Colleges for Musical Theater Major - Part 32

<p>Jamimom--Your info is very helpful. Just out of curiosity, when you say the auditions are not as limiting--how does one determine this? Even the schools who aren't the "ivies" of MT still seem to take such a few # of auditioners that it seems to be very "elite." This is a good thing--unless one doesn't get in, of course. Fordham specifically does not want students who are interested in MT. Muhlenberg keeps cropping up as one of the few non-audition programs. I'd love to hear from someone who is a student there or who has really examined that school first hand.</p>

<p>Also, under school activities in the USNWR blurb for each school, there is a list. A positive sign is when MT is offered as an activity. You can then go on the web site and see what productions, how many productions are done each year. You can also see how many courses and teachers are allocated for voice, dance theatre. Fordham is more pure theatre and they outsource their voice instruction, but then again going to Tisch they basically outsource everything, and only one of the studios is really MT. You can find out if the auditions are limiting by calling the theatre departments and asking about what % get in from the auditions. </p>

<p>We have looked at a number of MT programs, and find that even the top ones differ dramatically from each other. You have the very strong voice programs like OCU, Michigan, Boston Cons, where the program is housed in the schools of music. If the drama dept runs the program, there might not be as strong of an emphasis on voice. You really have to check out each program. Also the opportunities to perform and the liasions with prof theatre can be important. DePaul, for example, is strongly linked to the Goodman theatre which is well known in Chicago, and a theatre student there is very like to get professional type experience unavailable in some of the best programs. If you have seen some of the studio shows of Tisch, and compared, you'll see what I mean. But Depaul, like Fordham, is not as big on MT, and does not even have a voice component to the audition. </p>

<p>Of all of the schools we saw, S thought Point Park's program was the most ideal as to how MT should be done. Strong affiliation with a prof theatre with opportuniites to perform there, strong voice with a MT focus, strong dance, and strong drama. But he did not like the school, envirionment, etc. POint Park is highly selective for MT also, but he chose not to apply there. So other factors pop in as well. </p>

<p>My neighbor's daughter is at Muhlenberg and loves it there. It is similar to many of the excelllent smaller PA LACs but more artsy. The girl is active in dance, and says the theatre opportunities are terrific there.</p>

<p>We are visiting Muhlenberg on Friday, interview and information session. When we return I will write up our impressions. Their summer program appears to be excellent for the MT student and they claim a willingness to allow multiple majors and minors to cross the curricula the MT students wants and needs.</p>

<p>Jamimom and Fosselover--Thanks! I can't wait to hear about Muhlenberg and I'll definitely check out the USNWR.</p>

<p>I have a friend who teaches (in a non-arts field) at Muhlenburg and says it's a great school. (She was trained in the ivy league).</p>

<p>My D and I visited Muhlenberg and she really liked it. It is a beautiful campus. Smaller than other schools we've looked at, but they have obviously spent a good amount of money on their performing arts venues. You can check their website and see the shows they have done and that are in the works. They may not have a MT program, per se, but they definitely have the coursework so that you can obtain MT training. It's just a matter of putting the right program together. And from our meeting with the people there, I really get the feeling that they are happy to work with each student. But, they do have high academic standards. Getting into the program means getting accepted academically into the college. So while it may be a safety school as far as MT, it may not be a safety school academically. You can check out their website at <www.muhlenberg.edu&gt;&lt;/www.muhlenberg.edu&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I just noticed, looking at the Muhlenberg catalogue, that SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission - another possible plus.</p>

<p>momfirst--Yes, academically it is not a safety, but that isn't a huge concern for my D. She carries a 4.0 unwgt. GPA. Thanks for the input.<br>
chrism--While SAT/ACT aren't required for admission, you do need them for scholarships.</p>

<p>Muhlenberg is an excellent school. My D has a friend who is studying there and who is participating in the drama dept. courses. She's happy. Although auditions aren't required for admission, they ARE required if you wish to be considered for any type of scholarship. It's recommended that if the student has strong skills, that they DO audition. It's a small school and any student, drama or otherwise, is eligible to audition for the shows that are produced each year. The issue with SAT/ACT scores is one where it's always better to provide them unless the scores are low. If the student chooses not to provide them, I believe then they must submit some work which has been graded and signed by a current teacher. An interview with a Muhlenberg rep is also then required. The academic requirements for Muhlenberg are fairly selective so it's difficult to think of this school as a safety. This is basically a theatre arts program, so be sure your child wants that. Even those in the performance concentration take only five performance classes over the course of four years, unless this has changed since my D's friend applied. It's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the actual curriculum which is available and what the required courses are. I'll be anxious to hear the reports of visits this year! :)</p>

<p>This question is a bit off topic but musicals do require a book-- sooo--</p>

<p>Do any of you know of colleges that have very strong playwriting or creative writing programs? I have searched through the college search and selection forum but can't find much. I think Brown has a highly regarded program but are there any others?</p>

<p>Thanks for any info</p>

<p>Sasha, NYU has an excellent dramatic writing program which leads to a BFA. If you're interested in being a dramatist, it's definitely one to check out.</p>

<p>Just wanted to keep you all updated. My D visited and auditioned at Elon last Friday...we both fell in love with the school AND the MT program. The campus is beautiful! The MT program is small, only accepting 16 and is fairly new (graduated its first class in 1995), but the faculty was very professional and extremely nice...and we were told that Elon is establishing quite a reputation with casting agents...some of whom visit the college personally to see new talent. We had the opportunity to talk with several MT students while there and also got to see their performance of Jekyll and Hyde, which was incredible. It rivaled some of the shows I've seen on Broadway. The performers were extremely talented, the set blew us away (complete with turntable stage), and the stage direction and choreography were top-notch. If the show was any indication of the program, then my D moves Elon to the top of her list. Would love to hear opinions from others!</p>

<p>Jamimom,
I don’t know if they allow music/voice/dance majors to maybe take some acting classes, but DePaul’s BFA Acting program is considered by many to be one of the best in the country and is highly selective. It's by no means a safety for anyone. Catawba College has MT and doesn’t require auditions for admission. Instead, they audition for the BFA program second semester of freshman year and admission to it is apparently no gimme. Shorter College also has MT and is a non-audition program. Their reputation is apparently growing. Both Catawba and Shorter could be considered academic safeties.</p>

<p>We're in Texas and our safety is Sam Houston State University. It is located about an hour north of Houston. Their MT program is in the Theatre and Dance department. If their website is any indication, they do some really great shows....sets, costumes, etc. We're visiting on Saturday and going to see Smokey Joes Cafe....so we'll see. My D attended Broadway Theatre Project in the summer and SHSU was one college program that was mentioned as being a good program that is underappreciated. The cost is miniscual (sp?) compared to most ($8,000/year includes room & board). It looks like they have auditions one Saturday in April and the auditions are for scholarship determination not for acceptance into the program. Anyway, its my D's safety for now.</p>

<p>We are visiting Elon on Friday, so I'm glad to hear the great review.</p>

<p>Just to let you know...the weather here in NC has suddenly become cold and is expected to stay that way through the weekend. It was 34 degrees this morning around 7:00 and is only expected to reach the low 50's during the day. (A lot colder than the weather we have been experiencing lately--had on shorts last weekend!) Anyway, best of luck to you and your D!</p>

<p>Can anyone help me with pursuing schools for musical theatre training. I currently have a B.A. in Drama and have been acting in theatre for about seven years now, quite successfully, but ready to move forward to New York (or whereever) for next-level, expert training in acting and would love to incorporate musical theatre training in the mix. Right now on my list is AMDA and Circle in the Square. Any thoughts on those, and others, that might be the right fit for me? This late in the ballgame, I need the "circle to fit in the square."</p>

<p>FYI: Otterbein</p>

<p>D has been asking how to find out what Westerville Ohio is really like. Found this set of short videos that help give a sense, I think, of the city/town.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.ci.westerville.oh.us/videos.asp%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ci.westerville.oh.us/videos.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>timothy, if you're interested in MT training in NYC, here's a link to the CAP21 studio which offers such training. I'd stay away from AMDA if I were you.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.cap21.org/music.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.cap21.org/music.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Timothy, I also have heard many discourage AMDA as well so take note. For someone your age with your background, I would look into Circle in the Square. They have a certificate program and there are students of various ages. While I do not know students in the two year program, I have known many to do the summer program there. It so happens that my daughter's voice teacher and acting teacher in Vermont where we live, are on the faculty at Circle in the Square's program year round midweek (they split their lives between CITS and Vermont where their permanent homes are). I cannot recommend this two people highly enough. While I do not know the rest of the faculty at CITS, these two teachers are veterens, well respected, with clients on Broadway and so forth. The voice faculty person is Bill Reed and the acting faculty is Alan Langdon. I suggest visiting and talking with faculty there to garner a sense of what they offer and how it might best fit your learning needs. I think it is worth looking into. </p>

<p>Susan</p>