Coastal Carolina Audition Day

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
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<p>We are back home after what was a wonderful weekend visiting and interviewing at Coastal Carolina. As I posted yesterday in another thread, neither my daughter nor I went into this weekend with any expectations at all. We had no intention of "falling in love" with the program. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans...</p>

<p>CCU is awesome, really! My daughter is tech, as you all know, but I thought I might be able to give you some insight as to how the day was run for performance. We checked in at 9:30 and there were already many students and parents there. The students were broken into two groups and were given schedules for their group and name tags. We all went into the Black Box for a welcome. We were a little early, so I had a chance to watch the interaction among the faculty. It was obvious that they like each other, respect each other, and enjoy being at CCU. There was a lot of laughing, joking, and interaction between the faculty and visitors. We were immediately put at ease by all the faculty in attendance and, in particular, Ken Martin, chair of the department. </p>

<p>After the welcome, the two groups got together. One group went for a campus tour while the other group began their auditions. After about 45 minutes, the groups swapped with Group 1 going on a tour and Group 2 auditioning. My daughter was the only tech kid, so after her tour, she interviewed with three tech faculty members. Once both groups had auditioned, the parents and prospectives went into a room with a student panel. We all sat in a big circle with the students spread out among us. I really liked it this way because it felt much more comfortable and relaxed. When the panel and questions were finished, we had lunch. </p>

<p>After lunch the two groups were put into three groups. Each group had Master Classes to attend. I believe the classes were acting, voice, and movement/dance. My daughter, obviously, didn't have to do these. Instead, she was taken on a tour of the facilities and the shop. When she came back from her tour, we left for a few hours. The MT and acting kids had a long day, from 9:30-5:00. We were all given comp tickets to Pippin. </p>

<p>Now, for my thoughts: love, love, love the program. Pippin was wonderful! The kids are crazy talented and the facilities are wonderful! The fact that CCU is the only school in the US to offer an undergraduate degree in physical theatre degree is pretty cool. You could definitely see the physicality in Pippin! It was very cool to watch! I can honestly say that if financial aid weren't a concern for us, my daughter would (if artistically accepted) be finished with her school search. We both like it that much! When I began this process almost a year ago, AustinMTmom told me about Coastal Carolina. I had never heard of the school. All I can say is a GIGANTIC thank you to her (and her daughter) for continuing to campaign for the school! I encourage any of you to give serious consideration to CCU!</p>

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<p>So glad you had such great visit! We toured the school and liked it, S just doesn’t want to be in the south anymore!</p>

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<p>Ha! I love it! Physical theatre is indeed wonderful. </p>

<p>Although CCU is the only school that offers an undergraduate degree in physical theatre, that is probably going to change. The popularity of physical theatre is burgeoning and many other schools offer courses in it. Look for it in curriculum listings, or ask.</p>

<p>My son obtained most of his physical theatre training program during a semester abroad at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo Italy. CCU sends kids there, and some other programs do too.</p>

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<p>Dramamomma, my D had said she did not want to be in the south anymore. She changed her mind after Saturday. LOL! The best part about being in South Carolina, in her opinion, is the availability of sweet tea!! :)</p>

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<p>Coastal Carolina, in my opinion, is one of those secret gems that won’t be secret for much longer. It’s an outstanding program. I would strongly encourage everyone to not take my word for it–take a visit there and audition! As to the physical theatre major, while other colleges certainly have physical theatre training and options to go abroad, right now, Coastal has the most intensive program—three years of physical acting training and then a final full year in Italy.</p>

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<p>I see that Coastal is also one of the schools with rolling admissions and an audition date in March.</p>

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<p>Thank you for the kind review! It was such a pleasure to meet you and your (well, both of your) Ds. It’s a long day and takes quite a bit of planning on everyone’s part, but when we hear that it was successful and well-received by those auditioning, it makes it all worth it. Also, thanks for posting a break down on the audition day, very succinct and accurate!</p>

<p>We do have rolling admissions (I think there’s 2 performance BFA offers rolling around right now but that’s it) and our last audition date is March 2nd. On campus auditions for Acting/MT/Physical Theatre do require video prescreens through acceptd but they are approving those fairly quickly with our February 23rd/March audition days coming up, so there is still time to grab a spot. </p>

<p>The on campus days are small and have a limited number of students because of the prescreen this year, but that’s how we like it! Very personal and gives the faculty a lot of time to spend with each individual… which they like. I have to basically pull students out of the audition room half the time because they’ve been talking to them for so long and I try to “stay on schedule” haha. Thank god they like me.</p>

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<p>So glad to hear that you and your D had such a positive experience ugadog!! I’ll be keeping fingers crossed for good news both artistically and financially!!</p>

<p>And in case there is anyone at Chicago Unifieds reading this, CCU does accept walk-ins, on a space available basis of course.</p>

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<p>Ugadog…I am so glad and keeping all my fingers and toes crossed, as well as heaping pixie dust on you!!!</p>

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<p>Thanks everyone. I appreciate the kind words. But I did want to chime in on the BFA in Physical Theatre. We are the first, and only, BFA in Physical Theatre in the United States. That program continues to grow. We offer a full year at Accademia, and while taught at the same place as the semester long programs, it is not the same program. We continue to strengthen our ties with both domestic and European organizations in this area of training. And for those who don’t understand this type of training, I invite you to explore the incredibly broad definition of “physical theatre.” To me, I can’t imagine being 18 and NOT wanting to train in this way. But there are many different roads to the destination. Thanks again!</p>

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<p>She was artistically accepted! :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I cannot tell you how thrilled she is (well and me, too!)! CCU is a wonderful place! :)</p>

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<p>WOOT-WOOT!!!</p>

<p>So happy for you and D, ugadog. Especially since you both loved the program. And the sweet tea!</p>

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<p>My son had his CCU audition this afternoon in Chicago, and he is smitten! He hasn’t even been to the campus yet, but the experience with the auditors and their warmth and genuine interest in wanting to help him take his pieces to the next level really got him excited. They asked him to come back tomorrow morning to perform his classical piece for them, so that was encouraging for him. These auditors see so many kids, and the fact that they are still so friendly and encouraging to them when they are probably dog tired, is really heart warming to me as a mom.</p>

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<p>Exactly, Callmejj, that is what my D and I noticed about CCU’s faculty. They are so genuine and friendly. My older D has a friend who is a recent theatre CCU grad, and she confirmed all that we thought about the school. She loved her time there!</p>

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<p>Callmejj - Sending good vibes to your S this morning! The faculty at CCU really are wonderful. I hope he’s having a great time with them.</p>

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<p>Is the program well known/reputable in the industry?</p>

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<p>Casting in the theatrical and film world is not based on where you went to school; it’s based on talent. </p>

<p>Among those who know about the various theatre schools, CCU is a well-regarded institution.</p>

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<p>I hear good things about CCU on this forum. Though I did recently read something on the web about it being a relatively dangerous campus. I am wondering what your think of the safety of the campus.</p>

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<p>dreambelle13 - CCU is well-regarded in the industry. The faculty are all working professionals. Plus they bring in a variety of people for their master classes. So far this year they have had Ben Vereen (working with the Pippin cast), Elizabeth Ingram of Syracuse University, Dave Clemmons, Chris Nichols of The Krasny Office, members of Tut’Zanni, just to name a few. They also have hosted some developmental readings during Maymester the past few years. In 2011, Mark Hollmann and Adrien Royce did the staged reading of “Bigfoot and Other Lost Souls” during Maymester, then brought the show back in the spring of 2012 as a full production. The CCU students recorded a cast album as part of the show. It is now being produced in Alaska ([Theater</a> review: ‘Bigfoot and Other Lost Souls’ | Art Snob Blog | ADN.com](<a href=“http://www.adn.com/2013/01/28/2768858/review-bigfoot-and-other-lost.html]Theater”>http://www.adn.com/2013/01/28/2768858/review-bigfoot-and-other-lost.html)) In May, 2012, CCU hosted two creative teams, bringing both a play and a musical to campus. “Alligator” (written by Hillary Bettis) and “Helen of Troy” (book by Zoe Samuel, lyrics by Doug Cohen.) I know that many of the students who worked with these creative teams remain in contact with them.</p>

<p>Here is what is going on this weekend - At Common Hour this Friday, February 8 - Matthew Sipress, Company Manager/Associate Production Manager, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma will speak. Afterwards, Lyric is hosting private auditions for their 2013 Summer Season for CCU Students, including a dance call and call for aerialists on Saturday.</p>

<p>The CCU Department of Theatre Facebook page offers a great way for interested students/parents to keep up with what is happening at CCU.</p>

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<p>I’ve seen posts about the safety in the neighborhood of CCM in Cincinnati but not CCU in South Carolina.</p>