CSU Fullerton

<p>Hello Everyone, My name is Timaeus Le and I just had some questions about applying to colleges. Currently, I am a junior at Fountain Valley High School and I have no idea what i plan on doing in the future. I have done two musicals with a private organization called Clubhouse Theater and I had got the lead roles both times (troy from HSM & daddy warbucks from Annie). I love music and really love to perform. I am also currently in the schools band and choir. I was just wondering where i should apply to if I do want to pursue Musical Theater. Also, my mom doesn't want me to major in musical theater because shes knows its tough out there and doesn't want me to be struggling, so what should i do? is it really that tough? also another thing, is there any way i could really find out the truth if I'm good enough to pursue something like this? because some people tell me I'm really good and my mom disagrees and shes the only parental figure in my life so I'm really worried that i really am not good enough. I'm just really confused and i just want the best for my life and i really hope its something where i am performing for people and putting a smile on their faces. I've heard that Fullerton is a really good program for MT so that's why i came here to seek help. Some other schools ive heard of are UC Berkeley, U of Michigan and NYU. Any opinions? Thank You so much for any help that you provide, i appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.
-Timaeus Le</p>

<p>TimaeusLe. This is just my opinion. First and formost you need to sit down and really ask yourself "Is this what I REALLY want to do?" and "Is this the ONLY thing I have strong passion for?" If the answer to both of those questions are yes than by all means go for it! But if they are no than you need to consider majoring in something else and maybe just minoring in music theater because it IS tough out there and if you don't really (and I mean REALLY) have passion for this than it makes it even more tough. My next suggestion is you should get a voice teacher (if you don't already have one) and start taking some dance (ballet) classes (if you are not already). Because if this is what you want to do, then the only way you will improve yourself is with proper training. And I completely understand about your mother. I have the same mom. But I truly have passion for performing. It's what I love to do and nothing else makes me what to improve myself more. So it doesn't matter what my mom or anyone else says because I have strength, confidence, and strive not only within my talents but also within myself. And you should too. And if your mom is anything other than a PROFESSIONAL singer, dancer, or actress than she should not be telling you whether you are good or not. And I know she's worried about you struggling, but if she's a good mother she'll support you no matter what and realize that stuggles don't last always. As far as schools go my best advice to you is just to research. That's how I found the schools that were best suited for me. This is a great website to start! Go to the websites of the schools on the Musical Theater forum, read about the program, the faculty, the students, and then make a decision on if that school is best for you. Because in the end it's all up to you to decide whats best for you and what program fits you the best. Make sure to START EARLY and get your auditions and application submitions in quickly.</p>

<p>And remember that colleges aren't looking for you to be perfect. Because If you were perfect you wouldn't need to continue your training. But what they are looking for is the potential and passion you have to become something great.</p>

<p>And that's just my opinion. Hope this helps :-D</p>

<p>I agree - this is one of the toughest businesses there is, and it is one that is based entirely on stereotypes and others' perception of your talent. Less than 5% of the union members make a living wage as a performer (so they have other jobs to support themself). A professional gambler has better odds of making a living - and the start up costs are comparable (headshots, resumes, voice lessons, dance and acting classes, trade papers, theatre tickets, cell phone, and other expenses are all going to be required to simply start to LOOK for gigs). </p>

<p>I wouldn't wish this business on my friends...so unless you are sure that you cannot do anything else, and I mean ANYTHING else, then this is not the field for you. </p>

<p>If (unfortunately) this career is your lot by default, realize that you will likely not ever make enough money to support a family, buy a nice car, own a home, have a retirement income set aside, etc. - all those things that "normal" people aspire to. No wonder your mom's worried!</p>

<p>Do your research. Find out what you can afford in schools (many give scholarships to only the most promising, and even then it is expensive to live away from home).</p>

<p>Fullerton is an excellent BFA (as opposed to BA) program, with working alumni; and you would only pay in-state fees (very reasonable compared to the cost of out-of-state, private and UC schools). Berkely is not known for Musical Theatre, and it's rather expensive housing there...may not be worth your time. NYU and Michigan are good, as are MANY other programs you can read about on this website.</p>

<p>As to how you can find out if you are good? Ask someone who knows (agent, professional director, casting director, etc.). Go to professional auditions (like Music Theatre West, La Mirada, Lawrence Welk Dinner Theatre, Candelight Pavilion in Claremont, South Coast Rep, Laguna Playhouse, etc.) - you'll see how you rate compared to your peers.</p>

<p>Best wishes,</p>

<p>eve</p>

<p>Prof. H. - Yesterday I was flipping though the channels on t.v. and caught CSU Fullerton blowing away the competition in cheer dancing. Man, if they are any indication of the type of dance training at the school, I'd have to say you guys are awesome!</p>

<p>Thank you so much byorkman and also Prof. Himmelheber. I actually do have a strong passion for MT. Like I said before, I'm just scared that I might not be good enough to survive out there. I am actually an intellectual person. I'm taking lots of Honor and AP classes. But still, I just don't know what I want to do. MT sounds like a lot of work but so much fun. Maybe I should just minor in MT? Would it be the same? I really don't get the difference of majoring or minoring. Thanks again.</p>

<p>Majoring in MT and minor in it are two completely different things. The difference between a mjor and a minor is a major is what subject you are mainly focused on and a minor is a smaller or secondary choice for academic specialization, that requires fewer courses or credits than a major.The primary difference is the amount of credits/classes you take for both. If you look at the colleges that you are interested in, they will tell you how many credits are required for a major and how many for a minor (usually it is half or less for a minor compared to a major). And if you are interested in minoring in MT MaryMount Manhattan has an amazing MT minor. And if you are an extremely intellectual person, I would recommend NYU (cap21). Within the program you take 3 days of MT training and 3 days of academics.</p>

<p>I have to say, I think that the dance here is spectacular! The cheer dance isn't associated directly with the department, as far as I know - but there are likely students involved in both (I'm pretty myopically focused on the theatre performance students, so don't know many of our dance majors well enough to know their outside activities).</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>Go Fullerton,</p>

<p>eve</p>

<p>oh. byorkman can you give me more information about NYU (cap21) it sounds like something i would love to do. I'm going to audition for their summer program next year. hopefully i make it. Do you know anything about that? i have read some forums but its not really clear to me still. thanks so much.</p>

<p>TimaeusLe. I don't know much about the summer program but here is the link to the website that explains it all: <a href="http://www.cap21.org/musicprecollege2007.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.cap21.org/musicprecollege2007.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>But I do know a few things about the College program. It's a wonderful program for people who not only want to receive great MT training, but also want to have a strong academic balance. It's a very selective program as well. More than 1100 people auditioned this year and they are only accepting 80 to get a class of 64. There are other studios besides Cap21 that offer singing, dancing, and acting. Like the Lee Strasburg studio and there are a couple other. Your best bet is to go on the NYUcap21 forum here on collegeconfedential and read about the program. There you can find TONS of information. And if you are looking for that well balanced MT/Academic program then here are some other schools you should look into:</p>

<p>University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma City University
Marymount Manhattan College
Sam Houston State University
Kean University
University of Alabama
University of Michigan
Elon University</p>

<p>Those are all I can think of right now that have that good academic balance.</p>

<p>cool! thank you so much. you totally saved my life. you rock =D</p>

<p>I heard that Cal State Fullerton has one of the top Public Relations departments in the US. is that true? And can anyone provide a link to verify?</p>

<p>I'm researching now - I know that the head of the PR for Theatre & Dance is one of the best in the nation: Dr. Jim Volz. He is author of several "industry" books that are very hot right now; he is a contributing writer for Backstage; and he was the Managing Director for Alabama Shakespeare Festival for years.</p>

<p>I'll let you know what I hear.</p>

<p>According to the head of our PR for T&D, you might check the COMMUNICATIONS DEPT. WEBSITE to see if they include any
jargon on this topic...</p>

<p><a href="http://communications.fullerton.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://communications.fullerton.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>eve</p>

<p>is the straight acting a BFA as well?</p>

<p>It is, as of this year - brand spankin' new!</p>

<p>oh good! So what changes in the curriculum then? Also.. I sent you an e-mail professor.</p>

<p>Well, there is one more acting class now - offered in the first year (an improv and instrumental focus).</p>

<p>There are more required Voice and Movement courses (combat is on the roster, as are period & styles).</p>

<p>The senior acting class is now only actors (no musical theatre students may audition in to this any more). Same with Acting for the Camera, and Auditions.</p>

<p>Other than that, the coursework is essentially the same as it was before (with the exception of the senior acting, all these were ELECTIVES before the BFA in Acting was instituted).</p>

<p>eve</p>

<p>Hello Everyone. I'm sorry if this is off topic or strange, but I just had two questions that I thought could be answered here. My first question is does anyone know a good song for a tenor 2 to sing for an audition? i understand that it depends on the persons voice but so far i havnt found anything that is amazing and i need an amazing song if i expect to make my schools top choir "troubadours" and my last question is does anyone know of a summer program near fullerton (i live in westminster) such as a musical theater training or vocal training? such as CAP21? thank you so much and any advice is gladly appreciated.
-Timaeus Le</p>

<p>Fullerton College has a summer musical theatre program for high school students. Their website states:</p>

<p>"Standing Room Only" Summer Honors Conservatory</p>

<p>Since 1980 Fullerton College has offered high school students a tremendous education experience in the months of June and July. While working on a major musical produced in our Campus Theatre, students also take college credit classes in Acting, Voice, and Dance. Gary Krinke, his outstanding artistic staff, and college actors serving as student mentors create a supportive learning environment for your students. To place your name on our SRO mailing list contact Office Manager Tessa Jacobs (714-992-7425) <a href="mailto:tjacobs@fullcoll.edu">tjacobs@fullcoll.edu</a></p>

<p>They produce a huge musical each summer, and after several other colleges work on the same musical (so the set and costumes tour to Citrus College, then on to one more college...though I can't remember which). Anyway, the budget is large, because there are three schools using the same technical resources.</p>

<p>On the tenor songs, I suggest buying a tenor anthology of musical theatre songs; or listening to any tenor that you feel your voice is reminescent of. We usually don't suggest titles on this CC, because it is important that you learn how to do the research.</p>

<p>You can also try to locate a copy of the Broadway Musical Theatre Companion (it has an index of songs broken down by vocal type - it actually lists the notes range of each song - and song type, like ballad, up-tempo, comedic, etc.). The info is:</p>

<p>Devenney, David. Broadway Song Companion: an Annotated Buide to Musical Theater Literature by Variety and Song Style. Music.REF.ML128.M78D481998
lists of musicals with song titles, range of songs, and song styles
indexes by voice type and number of ensemble singers</p>

<p>Hope this helps,</p>

<p>eve</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>thank you so much Prof. Himmelheber.</p>