<p>RossJi...no this very close male friend now at UM did not attend SDM this past summer. Almost none of her friends from past summers were back this past summer though you can attend (and people do) when you are 18 and just graduated but most of her close contingent of friends opted not to. She wanted to go back but only went for three weeks but she was not ready to give it up being that she was only 16 (her pals were almost all 18) and I'm glad she did because little did we know when that decision was made that she'd be severely injured and out of all her performances in spring and so this was a chance for a come back to the stage. However, this pal who I mentioned, did come back, as did all the other 18 year old friends heading to BFA programs this fall to see the shows that session and they were in the audience at Jekyll and Hyde (you could not miss their enthusiasm, lol) and at the cabaret performance, and also returned again later in July for the 30th Anniversary bash. That boy is very talented and has played many leads at camp and is just the nicest kid. My D plans to spend a week at his house over New Year's. We were thrilled for him to get into UM and in fact, spent the entire audition day with him there too. You did not get to see him in shows but he was there in the audience. I hope you do see him on stage one day.
Susan</p>
<p>I find it interesting that last year there seemed to be a lot of discussion about PSU and Emerson - less so this year, it seems. Wonder why, or is this just the outcome of the geographical distribution of this year's participants on CC/MT?</p>
<p>I've heard people talk about both PSU and Emerson at auditions we've been to, so I think they are just not posting. Some of the people posting are geographically disbursed - west coast and middle of country.</p>
<p>It could be that nobody wants to get their hopes up? It looks like none of our CC kids chose those schools in 2005, even when accepted. Personally my D would be happy should she be fortunate to get a call back at either one, and she will be auditioning for both. East Coast in the house!</p>
<p>I think it is all just due to who happens to be participating on CC for this cycle. This year, there is a large contingent, it seems, from the south and the west and maybe the schools reflect that geographically. For instance, I know LOTS of kids applying for BFAs each year and until I came to this forum, I never had met anyone applying to schools like OCU, Webster, Baldwin Wallace, UArizona, Elon, OU, SMU, and others. The kids I know are more from the eastern part of the country and so that may be the reason there. </p>
<p>With regard to PSU, even last year there were not THAT many applying there on this forum. PSU is one of these up and coming programs (a great one) but has only been around about ten years so maybe less know of it. Then again, last year they had 350 kids audition which is quite a few! I don't recall many here last year applying, but there were a few. I know that my D and Freelance's D got in. My D had a few friends audition who did not get in to PSU but got into some other top programs actually. </p>
<p>For Emerson, that is one that many East Coast kids apply to. My D had about three friends there before she applied. Now, two from right here in VT are freshmen there this year, another friend got in but went to CCM instead, and one girl from camp didn't get the BFA but went for the BA there. For some reason, the crop on this forum this year does not have as many applying there. So, I do think it has to do with regional issues and not popularity of the schools overall. Considering my D had many friends applying to BFA's in MT last year and not a one had OCU on the list and then here on CC there are LOTS applying or attending OCU reflects regional preferences to some degree. It has no reflection on the worth of the program. Same with SMU for example. My D's musical theater friends all had similar college lists with some small variations (ie., she did not want FL schools but some friends had UMiami on the list). But for the majority of the list, it did not differ that much from her East Coast theater friends. That's pretty much my observation.</p>
<p>I'm glad we have participants on CC from all over and my knowledge of schools has been widened from their sharing of schools popular with students outside the East Coast.
Susan</p>
<p>I live in upstate New York and myparents want me to look for preferably cheaper instate colleges for MT. Does anybody have expierience with the SUNY Schools. Also Even though I am a really good singer with a good Range, about a low D to a high G. My expertise is in acting, will this hurt me at all</p>
<p>SUNY Geneseo SUNY Fredonia, and University at Buffalo have decent musical theatre programs I think, and Fredonia and Buffalo's are BFAs. I auditioned at Buffalo on November 11 so if you want to PM me I can probably give you some more info on there if you'd like. Also, as far as SUNY schools with good theatre programs and music departments, but not a musical theatre degree...I know that SUNY Oswego has a good theatre department and I believe a musical theatre track with their theatre major, and either New Paltz or Purchase is well known for theatre, I always forget which one. I did some research on SUNY schools cause I live in upstate ny too:) Oh, and Nazareth College in Rochester, NY has a BA in Musical Theatre. Hope that helps:)</p>
<p>SUNY Purchase has a great rep as a non-MT drama school - some very noteable grads.</p>
<p>Thanks I am planning on auditioning at Fredonia, Buffalo and Purchase and perhaps New Paltz ( I went there for a month over the summer for an acting program called NYSSSA so I am familiar w/ the campus and the facilities)</p>
<p>Also I plan to audition for at least a couple of the top schools location is not a problem for me in these regards but price and acedemics are, for example NYU and CMU are already out of the question</p>
<p>I've heard good things about SUNY Fredonia for musical theatre.</p>
<p>I have a random question and I am not sure where else to ask it on this board so I will here. Is Kurt Weill considered to be musical theater or opera? I know we aren't supposed to sing anything that sounds like opera but I have lots of his work in my songbooks and I would love to sing something from street scene, threepenny opera, or happy end. Also does anyone know if "I want to go to hollywood" from the grand hotel is overdone? It's not a well known show but sutton foster sings that song so I wasn't sure. Oh I also is "My white knight" from music man overdone?</p>
<p>Kurt Weill is musical theatre. Listen to the 1995 (might be 1994) London (might be somewhere outside London, but still in England) cast recording of Threepenny Opera - in my opinion, it has the BEST translation of Brecht's lyrics in the sense that it's very contemporary and understandable while still being poetic and rhyming perfectly. Example: "Observe MacHEATH, the LETHal kind of CHARMER, you wouldn't THINK a CHINK was in his ARMOR..." etc. So GOOD. Also, they changed the key of many of the songs - Jenny does nothing but belt, and her stuff in particular is just stunning if done right. In fact, you can even turn some of Polly's stuff into belt material if you want. The Barbara Song is particularly gripping if you can belt/belt mix the F in it (I realize that's not traditional, but seriously, listen to that 1995 cast recording. Talk about nonconventional.)</p>
<p>BUT I should note that since 3penny is about to open on Broadway with Alan Cumming & Edie Falco starring...it might be wise to avoid it for auditions. :( Or not? Anyone got any input on that?</p>
<p>Although Three Penny is MT wouldn't you consider The Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagony to be operatic? So maybe it depends on the piece. Like Bernstein's Mass would be classical and On The Town MT.</p>
<p>I'm not a MT expert, so I am just asking</p>
<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>Forgive me if I am choosing the wrong thread in which to post this question. But I figured that all of you more experienced MT parents out there would be looking on this thread, and I might just get an answer! <g></g></p>
<p>Here goes: is there any truth to the rumor that NYU's (Tisch's) undergraduate MT and drama programs are given short shrift, by the University, when compared to the graduate level programs? An acquaintance of mine (who is very, very involved with theater locally and with working with kids) warned me about this when we were talking one day about BFA programs in MT and acting at the college level. I commented that my daughter was very interested in applying to/auditioning for NYU. This person told me that the undergrads were not given very many performance opps, attention, etc. and that "everything" goes to the grad level programs. This doesn't sound right to me, from what I hear on this board and elsewhere. But I thought I would put it out there and see what you all, especiall soozievt, has to say. Susan, it sounds like your daughter is loving NYU, is that right? </p>
<p>In any case, of course, this is all very theoretical at this point. My D is only a sophomore, but her interest in checking out MT programs is definitely ramping up. (Hence, my presence here amongst all of you who know stuff!) But the idea of attending college in New York sends my D over the moon: each time we visit, she practically cries when we have to leave. She loves the whole atmosphere. (I do, too, but confess to being ready to leave when the weekend is over. Must be showing my age ....)</p>
<p>Best to all,
Lisa</p>
<p>Funny you should ask that question about NYU. My d is a freshman there and while freshmen are NOT allowed to try out for shows, the freshman class will be performing at Lincoln Center in 1 or 2 weeks (I forget!) with Brian Stokes Mitchell. I can't answer questions about the program for soph/jr/sr years, though. I know the opportunities are VERY limited for freshmen. I know my d LOVES it there and so does Susan's. Susan's d has also had many other opportunities there, even though she is a fresh"woman"! Our girls, by the way, will be in the same vocal class next semester; isn't it a small world?? I only knew Susan thru CC last year and look where we are now! :)</p>
<p>Lisa, I can't imagine having heard that about Tisch at all. There are NUMEROUS performing opportunties for Tisch undergraduates and they do not compete at all with the graduate students. Further, let's talk MT as that is what your D is interested in, right? There is not even a graduate musical theater program! </p>
<p>The performance opportunities abound at Tisch. First there are the mainstage shows that anyone can audition for. Then each studio has their own productions. I'll just talk about CAP21 but please read about each studio on their website and each studio talks about their productions. CAP has a musical for JUST second year students in CAP and another one for just third year CAP students. CAP also puts on other new works at the studio. For instance, last night my D went to see a new show at CAP, The Goddess Wheel and the entire cast was CAP students (she has a close friend, a fourth year, who was a lead but other older friends in it as well). There are also what are called GAP shows at Tisch which are high level student run musicals. There are many other productions besides just these. I believe I read somewhere that there are about 100 productions going on per year at Tisch. Also, the seniors in CAP21 are putting on a showcase for agents, etc. And there is an industry night showcase for all of Tisch but that one is by audition. There is a new student run musical theater showcase to benefit BC/EFA that some other Tisch Scholars started (my D is a Tisch Scholar) that she may be getting involved with. Unrelated to musical theater per se, my daughter auditioned and got into a coed a capella group called N'Harmonics (anyone from NYU can audition for it but there are a few others from CAP21 in it) and she rehearses six hours/week with them and they put on concerts at NYU (she is in one next week), performed at Georgetown University recently, and will be performing at a competition in March at Brown (ironically where my other D goes) and I think they are performing at some "country club" this Sunday. Her group recently had a gig at a well known place in the village called CBGB's. So, she has some outlet for performing/singing that way too. </p>
<p>Please be aware that freshmen at Tisch cannot be in theater productions, as is the policy at SEVERAL BFA programs (check on that at all your schools). Some schools have a no freshmen performance policy for just one semester and some do not have it at all. CMU has a two year policy, I believe, like this. These programs have a philosophy of the students getting some training first (my D TOTALLY understands this and says it is so truly necessary), let alone to be acclimated to the long hours and rigor of a BFA program before adding on production hours. Also freshmen have required CREW assignments at many schools, including Tisch and so there are many evening and weekend hours put into that right now as freshmen. </p>
<p>This fall a Broadway director was directing a show at CAP though the cast was all professional (no students) though CAP students were able to audition, but not freshmen, as per policy. The director had seen my D in a show over the summer, as well as another friend of hers who is a freshmen at CAP, and asked to have these kids "audition" for him and told them he wanted to cast them and tried to but they were not allowed to be cast due to the no freshmen in productions policy which is what my D already knew and expected understandably. The director and writer told her that they'd contact her to audition when they take that show which was an Equity Showcase at CAP to the next level of production outside of CAP. Who knows but it was one of many examples of contact/networking with those in the industry that is very prevalent at CAP due to its location and all. </p>
<p>As RossJi indicated, next week, the entire Freshmen group at CAP will be performing at Lincoln Center with Brian Stokes Mitchell in a tribute to one of the Tisches (sorry to not know the first name) who has died. Unfortunately, my D will have to MISS IT! She is on crew assignment every night next week and the freshmen will rehearse and perform on several of those nights. Oh well. She also has a performance with N'Harmonics the night of Lincoln Center anyway but can do that one as it starts late after crew is over. Lincoln Center will just have to wait...she was contracted to be in a performance at Lincoln Center when she was 13, her NY debut, was publicized in their brochures, in the NYTimes, etc. and shortly before her show, the orchestra went on strike and the shows had to be cancelled and so no debut, no Lincoln Center, and alas, no Lincoln Center in this group performance for her either. She's still young, lol. </p>
<p>My daughter also has an internship that turned into an actual job the first day of the internship. She took the internship as part of a requirement of being a Tisch Scholar and working and leading in the arts in the NY community. Part of her job now sort of entails performing but for kids! She is working all day this Saturday performing musical interactive scripts. She also accompanies sometimes on piano. </p>
<p>A month ago, my daughter was asked to join some older Tisch peers ,many of whom she knew before she got to NYC, who have their own theater company and they were putting on a cabaret revue at a children's hospital and she was in that and in fact, found it quite gratifying as she was in pediatrics as a patient earlier this year.</p>
<p>As well, freshmen "perform" in class a lot....scenes and songs. While not a production, they are preparing material and performing for their peers all the time. </p>
<p>I very much hope my D can be cast in shows starting next year. I know there are a wealth of ones she could try for. As well, I hope she can do summer stock. </p>
<p>In sum, after freshmen year, there are numerous and varied performance opportunities to audition for at either CAP itself or at Tisch or at NYU. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Lisa,</p>
<p>Your friend is mistaken and you should tell her so! :) At Tisch, the undergrad and grad programs are entirely separate. The undergrad drama program is run through professional acting studios, the grad drama program is not. Performance opportunities are separate, shows are separate. They are not competing at auditions. I have no idea what she would mean by the undergrads being 'given short shrift' as there's no connection between the two programs. The MFA is a grad program in drama, not MT, and it is VERY selective and thus very small, only accepting 16 students each year. </p>
<p>I don't know where people get these impressions but I wish they wouldn't! Unfortunately, the spread of misinformation like this is more common than one would like. As involved as your friend is in theatre, she's obviously misinformed. :) Even at Steinhardt which DOES have a graduate program, the shows sometimes do have students from both programs auditioning but, as an example, in their fall show this year, Merrily We Roll Along, there was one grad student in the cast of eighteen.</p>
<p>There may be reasons why NYU isn't the right fit for some students but this issue shouldn't be one of them.</p>
<p>Guys,</p>
<p>Whoa! Thanks a bunch for the comprehensive answers. I pretty much figured that my friend was in error, as I had read a lot of the postings made by those of you whose daughters are in the program there at Tisch. But I felt I had to ask, as my friend was so darned adamant about it. (Plus, another theater person of my acquaintance told me that "everything goes to the grad program, and the undergrads practically have to perform little skits of their own in the school cafeteria." <g>)
Tisch and CAP21 sound just amazing, and I frankly think that a policy that calls for freshmen to work on training, bonding etc. is a sound and good one. It must take the pressure off a little, and that's a good thing, as the first year of college is stressful (as I recall, though it's been a long time for me!) in and of itself.
Thanks again, everyone. Just goes to show you that some self styled experts are really not experts at all. Just another value in being on this board!
Best,
Lisa
PS: Susan, your daughter sounds absolutely amazing. I am feeling sure from what I have read here so far that we will definitely be seeing her on Broadway someday soon. She's clearly a phenom. You must be really proud of her.</g></p>
<p>Lisa,</p>
<p>I have had a lot of students at Tisch and none have complained of a lack of performance opportunities or feeling second class to the grad students. I actually have one who is a freshman now and performing in a professional production outside of school.</p>
<p>Most highly regarded BFA programs keep the training and focus on the process rather than performance, and that work goes on primarily in the classroom and maybe some studio productions the first year or two. That is very usual and customary. Students are made aware of that policy going into the program.</p>
<p>Of course, there are exceptions. If your student wants more performance opportunities, there are other schools who offer much more stage time for freshmen that might be a better fit. OCU,OU and Elon are just a few examples that come to mind right away.</p>
<p>Good luck with all of this.</p>
<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>