Yes, Northwestern is hardly a “safety” in the sense that acceptance is more assured, and for those students, like my daughter, dead set on a degree in Musical Theatre. My daughter would have had to audition for acceptance into Northwestern’s Musical Theatre Certificate program at the beginning of her Freshman or Sophomore year, and the amount of non-performing classes in (and total credits required for) a BA in Theatre was a lot more than the BFA MT program she eventually chose.
@Mr.Eggroll And my son was the opposite-he thought he was committed to a BFA-MT route, and then was accepted to Northwestern, visited it, and fell in love with the program. And determined that even if he wasn’t accepted into the MT Certificate program, he will be able to grow as an actor, singer, and dancer, and be challenged academically. Every kid is different, and what they think they want when they begin the process doesn’t always map onto what they choose to do.
@toowonderful My Son’s good friend really wanted to go to NU, but was not admitted. So she settled for Yale, lol! You are exactly right that once you get under a certain % for admission, it’s hard to know what the intangibles are that make you attractive to one school and less so to another.
@efr9598 This is such an important point! It’s just not possible for 18 year olds to know everything that’s out there and how it will help them achieve their goals. Keeping an open mind is key, and I view that as my one of my primary roles this year - encouraging her to see all the opportunities that can get her where she wants to be. You never know what gem will present itself. Not everyone on Broadway completed a BFA in MT!
@efr9598: My daughter may have been dead set on a BFA in Musical Theatre, but we had our moments of weakness. She fell in love with the campus, and I fell in love with the financial aid Northwestern was offering us. I had to work at a smile through gritted teeth when my daughter selected another program.
It’s still quite early, but my daughter seems very happy at the BFA MT program she chose for its instructors, fellow students, and opportunities onstage and off to grow and develop. So now I can smile easily and genuinely.
Does anyone know if Cap 21/Molloy is traditionally at Chicago Unifieds? No 2017/2018 audition dates posted yet; and trying to formulate a plan…
@owensfolks Yes they were there last year. They were one of the schools doing auditions in a suite at the Palmer House instead of a ballroom or conference room. Lots of walk-in availability.
Thanks, @sopranomtmom ! I hope that your D is having a great Freshman year!
Is anyone else having issues lately with “everyone’s an expert”? I need to vent a little this morning. D has a vocal coach and a monologue coach. She also has a great list and a plan and is checking tasks off her list each day. We met with her guidance counselor in August to get her on board for the unusual number of requests. Along comes guidance office secretary - every time she requests her transcripts to be sent - saying there is no possible way she needs all these schools - why can’t she just focus. And then a kid in her English class (applying to 4 schools for Journalism) who suddenly tells her she’s “crazy” and not approaching her applications correctly. And she keeps hearing rumors about this program and that program from various sources (Green Room maybe; maybe her summer MT group; none actually verified!). Add in rehearsals and homework for good measure. Suddenly she’s off her game and seriously frustrated.
I can’t imagine being 17 and trying to sort through what our kids are sorting through. D hates to offend so won’t tell anyone to find their business and mind it so she starts spinning in her head and doubting her strategy. Ugh.
@artskids, do they not know this is your third go 'round?! SHEESH! (I love “find their business and mind it”, btw.) I hope she can eventually be able to tell them she’s doing what’s best for her.
@GSOMTMom right? It is so hard to discern when everyone has an opinion. However, not everyone’s opinion is equally valid. She needs to ignore the rumor mill and forget what people who have no clue what this process entails are telling her. Her coaches have years of combined experience and quite a few success stories. And I can plan, organize, research and spreadsheet with the best of 'em :-). EVERYONE has an opinion on # and type of schools, fall auditions, etc. I love hearing it at family get-togethers (can you BELIEVE they are “letting” another one go into the arts…what a waste of $$$…blah blah blah). I can vent here. I know I’m not alone!!
@artskids I totally hear you. S is the only one in his school that is pursing this crazy business. He had most of his aps done in August with requests in to the school counselor to do his school reports. She still hasn’t touched them. She met with the senior class last week to talk to them about getting their aps in by December! I suppose that works for most, but certainly not for kids trying for this business. He met with her again this morning to try to light a fire on getting those reports and transcripts sent. I just keep thinking… one day at a time - one thing at a time and pushing him to try to get the next thing done. This is definitely not for the faint of heart!
Pretty sure members of my family believe we are letting D waste her brains by picking MT. We have made it clear that we support her dreams. Both of us went the conservative route and don’t even work in our fields. I wish i was as lucky as these kids to know my passion at such a young age!
@artskids - Hugs to you and your girl. The unwanted opinion train is hardcore senior year. Hope her experienced coaches can help her figure out how to politely ignore the opinions of the well meaning, but less experienced crowd.
@anotherBwaymom We got the same thing with S years ago - they called it wasting his ACT score. Maddening.
@artskids yes, it’s very frustrating when we have a small family and just hope for support. Now that they know we won’t follow their advice, they are pretty much quiet which is just as bad. Luckily she is very motivated on her own!!
@artskids It is terribly frustrating - our kids are passionate and committed and crazy good talented - when adults stand in the way of that, it is unconscionable. For the other kids who have strong opinions, all we can do is make sure our kids know that we believe in them and their judgement about what is right for them and to try to help them tune them out.
@artskids I hear that. My least favorite thing ever is when people ask “what is she going to do with that degree?” I mean - what is your kid going to do with a BA in psychology? Yeah - probably not much unless they get an advanced degree. My D may also need an advanced degree. Or maybe she will work right away. Will cross that bridge when we get there. Even kids getting undergrads in sciences struggle to find work. Why do people care so much? The whole “letting” them get an arts degree kills me too. I just say “I’m supporting my child and she is getting a college degree in the area she has a passion for. She is thriving and super successful at her school and happy to boot.” I have other friends who forced kids into business or engineering and kids are either miserable or dropping out. I want to say: “How did that work for you?” (sorry - being snarky b/c I also apparently need to vent about how much I despise this attitude towards the arts).
In the end, your kids are super lucky to have you support them and your D2 (child #3 in this process) has your knowledge and experience to lean on! The mantra is “Thank you so much. I agree with you in general; but these audition based programs are very different than regular college applications”.
I agree @bfahopeful. I can usually hold my tongue but it is REALLY getting to D. She will figure it out and we will just say in our hearts - well bless your heart! :))
@artskids love it! A nice southern saying to help. 
Here is a little story that I want to share. I call it a Tale of Two Musical Theatre Girls. Both had been very active in local youth and high school theatre, very talented young ladies, each with aspirations of a career in theatre. One attended a good MT training program, the other due to pressure from her parents to pursue a “practical” degree ended up majoring in English Literature and minoring in Theatre. Both are recent graduates - since graduating, girl one has performed in four professional regional productions in different areas of the country - two musicals and two Shakespeare productions. She is a real triple threat, accomplished singer, dancer and actress. She is hoping to move to NYC next year and is gaining great experience and equity points doing these regional shows. Girl number 2 has moved home, decided she really wants to pursue this theatre thing and is working at a local gift shop while attempting to audition, mostly for local unpaid community theatre. She has a nice voice, but somewhat lacking in training as she didn’t receive any private voice in college. She is a decent actress, but since her theatre minor was more theoretical than practical lacks some key actor training skills that students in a dedicated training program receive. And lastly, she can’t dance - almost no dance training at all. She is struggling to figure out how to pursue this as a business, because no one ever taught her how to be a working actress. And her English degree isn’t really opening any exciting doors. Regrets - she has a few!
Here is the moral to this story - if you have the passion, drive and desire to pursue this as a career despite what anyone wants to tell you just go for it. Go and find the best program that works for you that will give you the best training, the most comprehensive training, the most practical training that you can get. Once you get into said program, give it every ounce of energy you can and when you graduate - go out their and show the world what you know, what you can do and give it your all. Because at the end of the day, if you are a working actor you have achieved your goal in whatever shape that takes. And from where I sit, I see more and more opportunity for trained actors, singers and dancers to work - just as much if not more than a history, psychology, English, liberal arts or sociology major. Because when you leave your program, you are leaving with excellent, marketable skills. So next time some one questions you about your choice, politely let them know where they can place their advice!