<p>Wow. written, done- deal offers? I don’t think it’s unfair- they do it in sports. I just didn’t think it happened. I think it’s exciting!</p>
<p>@halflokum -as you know I think your D is very talented (and has had fantastic training 
and I know she’ll land in a great spot!</p>
<p>Early written offers do happen in at least some programs, but as I say I don’t think they adversely impacts kids’ chances, as those few extraordinary kids would get places in top programs whether they were found a year early or on the last day of auditions.</p>
<p>The only time it COULD matter is if a school didn’t pass someone though a pre-screen (as happened to the character actor mentioned in my first post) since a school was no longer looking for a certain type.</p>
<p>I can’t wait to hear about all the exciting places your talented kids end up, and about all of your fun audition bonding experiences, after the season winds down!</p>
<p>Even if that does happen based on these anecdotes, these are the exception, not the rule. The vast majority of those who are accepted are unknown to the programs ahead of the application and audition. There are some who the programs may know if the applicant attended the corresponding pre-college program. I just want people to realize that the majority are in a situation much like my own kid and many others I know…who were unknown ahead of the admissions process to the colleges. It is good to keep that in mind going forward.</p>
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<p>I ABSOLUTELY agree (and although everyone here probably knows this, if there’s ever a doubt assume soozievt knows MUCH more about this industry than I ever will)!! ;-D</p>
<p>As I say, the only reason I mentioned these rare exceptions is that they MIGHT explain why a specific talented kid didn’t make it through a specific pre-screen.</p>
<p>I thought i would chime in here on this topic because i know the kids Momcares is referring to…i think the most important thing to note here is that in all of the cases of hearing anecdotal info (from kids and parents) of kids getting offers well before the audition season, the students involved were boys. They were both prodigiously talented, triple threats, who were also physically appropriate to play a number of ingenue male/leading man roles, meaning they were also on the taller side, good looking and played very masculine. On top of that they both had impeccable high school records…is this the norm? I doubt it and i haven’t ever heard of it happening to a female. So if these two guys were both tenors, would it have limited tenors for that program? I doubt it…there are fewer tenors than there are baritones at most auditioners age, so i bet they take a few more anyway.</p>
<p>The one thing i would add to this discussion is that the “thespian” and other pre-audition/ regional auditions, including the one that occurs every summer in Nebraska truly are viable, successful options for a lot of kids. For some reason they don’t get much acclaim on CC…but they should. They don’t net acceptances across the board, but they do net acceptances very early in the process from some of the schools that participate. Our kid was accepted to several schools from the Nebraska Thespian auditions and then from several more from our states regional college auditions, which are connected with Thespians. The same happened for students this year, including some posters kids here on CC. A couple of years ago a friends daughter was accepted to CCM Drama from the Nebraska Thespian Festival. I will say that even more valuable to some was that there were “big name” schools both in Nebraska and at our regional auditions…they did not give on the spot acceptances, but they gave audition feedback if you were “called back”, that was invaluable. We won’t ever know if the acceptances that came later from some of those schools would have happened without that feedback, but it sure felt nice going in with even more confidence for my girl.</p>
<p>Insofar as being “known” by a school before you head into auditions…well of course it can’t hurt, in the same way it doesn’t hurt to have a connection to any folks in casting for any job…but i don’t think it guarantees you a spot. Case in point for us, was MPulse. Our daughter is still one of only 3 kids at our very-acclaimed-in-theatre high school who has gotten a spot in that program, with many auditioning every year. One of the other is a senior at Michigan, the other is auditioning this year. Our D was accepted as a rising sophomore. She adored the program…loves Brent Wagner and the rest of the staff there…attended a second year…loved every second of it, and as far as we can tell the feeling about her was mutual. She did not get into the University of Michigan’s MT program…of course neither did most of the MPulse kids…so no guarantees there either. She got into several programs where she had no connections at all!</p>
<p>@momcares we are on the same page. 
Because I’ve asked you some follow up PMs on this same subject in another thread, I know what you are saying and also know from personal experience that what you are reporting is true. There are kids that are already into various programs before the regular audition season starts. </p>
<p>BUT for the sake of anyone that is reading these threads and not knowing the context, I think it is important to understand that the preseason early acceptances that you are referring to happen at schools that cast a wider net to attract the numbers that they want. The kids that are in early may not take those spots and the schools know it but it is to their advantage to generate the interest early on. In the case of a verbal acceptance that came out of the highly competitive summer programs that you reference, I believe you said the students in question still had to audition. They were not “done” on paper after the summer. But surely as you said, these same kids would get in anyway so it really isn’t a game changer for the regular audition process either way.</p>
<p>Elaborating because I was confused and worried by an earlier thread (that I may have started) on this same subject which gave me the impression that we could be spending time and money auditioning at schools were the fix was already in for the most part. Once I understood the context, I realized it wasn’t a game changer to the regular audition process at all. </p>
<p>We should probably return this thread to a discussion of prescreens DVDs, the good the bad and the ugly :)</p>
<p>I am not doubting these stories and believe them. I just didn’t want the huge number of lurkers on here to be worried about needing some sort of connection or some sort of being known to programs ahead of the process or that lots of slots are used up this way. It may happen but it doesn’t affect the majority of those applying who have a chance without the programs knowing a thing about them ahead of time. </p>
<p>I will say that over the years on CC, I have learned a lot about what goes on in various other areas of the country and so on. For instance, my kid had no involvement in all this “thespian” stuff and the like, either. Further, there was reference earlier to some coaches who promote their clients to programs and so on. My personal opinion, even though I know this does happen, is that it is not appropriate with private coaches (as opposed to school personnel). For example, as an independent college counselor, it is unethical to contact college admissions officers on behalf of advisees. That is reserved for the student’s high school to do, if it is done at all. So, believe me, my eyes have been opened to a variety of situations that seem to take place in this process, but I want those coming up into this for the first time to realize that most students who are admitted are admitted the regular way…they apply and audition as unknowns and the school is interested in them. Nothing more, nothing less. That’s how it happened for my own child and most applicants that I know. I just don’t want anyone to get discouraged by such anecdotes.</p>
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<p>I completely agree, and originally offered the information to PREVENT someone who didn’t pass a specific pre-screen from being discouraged, since it might have been due to a factor other than a lack of talent on their part. D auditioned in ancient times before the pre-screen video (last year) but even then we knew of one guy who was denied a callback due to something beyond his control (the program already had enough male character actors), so I thought it was worth mentioning in the way of encouragement for those who didn’t pass a pre-screen.</p>
<p>Now back to our regularly-scheduled discussion of pre-screen videos. ;-D</p>
<p>It’s all good! 
I find it really interesting to learn of all these experiences actually.</p>
<p>In honor of the start of regular season play, I advocate that we now step outside our various homes for an across-the-time-zone, top of the lungs parental yalp of: “hello college theatre world, here comes my (son/daughter) that you’ve never heard of.” May the force be with them all I’ll start it from the west coast.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how many students U Mich, Indiana U and Texas State have invited after prescreens?</p>
<p>Ahhh. It makes me wish for the “ancient times” as Momcares calls it, or even farther back when Soozievt and Alwaysamoms kiddos were auditioning. A lot has changed. It seems that life in the musical theatre college audition world even as recently as 4-5 years ago was a simpler time. I’m sure that large numbers of applicant were there, but nothing like it is now. More applicants = more competition. Different ball game now. And for parents and students, it now takes this additional prescreen step (for some schools) but, personally, I think it will be worth it. And my kid doesn’t know how it used to be, so this seems normal!</p>
<p>I do feel for these colleges who are challenged when the applicant pool is so large that they are not able to manage the numbers without implementing these new prescreen guidelines. I guess it’s a good problem to have, but a problem, non the less. But I do see the benefits for both sides. It makes me think that if my kid does get past the gatekeeper, that will mean more attention from the college auditioner as they have more time to focus on the applicants they are most interested in. Plus, our family also benefits not having to spend time, money and energy applying to schools with no shot at getting in. I’d rather know now, than later. And filming the videos has been kind of a fun learning experience. </p>
<p>I started a thread a while back to compiled a list of colleges who now take these “electronic submissions” with the help of others here on CC. Please add more.</p>
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<p>I think I once heard the head of CCM’s MT program say something like “There are fewer slots in MT programs than for the top med schools because the world needs more doctors, but there are already too many actors.” If employment stats are any indicator, it’s tough to argue with his logic. </p>
<p>So remind me again, WHY wasn’t my kid a born doctor? ;-D</p>
<p>My expectation is that the numbers invited question as a result of a prescreen isn’t something that can be answered now. The schools that implemented prescreens just this year may have had targeted numbers, but if it was new to them this year, who knows if the targets were met or exceeded.</p>
<p>I’ve been reading this forum for a while, and am so grateful for all the good advice and thoughtful conversation!</p>
<p>Would love to ask a couple of very pragmatic questions abut pre-screening DVDs. My daughter is only a freshman, but she is shooting her pre-screening DVDs for a couple of MT summer programs this weekend, and I’m not sure about some of the practical details.</p>
<p>Where should my daughter <em>look</em> while singing, acting, etc.? Does she look at the camera? Just above the camera? Off to the side?</p>
<p>And how should she slate the videos? Does she introduce herself from scratch on each one (some summer programs want several separate videos)? What does she include in the slate? Name, age, grade, school, name of song, writers of song, show the song came from? Any or all of these?</p>
<p>Thank you all for any thoughts you have! I hope these are appropriate questions for this thread!</p>
<p>mtandbassmon your questions are entirely appropriate for the DVD thread and in fact very good questions. I’m not able to claim veteran status to this process and am only answering because I happen to be reading your post since I’ve contributed above it and time seems to be of the essence. Ignore me if any of the veterans chime in. </p>
<p>My feeling as far as filiming auditions go, whatever you film should look like the way you daughter would present herself in a live audition. (Basic rules of thumb, how to introduce etc elaborated in a PM to you.) </p>
<p>There are tricks in terms of how to best shoot (at an angle vs. spot on and tips about lighting, how to use tripod or not, audio etc.) that you can ■■■■■ the internet for. Beyond that though, I think following the basic audition rules will get you where you need to be.</p>
<p>It all starts with picking the right material. The world’s best DVD shot with the wrong material will get you nowhere. LOTS of really helpful threads about material to read here that we took to heart. Take the time to read them. Good luck!</p>
<p>Oops - I forgot the link.</p>
<p>I started a thread a while back to compiled a list of colleges who now take these “electronic submissions” with the help of others here on CC. Please add more.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1186763-dvd-audition-4.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1186763-dvd-audition-4.html</a></p>
<p>I had a question on the content of the pre-screen videos. Can you use the same song(s)/monologue(s) that you plan to audition with if you are granted a live audition? Or should you use different material? I would think it would be wise to use what you feel is your best material at the live audition, but would hate for my s to not even get screened in because he was holding material back. But would singing/performing the same material not show sufficient versatility? Thanks - I am new to the boards, so I appreciate the help!</p>
<p>I believe that you should use your strongest material for both pre-screens and live auditions. It is very difficult to find 2 songs (golden age/contemporary/uptempo/ballad) and 2 or more monologues that are just right - much less trying to find 1 set of songs/monologues for pre-screens and another set for live auditions. People spend a great deal of time and effort to find just the right material. I do not think you have to now find twice as much material because of the pre-screens. Some kids work on these particular pieces for months leading up to auditions. It makes no sense to throw them out for the live audition - or not use them for the pre-screen. When we did the pre-screen last year it was early in the season and by the time she performed them she had grown a great deal. Unless expressly told otherwise - use the same material if it is appropriate, comfortable and what your kid has been working on for the last few months.</p>
<p>I believe that you should use your strongest material for both pre-screens and live auditions. It is very difficult to find 2 songs (golden age/contemporary/uptempo/ballad) and 2 or more monologues that are just right - much less trying to find 1 set of songs/monologues for pre-screens and another set for live auditions. People spend a great deal of time and effort to find just the right material. I do not think you have to now find twice as much material because of the pre-screens. Some kids work on these particular pieces for months leading up to auditions. It makes no sense to throw them out for the live audition - or not use them for the pre-screen. When we did the pre-screen last year it was early in the season and by the time she performed them she had grown a great deal. Unless expressly told otherwise - use the same material if it is appropriate, comfortable and what your kid has been working on for the last few months. Perhaps the coaches and college reps could chime in here and give their thoughts as this is a new process.</p>