<p>I appreciate all of your information. My d is at a performing arts hs in nc that she did audition for. She has had private voice lessons for 4 years so far, dance for 7 years and has had some great lead and ensemble roles in community theater, dinner theater and hs theater so far. She will be taking more dance at the Broadway dance center summer intensive program in july but I just wanted to know what kinds of things people had done. Any suggestions on what other programs could benefit her in the time to come before she eventally audition?</p>
<p>kaysmom, it sounds to me as though you and your D are on the right path. One thing I'd like to mention, is to have your D proceed by doing the things she loves. Don't look at every opportunity in the light of how it will help her prepare for college, or how it will look on an artistic resume. I give this same advice to the families I counsel, even if they're not interested in theatre. I think kids need to experience many things and not be overly focussed on doing things that will 'get them into college'. Balance is always a good thing. Your D has obviously been doing the right things in terms of training so I don't think I can offer many suggestions on that. One thing I will say that has been so beneficial to my D is that we exposed her, and all of our kids, to theatre from a very young age. By the time she auditioned for college, she had probably seen 200-300 shows onstage, Broadway, off-Broadway, national tours, regional shows, community theatre, and school productions. Reading plays is also invaluable to young actors. Actually, reading <em>period</em> is a great thing for them because it allows them to gain information which will make them informed, well-rounded individuals, always a necessity as an actor.</p>
<p>Lastly, if your D has an interest totally separate from acting, let her pursue it. My D played high level soccer for many years after starting the game when she was 5. She continues to play on a travelling team in the summer. Sports are a passion for her, as is writing. She's written several plays and short stories, some of which have been published. I guess my point is that it is good for these kids to have outside interests as well. It can only help them develop into good actors. Nice to have you here! :)</p>
<p>Thank both of you so much for you info...I agree my d does have to stay pretty well rounded. She used to love volleyball and played in middle school but then when got to the perf arts hs they have no sports to that has kind of gone by the wayside. But she loves her guitar and plays and writes songs a lot. Although she is not a big reader, I think that reading the plays is an awesome idea! She also loves fashion -- sews, makes belts, bags clothes...always something new and hip looking. She she does love lots of things, but unlike your d...her's all happen to be very artsy which is probably not the best thing. But it's what she loves.</p>
<p>Kaysmom, </p>
<p>As you have probably already begun to notice, the students here have a very wide range of experiences in regard to MT. We are also from NC, but my D goes to a public h.s. and we live in a small town so her experiences have probably been a little more limited than some of those on this forum. She has done school things and community theater as well as private lessons and summer programs, but does not have nearly the CV that some of these talented young people have. However, she has gotten accepted to a couple of what the so-called the MT Ivies and has decided to go to OCU next fall. SO in the long run, I know the experiences help, but the talent has to get you there. It looks like you and your d are definitely headed in the right direction! One of the biggest helps for us was, in fact, going back to the VERY beginning of the MT posts and reading everything. Everyone on here is so helpful that almost any question that hasn't already been addressed can definitely be answered by someone. Concerning being well-rounded, my d doesn't play any sports because as you probably know, all the lessons, rehearsals, etc. take a lot of time and energy. Good luck as you help your d pursue her dream! We are all here to support you.</p>
<p>alwaysamom, I really appreciate your emphasizing the importance of these kids doing what they love and doing more than the activities that they believe will eventually get them into an MT program. For several years my D was a serious taekwondo competitor, including winning a national gold medal. There's absolutely no doubt that she missed out on some MT opportunities because of her involvement, and she did eventually choose to give it up largely to be able to devote herself more to MT-related activities. However, taekwondo meant so much to her and was so valuable in a variety of ways (physical challenge, discipline, mastery of skills, competition, team spirit, a group of people she loved, etc.) that it was absolutely worth it.</p>
<p>I can't yet tell you the ending of our story, as she has her last audition tomorrow (Webster) and we're in the midst of the waiting game, but she's pursued this path in the way that was right for her. As for her schooling -- she's at a large public high school that (we thank our lucky stars) is extremely strong in all the arts and has truly superlative music & MT faculty. She's also done summer/community theatre shows but never attended any of the big name performing arts camps or summer programs. She's seen more shows, at various levels, than I could possibly list. (Thanks for stressing that, too, alwaysamom.) Like every kid who posts or is posted about on this board, she has talent and passion for MT. And like every poster here, we're just waiting to hear that the right school has recognized that!</p>
<p>artsymom-</p>
<p>That taekwondo training will come in quite handy. My S has found that to be so in many ways, (he is at CMU).</p>
<p>wct, that's great to hear. Thanks. We've thought (and found in her HS years, for that matter) that the coordination and skills of taekwondo will often transfer usefully to the stage. Another valuable lesson that taekwondo competition really drove home is the work-rewards relationship. Her training for taekwondo nationals was staggering, unbelievably grueling, but the reward was something she wanted so badly that she kept pushing through the work. Sound like an MT BFA program, or what???</p>
<p>So far I haven't been able to ahold of Anita Evans. I called to office and it turns out that she's won't be in the office till monday...? And it turns out that the number that she left my dad was her personal Cell phone number...? I'm really quite confused, and I'm begining to get agravated cause she told me to call back today yet she won't answer her phone. So more waiting for me...</p>
<p>I suggest you just leave her a message that you tried to call, and leave your contact info or best time to reach you. But keep trying her over the weekend.</p>
<p>This is exactly what happened to my daughter--the theatre department head left her dad his cell phone number to call. It took D a couple tries but she got through to him that evening. The funny thing was we had to CONVINCE her it wasn't going to be bad news--that no one like that would waste their time calling or giving their cell #. Congratulations in advance!</p>
<p>I have been lurking and reading CC for sometime but was too lazy to register. Anywho the info is great. Thanks. </p>
<p>Somewhere on CC I saw someone say that Buffalo was only accepting 8 for the freshmas class. I don't believe that is true. I was there in the Fall audition and they said approximately 16-20 new freshman and because it is rolling admission they sometimes will offer admissions after the Fall auditions.Also during my tour last year I saw the list of incoming Freshman for this year and they were split up by boys and girls and there were about 20. I myself have not heard anything but I am auditioning for a few MT programs but mostly dance programs.</p>
<p>Also, that call from Baldwin-Wallace is legit-- my friend got a call and she got in for MT. So IT IS going to be good news.</p>
<p>I was the one who said Buffalo is taking 8. My D auditioned for Buffalo a few weeks ago, and they repeated, almost proudly, that that is all they are taking. I was personally sitting in the room and heard both the director of the program and the admissions person say the same number. I don't know anything else, only what they told that entire room of people, including me.</p>
<p>UMIch Rejection came today . . . surprisingly, I wasn't nearly as dissapointed as I thought I would be. It's the first school I heard from and I still have many great school left, so hopefully I'll end up somewhere great. My whole philosphy is that I'll end up where I'm supposed to.</p>
<p>Collegebound, hold onto that great philosophy. Remember, you ONLY need to get into ONE program because you can only attend....you guessed it, ONE! Of course a choice is nice but most programs are really great and just hang tight. I know it is hard to start out with a rejection. Please remember, as well, that there is a subjective aspect to this process. What one school wants or has room for, another might not, etc. I know someone last year who did not get into UMich but got into CCM and CMU and Penn State. I know someone who got into UMich but not Syracuse. Another girl I know last year got into Syracuse but not Ithaca or Penn State. So, you see? All good programs but it can go different ways. Even this year, I know two people who did not get into Mich but are admitted to two other good programs. Hang tight, ok? You are gonna go some place and things work out. Keep the faith. Keep the dreams alive. You are dealing with it quite maturely. It is ok to feel disappointed but it is good that you can see beyond this one outcome.</p>
<p>Here's my take.....if you get into one program, yippee. If you get a choice, that's icing on the cake. If you get into one of your favorite or top choices, it it is like the cherry on top. </p>
<p>Mama02girlz...sorry to add this so late but very happy for your D to get such affirming positive news! Congrats. </p>
<p>I am sorry to not have kept up with all the posts lately. I am leaving shortly for the last, yeah, the LAST college audition! </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>I'm sorry to hear about your rejection, but I totally believe as you do. With your attitude, you'll no doubt go far. Where else did you apply? Just curious if they are any of the same places my D did, and what you thought.</p>
<p>Thanks Susan!!!
What a nice post for collegebound87. You are so right, and fortunately know just how to express it!</p>
<p>Thanks for the nice posts. </p>
<p>mama02girlz, I applied to NYU, CMU, UCLA, Boston Cons, Emerson, UArizona, and Webster (which I've gotten into academically)</p>
<p>So I still have great schools which I will be hearing from!</p>
<p>And to those who are still waiting to hear from anywhere, good luck!</p>
<p>mama02girlz, I am sure you are correct in what you heard but I also know what they told our group and the list that we saw on our tour of the school the year before, could it be that they took some from the first audition group and there are only 8 remaining spots. It is a fairly large program and a total of 8 new freshman would be small for such a large program.</p>
<p>Some good new and bad news. I'll start with the bad, Just found out that I didn't get into Penn State, I was really hoping for that one, but thats ok I'm over it. Reason I'm over it is because I got into Baldwin-Wallace! It's a good thing they both came on the same day, or else I would have been really distraught about PSU. It was scary cause they both came in small envelopes, I opend the PSU one first and my stomach dropped but then I opened BW and it was all better! So now I'm 3 for 4 and still waiting for three more schools!</p>
<p>I just have to say, Soozievt, that you are always so encouraging and positive! You always take the time to respond to people (which I don't all the time!) and are always polite and show the bright side of things. Just wanted to comment!</p>
<p>MTFAN- congrats on BW! i know someone there who loves it.</p>