Casting Issues (Power through or walk away?)

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>Hello fellow MT students and parents,</p>

<p>It has unfortunately been eons since I was on this board and even then I think I was primarily in the SAT forums. Allow me to explain, I went through a series of back and forth pros and cons of "the real world" before I decided to switch into an MT major because well, what can you do? I went to a very small college in the Midwest due to them selling me on a "well rounded family environment." I was told I would be working with other young artists who wanted to better themselves, who would welcome me with open arms, the typical speech, there was also a very nice coin tossed in about diversity,which I assume was for my benefit due to being from a multiracial family. </p>

<p>So since it was cheaper than the other programs(even though I was offered fantastic scholarships at those colleges for which I was VERY grateful to receive) I came here. The first few weeks were fantastic, my department seemed really genuine and I seemed to be working with a great group of people . . . and then true colors came out.</p>

<p>In the going on 2 years I have been here, I can say 1/3 of the department left due to emotional issues(many of whom, were my closests friends here), my first year here I dealt with being bullied by a very large portion of the department, including dealing with inappropriate remarks and insults from two of my professors. My department has had people go through 4 years and not get cast, the very same people are picked regardless of how well they do. (I watched someone forget their entire audition except for a 15 second recovery and she was given a lead)</p>

<p>I have never gotten a callback no matter how I did and I have gone for feedback. I know personal feelings play a very large part in getting cast here and this past semester one of my professors became very resentful of me due to some personal issues and that lead to him lashing out at me a lot including negatively using my ethnicity in some decisions despite not doing it to any other ethnic people in his class. </p>

<p>At this point I'm not sure where to go/what to do, I do have some very wonderful people and professors I would never want to trade for the world, and I have gotten professional opportunities in this area, I was even lucky enough to get asked to originate a role in a production and get a contract with an Opera house despite not having formal training. But there is no transportation in this area, so even getting to areas where I can do that is a struggle.</p>

<p>I will stop there, because I do not want to reveal too much about some of the situations just for the sake of sensitivity but I truly feel lost as to what to do. I should say my father just died and I lost my sibling before the start of Freshman year otherwise I think the decision would be clear cut, but I am truly lost and honestly depressed out of my mind. Would you stay and fight or transfer? Stay at the college and study something else and minor in Theatre? </p>

2

<p>Oh, god, so sorry about your situation. You sound so hurt and discouraged. Without knowing anything other than what you’e said, I would say that you need to try to get into some sort of counselling. Having two people in your family pass away within such a short period of time is a crisis in itself and has almost surely made it more difficult to sort out the training and educational issues. Please find someone you can talk to. </p>

<p>I think that in general, you have to roll with the punches when casting is disappointing. (My S is dealing with some of that right now). But this sounds like a much bigger problem. </p>

3

<p>I second that thought. You need to make sure that your emotional health is stable. Without knowing any other specifics, it seems like the casting is a bummer- and I am sorry you are experiencing that - but as a mom, my bigger reaction to what you wrote has to do with the depression you mention, and your losses in your family. Get some help, and take care of yourself. Theater is wonderful- but YOU (and any other human being) are more important.</p>

4

<p>Bummer about the audition process you are going through at college, but certainly good news that you are getting some professional opportunities. While I am generally a “stay and fight” type of person, I have to agree with others that you probably should get some professional counseling. Most colleges provide this through their health center. When you mention being depressed, I’m not sure whether that equates to clinical depression. But your comment about having difficulty making a decision (being lost), can indicate that you are having some emotional challenges (possibly including depression). This would be totally understandable given all the events you described. If you are going through something like this it would not be a good time to make critical decisions like your stay or change question. For your sake please get some help. Wishing you all the best. </p>

5

<p>I agree with the posters above, seek out a professional and take care of yourself first. I bet after you’ve had time to work through some things, that a decision regarding your college will become clear to you. Take care and be well. </p>