<p>mtmommy-
ITS is the International Thespian Society. We will be starting a group this month at our school and hope to go to the Spring "convention". Our dilemma will be how to raise enough money for all or most members of the group to go this year, (for those students who can't get sponsorship from family and friends).</p>
<p>I have a question for you...what is DTASC?</p>
<p>DTASC is Drama Teacher's Association of Southern California. It's an affiliate of the Thespians, but has its own history and has been around a long time (for California lol). There are sixty some high schools involved and also a middle school chapter. I've written about it on here before. A lot of big name Hollywood actors have gone through it. The biggest cheerleader is probably Kevin Spacey. The rules are very rigid for DTASC. There are no costumes or sets or props, except for "room chairs." There are 8 categories. The regular festival is in the fall and the Shakespeare one is in the spring. Our old drama teacher is a big fan of DTASC, but the new drama teacher has criticisms of it (which I can understand, although it does have value). This year there was an unevenness caused by lack of qualified judges (they were announcing for anyone except parents or students to come judge because they were so many judges short--that means a lot of COACHES judged--while they didn't judge their own students they were judging their students' competition). I can't wait to see the Fullerton festival which the new teacher speaks much more highly of.</p>
<p>We have always had a number of parents go to Fullerton (moms and dads) and see the different events. I've not been able to get the time away from work so I've not had an opportunity.</p>
<p>Has anyone been to the Summer Honors Solo Vocal Camp at FSU? I think it is only one week.</p>
<p>Wct--I forgot to add about DTASC that every event is supposed to be done entirely by the students, including cutting the play and directing.</p>
<p>soozievt- waiting to hear your report on the schools you visited and the productions you saw at brown :)</p>
<p>You all must be buried knee deep in applications! (or, like me, pulling the covers over your head at the results of the election :( )</p>
<p>I'm out from beneath the covers, but I'm now looking for good theatre schools in Canada and Germany. I know I can't afford the ones in England. Are there any such MT programs worth looking at? Less than three months too young to vote and already cynical to a fault ...</p>
<p>Theatermom - Yes & Yes!</p>
<p>theatremom and catsmom,
me, too.</p>
<p>RE: Tisch Parent's Weekend and Northwestern Cherubs Program</p>
<p>Wow, it just took me a half hour to catch up since October 20th, in reading all the posts from then until now. We went to NYU for parent's weekend and it was great. My husband and I are like the father/husband way back in the posts who said it really sells NYU to the parents. We were sold at the auditions and orientation meeting for prospective students back in November of '03; however, the Saturday morning event for Tisch parents was awesome. It included introducing each of the chairs of the Tisch school and then broke out into smaller groups, i.e. drama students, film students, etc. There was a wonderful movie done by a Tisch Alumni, Jim Taylor, which was quite entertaining and on point for parents of freshman students. He has a great new movie coming out called "Sideways" It has been getting rave reviews. Anyhow, then there was a question and answer session that was really great. We had promised our daughter we would meet her and a friend for lunch so we had to leave before it was over and we really didn't want to miss any of the session. In the afternoon we went to our D's studio, Strasberg, and met all of her teachers at the studio. It was extremely impressive in my view. </p>
<p>I came away from that weekend knowing that my daughter will be successful in whatever career path she takes, whether it's theatre, musical theater, business, law, medicine, etc. You definitely get an understanding that a BFA can prepare you for many things, not just an acting career. Our daughter is seriously considering a double major at NYU, but I, personally, think she would have the skills for many occupations even if she only graduates with a BFA.</p>
<p>We were amazed by the level of work that she has to do in the theatre program. Her liberal arts classes require near perfect attendance, with a paper due almost each class session. Her studio experience has beeen at least 9:00 to 6:00, with a little extra thrown in from time to time. I remember how concerned I was that she wouldn't be on stage her freshman year because I thought she would surely miss that opportunity. She hasn't even made mention of it yet and she is past mid-term. I don't think she has time to think about it. Thank God she is a good student and she loves school. So, just like the prior posts, we're extremely happy with, as is our daughter, the choice of an NYU education and a BFA.</p>
<p>Now, turning to the summer school issue. Our daughter attended the Cherubs program in the summer between her junior and senior year in high school. It was an awesome program and she loved it. The training, and there is much of it, was top caliber. She also had a great time getting to act in a show during that period of time she was at Northwestern. We, as her parents, were extremely impressed with the level of talent that was representative in the program. Additionally, I believe at least 20, if not 25, of those in her 2003 Cherubs program now attend NYU in the various studios. Our D also attended the MT extension. The factor of time did not seem to be an issue for her in the least. She had never been to camp or been away from home for such an extended period of time, but she really enjoyed the program so time was not a factor in her mind. She at first was placed on the wait list after sending in her audition tape for the MT extention, and then we had the call asking her to come to the MT extension, this made it even better for her. Once she was in the two week extension she was given opportunities in the showcase, including short solo portions, which some students did not get an opportunity to showcase their voices. I think they were open to the fact that this was her first taped audition and once she auditioned in person she evidently did well as she was given larger opportunities than many to showcase her voice. In fact, she had a total stranger approach her after the performance who told her she wished that they had showcased her voice even more she enjoyed it so much. That was good for both her ego and her sense of whether this was a viable area of study when it came time to make a decision on what career path to follow in college.</p>
<p>In fact, I think the one thing the program did for her quite well was help her make the decision of whether she was truly passionate enough about theatre and acting to pursue it as a career. It was really the first time she had such an opportunity as we live in a rural area where the only theatrical opportunities are at the state university, community theater and high school she attended. It also helped us as her parents see that she was headed down the right path. When you attend the shows that the students put on, most people notice two or three people who stand out in each show, and we noticed that, even though we were her parents, many people took note of her performance. That always help you feel more comfortable in telling your children to take a huge risk through the audition process. After the aforementioned parent's weekend at NYU I have no doubt that my daughter chose the right program and career path to follow.</p>
<p>theatredivas mom- thanks for your comments about parents' weekend at Tisch. We are very, very happy our daughter is lucky enough to be there. Occasionally someone will tell me they aren't interested in Tisch as is it is "only" conservatory training, - this is not true. My daughter is working so hard- she is at the edge of being over-whelmed- but she operates well from the edge and is completely delighted with CAP 21 Studio. I am sure that the will complete her BFA well prepared for whatever she chooses to do. </p>
<p>Best wishes to ED applicants at Tisch.</p>
<p>So, Thesbo, I sympathize completely. I know you're venting, and I actually hope you'll decide to stay home and help us make the changes that have to happen in America. But since you asked, the Directory of Theatre Training Programs lists a couple BFA programs in Canada. The first two are in Acting, the last one in Musical Theatre:</p>
<p>Concordia University
Theatre Department
Montreal, Quebec
<a href="http://theatre.concordia.ca/%5B/url%5D">http://theatre.concordia.ca/</a></p>
<p>University of Windsor
School of Dramatic Art
Windsor, Ontario
<a href="http://uwindsor.ca/drama%5B/url%5D">http://uwindsor.ca/drama</a></p>
<p>Sheridan School of Animation, Arts & Design
Music Theatre Performance
Suburbs of Toronto, Ontario
<a href="http://www1.sheridanc.on.ca/programs/0405/saad/pmust/%5B/url%5D">http://www1.sheridanc.on.ca/programs/0405/saad/pmust/</a></p>
<p>You might also want to look at Mountview Academy in London. I heard this weekend that some years ago they offered a full ride to an American high school senior:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mountview.ac.uk%5B/url%5D">www.mountview.ac.uk</a></p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>theatredivasmom- Thank you so much for your comments about the Cherubs program at Northwestern. It sounds like the MT extension is more selective and acceptance may, in part, depend upon the quality of the audition tape. (Any hints about how to make a good tape?) But it also sounds like that experience really brought clarity for your D's decision to pursue acting/theatre...and that she has found such a great "fit" at her studio at NYU. We look forward to hearing how her year continues! Thanks again....</p>
<p>CalifMom,</p>
<p>I have to say the quality of our daughter's audition tape was actually pretty good as it was done in a studio at the state university in the rural town we live in at the present time. I just didn't feel it was the best audition performance my daughter might have had based on her performance. It was truly her first audition for anything other than a high school or college performance. I think that probably accounted for the difference in the Cherubs view of her from her audition tape and then having her sing for them in person during the actual program. If you live near a state university they are usually able to assist with audition tapes. We paid what I considered a negligible amount for the video and it was done much better than if we had attempted it ourself. The university also provided her with an accompanist (who was quite phenomenal) whom had played for our daughter when she went to NATS events in the past. I believe that the Cherubs program will accept any videotape, whether made by the parents or a professional. The MT extension is definitely more selective, they only accept 25 to 30 for the two week extension. I know approximately 500 students applied for the Cherubs program and they selected approximately 150 the year our daughter attended (2003). I am not quite sure out of the 500 total applicants how many apply for the MT extension, but on their website and in the brochure they do refer to the extension as "highly selective". Again, I must say it was a very positive experience for our daughter. Indeed, even though she was selected for the MT extension, when the time came to choose the exact major at school, she selected a straight drama (Strasberg) rather than MT (Cap 21) much to my chagrin at the time. Fortunately, the studio she was placed in has been a perfect fit for her and that is what is most important. She loves acting first and foremost, and with Strasberg she also has an advanced singing course so I know she is able to still use that talent. As I said, I think summer programs really help kids zero in on whether this is the right career path to take and, also, what their focus in that career path will be in the future. Good luck with your D's plans.</p>
<p>I definitely feel buried. Getting recommendation letters from some teachers is almost impossible -- "tomorrow...tomorrow...I promise tomorrow." In the meantime, I'm just ready to have everything checked off the list for a few days before auditions get started. It's nice, though, to see the academic acceptances roll in. If my D ever decides to major in something else, she'll sure have lots of options. Not likely to happy, is it? (LOL)</p>
<p>Hoofermom - I'm With You On The Recommendation Letters. I Truly Don't Know How My Daughter Could Have Done This Without My Help. It Takes A Very Organized Person To Keep Track Of What's Gone Out, What Needs To Be Done, Etc. My Older Daughter Did All Of This Herself, But These Mt Requirements With Every School Wanting Something Different Is Pretty Overwhelming. I'm Starting To See The Light, Though, And Looking Forward To The Fun Part. D Had A Car Accident This Week And Totaled Her Car. She Is Fine, Thank Goodness, Just Slightly Hysterical As Both Air Bags Went Off. But I'm Now Driving Her To School 45 Minutes Each Way, 4 Times A Day, On Top Of All Of Her Dance Classes, Voice, Etc. We Do Have That "car Time" Together, However, That I Do Remember Enjoying. I Just Wish She Didn't Have To Leave For School At 5:45 Am For Jazz Choir For Zero Period. Anyway, We Are Going To Emerson On Dec. 3 For The Dec. 5 Audition. Anyone Else?</p>
<p>Did anyone here audition at Baldwin-Wallace on Oct 30th? if so how'd it go?</p>
<p>Hello, this is aspiringactress from the old board, but now I'm aspiringactress1 because I couldn't figure out how to keep the same name so I just made a new one...did anyone audition at Tisch today?? A girl from my school did this morning, she applied ED, but I'm not sure if it was just her auditioning, or others also? I'm assuming they do auditions in blocks, I don't know. Also, did anyone go to their respective performing arts college fairs? I did recently, and didn't find the people very informed about the programs. I didn't really learn anything I wouldn't have from the websites. Just a note: CCM was not too warm, but I guess that's no surprise to anybody haha...surprisingly I was most impressed with SMU, even though it doesn't have musical theatre. The guy at their table seemed to actually have detailed information about the program and what I heard was very encouraging. It was very interesting, but I wish I had thought to prepare specific questions before I went. Any thoughts about the college fairs? Is it an advantage to talk to the people at the tables, or does everyone really get lost in the crowd at these events?</p>
<p>Our D is at Tisch/Atlantic Theater. We also went to the Parent's weekend and got a chance to visit ATC. She and friend were one of several pairs who did a short (4 line) scene showing the beginnings of Practical Aesthetics as a technique. It was amazing to see and try to understand what they are working on. She is so happy and alive in the city - loves 3rd North and her roommates. </p>
<p>The performance of Sweeney Todd was really good - it was clear that there is no shortage of world class voices at CAP. </p>
<p>She has relayed similar stories about CAP vs. the 100% acting studios. It certainly seems to be a question of dividing your attention across 3 disciplines as opposed to focusing on acting. She went to NY still thinking about MT, but lately has been seeing more plays and fewer musicals. She now talks about Stonestreet Studio (acting for the camera) as a high priority as opposed to CAP21 as her Junior or Senior transfer.</p>