but he barely overlapped my MT kid in HS, though he would know her.</p>