<p>(((((ProudDadFl))))) and hugs all around to all those helping your kids navigate though this frequently painful process. It's good practice for more to come when they have to audition over and over again just to make a meager living. Too bad they have to experience it all so young just to get into college.</p>
<p>Mel I had the same thought this morning. I read somewhere you audition 100 times on average to get one part. It is good practice to ask yourself if you really want to embark on that kind of life requiring constant rejection in order to succeed.</p>
<p>NewbieMTMom, Skwidjymom, thank you so much for your replies. There is so much sense in what you both shared. We're hanging in there for the moment and know that things will work out for our son. </p>
<p>I am amazed at the energy, focus and yes resilience so many of these kids have. Despite our sometimes over concern as parents they reassure us "not to worry", there's always a plan B. Do they really have one or are they trying to figure it out like the rest of us?</p>
<p>I struggle sometimes with the fact that I want so much for my son. It really boils down to the fact that I simply want to hold on to him while trying to let go. </p>
<p>We are not unique and know of several talented kids that will end up "where they were meant to be." A psychic friend predicted the same thing in fact in those same words. </p>
<p>Today, we will try to live in the moment. There's only two more hours until mail delivery!</p>
<p>Thank you again for sharing your comments and kind words with us.</p>
<p>I think the hardest thing to do is read on CC that kids are getting letters from a school your child applied to, knowing that they are in, and that your child hasn't even heard yet! ACK!!!</p>
<p>I was thinking about this last night as I was lying on the couch watching Saw II (Friday night is Bad Horror Movie Night for me!). You know those sheets of paper the people watching your audition write on? I wonder if there would be any way to convince schools to send those along with rejection letters. I think it would be helpful. (Or it might not be- I've 'borrowed' my audition sheets from most of the shows I've done at school and they've all either been comments on my height (or lack thereof) or illegible.)</p>
<p>Snoogle - Here is a hopeful thought. I've just become as addicted if not moreso to Facebook where MT groups have been formed for all these programs. I noticed at one school where 6 girls have been accepted that 3 of those girls have declared they are attending other schools. That means that at some time prior or after May 1st that school may be drawing on those deferred or if they hear sooner making more calls. So not hearing at this point may be a hopeful sign. Think of not hearing as a "non-rejection".</p>
<p>ProudDadFL, judging from the info in your post, my D attends the sames Arts School in WPB that your son is at. It is definetly difficult for the seniors to sit and wait while they hear of the success of so many of their peers. Rest assured that your son is not alone at "that school". MANY others are in the same boat!
My D is a dance major at that school, but decided at the beginning of her senior year, that she wanted to "broaden her horizons" and begin private theater and vocal lessons and audition for musical theater programs. With a short list of only 4 schools, 3 in NYC, we are still awaiting 2 replies. She just didn't see the point in auditioning for dozens of schools, when she really was only interested in a handful.
Her thinking has evolved greatly over the whole experience, as we've visited schools, etc. So many of the BFA programs are so intense, that there would be little time to do outside auditions, etc. Perhaps your son would be as well off to attend a school in NYC, major in something other than MT and then auditon for whatever comes along.
My D has already received an acceptance for the BA Theater program at Marymount but was not accepted into the Musical Theater Minor program there . After that letter arrived, we decide to be a little creative and she auditioned for the dance department at Marymount as well, the audition went well, and we are hopeful that an acceptance into their BA Dance program will be arriving soon. That school has never had a double major, BA Theatre/BA Dance, but she was told that they would work with her to make it work. She'll simply just continue the Private vocal training on her own...so we've created something that will work for her!
Many of the schools in NYC will allow non-theater majors to audition for shows or have extracurricular clubs that allow students with those interests to meet together. You just need to be a little creative and think outside the box. I truly believe there are many different avenues to get to the same goal!</p>
<p>Bleh! I got a thin letter from Marymount and expected the worse. Turns out it was about logging in online to complete the next steps of my enrollment. You can imagine my annoyance, since I got that information in an email over a week ago! So the waiting continues...</p>
<p>ProudDad -- we feel for you here, but you have lessened the tension here as well, as we attend the "fine arts is for those who can't do sports" type of high school, so we sat here and cried as every arts high school kid posted their acceptances. We even have the best voice teacher around, and learned we were singing "classically not MT'lly" at the next to last audition. OH WELL. Still have 4 to hear from, but have 4 no's under our belt. Luckily, we do have one school that has offered Acting, not MT.</p>
<p>I've been skimming through this thread in sympathy, and the following stood out from one post:
"We were aware but probably not as well prepared I guess for the reality of the extreme selectivity of many of these top theatre schools."
Yes, so many of us underestimate this! And in combination with the population blip that has created SO many applicants right now across the board.
My older daughter, now at Montclair MT, was rejected from all of the programs on her list her first time around. Yes, all. She spent her first year at a good BA MT program, shaken to the core but resilient. She reevaluated her wants and needs, tweaked her repertoire, worked VERY hard, and reauditioned. She had 3 auditions scheduled the second time, and the day before the third received her first acceptance--cancelled that third audition.<br>
Just don't give up. And advise everyone you know of who's planning to audition for these programs that they MUST have BA program options on their list! Applying to only auditioned programs is a recipe for disaster.<br>
However, I do think that my daughter's experience led her to becoming a far stronger, more confident human being who has honed her skills, ambition, and determination to succeed in a fiercely competitive business.
Not to mention that I'm grateful for what we know as my younger daughter is about to embark on the same journey!</p>
<p>any students choosing to go the vocal performance route? My daughter has been accepted into a classical program with the possibility of taking acting and dance. Her voice is her ace, but I worry she will come out sounding too classical. She really wants musical theatre but only auditioned for 3 schools. We did not know better. I empathize with all of you who for whatever reason have not had the savvy or know-how. Discovered this site recently.............a little too late it would seem. She is deferred at Mich, which makes me really sad because she really was unprepared.....what might have happened if she had been better prepared? Dance is her weakness. No training at all. Advice or comments appreciated.</p>
<p>Maria63</p>
<p>my D just changed her major from MT to VP- go figure!. Many MT stars were VP majors (and a lot are lots of other things). As long as she can work on acting and dance (which my D will be continuing to do)......good luck with Mich!</p>
<p>MikksMom</p>
<p>maria63 - I think we need more information to really comment accurately. Things like what school? Is she receiving a nice talent award or does the school fit your budget? Are there any other options? How far is it from home? Obviously, will she be happy there is the main question. When you say she hasn't had any dance training, can she dance at all (some people are natural) or does she struggle? </p>
<p>My D's voice teacher trains her students in both MT and classical and I'm guessing that some or maybe even most MT voice teachers were classical singers themselves. I'm sure there are common elements in the training like breathing and site reading but this question is best posed to an MT expert. I pulling for you to get into Mich!</p>
<p>kimtoneal, yes they do go to the same HS. That's a great thing and I'm sure you are extremely proud of your daughter. Sounds like she is very motivated and focused too. </p>
<p>It was only 4 short years ago we awaited a decision from the HS of the Arts and learned that our son was accepted. At the time, this was an amazing achievement and we are still so grateful he had the opportunity to attend this school.</p>
<p>Despite a short list of colleges and rejections, we are all feeling better about the situation knowing there are still options. As you know the teachers at the school are extremely nurturing, supportive and really care about our kids. Several of them have been a great source of strength and guidance. </p>
<p>I have to say that many students at our kids' HS alone could have easily filled several of these top college programs. Their recent production of "WSS" was beyond excellent. "Our Town" was also selected for Mainstage at the States. I don't know many kids in the dance or music programs but I am sure there are similar scenarios with those areas as well and many that aspire to attend the top schools. There are many colleges we haven't heard of but they keep popping up as popular performing arts programs.</p>
<p>We are feeling much better now and we continue to explore the options. It does take some creative thinking, an open mind and a proactive approach on everyone's part.</p>
<p>kimtoneal, forgot to mention- my son is straight acting not MT. Although he can sing, he is very much interested in classical acting. Several of the kids at the school including my son received callbacks for "Spring Awakening." He would have jumped at the opportunity if it was offered.</p>
<p>She is being offered both talent and academic scholarships. It is not close to home, but she likes that idea. She actually auditioned for MT there, they liked her voice and introduced her to the classical department just out of the blue. It was not what she went there for at all, but she is now thinking this could be a path for her. I kind of put 2 and 2 together that the MT audition wasn't a success when they took her to the classical department. </p>
<p>My biggest question is, does she wait a year, get her act together in the other areas (acting and especially dance), or go for it now by working with her strength, voice, and try pursuing the other two disciplines while in school for vocal performance? It is Bachelor of Music program.</p>
<p>Maria, congratulations on D's acceptance & scholarships. She is obviously a bright girl with a wonderful voice. My jr D is right now deciding which path to pursue: BFA or BM. I don't think either one is a clear choice. Both have advantages that the other does not. And by jumping in on the BM opportunity your D will not be closing any doors. Usually schools with VP BMs have wonderful voice faculty. As this school has a MT program, do you know if VP majors can take part in productions? Could you firm up that "possibility" of taking acting & dance classes? Even in the nearby area?</p>
<p>While she has no dance training, she may be a natural who soaks the technique up quickly. Is she athletic, someone who moves well? Maybe have an unbiased dance teacher give her a class or two -- someone who is told in advance that you want brutal honesty about D's potential.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision. Remember that old adage: A bird in the hand...</p>
<p>It seems to me that 4 yrs from now we will be where we are right now - they will be auditioning - singing, dancing and acting for roles. And it won't matter one bit whether they got a BA in Anthropology or a BFA - again it will all come down to that audition and how they fit for the role in the eyes of the director. </p>
<p>Months ago I asked about access to faculty doing a BA at a BFA school and it seems that at most or some schools the "better MT faculty" was reserved for the BFA student only. But assuming they could find a school where they could take courses in acting, singing and dancing from very good faculty...isn't it possible they could succeed at those auditions 4 yrs from now? </p>
<p>We know that the BFA gives no guarantee of future employment. We also know that without any college or with a variety of BA degrees people have succeeded in the field. What is the big magic of the BFA and is too much emphasis being paid to doing a BFA rather than what will count at the all important future auditions - having proficiency in the trade in the areas of singing, acting and dancing?</p>
<p>If someone has more insight into what I'm missing here, I'd love to hear from you.</p>
<p>ProudDadFL-It most definitely sounds as though your son has "what it takes"! Just hang in there, know you're not alone, and know that these things have a way of working themsleves out for the best!</p>
<p>Funny thing, MOP, my son asked me just yesterday whether it might be more expedient and less expensive if he just started auditioning right now for shows and such in the REAL world, perhaps taking studio classes along the way.</p>
<p>Isn't that an option ProudDadFL and his son are considering? </p>
<p>There are many routes to the same end--this has been stated many times.</p>