Colleges for Musical Theater Major - Part 31

<p>We are beginning our college selection and one of our criteria is senior showcase. On the FAQ site (Shawna's work) there is a list. I would think there are more schools that have a showcase then what is posted. I went searching for a site that talked about Senior Showcase in general....but couldn't find any. Maybe I was not searching correctly. Does anyone know of a site that would list the schools that participate? Or do I need to go to all the individual schools and see that way? (Besides the ones already listed on the FAQ site)</p>

<p>I haven't posted in a long while (and my username was lexasmomkj before the new format), but I just need a little support and encouragement from those who have gone before. My D and I are at each other constantly...it seems that the process for potential MT majors is twice as stressful as the college process in general. It looks like we are getting the auditions scheduled, which is a big undertaking in itself (along with all the travel arrangements) and my D is FINALLY getting those essays written. Can anyone else relate? I think most of it is under control, but we are debating about what she should wear for the monologue portion of the audition. Any suggestions?<br>
Thanks for anything you can say at this point!</p>

<p>Lexasmomkbj,
I tell anybody who asks that last year was THE MOST STRESSFUL year of my entire life! My D felt constantly judged and pulled between all the people in her life competing for her time and attention. I tried to remain the "eye of the hurricane" and tolerated a lot more acting out than I would have under other circumstances. She had to vent her anxiety somewhere, so I was combination safe haven and punching bag. Give her more space than usual, LOTS and LOTS of hugs (when she lets you), as much support and encouragement as you can and know that whatever you are feeling, she is feeling ten-fold. She will have lots of time and opportunity to manage things on her own starting next year, so also help her with planning and what I called "secretarial" duties in so far as your schedule allows. I viewed this process, helping her get launched into the best MT program she could get into, as my last big job as a Mom (at least for the foreseeable future).</p>

<p>Hang in there. Next year at this time, I can only hope you feel as happy and relieved as we do.</p>

<p>Lexasmomkbj--You are not alone. At least one of the schools we are looking at won't even schedule auditions until acceptance. So we are still waiting to hear from that school, so we can try to schedule as few trips as possible. Being from S. Cal., we are trying to schedule auditions in groups. Through in the fact that the school dance finals are 3rd wk in Jan., dance concert is the last wk in Jan., Musical is last wk in Feb., and March has ITS and Calif festivals. Talk about scheduling nightmares. I feel like such a nag and I hate it. As sick as D is of filling out applications, we still have scholarship applications to submit. One thing we have done is make certain days "can't talk about college" days. We spend at least a couple of hours together (shopping, lunch, whatever) and neither of us is allowed to talk about college. We try to do this every couple of weeks. It seems to help.</p>

<p>WCT--Did your son go to the CMU summer program? Sorry, I can't remember; I just know he's there now. :) I'm wondering what happens on the last day of the program. Is that the audition day? If they schedule the program as they did last year, we have a schedule conflict that last day. Would my D be missing something important that date? Do students ever leave a day or two early?</p>

<p>mtmommy-</p>

<p>No my S did not attend CMu's summer program or any other summer program for that matter. Actually he did 2 summer stock productions. One prior to his sophomore year in HS and one prior to his senior year in HS.</p>

<p>My S didn't really catch the "acting/performing" bug until after his freshman year of HS. He did the HS musical his freshman year but really didn't "fall in love" with performing until he performed in the summer stock production that summer. He then decided to audition for the local performing arts high school and was accepted. He did participate in choir and band in elementary school, choir in intermediate school, and then choir/band in his freshman year of high school before transfering to the performing arts high school in our neighborhood. He never did children's theater or anything like that. Never had an interest.</p>

<p>He did receive excellent training during his sophomore-senior year at the performing arts high school, but he did so because he got out of the program what he put in....hard work and dedication to his craft. It definately prepared him for the rigors of CMU</p>

<p>WCT--you see, that proves that the summer programs are not a necessity! Does he miss the music at CMU--or does he get some music with his acting training?</p>

<p>Jennsg:</p>

<p>It would be nice if there was a master list of all the schools which do senior showcases, but there isn't. That's partly because there are now so many of them. Starting in early March, there are several every week for about two months in NY, not to mention the ones in LA and Chicago. Shauna's list, based on research done by many contributors to this thread, is accurate, as far as it goes, but there are many more schools which do showcases. You'll need to check each website.</p>

<p>As you make discoveries, however, it would be great if you would post them. And if you send the information to Shauna, she can update the FAQ site.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>RE: SHOWCASES
Just thought I'd post something that I heard from a dept chair recently. Had the opinion that showcases aren't worth that much. Said that agencies send their significantly junior staff to them, there are a huge number of showcases now and few professionals attending each. When I first got on this board I thought showcases were really important. This dept chair is the second independent person (in a position to know) who says whether a school does one or not really isn't worth that much. The first was a casting agency person.</p>

<p>Chrism</p>

<p>I think you might also find others "in the know" that would tell you that the attendance of industry professionals at Showcases is in proportion to the reputation of the program and varies widely.</p>

<p>Anybody else auditioning at Baldwin-Wallace this weekend?</p>

<p>mtmommy-</p>

<p>He is keeping up on his singing on his own time at this point. But he could take a voice class or private lessons if he wished. This semester he is taking ballet for actors and modern dance and really enjoys it.</p>

<p>Thank you theatermom and fosselover for the encouraging words. I was beginning to think that I was the only one who felt this way. It is amazing how all the stress and pressure can affect our household. I have always gotten along so well with my D, but lately it has been really rough. I think I will try the "no college talk" days...it would be good for us both! We are from NC, so all of my D's college choices, with the exception of Elon, are requiring extensive travel plans, so I can relate to you, fosselover! I hope after all is said and done, my D will be accepted into a school of her choice, and that we will have some good memories (or at least something we can laugh about!) Good luck to all those in the same boat.<br>
P.S. I am so glad to have found this board. It is a lifesaver!!!!</p>

<p>Lexasmomkbj,</p>

<p>Yes, this is a very overwhelming time! I feel for you and everyone else out there going through this process. However, you won't believe the sense of relief/the rush and accomplishment when it is all over...it is incredible. Try to keep it all in perspective...I know it is hard at times, but you will have some incredible moments with your D and those will be treasured. I managed to coach twins through this process...we had our moments, but we weathered through them. Hang in there....we are all here for you!</p>

<p>SUE</p>

<p>Ok...now that I have the encouragement...we have another stressor....what does my D wear to the auditions???? We are never going to agree on this, so if I can get any input from others who have had successful auditions I MIGHT be able to convince my D that I can help.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Lexasmomkbj,
Go back to pages 8.9 there were some good ideas about audition wear. What I've started doing is clipping things out of CC and e-mailing them to my daughter. That way she knows it is not just my idea and there is a copy of the information for her to print out. It also avoids us "talking" about the process. She could never find time to sort through all the stuff on CC, so this is a way to convey the information to her.</p>

<p>We are visiting NC in Nov.! My D is looking at Elon and ECU as possibilities. Anything we should know before our visit? What is the weather like mid Nov.?</p>

<p>Together we will get through this!!!</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice on audition attire. I will definitely check it out. My D is also applying to Elon. We will be there Nov. 5...the only place we can actually drive to! Wow...what a long trip for you!!! North Carolina is usually not too cold in November (and what I mean by that is mid 60's to low 70's in the day to 40's/50's at night) ...but sometimes we get crazy weather, so you never can tell. If this week is any indication of the temperature for the next few, it is mid 70's right now and 50's at night (but that is about 10 degrees higher than the average.) Best of luck as you prepare for this busy year (I am right there with you) and safe travels!</p>

<p>We toured Elon this summer-beautiful place, but they had done fontal nudity their performances-most recently this spring. I did not belive it but checked their website and there are warnings. Our drama teacher told us they were looking for "shock value" in the trade publications to bring PR to their program. This did not please our D one bit!</p>

<p>fosseelover,</p>

<p>thanks for the info - We'll research some more.</p>

<p>lexismom</p>

<p>poppins,</p>

<p>"Our drama teacher told us they were looking for "shock value" in the trade publications to bring PR to their program. " But what did the faculty at Elon say the purpose of frontal nudity was. Has this been in more than one show? What was the show?</p>

<p>My son did a "nude scene" in his freshman year. It was even more brief than Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" and was an integral part of the story. By no means was it done for "shock value". They did issue warnings so that the audience would be aware of the nudity, which is the responsible thing to do. No one was required to participate or attend the production. Also it was not one of the "main stage" productions.</p>

<p>This event may make your daughter uncomfortable, but for others it may not be an issue depending on the rest of the story. I urge parents to talk to the drama department of Elon if this is a potential issue for them.</p>