Colleges for Musical Theater Major - Part 33

<p>Poppins,
I have a friend's son who is doing well in New York who graduated from Shorter's MT program. Shorter is about 40 miles from Atlanta. Also Birmingham-Southern has an MT program. Both of these would probably be considered safety schools.</p>

<p>Chrisr - Congratulaions on your acceptance at Arizona State! What a relief it must be to have somewhere to go already!<br>
lynnm - I too am looking forward to getting rid of all the papers when we have a college finalized! Did your D go to CMU this summer? I thought I remembered that she did or some poster with a name similar to yours. My D asked if I've met anyone on this board going to Emerson on Sunday that was at CMU this summer. My daughter talked to someone from CMU this summer that auditioned at Emerson in the last few weeks. She said everyone was very nice. They separated the parents and the kids right away and talked to all of the kids together before they auditioned. Apparently they danced on carpet because the dance room was being used for something else that day. She told her the dancing was very simple, no turns (probably because they were on carpet that day and I doubt if that will be the case on Sunday). That was all she knew about it. I will ask her to try and find out if there is anything for the parents during the auditions. I doubt she will have time, tho, since we fly out on Friday.<br>
Soozievt - Congratulations on your daughter's NFAA award! You should be very proud. Here in So. Calif. we have something similar to NFAA called Spotlight Awards. We have not heard yet about the results. I believe there are 2 more rounds (live, not taped) and the semi-finalists have a master class before the finals. Then the 2 finalists in each category perform at the Dorothy Chandlier Pavilion at the Music Center where the winner is then chosen. I highly recommend it for high school students in So. Calif (from San Diego County to Ventura County) - not just seniors.</p>

<p>Anybody auditioning at UArts on Saturday?</p>

<p>Catsmom, that sounds so cool where you live. Hope she enjoys it and breaks a leg. We don't have anything like it in these woods ;-). No competitions. We have things like All State Scholarships for Voice (which is classical voice ....not her love) though she won it last year. She has friends in other states that have musical theater type awards and it all sounds like great fun and great evenings. The NFAA thing was a neat experience and to be among kids from all over. It seems like so many winners come out of performing arts high schools and there are none of those in VT. She would likely love to go to such a school but will have to wait until college for that. I hope she gets in SOMEwhere so she can have that experience. </p>

<p>I hope we meet on Sunday. You are coming so far! Mine is just a 3 1/4 hour drive. Let's hope it does not snow though. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>Just wanted to add my congrats to all of you who have heard such good news so early. Just knowing you have somewhere to go takes so much of the pressure off. Well done!!</p>

<p>Also wanted to send my "break-a-leg"s to all of you going to Emerson this weekend. I wish you blue skies and happy communing with other CC parents. Most of all, I hope the students feel good about their experiences. We found that each audition was a learning experience which made subsequent auditions easier. If parents can help their children see it this way, it can relieve some (tho honestly not all.....) of the pressure. </p>

<p>I'm remembering that last year several of the parents found ourselves at multiple auditions together and seeing familiar parental faces was as comforting and reassuring as it must be for the students to see familiar student faces as they wait their turn. Try to enjoy!</p>

<p>We'll all look forward to hearing about the weekend.</p>

<p>Catsmom - Yes, My D went to CMU this summer. She was wondering if she would see anyone at the auditions whom she met over the summer. Looking forward to meeting everyone.<br>
Soozievt - Congrats. to your D. Terrrific!
Thank you to all the others wishing the kids good luck. It's so nice to be in such fine company and to have such wonderful, mentoring parents from last year!</p>

<p>I concur with what Lynn wrote above. It is really heartwarming to see some students and particularly parents from last year's (or prior) rounds who have stayed on here and are offering advice and support. Thanks everyone. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>Congratulations to your son for his first acceptance. My D and I are anxiously awaiting news from the schools she has already auditioned for (Elon and OCU) which should be coming in mid-December. I think that knowing you have a place at a school would take a lot of the pressure off for upcoming auditions! </p>

<p>To all those who will be at Emerson on Sunday, we will also be there...it sounds like there will be many from this board there that day! Tell all your children to "break-a-leg!" </p>

<p>To those who have not yet begun the audition process...it DOES get easier with each audition...and your child will bring something positive away from the each process. </p>

<p>Thanks to everyone for all the support on this board!</p>

<p>(And my dining room also has seen better days!)</p>

<p>I find it very interesting that my d, who thrives in front of an audience, calms ME down at auditions, sings in front of thousands (ok, maybe hundreds), ETC, ETC, ETC...said to me tonight, "OK...what if I don't get in anywhere"? And I said, well then, we fall back on plan B. And she said..."Well, that means I'm not good enough to make it if I don't at least get into a college for musical theater. And you're supposed to say, of course you'll get in somewhere". So I say, "Of course you'll get in somewhere." Then we both break out into laughter in the car on the way home from the doctor where she left with a knee brace on and a diagnosis of shin splints. I ask you, last year's moms, how are you coping without all of this stress? Got to keep a sense of humor in all of this.</p>

<p>Thank you all for your congrats and support. I agree with you, Lexasmomkbj, it is getting easier with each audition. And, even though there is one acceptance, my desk is still a mess with almost complete applications. At this point, S plans to do five more auditions in Feb/March. We are still deciding whether to try to go to San Francisco and quick fly to L.A. for the next day for Unified Auditions or for him to audition at Webster and Otterbein in March. This is a trying time for all of us. Break legs to all who are auditioning this weekend.</p>

<p>Just wanted to add my congrats to Soozievt's D and Chrisr's S! And break a leg to everyone auditioning at Emerson (or anywhere else, for that matter) this weekend. I grew up in the Boston area and also went to college there (Brandeis; not anything theatre-related). Even though that was about a zillion years ago, I'm confident in saying there's no better city in which to be a student.</p>

<p>The only MT programs that could legitimately be considered "safeties" are those which do not require an audition for entrance. Using the Big List, I culled out those schools. There are 27 of them, listed below by state. </p>

<p>If you haven't visited the geocities site which Shauna set up for us (sorry I missed you in Dallas!), it's still incredibly helpful: <a href="http://www.geocities.com/musicaltheatercolleges/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.geocities.com/musicaltheatercolleges/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Happy holidays, everyone!</p>

<p>ALABAMA </p>

<p>~University of South Alabama (BFA) </p>

<p>COLORADO </p>

<p>~Metropolitan State College of Denver (BFA) </p>

<p>FLORIDA </p>

<p>~University of West Florida (BFA) </p>

<p>GEORGIA </p>

<p>~Brenau University (BFA)
~Shorter College (BFA) </p>

<p>ILLINOIS </p>

<p>~Columbia College (BA)</p>

<p>INDIANA </p>

<p>~Vincennes University (AS, 2 year degree) </p>

<p>IOWA </p>

<p>~Drake University (BFA) </p>

<p>KANSAS </p>

<p>~Wichita State University (BFA) </p>

<p>KENTUCKY </p>

<p>~Northern Kentucky University (BFA)
~Western Kentucky University (BFA) </p>

<p>MINNESOTA </p>

<p>~University of Minnesota-Duluth (BFA)</p>

<p>MISSISSIPPI </p>

<p>~University of Mississippi (BFA) </p>

<p>MISSOURI </p>

<p>~Avila University (BFA) </p>

<p>NEBRASKA </p>

<p>~University of Nebraska (Minor) </p>

<p>NEVADA </p>

<p>~University of Nevada, Las Vegas (BA) </p>

<p>NEW YORK </p>

<p>~Wagner College (BA) </p>

<p>NORTH CAROLINA </p>

<p>~Catawba College (BFA)
~Mars Hill College (BFA) </p>

<p>OHIO </p>

<p>~Marietta College (BFA)
~University of Akron (BA) </p>

<p>OKLAHOMA </p>

<p>~University of Tulsa (BA and Minor) </p>

<p>TEXAS </p>

<p>~Texas Christian University (BFA)
~Texas State University-San Marcos (BFA)
~University of North Texas (BFA) </p>

<p>WEST VIRGINIA </p>

<p>~West Virginia Wesleyan College (BA and Minor)</p>

<p>WISCONSIN </p>

<p>~Carthage College (BA in Music)</p>

<p>catsmom: Just because they get into a program for MT doesn't mean the stress goes away. Your student then auditions for each semester season and you go through the same process of "wait and see'" to find out if you've been cast in anything. If you're not...does that mean you're not as talented as the others in your program that were cast? It will always be the same process with this wonderful field that our chikdren have chosen. Whether it's HS, college or a career. I adore seeing my D on stage, she thrives and lives for it and yet....the stress is still there through each auditioning process.
Break a leg to all of you going to Emerson or U Arts or wherever your audtions take you this weekend. Hope to meet some of you at the PSU auditions the end of Feb...we'll be there for Sweet Charity. And don't forget to enjoy this time with your children as much as possible. As stressful as it can be, it was a wonderful one on one time with my D. You can't wish that time away, especially since within a short time, they'll be away at college. Sappy, I know, but so true.</p>

<p>Doctorjohn--Thanks for the pulled-together list of true safeties! Do you have any tips on what to look for in these programs (on paper or internet)? It seems to me that courses required is one place to look. For example, I noticed that Drake lists voice, but not for all 8 semesters--and it isn't clear if it's private voice lessons or not. My D plans to contact a couple of people to find out. It's still unclear to me if a non-audition MT program or some other route is a better safety plan. (She doesn't really want to apply to a safety--I'm urging the issue--and in fact says she wants to go "where I'm wanted").</p>

<p>I know most of you posters are busy with auditions right now (I feel for you!), but if anyone, including a reader-not-poster, has any info about any of the safety programs, a lot of readers now and in the future would benefit. Thanks!</p>

<p>Come to think of it, reading Doctorjohn's post about schools with musical theater and not an audition based program....I just remembered that a local girl who both my D's are friends with who graduated this past June with my older one (but does musicals w/ my younger one) did not get into any of the audition based BFA MT programs last year and she is at Indiana and I think studying musical theater. I don't see that school on DoctorJohn's list but I think they have that field, no? Maybe it is just music? I just know it was her "Safety" as it had no audition and actually her mom has some connection to that university. She seems to be happy. She was at a little "reunion" my freshman daughter had at our house with her local peers at Thanksgiving, whom she had not seen since college started. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>Here's the link regarding MT opportunites at Indiana U.</p>

<p><a href="http://php.indiana.edu/%7Esclee/academics/undergraduate/musical.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://php.indiana.edu/~sclee/academics/undergraduate/musical.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Musical Theatre Opportunities (Individualized Major Program)</p>

<p>Music Theatre is an important part of the larger study and practice of theatre. The department recognizes the importance of musical theatre in the contemporary theatre as well as its popularity among students. We offer many opportunities for students to explore musical theatre and build skills in the area. The general theatre and drama curriculum is, of course, a strong foundation for all students and participants in the theatre. Courses in the performance area especially serve students interested in musical theatre.</p>

<p>The Musical Theatre Workshop (T300, 3 cr.) is offered once each year and may be repeated. In the department's co-curricular production program the University Theatre Season offers at least one major musical theatre production yearly. Musical theatre elements (songs, dance, etc.) are often included in other productions.</p>

<p>Broadway Cabaret offers a select group of students the opportunity to rehearse and perform musical revue work throughout the year. All students interested in performance can take advantage of the voice, dance, and martial arts courses in the School of Music and the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. The Individualized Major Program also offers exceptional students the opportunity to consolidate interests in the musical theatre area. For more information on the undergraduate program in Theatre and Drama at Indiana University, contact Charles Railsback, Undergraduate Advisor. </p>

<p>I also have a suggestion for CC readers who want to find each other at auditions. How about a MagenTa ribbon? Seems like there is a ribbon or bracelet for just about everything nowdays. Just a thought...</p>

<p>Since you guys from last year are such a resource, can someone who has been to the UMich auditions help me out here with a question? I know they tell you to allow all day for the auditions. Do you recall around what time it ended.....like was it over by 4:30? I ask because I have to look into booking flights about six weeks from now and it is very tricky, particularly with the routing to where I live. We were there back in Sept. and it was tricky that time too but I was not dealing with audition constraints. I actually paid to stay two nights to get a Sat. night layover and it was still expensive but better. The audition is on a Friday so we have to arrive Thurs. night but I anticipate, if possible, we could fly home Friday night but if we cannot get to the airport in time for that, stay another night and leave on Sat. (which still does not include a Sat. night layover rate in any case). As we did such an extenisve visit last time, it is not like we need extra time there. Anyway, I would not want to book the Friday night return if we could not get to the airport on time but have no idea how late the auditions can go. It is more complicated with like barely ANY direct flights or they are astrononmical (over 600 each!!) and then most choices left are with stops that are so out of the way, like going to DC from VT to get to MI!! and then it taking three times longer. None of it looks good but my first choice is to find the best way but make it obviously work with the auditions. </p>

<p>This whole audition process alone is a costly venture to say the least ;-).</p>

<p>Thanks.
Susan</p>

<p>I have booked a flight to visit Indiana University on Feb. 7 (a day out of school for us) as a possible safety school for my son who is interested in MT and who will probably audition for up to 10 schools requiring audition (see previous long postings from about a week ago). We have already received good information about IU's Individualized Major Program. They have outstanding reputations in theatre and in opera (vocal music), and I think a decent dance dept. I'll keep you posted after the trip. My son is currently a high school junior and will audition next year. </p>

<p>Our other safeties to choose from are Tulsa and TCU. We are in Arkansas. I graduated from TCU and have been in correspondence - plan to visit on 2/21. We have already visited Univ. of Tulsa where we have a good friend who is a freshman MT major there and getting major roles. MT is part of the theatre program at Tulsa and currently has about 20 people in the major (3 girls who are freshmen, the rest are older). They have a good line-up of shows, but we're concerned about the program being so small - if only 3 people went there this year for it - and none of the freshmen are boys. The college overall is very impressive and everyone very friendly. Our friend is happy - it may be because her boyfriend was already there in another field of study. If none of these schools work out, I may explore Univ. of Mississippi, which is nearby and on the big safety list as another backup option I hadn't thought of.</p>

<p>Hi susan:</p>

<p>If you do NOT have another audition the next day, I would just stay the extra night at UMichigan. When my daughter auditioned at UM last year, I was anxious because the very next day we had scheduled her OCU audition. To make a very long story short: </p>

<p>If I could do it again, I would not have had a flight out that evening, I would have spent the extra night. Also, the Dec. UM audition has MANY MORE auditionees than Nov., so you will be there ALL afternoon. You and your daughter will be less anxious and that's really important. If you try to fly out that evening - you'l have to schedule a VERY late flight out - or - you'll be worrying all day.</p>

<p>Hope this helps.
-Margaret</p>

<p>Dancersmom--Thanks for the IU info. That does sound good. Also, Ericsmom, I guess your S and my D will be auditioning at this time next year. Please keep us posted about the safeties you investigate.</p>