<p>Well I just auditioned on the spot for PBA at SETC. It's a really good program. It's not as intensive as others mentioned in this forum but they do have a senior showcase. It's one of those programs where what every you put in is what you get out (but what programs isn't (lol)). I didn't choose PBA because I really want a more intensive program and I wanted to minor in Dance as well. But if your child is looking for a nurturing christian environment to train PBA would be a good place.</p>
<p>We are Christian and I have to admit, my D dad is very skeptical about the moral environment of the world of musical theatre. As yet she still is handling the cultural diversity very well. Keeping her values and at the same time being a part of a positive program while still in high school. Dad says NY is a big NO! And the D doesn't really want to be so far from home, but there isn't much to choose from in Fl even if she can get an acceptance in Fl. I looked PBA up online and even requested some information, it looked really good to me. But do you think there is enough as far as a well rounded program: acting, voice, and dance? I would like to stay in touch with you as we progress thru this process. D doesn't graduate from High School until 2010 so we still have alot of time. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer questions.</p>
<p>mom at home. you can e-mail me anytime you want. i've done a VERY excessive amount of research on schools for MT and I'm sure i would be able to answer your questions.</p>
<p>I was raised as a Protestant Christian in a church that accepted and encouraged discussion. It is shirt-sleeve Christianity exhibited here that offends me and diminishes the discussion about college, our children's future lives, and the college and musical theater community. Why not just call yourself Conservative? Or Evangelical? Or homophobic? Why paint all of Christianity with the same brush of intolerance you happen to wield? I was taught a Christianity of tolerance for the ideas and conviction of others; to think of every one as a child of God; to make sure I was practicing the Golden Rule; and to love everyone. What part of Christ's teaching did I miss that I should condemn a professional lifestyle because it includes people of a different sexual persuasion or the gay lifestyle? That is what you're afraid of exposing your D to, isn't it? So why don't you just say so instead of assuming everyone accepts your narrow perspective of Christianity as theirs? No offense, but I'm getting a little tired of hearing this type of code-word religious tripe. Music Theater involves a broad panoply of talented human beings. If you can't accept them for what they are without hiding behind your religion, might I submit you should look for a different course of study and career choice for your children or yourselves. Best wishes to you.</p>
<p>mom at home,
I assume that you did not mean to be insulting when you indicated that the world of MT is immoral and New York schools of MT are even more so. It's clear that you and your husband fear the freedom of inquiry and personal exploration that your daughter is likely to encounter in college. Acting (and many other pursuits) does encourage this kind of personal exploration, no matter where the school.</p>
<p>Yea, Mom at home, I dont believe you meant it like that...but i can understand where you are coming from..
my whole family is Christian, as am i..and i think when i first thrown into the theatre world, the summer at CMU..it came to me as a huge shock..
It was the first day of the program..and we were at the opening barbeque..and i was sitting at a table with friends that i didnt know would become the best friends i would ever have..and a girl put up her and said, 'i dont mean to be forward or rude..but who here is gay?' about 5 people at the table put up their hand..it was a table of about 9...and then it hit me..i was like 'oh my gosh' and then i realised im in a theatre world, why didnt i think there would be gays here...</p>
<p>and as time went by...they became my best friends ever...everybody there was warm friendly..and what i liked most about it, was that everybody was different, with their own unique personality and ways..and i knew that i could only find people like that in the theatre world...and i loved it..i loved them..</p>
<p>now my mother was coming down for family weekend, and i was so scard as to what she would think, because she is definetly more of a conservative person...so she came early, and the moment she came from the airpost i asked her to come to the school to meet my friends...and i took her into my room, where one of my gay best friends were, Grant, cause i wanted her to meet him...and she absolutely loved him, and from then on she was so welcoming..i guess before she had this view about them...and after that she met all my gay friends, and she just fell in love with the place and the people there...she no longer atall has a problem with it...she is actually glad that being in theatre has opened me up to become the person i am....and it is a big deal for our family to be so welcoming especially when it comes to gays, because in the caribbean, especially in jamaica..if you are gay..it horrible, but you will be beaten, or even killed because of who you are..and its ridiculous...my friends also used to be conservative, and most people in barbados are..but we are more open to it.. and i told them about my summer and my friends especially the gay ones who have become like brothers to me, and now they dont mind...i just believe that they initially ahd the wrong view of people...but i just love them...i love theatre, i love how it brings so many different together through one love..its amazing...</p>
<p>and i know your worried about your daughtere mom at home...but she knows the difference between right and wrong, and i think whereever she goes in theatre she will be able to accept others, but still stay true to who she is and her morals, and thats what is most important.</p>
<p>Holy COW!!! (no pun intended)</p>
<p>Slow down here... I believe the only ones jumping to judgement here are Proud Dad and jasmom with statements like this:
"What part of Christ's teaching did I miss that I should condemn a professional lifestyle because it includes people of a different sexual persuasion or the gay lifestyle? That is what you're afraid of exposing your D to, isn't it?"
"It's clear that you and your husband fear the freedom of inquiry and personal exploration..."</p>
<p>momathome did not say either of those things(or anything to indicate that she is thinking that), and from 13 posts I don't see how ANYONE can guess what is in her heart.</p>
<p>Proud Dad, you especially kill me! Preaching (and I DO mean the pun here) "tolerance" and "love" when your post is anything but. I TOO am a Christian and you do not speak for me, just as momathome does not (and I didn't think she was trying to).</p>
<p>No code about it, here it is straight out - most subject matter alone of current popular MT deals with what can arguably be called immoral: sex outside of marriage, murder, back stabling, stealing, drug use, etc. Then there is the use of foul language. NYC is a VERY large metropolitan city with murder, drug use, theft, assault, bars & partiying in amounts comeserate with a city that large. If momathome and her H do not want their daughter going to school in that environment, who are you to judge??? Not to mention, as competitive as this group is about getting into the "big deal" NYU and those like it, I would think you would welcome one less audition competitor in the mix.</p>
<p>Momathome-I would recommend you refrain from responding to these posts and just get what you can from the discussions. Having come here first when my D was entering hs, I cringe every time I see a new parent come here at the same point. So much will change between now and even when she is a junior. Don't waste your breath, or typing time to defend yourself, I have yet to see anyone on this board change their opinions about anything. The only reason I responded is I remember how I felt when I came here and got attacked for my beliefs. Fortunately I am not at all insecure and learned quick that this can be a valuable resource but not really effective in having open discussions about personal beliefs; keep to your convictions about what is right for YOUR child because no one knows her better than you and no one has the right to tell you how to parent your child.</p>
<p>God bless you all.</p>
<p>Cross posted with Kayla.</p>
<p>mom at home,
I tried to edit my post (too long had passed) to soften it a bit. And I didn't mean to be insulting, either. Sometimes it my brevity, I cut corners on what I mean to say.
But it really is true that the world of theater (and the arts in general) tend to be on the cutting edge of questioning personal and social assumptions (conservative and liberal). I am certain that some schools are more "out there" than others. I respect that your family is talking about the culture of the colleges and how your daughter might fit and what she might bring.</p>
<p>Newsflash! College is immoral. Don't pass up a good opportunity for that reason. Especially if the alternative is FL, how is one of the number one spring break destinations for debauchery supposed to be a better option?</p>
<p>First of all, just because you live in a state that hosts "spring break" it does not mean that you participate in it or expose your kids to it.
Newsflash, NYC is a lot different than Bloomington Indiana! I lived in NYC for two years after going to U of Iowa. It's LOTS different!
There is plenty of immorality happening on college campus's around the world, but some have worse reputations than others. It's a factor that many consider in making their lists. Ever here of the biggest party schools list? People who get drunk are less inhibited and are more likely to partake "immoral activities."<br>
The MT world DOES have a large percentage of homosexuals in it, many play writes and the media seem to think that sex is the center of the world. Hopefully their parents have taught them otherwise, but if these things are a problem for parents/students, they best be thinking about it now!!</p>
<p>In the process of the college search, "fit" is an important factor. Part of the fit is the climate of the school and of the department in particular. This is something to be researched during the college search. </p>
<p>We live in a conservative town in fairly liberal Calif. Our schools teach abstinence only, and we have more churches than gas stations. The ideological bent of each college wasn't something my S looked for specifically, but he felt it in cases where it was extreme. Some schools were very conservative, some liberal, most were down the middle. At one, the theatre director mentioned that they had done a play a few years prior that involved full nudity. Another program was known for more "experimental theatre." When exposed to this during visits, my S understood that these were programs he wouldn't feel comfortable in.</p>
<p>Prior to sending S off for a summer pre-college program, we chatted about the varied types of people involved with theatre. People he would not have been exposed to in his current milieu. Specifically, I broached the subject that he may end up with a gay roomate (either at pre-college or in college). The summer program brought many positive experiences for him, including the exposure to lots of different kinds of creative people that make up the theatre community.</p>
<p>Fine. I'm not intolerant of those who object to beliefs other than their own, to lifestyles other than their own, or those who choose to isolate themselves or their offspring from the realities that are other cultures. I do object when someone begins such a discussion of their own concerns or prejudices with "...I'm a Christian", as if that should make us all question why we associate with ten-percent of the population others have phobias about. Go ahead, turn "Christian" into a dirty word if you must. Have it as a synonym for intolerance, conservatism, or even narrow-mindedness. I really don't care. That's your choice, but try re-reading mom-at-home's post without those first four words, "We are Christian and...", and tell me what they really brought to the discussion other than a conceit and hubris never intended to be part of the religion in the first place. Sorry if reality offends.</p>
<p>I'm trying to find out which schools have conservatory style programs where most of the focus is on training rather than academics. Thank you</p>
<p>BwayRocks. Well there's Boston Conservatory, Cincinnati Conservatory, Rosevelt, Webster Conservatory, Shenandoah Conservatory, New World School of the Arts, Point Park, Uni. of the Arts, and Uni. of Central Florida (I think).</p>
<p>BwayRocks, </p>
<pre><code> The Boston Conservatory, OCU and U Arizona and CCM are a few. Ithaca also has more of a conservatory style.
</code></pre>
<p>Proud Dad, Your reality is very convienient, but it's not mine.</p>
<p>OCU is FAR from a conservatory. The MT curriculum has english, math, and history in it. And if you don't test out of math and english by your Junior year you will be taking it all 4 years. But they are big on history.</p>
<p>Oh I forgot Balwin-Wallace</p>
<p>UCF is not a conservatory or conservatory style program.</p>
<p>Regarding questions of religion.</p>
<p>I refuse to be drawn into a conversation like this other than to say that the an internet board is not the place to have discusions on religious values. If I could change something about the world we live in - it would be that people could learn to effectively listen and respond to what each is saying - so many problems would disolve into thin air if that could be. Religion is very personal, to have a meaningful discussion the parties need to see each others eyes, hear each others inflections, feel each others nuances. Please end this impossible discussion.</p>
<p>To simply address the first issue - I would encourage you to look to schools that have a strong affiliation to the religious values you value, and take it from there.</p>
<p>Peace</p>
<p>the reality is: sex is the center of the world. period. If it weren't, then it wouldn't be such an issue of debate.</p>