My daughter is in Lincoln, Nebraska and while there is plenty to do and Omaha is an hour away she has yet to make it to a show out there. In fact she’s only gone to Omaha to fly home. She is so busy with classes and rehearsals that she has not had time. She has mentioned she is glad she doesn’t have the distraction of NYC because she doesn’t know how she would get her other stuff done. To be fair she did not apply to any there because of the distractions. While I think it is great to be in NYC because of things it could offer be sure you have the discipline to get what you need done and not be distracted. Also my daughters school does 10-14 mainstage shows a year and 30-40 student directed so there are always rehearsals and shows to see for free right on campus.
My daughter has the best of both worlds…she attends a very small college in a small town but is only a 35 minute train ride into NYC. She sees amazing theater when she has the time (not often) and has decided to do some auditioning in the city this year to begin to get her feet wet. She did not set out for this to be her situation, but has found that she very much likes this setting. Even if you are not in a BFA you will find that college will keep you very busy and you will want the ability to go out and have fun. Make sure your college choice offers some fun distractions. You will need it!
@bisouu where does your daughter go to school? I like that situation you describe. You get to have a non-insane room and board expense while still being right by the city. That’s one of my favorite things about montclaire state university, and the tuition is even cheaper starting this year for out of state. Unfortunately MSU accepts so few people so it’s dangerous to get your heart set on any certain school.
It seems like from the responses here that the isolated remote setting of UWSP shouldn’t play as large of a factor as I thought.
Hey ya’ll. Just thought I’d jump in here and introduce myself…get some help…etc, etc…
I’m a soprano/belter/mezzo from Colorado (senior in highschool now…AAAH ALMOST DONE), and am exploring all my options assuming that my plans don’t change within a year or two (they haven’t as of the last decade, so I’m thinking they won’t…but you never know.) I have so many people in my life that are wonderful, but they all rather unfortunately have different opinions on how I should go about pursuing my goals of becoming a professional actor. My parents aren’t super excited about the whole idea either (I know they are just trying to ensure that my future is promising, but it can get quite annoying sometimes when they constantly push the opera thing…I mean come on.)
I’m planning on doing some regional/summer stock theatre come 2016, then I’m off to LA or NYC to complete a gap year program (which is surprisingly not theatre related). After that I was thinking of perhaps applying to a 2 year Conservatory program. This is obviously not set in stone…but does anyone have some pros and cons to doing that as opposed to a 4 year program at a University? Anything you have to say is helpful to me. I’m a little scared right now just because I have no clue which way I’m going to go…cause I can’t afford NYU or the like…but I want a good education. Please help!
One of the things I think is great about D living in the city during college is that she is getting to live in an urban area with support (security in dorm, a meal plan etx). If she wants to stay there after graduation- or really no matter where she goes (taking the Frank Sinatra “if I can make it there” ideology and applying it to city life in general) she has gained that skill. Now obviously thousands of kids figure out how to do that after graduation every year, but I figure it is never to early to learn how it goes.
I think there are pros and cons to campuses in the heart of a city, campuses in suburban areas and campuses in more rural areas. Each has its own set of positives and negatives and what those are will be different for each student that considers them. There are fantastic schools in NYC - no doubt. But it is interesting that many of the so-called “top” MT programs are not in NYC. Just consider: Carnegie Mellon (Pittsburgh); CCM (Cincinnati); Michigan (Ann Arbor); Ithaca (Ithaca, NY); Syracuse (Syracuse, NY); Elon (Elon, NC); Baldwin Wallace (Berea, OH); Otterbein (Westerville, OH); Oklahoma City University (Oklahoma City, OK); Texas State (San Marcos, TX) and many, many others (this list is by no means comprehensive - just trying to give you a good sampling of strong programs NOT located in a major city). This is not to say city schools are not good. Just proof that you can get wonderful training both in major cities and in smaller towns.
Here are some things to look for in schools that are in these smaller areas:
- Do they partner with a regional equity theater nearby for any productions and can you audition for them? Can you earn equity points while in school?
- Do they have spring break or summer programs in NYC, LA, Chicago where you can get some experience in the city?
- Could you consider doing some sort of internships or training programs in NYC or elsewhere during the summer? Usually these are at a cost, but something to consider. D has friends who have done programs or internships at Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey Dance Center, MTV, various Broadway shows and other places.
- Do they have alumni groups in the city to network with both during and after college?
You can get great training and a great college experience both in the city and not. Just make sure you pick a program that provides the training you want for, at a price you are comfortable with and where you will be happy. 
Best of luck to you! I’m sure you will find just the right place when all is said and done.
My daughter attends Drew University in Madison New Jersey
AHHHHHHHH!!! I’ve been following these boards since my D was a sophomore and now it is her turn! Time goes so quickly. It’s been a stressful few months with SAT, AP and ACT testing. She did much better on her ACT than her SAT by the way. So if your kid didn’t do as well as they wanted on their SAT definitely consider taking the ACT. My daughter found it to be more straightforward. I think we pretty much have a listing of schools but I have a feeling that some may change. She has a mix of BFA and BAs. However she attended a summer drama program this summer and she’s thinking maybe she should add more BFAs. So we’ll see. I’ve been on her about starting her college essays now. Many people I spoke with recommended that she try to get them done this summer rather than waiting until fall when everything starts meshing together and becoming more stressful. We’ve been trying to come up with Safety schools. I was thinking about Columbia College- Chicago. Now I’m not sure. I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews. Does anyone have any info?
I’m going to Chicago later this week to visit family and while there I am touring Roosevelt CCPA and Columbia College Chicago. I’m really excited and will defiantly report back any info I find from either school but especially Columbia because there’s a lack of current MT info from there.
Columbia College Chicago is known for being great in acting even more so comedy. Lots of SNL cast members have attended Columbia College. And, perhaps this is a negative to some, Kayne West is also an alum. It seems to have had it’s MT depart revamped with the relatively new BFA. The school other than the program itself looks really interesting and artsy for those of us students who like the non-traditional type school. There’s no football team or school mascot. For me, I have no problem with this but I can see other students who still want to feel like they’re any other college student with all the typical things we imagine college to be like.
D has a friend at Columbia who had a CRAZY awesome dorm room last year. It was in a modern high rise, wirthbfloor to ceiling windows and a view of the Hancock building. I would have lived there in a hot second.
I wonder where that dorm room was, there is one set of housing that Columbia shares with Roosevelt and two other near by schools.
Columbia and CCPA both have rooms in University Center (though on different floors). Both campuses are quite close to the lake, so if you get a high floor the views are, indeed, spectacular. We visited CCC on the same visit as CCPA and I was impressed by the number of shows and the sort of entrepreneurial energy of the place. My impression was that you could do quite well there if you were extremely self-motivated and driven, but there would not be a lot of hand-holding. The entry level classes are quite large, though, so for the first year or so, you will be fighting the herd. CCC is also very tightly connected with professional chicago theaters – lots of the professors are working artists and they often have outside directors for shows.
I agree Jkellynh17, I’ve been following al your posts because Roosevelt is probably my top school. Just from looking at CCC’s website they give off a unique artsy vibe but they also have a very low retention rate. I am guessing this is because it’s not difficult to get accepted that a lot of people enroll and aren’t committed to the MT life so they switch majors or leave the school. Other elite schools where the 20 or less MT kids that get accepted we can assume are pretty committed and dedicated.
Columbia, unlike some higher tiered schools, not only allows but encourages outside school theatre work which is nice because if you are living in the city might as well take advantage of the opportunities. Lots of big Broadway shows had out of town try outs or workshops and runs in Chicago before transferring to New York/Broadway.
Yes, @ParachuteBoy, what I hear from a CCC acting major’s mom is that the classes are big and that many of the students are not prepared to do the necessary work,so you may have a frustrating scene partner or two. However, the people who fight their way through do amazing things. It’s definitely a what-you-put-into-it kind of situation. Also, there’s an honors program. You might want to look into that.
You are right that it’s easy to audition in Chicago. There are ton of non-equity opportunities and a lot of the auditions are on Saturday or in the evenings, so you can do it without missing class. My son has been auditioning for storefront theater and summer opportunities pretty much since he got there. It’s not unusual for CCPA kids to opt out of the casting pool for a term so they can be in a professional show.
Thank you @BroadwayVeteran ! And what I mean by that was dramatic training (I have a bad habit of leaving out info so I’m sorry about that). And what shows did you do at DCPA if you don’t mind me asking? I’m considering auditioning up there come 2016!
Hi everyone! I thought to introduce myself as well, though I am neither a student nor a parent. I run a non-profit performing arts studio (I teach voice, piano, and acting), and as an umbrella organisation, also a mentoring platform for high school students wanting to pursue theatre / musical theatre at the collegiate level! So I guess you could call me an audition “coach,” but since I provide free consulting and resources and only charge for one-on-one coaching, I prefer the term “mentor.” I’m from the Detroit area, and most of the students I work with are local, but I have also had students across the country that I’ve consulted with and acted as a resource for.
So that’s essentially what brings me here! I’m interested in getting to know you and your journeys and hope to be a resource for you all as well along the way! All the best to you and your kids throughout the upcoming audition season!
Welcome @MTProject. New voices with viewpoints other than “worried, stressed out parent” are always welcome. Perhaps you can add some balance and expertise for those of us who come to CC for answers, sharing and refuge.
What are people’s thoughts on singing songs from a show they were in?
I am considering singing Lost in the Darkness from Jekyll and Hyde. But, I was in Jekyll and Hyde during my junior year of high school; albeit I did not play Jekyll (the character who sings the song), but still I don’t want to give the impression to auditors that I’m lazy at research or not creative in song choice by just recycling a song from a show I did a year ago.
I don’t see it as problematic to sing a song from a show you have been in. In this case, you are not recycling a song as you did not play that character on stage. Finding the right song for you is more important than showing that you have researched something or found something out of the ordinary.