<p>I totally understand about the scheduling. We have done two so far and have another coming up in a few weeks. Thankfully, that one is for a school who is coming to Atlanta for auditions. </p>
<p>Depending on what happens with the ED school, we have a span from the end of January through the third weekend in February that, I think, we will be gone more than we are at home! Fortunately, our system has an odd, but much loved, February break and will be out for a week. That helps both of us not have to miss too much school. </p>
<p>She also has some interviews that will be conducted at Georgia Thespian Conference, so that helps, too!</p>
<p>How does this work? Are all the different schools you all are doing these November and December auditions for schools with rolling admissions? Or do you guys plan some early auditions to get some out of the way?</p>
<p>shacherry-- some schools have ED auditions in November. (BU and NYU are two.) As with any ED, you’re obligated to attend that school if you’re accepted, and withdraw any other applications. Some have early auditions, but the answers come in April along with the later auditions (Syracuse and CMU were two of these last year). This helps an applicant spread auditions out over time. And some have EA auditions-- UArts and Hartt are among these-- they will either accept or reject a candidate early on (some will be deferred)-- but the candidate isn’t obligated to attend that school. These can be great if you get in, because there’s less pressure on the later auditions once you know you have a good option. D withdrew from a bunch after she got into Hartt last year.</p>
<p>ChasieLooHoo, I 'd love to hear how your audition went on Dec 1. I’m just another mom of an aspiring actor applicant but was extremely impressed with your stats and informal resume which you had posted last year and am intrigued to see where you are at now with your apps and auditions and expect that you actually get accepted by numerous programs. Please fill us in. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Checking back in after Times3Son’s third time out…He had Otterbein scheduled for this past weekend and came down with the flu lmidweek, but was well enough by Thursday night to decide to go for it, and we’re glad he did–if for no other reason than that rescheduling would’ve been a Rubik’s Cube type nightmare! He felt good about the audition and interview and was glad he was able to audition on campus. </p>
<p>Very different experience from last week’s Ithaca adventure: fewer kids (16 total, all of whom had passed the prescreen or, in at least one case, were called back from “Moonifieds” or other regional gatherings). Once again, though, the majority were girls and mostly MT. There were only 5 boys, and my son said they were all very strong. And he knows, because–they watched each other audition! I was surprised (well, okay, sketched out at first) but he liked it–by the end, they all seemed very supportive and collegial together. My S did comment that (especially among the girls) there was a good amount of overlap in terms of song and monologue choices. A number of current students also sat in on the auditions, and the kids were videotaped. Then later they had individual interviews with Dr. John, where at least my kid got very specific feedback and had a great conversation. We stuck around Saturday night, since S felt up to it, and went to the dance concert, which we loved. </p>
<p>Am feeling especially grateful to past CC threads about auditioning when sick. We were armed with saline spray, a personal steamer, Emergen-C, tea with lemon and honey, and several bags of Ricola, and he coped really well. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions about Otterbein!</p>
<p>Times, this was a wonderful story to hear. Instead of being all about competition and nerves, that audition seemed to be a validation of what these kids love about theatre and why they are pursuing it. Of course they know not everyone will get in - but it sounds like they were treated with respect and can take this experience with them to the next audition with confidence. </p>
<p>I know this business is full of rejection and sometimes even meanness; I know many of these auditions have to be done quickly and coldly. But I am glad some of our kids are able to have experiences like this as well, where they actually learn about themselves and what they are capable of.</p>
<p>I’m starting to feel like I’d recommend that anyone audition on campus if they possibly can. There are so many elements that enhance the experience - even if it’s not entirely “positive” - and it’s an invaluable opportunity to assess fit.</p>
<p>Emmybet, I couldn’t agree more with your observations, both about the quality of the experience this weekend and about auditioning on campus in general. Otterbein also has won me over to the whole business of prescreens. Although some of the parents at this audition were avowedly nervous, my S said the kids were very much LESS nervous than at other places he’s been so far (haha, all two of them). And the current BFA students, who were walking around chatting with auditioners before everything began, made a point of congratulating the h.s. kids on having passed the prescreen. It was a real shot in the arm. We walked into town for lunch afterward and came back to campus that night for the dance concert, and several times we passed students or faculty who had been at the auditions and who greeted my son, asked him how he thought it went, etc.–he definitely felt welcomed by the whole community. That’s what it should be like.</p>
<p>I’m so happy to hear good things about Otterbein! It is on my D’s list, but we don’t hear much about it. I’m glad things went well for your S, Times3, and that he was feeling better by audition time. </p>
<p>Well…the next six days will be torture for us! If all goes according to plan, my D’s ED school will release decisions by Saturday. We’d appreciate all the good thoughts you could send our way!! :)</p>
<p>Well, Times3, I am beginning to think that there is going to be a REAL PROBLEM at your house come the spring. Lots of offers, and lots of decisions to be made!!!</p>
<p>So glad your S made it thru, and just continues to do well and build confidence. Now, do you think the reason that the audition at Otterbein were small and intimate was because it was the December, or early, audition? Just curious. Could be another great reason to get a few of the auditions done early!</p>
<p>Sweeney Todd is over an done with - I thought I would feel sad because it is S’s last high school musical, but I didn’t! I think it was the fact that I know there will be more plays in his future - no matter where he ends up in college. Or it could have been the very enthusiastic crowd of BUSTI kids who made it to the last performance! Jeeeeezzzzz . . . the friendship and support that these kids show each other is just inspiring!</p>
<p>MH, I was wondering about “Sweeney” (and your shaven-headed boy) on our way back this weekend. So glad to hear there were BUSTI kids in attendance! We are already working our BU audition schedule around the other summer kids who will be there, and of course I hope our S’s will connect then too. </p>
<p>Re: your question about early auditions–that’s my hunch too. The current BFA kids we spoke with at both O’bein and Ithaca did give me the impression that the early auditions are less crowded, and for us that has definitely been an advantage. I know there’s an alternate opinion that you shouldn’t do important auditions early in season; I get that, but my S felt ready and wanted to take the plunge, so I guess it’s up to the kid. He feels better about each successive one, that’s for sure. But I have been grateful for the feeling that he has really been seen and heard at these early outings. </p>
<p>And as for our potential “problem” come spring: from your lips to the audition gods’ ears, Marbleheader! Good feedback is one thing, actual acceptance is quite another, and S is pretty realistic in his view that he’s competing with lots of really talented kids out there, not to mention the issue of fit for specific programs. He’s having fun and feels that he’s doing his best, and that’s all I can hope for for now. Remind me that I said that, though, when March rolls around! ;)</p>
<p>Thinking of you guys with mega-crossed fingers. This week was torture last year! But it has had such a happy ending. That passion for theater these kids have is really a gift that makes so much possible all through life. Keep the faith!</p>
<p>I will be thinking of you guys ugadog… and sending TONS of positive thoughts your way. I SOOO happy your daughter has her happy ending, but if it doesn’t go, she will survive and will be all the best for it. I was in your shoes last year, with my DS, who was unfortunately was one of the disappointed ones, BUT… he ended up bouncing right back the next day, and ended up at a school that couldn’t be more perfect for him. IT ALL WORKS OUT IN THE END… just keep repeating this mantra…</p>
<p>Sigh…D got her first rejection today: UNCSA. Honestly, it’s not a surprise and is actually kind of a relief. She just didn’t fit there, so I guess all in all it’s for the best. Still…not the greatest way to start a week. Here’s hoping her week ends in a MUCH more positive way!</p>
<p>Sorry to hear it ugadog-- but it sounds like she knew it wasn’t the right fit. I have a feeling she will have some great choices in the end.</p>
<p>(UNCSA was D’s top, top choice last year, and also, she felt, her best audition. But they take so few… still it wasn’t fun. But it’s long since forgotten now.)</p>
<p>Hurray, my son has his first acceptance, to the Acting BFA at Shenandoah. He’ll be doing the rest of his auditions in Jan/Feb, but would be very happy to attend Shenandoah, so now he can relax and I can too!</p>
We are already working our BU audition schedule around the other summer kids who will be there, and of course I hope our S’s will connect then too. </p>