<p>The more research I do and the more people I talk to, the more I hear about schools trying to make kids "fit the mold," of what they think will be successful in the business. As in, trying to make them all the same or as similar to whichever recent successful grad they look most like or whatever. (It's a whole other thing to understand type and market yourself as roles you would be cast in, I think, rather than having everyone be the same.)
I've done workshops with a few college MT program faculty members though, and all of them said things along the lines of "we like unique people who are telling us a story." But it's so hard to get a message like that from a web site!
I guess this is like the difference between training students to be part of a professional ensemble versus leads/supporting roles. Is this whole "cookie cutter" idea a real thing that varies from school to school and is it good or bad? I just wanted to know if anyone had any thoughts...</p>
<p>I think it depends on the school. I’ve heard that Pace favors unique and different people, while other top-tier programs prefer a certain kind of person only. It also could depend on the “types” a school needs - if a school is about to graduate 4 legit soprano ingenues and has a bunch of character actors already in their program, they’re going to come into an audition looking for ingenues.</p>
<p>When my daughter applied five years ago there was this one school that was known for training chorus kids and she really felt that during her audition/informational day. She withdrew her application. My daughter definitely needed unique! There is no good or bad, it’s what works for you.</p>
<p>My D is one of the “unique” MTers that doesn’t really fit the mold. She’s been to three college auditions this fall and felt that two of the colleges were not only accepting of, but encouraging towards each student’s uniqueness. We have definitely heard the phrase “cookie cutter” used a lot during this whole process, though. And what college wouldn’t want to stamp out a lot of Megan Hilty clones?</p>
<p>Funny enough, Megan Hilty was not an MT, but BFA Acting! This topic is so interesting to me because I am not what people think of when they say cookie cutter but am close enough that I could reasonably pass for that type. That’s when I think it gets really tricky. Do you go for individuality or try to fit the mold? I guess it totally depends on the school but that is very hard to know going into the process.</p>
<p>I second actor12’s question! In the same boat!</p>
<p>actor12 - In my mind the number one rule is: Be Yourself. Don’t try to be oddly unique and don’t try to be cookie-cut (not that that’s an actual word). I read an article by an actor who said he spent several years in New York auditioning and trying to give the casting people what he thought they wanted. He finally “gave up” and started just being himself then started booking work like crazy. The auditors can tell when you’re not being yourself; it shows, and diminishes the performance. Just show your true self.</p>
<p>Thanks, I agree and am already in a school but it’s an audition up program so the problem continues. lol.</p>
<p>The “cookie cutter” problem is common to both acting and MT. I know many auditioning seniors who are applying to a mix of acting, MT, and VP programs. I hope you have great success in your auditions and find that perfect fit for you. And I wholeheartedly believe: Be Yourself!</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input! Does anyone have advice on how to find those programs that look for uniqueness? I am not opposed to the whole ensemble training thing, but I know that I have no shot at ever being in a professional ensemble, at least as a dancer.</p>
<p>Like…I could MAYBE be in the ensemble of Sweeney Todd.</p>
<p>MTV 2015: My Ds vocal professor has some of the same concerns regarding “cookie cutter” MT or as he puts in turning out chorus members. He has been in the business for years. Said of one school, “They took ??? There aren’t that many jobs!” He emphasizes the need to find a program where you will be considered for your uniqueness, rather than just being one of the crowd. Having said that, my D is auditioning for some vocal performance programs as well, with an MT emphasis. While she can sing, dance, and act, her strong vocal ability is what makes her unique. Know yourself. Know your strengths. Then look for the programs that fit you as a performer. They may not all be in the top 10 or even on this MT thread. If you can, attend a local thespian or theatre festival or conference and get live prescreens. You can audition for several programs at once. So some of the ones you planned on applying to did not call you back. So, just make room for more. You will get callbacks from these live events. Look closely at these schools because they have seen you and liked what they saw! My D found three programs that she loved at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska that she never would have known about. Now she is auditioning for them at Unifieds!</p>
<p>Smaller programs seem to be more apt to have a diverse, unique group of students for obvious reasons. After several auditions those are the programs my D favors. Of course, the fact that they are small makes them that much more difficult to get into. Catch 22?</p>
<p>Is “cookie cutter” a euphemism for something else that you are all afraid to say? I’ll say it. Don’t all jump down my throat, please. And mind you, this is my PERSONAL opinion from looking at pictures of these kids, and watching YouTube videos, and seeing some of them on campus and at auditions and even in shows.</p>
<p>CMU takes only beautiful people. Almost all the girls are tall and could be models…they take a token petite one very once in awhile, but they are all gorgeous. The boys are all tall, slender or muscular, and gorgeous. Not an extra pound on any of them. The euphemism for CMU’s kids is “commercial,” not cookie cutter. BUT, CMU has phenomenal training, so their grads can play just about any role.</p>
<p>CCM does the same…maybe not as model-gorgeous as CMU’s kids, but no one is overweight, disproportionate, or unattractive. And if you’re a few pounds overweight, you better believe it’s gonna come off the first semester. </p>
<p>UMich takes more variety, but there is a certain look to them. </p>
<p>OCU takes the all-American looking kids. There are more Miss America’s hailing from OCU than any other school.</p>
<p>The schools that take a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and looks are: Otterbein; BoCo; NYU. Maybe Ithaca. They seems to care more about talent and fit than commercial looks. </p>
<p>BW and Pace like the edgy ethnically ambiguous kids. </p>
<p>I’m not saying if you’re 50 pounds overweight or only 4’10" you can never get into CMU, CCM, UMich, OCU and the like. But, I think there is far less chance. Try BoCo or NYU instead. </p>
<p>Have at me. But try not to shoot the messenger.</p>
<p>I’ll happily confirm that Otterbein includes every shape, size, and configuration, and casts them too. I’ve been bowled over by the diversity (not to mention skill and talent) of the productions I’ve seen there, including this fall’s Les Mis. My son would not have fit the slender/gorgeous mold, and he was accepted by both Otterbein and Ithaca, so at least on the positive side of your comments, Veritas, I’ll agree! I’m not familiar with the other schools you describe so will refrain from commenting on those.</p>
<p>^Thanks, Times3! But I hope I didn’t come off as being negative when talking about the schools who take good-looking kids (which I’m reading into your comment - perhaps incorrectly). I am not slamming schools like CMU for taking gorgeous, commercial kids. They can afford to, so good for them! Why not? And mind you, my D is not commercial looking either…thank goodness for schools like Otterbein and BoCo that take kids in all shapes and sizes and looks. But there sure is a place for those gorgeous kids too, and if that’s where the schools want to specialize, god bless 'em!</p>
<p>VeritasMT- CMU is one of the schools that I would never even think about labeling as taking cookie-cutter kids. Their class size is so small, yet each student is so unique looking and unique as a performer, and this is what I love about the school. The kids aren’t even all stereotypically “beautiful,” but yes, they are unique and interesting looking which makes them marketable. Their faculty has even said, ‘[they’ll] take whoever comes in and gives them the auditions that click the most and forget the rest.’ I guess it’s worth mentioning that their is one white student in their junior musical theatre class. I’m surprised you mentioned BoCo taking a more diverse looking class than them, but I guess that just comes with numbers. Sure, CCM is known for taking somewhat similar kids and that’s apparent, but have you seen a picture of a CMU class all standing together recently? Not shooting the messenger, but I have tons of friends at CMU and none of them are similar nor to their classmates. C’est la vie</p>
<p>I hope this isn’t the case for the acting kids either…cuz my 6’ redheaded freckled daughter wouldn’t stand a chance…</p>
<p>Josh Gad - CMU.</p>
<p>I’ll add Coastal Carolina as a program that takes all types and embraces the unique ones. My D is definitely one of those and she has thrived at CCU.</p>