Decisions 2009-2010

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
21

<p>Hagenbuch and others,</p>

<p>First off, congrats on the awesome acceptances! </p>

<p>The knee jerk response to your question would be to tell you to find which schools have the highest percentage of recent grads working with recent being the key word. Birds of a feather, right? I'd wager those to be CMU followed somewhat closely by NCSA with CalArts coming in a distant third although I don't have any exact numbers other than from looking at the alumni sections of their websites and word-of-mouth. It's a lot more complex than that, though, because I'm sure you know that all schools have a lot more grads who are not working regularly than are and no degree from any school constitutes anything approaching a guarantee of professional success. </p>

<p>Of course, like in any craft, having more tools and knowing how to use them will be an advantage and I'm definitely of the opinion that the conservatory programs provide you with more tools. However, you also have to be comfortable in your surroundings to learn to use those tools well and it would be no good to go somewhere you perceive to be "best" if you don't like the faculty, kids, surrounding student body, etc. So talk to current students and VISIT!!! You also have to evaluate what you're ready for since people can and do get crushed, burn out and sometimes get asked to leave the more intensive programs who might have been okay had they chosen to go somewhere espousing a more gradual approach. Sometimes it can be a case of the "Tortoise and the Hare," ya know ... </p>

<p>Finances should be a major concern, too. Remember that by becoming a professional actor you're essentially starting a small business with yourself as the product and it doesn't make much sense to start out deep in the red. From what I've been told, you should plan to spend around $20,000 (plus a car in LA) before you make a penny unless you have some incredible and very rare stroke of luck right out the gate. Who's gonna pay for it all and how are you going to manage if you're already five figures in debt from school? I've already heard of some people giving up and going home because of that as well as some others who graduated over a year ago from more remote locations who are still trying to raise the money to make the move in the first place. </p>

<p>Given all that, I don't think anyone can tell you which school is "best" to be a professional actor. It's gotta be a very personal decision based on a lot of factors individual to you and what may be a pro for one might be a con for someone else. </p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

22

<p>Congratulations to your son and to you as a parent. I wish I could say that my son was engaged in the "time to find a college process. He sings baritone very well and has been in numerous theater productions. He's not clear on whether to go MT or theater route. Is much more engaged as a performer but has pretty good grades. Please shed light on motivation. It's difficult to know how hard to push.
We're in Texas and just now making the list of schools.<br>
OU,OCU, SMU,</p>

23

<p>I forgot to say that he is a Junior in HS.
Other schools to consider USC, CMU, Texas State, NYU, Rutgers
Hard to know what to do.</p>

<p>I've certainly learned alot by reading CC theatre and MT. Overwhelmed--yes!</p>

24

<p>yes VERY helpful - you have good insight -thank you</p>

25

<p>The money factor is a big one for the UCLA vs. CalArts issue. Interesting that NYU shouldn't factor high into the working actor list. Everytime we go to a show, we scan the place the actors went. We always see NYU and BU as the most common schools listed.</p>

26

<p>^ I was responding specifically to the schools to which Hagenbuch's S has been admitted. I don't think I've ever seen a "Top 10 List" that didn't include BU and NYU somewhere in the mix. Not to diss NYU in the slightest because a lot of good actors have come out of there, but if you're looking for percentages of working graduates, you do have to consider that they graduate more than ten times as many actors per year than any of the others ... Actually, more than all the other nine in that mythical Top 10 combined! :) It's usually around three hundred, isn't it?</p>

27

<p>Just a quick note about the CCM Drama program and UC in general.</p>

<p>I haven't logged on to CC in a while, so I haven't known about the questions that have come up about Cincinnati. My son attends CCM Drama, and it has been a great fit for him. </p>

<p>The campus is BEAUTIFUL by any standard, with every building (including those in the CCM village) either new or newly re-modeled. The grounds are nicely landscaped. The renovations are continuing on the residence halls, but the dining areas are already very lovely. The surrounding neighborhood is fine, at least within a few blocks from campus. Virtually all the CCM kids move off campus after freshman year, and they all live nearby in fairly nice apartments or houses within an easy walk to campus. They feel safe within that distance. There are restaurants and a little shopping and other entertainment sites nearby. I do not think that the FACILITIES or LOCATION should deter anyone from attending CCM.</p>

<p>The instruction within the program seems to be very intense and comprehensive. My son and the friends we have had the pleasure to meet feel challenged, and they feel that they have made meaningful gains in their skills. The instruction is often very personal. The boys were taken off campus to a studio for a special workshop and then spent the evening and night at a faculty member's home, for example. The freshman class seems to have bonded as a group, but they also have rather close relationships with upperclassmen.</p>

<p>The Drama program does have two formal assessments a year (freshman and sophomore years only), and these are stressful. It is at this time that students present monologues and scenes to the faculty for evaluation. Results of this evaluation plus performance throughout the term determine retention in the program. In this sense, it is a cut program, and you should understand exactly how it works if you decided to attend so you are not surprised. None of the students in the current freshman class was dismissed, although 2 of about 16 decided to leave at the end of the first term.</p>

<p>One thing that is a little different at CCM Drama is that students are encouraged to work outside the program. My son, as a freshman, has performed in such things as locally produced movies, music videos, and seated readings already. Many CCM students act in the professional theaters in town. Students are told about opportunities for summer training all over the country and the world, and they are also told about summer stock auditions. The freshman class has been very active this past term, looking for summer opportunities and auditioning all over.</p>

<p>Most folks who are auditioning the students react positively to learning that the students are from CCM. It is because CCM MT has such a wide and strong reputation. CCM Drama does not necessarily share this reputation, but, as has been noted above, it is an up and coming program, and it has a lot to offer. I would be happy to answer any specific questions, or better still, to put you into direct contact with my son who is a student in the program. Please e-mail me.</p>

28

<p>what does CCM stand for again?</p>

29

<p>I have heard from a couple of schools
In at Tisch,
Out at UM/Guthrie
Waitlisted Michigan, Depaul</p>

30

<p>CCM=University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music. The Conservatory houses the MT and Drama programs in addition to Vocal Performance, Dance, Electronic Media, and so forth.</p>

31

<p>I had a friend that was accepted to CCM and was trying to decide if it was a good fit for him. To help him out I sent him an email of the reasons why I chose it over my other options. I hope it can help others as well :)</p>

<p>So there are a lot of reasons that I fell in love with CCM.</p>

<p>-They encourage you to work. Once you are a sophomore you are free to work at the local theatres that CCM has great connections with, which is about 5 in the area. Cincinnati is a burgeoning theatre town if you will, and it's growing more and more. Most conservatories down right forbid you to work outside of school, but most resumes I have read of current CCM students already have a lot of professional experience. Something they do that I've never seen at any other school is a freshman showcase. At the end of your freshman year you do a showcase for local industry professionals which is a really great way to set yourself up for some work over the next 3 years, and build up your resume. I think thats a really amazing opportunity and I was very impressed to find that out because I've never heard of another school supporting outside work in such a way.</p>

<p>-They are ensemble based. It's really hard to find ensemble based programs. Most places change your class every semester or every year. I know that I really, really loved being able to grow with the same ensemble at Baltimore School for the Arts and that was a really big plus for me, because I think it makes a big difference in your training. (just my opinion)</p>

<p>-They are inexpensive. Of course no college is cheap! With room and board the total cost of a year at CCM is roughly about 30,000. They don't have as much money in talent scholarships to give (but if you applied for the Cincinnatus academic scholarship you can get up to like 20,000), but considering the cost of a full year including room and board is less than JUST the tuition at schools like NYU, CMU, and U Michigan, it's a great deal. And the cost of living in Cincinnati is very low for when you decide to live off campus.</p>

<p>-There is no graduate program to compete with. I have heard of some places that have grad acting or MT programs often keep most of the opportunity for the grad students and leave the undergrad students a little shafted sometimes. But at CCM there are no grad MT or Acting programs so it's all about us! </p>

<p>-Theres room for electives! You can take electives either at the university or also within CCM. For instance, although I don't want to go to school for Musical theatre, I like that I can take an elective voice class from the top notch voice teachers in America even as an acting student. </p>

<ul>
<li>I really liked that it was part of a "normal" university like U of Cincinnati. I personally found that exciting because having CCM where the classes are small and intimate, but also the opportunity of a large school really gives you the best of both worlds. There are all kinds of clubs to join (if you can find the time to participate), and there are always events going on campus, like at the Catskeller (the campus bar/hangout area). For instance, when I was in town for my audition, me and a few people I met went to the Catskeller for a coffee tasting. It was really fun and it just really allows you to be able to have a college experience on top of really awesome conservatory training. And like I told you before the facilities are awesome. They have like 2 pools, hot tubs, a lazy river, a suspended track and an amazing gym.</li>
</ul>

<p>-My first thought about CCM was like "It's in Ohio." But Cincinnati is way cooler than I imagined it to be and there are lots of places around campus to do stuff. Plus it's only a megabus ride away to Chicago which I personally love :).</p>

<p>-Um...also...the food at UC is award winning. just sayin. ;)</p>

<p>There ya go!</p>

32

<p>Cbrown, when did you graduate from BSA? My D graduated from the acting program there last June.</p>

33

<p>Cbrown, thanks for that plug for CCM. Although I've heard some rather unsettling descriptions of the area of Cincinnati where the school is located, the overall impression the school makes from the website, literature and the niceness of the contact people there is wonderful. I'm hoping it turns out to be as lovely as it seems, as DS is very interested in it.</p>

34

<p>wow... some great information here that I will share with my D who was lucky enough to be accepted to CCM's drama program for next year. Thanks much!</p>

35

<p>Hi all. An unpopular topic, I'm sure, amid all the bright-eyed positivity...</p>

<p>I was wondering if there was any hard data on average income of recent CCM (or other schools) drama graduates. I know that technical schools often have data like this, since their graduates start earning salaries. How many of their graduates are still paying off student loans ? How many have health insurance ?</p>

36

<p>That would be an interesting question for all the drama programs, Bunkerx, wouldn't it?</p>

37

<p>Does anyone know whether usc has notified everyone yet who was admitted to either the BFA or BA program?</p>

38

<p>Ipc,</p>

<p>I am still waiting too. Nothing on Oasis or in the mail yet.</p>

39

<p>Nickeatworld,</p>

<p>Have you heard from USC yet? I am still waiting too.</p>

40

<p>gonabastar2009,</p>

<p>NOPE… still nothing. I’m practically camping out by my mailbox.
And this website is the death of me because I know people are getting accepted.</p>

<p>Good luck to youuu</p>