Colleges For Musical Theater - Part 40!

College Majors Musical Theater Major
401

<p>MTHeaded,</p>

<p>Clever name!! (We once had a thread dealing with the reasons we had chosen our screen names and yours is a winner!!)</p>

<p>As the original "grammar Nazi" I want to reiterate and reassure you, and everyone else, that any of us who commented about grammar and spelling issues were doing so with smiles on our faces and often with tongues firmly in our cheeks. Yes, we admit to loving the power of language and appreciating its intricacies, but no one is marking up these posts with a virtual red pencil. After a year and a half of lurking, it is now your turn to share your thoughts, your fears, your experiences, your questions, your joys, your journey.</p>

<p>Welcome aboard!</p>

402

<p>I want to wish all of you a very Happy and Successful New Year! It has been my pleasure to find this "place" where so many of my questions and concerns are addressed. Thank you all and I look forward to getting to know many of you better as we go through this journey.
Harriet</p>

403

<p>I'll second that comment! Happiest wishes for a successful 2006 for everyone! May 2006 bring tons of acceptance letters for the CC kids and even more helpful info for those who will be auditioning in the future. (Like my d, next year!)</p>

<p>Kathie</p>

404

<p>Collegemom,</p>

<p>Is there aproblem with posting to the MT individual program sub forums? I keep getting a yellow spot on NYU Tisch without any new post showing up and it references the most current posts as "yesterday" when actually they were several days ago.</p>

<p>Could you check into this?</p>

<p>Thanks!! and Happy New Year!</p>

405

<p>I am not having that problem. Have you tried clicking refresh?</p>

<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>

406

<p>Theatermom, one thing I have also noticed is that even if I have read all the posts, which normally should make the yellow dot disappear, meaning I have opened all posts up to date, that the yellow dot still appears on that individual college thread (though not on other MT Forum threads) and the way I have worked around it is to open it twice and then the yellow dot will go away. I am not sure why that is the case on the individual college threads. I can ask the forum administrator about it. For now, you can do what I have done recently.....read the new posts on the specific college thread, open it a second time, and then the yellow dot goes away.
CollegeMom</p>

407

<p>Thanks Mary Anna and Collegemom,</p>

<p>I have to use both of your suggestions to make the subforums work as the regular forum does....a bit of a pain. On the regular forum, it automatically refreshes if you leave a thread or forum and then return to it by clicking on it (not by useing the back or forwrd "buttons.") But I had to actually refresh each stage of the subforum to get it to show new posts or get rid of the yellow dot indicating that a new post is up.</p>

<p>Thanks Collegemom for asking the administrator or the tech folks to check this out!</p>

408

<p>I thought over the winter break we'd hear from our favorite transfer student, Shauna, about her new experiences at OCU (if I remember correctly). I wonder how she's doing.....</p>

409

<p>I don't know the reason, but Shauna has left OCU. Perhaps something personal. But, I really don't know so I'm not suggesting anything.</p>

410

<p>Shauna left for a personal reason, but she will be back at OCU for the new semester, so I am sure she will update everyone on CC when she gets back into school (I got this infor from my OCU MT d).</p>

411

<p>CollegeMom - Thanks for correcting my terrible error. I guess my mind was out the window or something. I was thinking more about asking my question and didn't even realize I put the wrong name down. How awful. Future college students: that's one of the worst errors you can ever make. Better to not say or write a name than say/write the wrong one.</p>

<p>More importantly, I hope Shauna is doing well and that she knows how many parents here care about her well being. She has been an inspiration to us all in her quest for the right MT program. Hopefully she realizes that these difficult times will strengthen her resolve and she will, in the end, succeed.</p>

412

<p>Lynn,
No problem at all! Don't even think twice. It was an unintentional mistake but I thought I would fix it as people do know who you mean now: Shauna.</p>

<p>I agree with you about Shauna. She is a wonderful young woman and a great example for other students on this forum. She persevered her first year in college which was not her ideal choice or the kind of college program she had hoped to be in, after some unsuccessful auditions. Then she was successful in transferring to OCU's BFA program, and we were all thrilled for her. I'm sorry to hear that for personal reasons, she had to take a leave at OCU but knowing that she is someone who perseveres in adverse situations, I feel certain she'll be back and go on to be successful, just like you say. </p>

<p>Hopefully, at some point, she'll return to the forum to give us all an update. The forum cheered her on in her quest and so we'd love to support her now when she is ready to come back and fill us in.
CollegeMom</p>

413

<p>Shauna,
We're all rooting for you. Hope all is well and you come back to the MT board when you can. </p>

<p>Chrism</p>

414

<p>Ok, maybe this is a stupid question (I know, there are none), but is there a way students should dress for college visits? We have a few upcoming, and I just wondered if there were a "standard" regarding dress. I assume we will be walking a bit, but I don't think we'll need to hike anywhere. Should students dress up (we are meeting with departmental personnel, not just a general visit)? Thanks fro any input.</p>

<p>vocaldad</p>

415

<p>vocaldad,</p>

<p>When visiting colleges, my guys always dressed as though they were going to a job interview. Nice slacks, shirt, perhaps a sweater. It is the first impression your D/S will make at the schools and IMO it is always best to look your best!!</p>

416

<p>It is never wrong to set a good first impression, so wear something that shows you are a potential "professional-in-training" and groom yourself accordingly (touch up your roots and/or get a haircut if needed, shave, manicure or at least remove old chipped-off nail polish, etc.). Dress like it matters. Nothing formal, but more than a come-as-you-are is appropriate.</p>

<p>Do wear comfortable shoes. There may be tours of the theatre facilities and campus, as well as trekking to different offices (sometimes on opposite ends of campus) to visit with admissions, financial aid, department representatives, advising, and other university factions. And consider the weather - coming from So. Cal., I know that I didn't think to expect any inclement weather (we live in paradise); but snow happens, as I discovered the hard way. On that note, when visiting temperate climates, wearing mature/nice sandals may be okay, but flip-flops do NOT make a great impression, believe me.</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>eve</p>

417

<p>I agree with Eve and the others.
Dress as you would for your audition.</p>

<p>There is a lengthy thread somewhere about audition wardrobe. I am a dictator with my sudents about wardrobe. I will see if I can find the thread.</p>

<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>

418

<p>Audition Outfits </p>

<hr>

<p>ATTIRE from the FAQS link </p>

<hr>

<p>ATTIRE </p>

<p>DANCING </p>

<p>For the dance audition, any type of dancewear is usually appropriate. However, when choosing dancewear, lean towards jazz attire rather than ballet attire unless otherwise specified (this is just my opinion judging from what I saw). Simply from observing last year's auditions, most people will be wearing any combination of the following: leotards, dark-colored footless/convertible tights, jazz pants, jazz capris, dance sweaters, or dance camisoles. If you have a great figure, this is the time to show it off!
If you are not comfortable wearing this type of dance attire, do not simply wear baggy sweats or (God forbid) jeans. Jazz pants/capris and a solid color, fitted T-shirt can also be appropriate.
No matter what you're wearing on your body, it is important to have a good pair of dance shoes. Jazz slippers or jazz sneakers are the most appropriate, but ballet slippers or even character shoes are also acceptable.
If you do not own a pair of dance shoes, invest in some jazz slippers (don't forget to break them in a little bit). You will use them in college and later on in your career, and showing up to a dance audition wearing only athletic shoes is a dead giveaway to the fact that you have never had dance training. Plus, it's unprofessional.
If you have had tap, pointe, or other types of specialty dance training, it is always a good idea to have your shoes with you. </p>

<p>SINGING/ACTING </p>

<p>It is not necessary to have two separate outfits for the singing and acting portions of the audition. In fact, they are usually conducted consecutively. However, what you wear should be different from what you wore for the dance portion...it is not advisable to simply throw on a wraparound over your leotard. Dress casually, but neatly and professionally. Do not dress for the character, but you may find it more comfortable to wear something that suggests the character or is in the same vein of the type of clothing your character would wear.
Appropriate attire for women would include a dress, or a blouse/sweater, skirt/slacks, and heels. A full-on business power suit or formal wear is taking it a little too far.
For men, a long-sleeved, button-up, collared dress shirt, slacks, and dress shoes would be appropriate (don't forget a matching belt and socks!). A tie and jacket are not necessary, but if you do have a suit, it looks very professional. A polo shirt is too casual, while a tuxedo is far too formal.
Make sure your shoes are comfortable and relatively easy to take off. Some acting instructors prefer you to do a particularly active monologue without shoes.
Above all, make sure that what you wear is neat, clean, respectful, and flattering to your figure.
Report Offensive Post Reply
Mary Anna
View Public Profile
Send a private message to Mary Anna
Send email to Mary Anna
Find More Posts by Mary Anna
Add Mary Anna to Your Buddy List </p>

<p>10-16-2005, 04:32 PM #5
Mary Anna
Member</p>

<p>Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 422 I just pasted the ATTIRE link above. It is a great guide</p>

<p>Now I will give my own opinion about clothes for auditions. I am kind of a Natzi when it comes to my students audition outfits. (if they are reading this, they are LOL)</p>

<p>GENERAL RULE:
Think Banana Republic, Gap, J. Crew or Ann Taylor. Solids only, no stripes, floral or patterns. Nice, pulled together, polished, crisp. Fabrics that won't wrinkle.
NO JEWELRYor perfume/cologne.</p>

<p>Something that is flattering but doesn't draw attention to itself. </p>

<p>This is what I tell my students... I don't want the auditioners saying (after you leave the room) LOVED that SHIRT, I want them to say LOVED that ACTOR!</p>

<p>Girls: </p>

<p>Solid color top that is flattering in FIT and COLOR. Here is your chance to use your most flattering color (which you should have also used for your head shot). Sweater set, collared blouse. Fabric that won't wrinkle. </p>

<p>Skirt (not pants) unless absolutely impossible because of blocking. Fabric should have some stretch. Dark color and knee length or slightly below. Show your figure, please!
No bare legs. Cover your legs with opaque or solid colored hose. Shoes should be dark and disappear. Mary Janes or flat pumps. If you MUST have a heel, a very low one, like a character shoe.</p>

<p>Guys:</p>

<p>Layered top is a good look. T-shirt under a nice collared shirt. Solid color, please. Or V-neck sweater over a solid T.
TUCK IN SHIRT and wear a belt. Dark trousers. Black pant, dark khakis, grey, navy slacks. Well fit, not slouchey. Dress shoes or loafer. Dark socks</p>

<p>Make up and hair for girls:
Hair out of your face and styled. Make up, just enough to look your prettiest, don't overdo it.</p>

<p>I can answer any specific questions, if you have any.</p>

<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>

419

<p>To resurrect an old debate :)...you will also find a very different school of thought on shoes, one which says if you can walk well in heels, by all means, wear them if you are auditioning for MT programs! I can tell you for certain that girls who can "work heels" will be present and looking sharp at auditions for UMich, CMU, NYU, Point Park, and CCM, the schools for which my students audition most frequently. Look back in this thread for the "heels" debate and DON'T FREAK if you are uncomfortable in them - wear dressy shoes with which you ARE comfortable for your college auditions - but if you're a girl in MT, then GET comfortable in them as you enter college, because they are THE STANDARD at New York auditions, with very very few exceptions (those involving shows such as SPELLING BEE). I just didn't want Mary Anna's guidelines, with which I very much agree in general, to be seen as THE ONLY "rule." :)</p>

<p>My other disagreement is the "no jewelry" idea - certainly, no DISTRACTING jewelry, but the right pair of earrings (NOT TOO BIG!!!) can really draw attention to one's eyes. I help all of my students accessorize for this reason.</p>

<p>Mary Anna and I have both had great admission successes, so you can see there are no "hard and fast" rules. And as I already mentioned, her general guidelines are great!</p>

420

<p>Mary Anna and Coach, you ladies ROCK! This is just fabulous info!!</p>

<p>I also recommend that you not wear all black, especially if your audition is being videotaped, because many auditions will occur in a theatre (black box or mainstage) - and most of these have black drapes...so you tend to look like a floating head if caught in this situation.</p>

<p>eve</p>