<p>Shauna--WELCOME BACK! I'm waiting to hear how your show this fall went. And everything else, of course, too.</p>
<p>Shauna - Welcome Back! You were sorely missed.
Dr. John - How could I forget the "Mc"? I'm a "Mc" myself!!!!! I can't believe I did that. When I first saw Amy I couldn't believe she was old enough to have graduated college. She really is tiny. Very sweet to all those outside waiting for autographs, too.</p>
<p>I am in complete agreement that the location of a program is not important; it's the quality of the program that counts. I don't know if in my prior posting I came across as being cynical about Ohio or anywhere else. I was just relaying the small conversation my D had with Amy McAlexander. Believe me, we're from "Joisey" so pretty much anywhere is an improvement! Also, I also think that students that choose MT as a major probably don't get much of an opportunity to hang outside doing nothing. It seems like they're busy 24/7.</p>
<p>Marissal</p>
<p>My D was accepted EA for MT at Emerson last year and the acceptance came in a not terribly thick 9" x12" white Emerson envelope in which there was an Emerson folder containing a letter accepting her to the college in the first paragraph and to the BFA MT program in the second paragraph. There were also a few other pieces of information about "What To Do Next," etc. She auditioned on Dec 6 and the acceptance letter was dated Dec 12 and reached us on Dec 15. (You know I saved all these letters.......)</p>
<p>Hope yours is on the way!</p>
<p>One more posting on Ohio's image and Otterbein. Actually, I can't speak about the state as a whole, but I can definitely say that my D loved her visit to Otterbein last summer. She's a very worldly kid who loves NYC and other big cities; she's lived in California, Beijing, Honolulu, Hong Kong and now the DC suburbs; and, believe me, she wouldn't hesitate for a second to declare someplace a boring backwater if that's how she felt. But Otterbein appealed to her very strongly, for reasons both tangible (our meeting with Doctorjohn, beautiful classrooms, etc.) and intangible (as happens at every school). She decided quickly that she wanted to apply, and she was thrilled when she received her acceptance a week or so ago. Her audition is only in February, so we're in wait-and-see mode there. (She's in the same situation with Point Park; at College of Santa Fe she's been accepted by both the college and the performing arts dept. As you can see, she concluded -- very decisively, I must say -- that she wanted to focus on smaller programs.) Anyway, bottom line: I certainly agree with everyone who says that the quality of the program should be the chief determining factor. However, we do want our kids to feel "in place" wherever they go. Based on my daughter's reaction to Otterbein, that's more than possible in an Ohio suburb!</p>
<p>Someone posted about staying somewhere close to UMich where they had air freshener or something in the rooms and it was horrible. Could whoever posted this say the name of the place so we don't book there. We'd like to stay close to campus and there aren't too many places right by the campus . Thanks.</p>
<p>The hotel the poster referenced was The Bell Tower which is right on campus. We have now stayed there 3 times and have never had a problem with "over-refreshed rooms." I will tell you it is the most expensive hotel in Ann Arbor and is definitely more along the lines of a traditional, old world, "upper class" hotel. The rooms are nice but not extraordinary, there is a lovely restaurant on premises that has very good food and provides the nice complimentary continental breakfast (cereals, muffins, bagels, yogurt, juices, coffee, tea, hard boiled eggs, etc) and we kind of like the free valet parking. The major benefit is location - within walking distance to almost everything on central campus and the Ann Arbor campus/business center (stores, retaurants, movies etc.) It is right across the street from the Hill Auditorium and a 2 minute walk from the Power Centre and the Mendelssohn Theatre, where the audition day begins. There are also rooms available on campus in the Michigan League - a little more spartan I'm told but right next to the Mendelssohn.</p>
<p>The other hotels mentioned are all within a 5 minute drive to campus and offer pretty similar standard chain motel quality. The other advantage of The Bell Tower is you don't have to worry about finding/paying for on campus parking which, depending upon the time of year, can be a little tricky. I wouldn't let the room deodorizer story alone scare you away. Given the normal prices they charge (depending on how you make your reservation - direct phone or internet -occasional specials are available - and what time of year it is - don't try on a football weekend, graduation or parents weekend) - from @$150 - 220 a night, they are VERY accommodating - they should be!</p>
<p>I just booked an Ann Arbor hotel this afternoon (btw, took everyone's advice to not try to make a flight home after the audition but to stay an extra night, thanks). We were at UMich back in September so I have stayed there once before. I am sure the suggestions above are great and lovely and in good locations. For me, I have opted for good location but also cheapest price in that parameter. So, I will just throw that option out to you. We stayed last time and again will this time at Holiday Inn Ann Arbor North Campus. It is very close to the North Campus where the Music School is located. No matter whether you stay closest to central campus or North Campus, you have to do part of the audition at both campuses so that point is either/or. The drive from this hotel over to the central campus is about five minutes but is more like two minutes to the music school. On Orbitz, the rate is $89 on the nights of the Jan. audition. Hope that helps. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Marisol -
Many people we know were confused by acceptance letters too - they'd get in the school (sometimes with scholarship) & assume everything was set but then find out/realize it didn't include being an MT major. For example, at least 3 girls we know over the last two years got acceptance letters to Univ of Cinncinatti/CCM with scholarships and assumed they had made it into the CCM MT program because that is what they auditioned for but that was not the case with any of them. They were accepted in the CCM vocal program (none accepted because they wanted MT.) Same thing happened with other kids/other schools. It is confusing. My point is to have a letter in hand that clearly states acceptance to the MT major before you make any plans or cancel any other auditions.</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone! Can't wait to hear the news. Welcome back Shauna!
TX Mom</p>
<p>D just got assigned 3 back to back audition slots on one day, spaced about 30 min apart. That seems a bit much - is it even possible to do it that way? to say nothing of how she would do in this situation!</p>
<p>Chrism--I hope somebody answers you soon because I'd sure love a quick answer if I were you! It sounds impossible to me unless the schools are used to such a thing and make allowances.</p>
<p>Doctor John:</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply and the lead. I sent Ms. Geist an emai on the 7th (mentioning your name), but have not received any reply. Do you or does anyone else have information on what we should ask for regarding a head shot if we are contacting a local photograher? Thanks to all.</p>
<p>Vocaldad</p>
<p>chrism, you should try and email or PM Doctor.John for an answer to your question. He's probably the best one to consult on that. I do have to say, though, that if there is any way to avoid that, I'd do it! That just sounds impossible to me. We didn't do the Unifieds so I don't know if that's a normal schedule. </p>
<p>vocaldad, hopefully Doctor John will get back to you quickly but I can tell you that I know of kids who went to a photographer who wasn't familiar with theatre headshots and after discussing them with the photographer, he realized that they're pretty much the same as what they call 'modelling shots'. Usually if you mention that, you'll be fine. I can't imagine a trained photographer who wouldn't know what that would be. :) Having said that, headshots are usually shot from the waist up (sometimes they're full body but not often) and occasionally only shoulders and head. They are almost always black and white. They usually request black or white top, something neutral and solid color, anyway. The photographer should take a series so that you have some to choose from. Some open smile, some closed smile, some serious. Vary the position a few times. If your child wears glasses, include a couple of shots with the glasses. Looking natural and comfortable are the hallmarks of a good headshot. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks Alwaysmom. I'll see what we can do.</p>
<p>Vocaldad</p>
<p>vocaldad - Checkout this website. It explains headshots in great detail.
<a href="http://www.ariafilms.com/casting/headshots/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.ariafilms.com/casting/headshots/index.html</a> Also shows good vs. bad headshots. Good luck. This information is for the film industry, but I think it shows what you need for a headshot for either.</p>
<p>vocaldad,</p>
<p>When my daughter was a senior at Baldwin-Wallace a few years ago, her musical theater class went to Chicago to have their head shots taken by the photographer whose website appears below:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gratefulheads.net/%5B/url%5D">http://www.gratefulheads.net/</a></p>
<p>You can see some samples of head shots, as well as tips on what to wear, prices (astronomical), etc.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>alldressedup, that's a great site which should give vocaldad some good information about what to discuss with his photographer. The photographer my D used is in the process of revamping his site at the moment but his is very similar to that one! Some great shots there! The information on the other site that was linked is just not accurate when it says that shots should not include even the full shoulders. It's so common in headshots today that I'm surprised they'd include that admonition on a website!</p>
<p>Perhaps this is naive, but I really don't think for college that the headshot deserves as much conversation as it's getting. And Dr. John, please correct me if I'm wrong, but our kids are applying for MT--not modeling. I assume the headshot is to provide a reference to remember the kids by as they are going through their notes and trying to remember who's who. You want a good picture that captures who your child is--and I think there are good photographers everywhere--I don't think you have to spend a million on this one.</p>
<p>I thought I recalled someone posting they are from Tallahassee or have been there. Any thoughts on where to stay, etc? My daughter will be auditioning there Jan 23.</p>
<p>I agree with newmtmom, and I hope I didn't mislead vocaldad--or anyone--with my earlier post. I wouldn't spend a lot of money on head shots for college applications. There will be plenty of time for that later!</p>