<p>Has anyone on this thread attend/attended this school or did a tour of the campus? I was looking at the website and a few famous people have gone there (I know that doesn't necessarily make it great program or anything.) I was wondering how their musical/acting/theatre management degrees are. Any information about the school would be very much appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>allysoncdiva,</p>
<p>You may find more information on DePaul on the straight acting thread. They do not offer a degree in MT, that is why it is not mentioned much on this thread.</p>
<p>DePaul is a very highly respected program. There is a current DePaul student who posts on MT CC quite often and I am sure she can tell you much more.</p>
<p>My Ss both liked the school. One was accepted into the program and the other waitlisted. There is a cut sophomore year....half of the class in fact. I believe they do a lot of work with improv. Chicago is a GREAT city.</p>
<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>
<p>DePaul is indeed a highly regarded BFA program for straight acting and doesn't offer musical theater. One correction or update, I should say, is that I believe that the cut at DePaul now takes place after FRESHMAN year, not sophomore year as in the past. I believe they accept 26 females and 26 males for a class of 52. However, it is a cut system where they will dwindle the class down to 26 at the end of freshman year. Anyone contemplating the school should investigate these conditions or policies so they are making an informed decision going into it. The number cut doesn't vary by how many may be failing, etc. in a given year but it is a set number each year known from the start, so they will cut the class in half. Chicago is definitely a great city in which to study theater and DePaul has an excellent reputation for an acting program.</p>
<p>We visited when we went to Chicago several years ago. It is an extremely impressive place. My son just couldn't get MT there and would have had to go off campus to add dance and voice lessons to the great acting they offer.</p>
<p>The cuts that we learned about after that visit are even a bigger concern.</p>
<p>Hey, I go there, if you have any questions I can answer them...no MT degree, which is what I think you are looking for, but feel fre to ask anything!</p>
<p>That stinks about the cuts. It seems like so many theatre schools out there are doing that. Are there any colleges that don't cut?</p>
<p>I'm mainly interested in their theatre management program. They don't cut students from that right?</p>
<p>I guess this really bothers me- the idea of a school taking money from students KNOWING that a full half of them will have to find someplace else to go for the next year. which is not an easy thing to do. I realize that theatre is highly competititive, it just seems to me that a system of this extreme is a "cash cow" guaranteed to bring in maximum revenue for the school and a great amount of pain for the students who are "number 27 and up". Kids are supposed to be "learning" in college and it would not seem to be a very condusive atmosphere to live with the proverbial "ax over one's head" for the first year of school...</p>
<p>Errr...Lulumamma
- I really, really really REALLY don't think it's about money. It;s about fitting into the program and what it's like in the world of theatre, but I still think it is a very harsh thing that needs to be taken away. It isn't good, but I understand it more (even before I didn't get cut) more than people outside of it do because I have talked to the teachers in depth about it. One of our favorite teachers even got cut from depaul many years baack! But I don't think it is about money because they have changed the program to keep more studentss and only cut after 1st year. If it were about money people would still be gettin cut after sophomore year. Even with that cut gone, you can still see why with some of the sohphomores they had the ssecond cut! Some people just aren't as dedicated when they get a script! It's wierd</p>
<p>Oh and there is NO cut for anything except acting. Theatre management is safe. I can answer things about that seeing how I knwo a lot of them.</p>
<p>CKP, I think that almost everything about higher education boils down to the almighty dollar when all is said and done (college professors and administrator's salaries have risen at a much higher rate than any other profession and the inflation rate- and I used to be one!!). Theatre is cut throat to begin with and I can't imagine sending my daugher into a situation where she would have to spend the first year figuring out how to stab her classmates in the back and how to avoid the knife herself. There's plenty time for that later on! College should be a learning experience and be "enjoyable"- not like spending a year in revolutionary France!
If the school starts out well aware that they are going to cut the class in half, then perhaps they should reevaluate their admissions criteria and see of there isn't a better way to make their selections.You can not tell me that, year in and year out, 26 out of the "chosen" 52 are just not up to "standards". I do understand that there may need to be a "re-evalutation" at some point during the first 2 years, but this sort of year in and year out, same number every year arrangement just doesn't seem quite right,
I don't want to argue this point, but rather to say that I don't like it and think that it is a poor set up. The good side is that it is helping to weed out schools that my D will be looking at!</p>
<p>While I agree with Lulu'sMomma that real cut policies (those in which schools take many more kids than they intend to graduate and then "cut" them to get the appropriate number) are not conducive to the kind of learning environment I would want my own D in, I have to say that I don't agree that once performers are in the real world <em>then</em> they can spend time <<figuring out="" how="" to="" stab="" (their)classmates="" in="" the="" back="" and="" avoid="" knife="" (themselves).="">>
I may be idealistic, but I am very hopeful that most of our kids never resort to (metaphorically) stabbing anyone in the back in order to advance their own goals. :(
Everyone here may not agree with me on this, but I think it is super important that, as parents, we cultivate (for want of a better term) good sportsmanship in our aspiring performers, which means:
* not verbally criticizing or putting down other performers, especially not those who get roles that our child wanted
* not going on and on about how our child is more talented, but didn't get the role for such-and-such reason, which is so unfair, etc.
One thing that really turned me off when my D first got involved in theater in her middle school was hearing some of the extremely catty things that other parents said when they didn't think anyone but their own child was listening. I just kept thinking what a terrible example that set for those parents' children, and how that kind of attitude sure wouldn't serve the kids very well as they went along in their performance career. Being a performer is competitive enough without fueling the fire with bad (and again, I wish I had a better term more apropos of musical theater) sportsmanship.</figuring></p>
<p>NotMamaRose- I DID NOT mean that I hope that our kids grow up to learn to "stab others in the back"!! That goes against everything I believe in, but,having said that, I gew up in professional theatre and I saw it each and every day, and that is the honest truth, no matter how much we wish it was not so, it truly does happen all the time. What is really disturbing is that I watch it go on at my D's school in the music/theatre programs as well as in the local community groups, and that is so sad.It is the same thing with kids' organized sports and that has become so legendary that it hits the pages of USA Today constantly! Let us hope that perhaps all of our daughters may be the ones that help to change this attitude and that years from now, we can post things about a "different world" as a result of their honesty and love of the theatre. Wouldn't that be a wonderful legacy....</p>
<p>We are in total agreement, Lulu'sMomma. I hope our Ds and Ss are the ones that change that. I am sure you are right that backstabbing goes on all the time in many avenues of theater (and other professions) and that bad mouthing other people, backstabbing, etc. probably does help some people advance their careers. But I also am a firm believer that such tactics eventually backfire, and end up hurting the person doing the stabbing, if you will. It's one of those "what goes around, comes around" things. My point was that as parents (and I am sure you agree, as I have read your other posts!) we need to be the proverbial good role models, and that includes not participating (imo) in the kind of backstabbing talk that I have sometimes heard parents engage in. It sets a bad example for our kids. I am well aware that my own D will have her fill of rejection as time goes on, but I hope she continues to learn to handle it with a kind of grace and elegance and not by becoming negative and cynical. I am sure you all feel the same way and I better shut up, as we are getting off topic and the moderators are going to come and take me away ...... :)</p>
<p>These are very thoughtful comments. I have appreciated ckp's honesty and followed her journey through applying elsewhere as backup and her loyalty and respect for DePaul's program even as she recognizes the inherent problems with cutting from 52 to 26. There are so many obvious problems with this that they don't need to be repeated. My son filled out the application and made an audition appointment but in the end cancelled the audition because he didn't want to be in a program with that cut policy. The school seems great, but the policy is just not good for the humanity of all involved, and the cost is greater than the benefit in my opinion. I agree with Dr. John's writing about this. I wonder if DePaul will eventually change since it's a little counterproductive to cut to get talent and yet lose talent at the same time since significant numbers of talented students don't even apply to DePaul because of its cut policy. Well, I am glad for you, ckp, that you are over the hurdle and can focus on your art with all that DePaul does have to offer.
I love the good sportsmanship "rules" - It just creates a happier community when students and parents are glad for others when others are given opportunities. I guess that's why the cut policy is destructive to community - it's like musical chairs so you have to grab a place for yourself at someone else's expense.</p>
<p>Okay well, yes evverything does boil down to money...but when you bring that into the equation than every school we talk about it doing it all fo rthe cash. UM...a degree in ACTING??? That is bogus, if you want to make everything about money and ssay the cut is about it, than you can make every school out to be phony, but it isn't.</p>
<p>And I am glad that I am not your D, because if she were (and according to you-god forbid!) in the same situation I was in a year ago -entering a school with a cut-you would be encouraging her to stab people in the back? That's crap.</p>
<p>And I know you are going to say that the school is encouraging it, not you, and that isn't what your daughter wants and but in the situation thats how it would have to be, but this IS NOT what you think it is, obviously.</p>
<p>I really need to clear things up about cut programs (or at least mine) if thats what you think they are, because you were wrong, well, your daughter could have been one of the people who tried to be really competitive and sneaky, and then she would have gotton cut, because that isn't what they want.</p>
<p>The 12 people in my section (the section with the least amount of people cut) have been my backbone through this year. We came together in the begining and formed a bond. We were section 102,and called ourselves 102-love with a cute hand signals. I love them almost as much as a family, they were my family for the past year. We NEVER were competitive and NEVER stabbed people in the back, because that is just plain stupid. You ca't learn like that, and teachers want people who can learn. We encouraged eachother and loved eachother, shared are darkest fears and all our hopes, cried and laughed together. I feel sorry for people that even think that they should go into a program to show off or anything like that, and they are going to have a hard time out there, cause that takes its toll.</p>
<p>YES the cut did suck, but this school gives you so much in a year that it is worth it. I wasn't not able to learn anything because it was over my head. It's not like that. It is a loving and friendly and amazing pllace.</p>
<p>I thought I remembered seeing this and found it
Here is what another DePaul student, coffeeandcoke, said about the cut on the Theatre/Drama thread
[quote]
I go to the Theatre School @ DePaul (I'm on this site because I'm transferring to a prelaw program because I'm just not passionate about theatre anymore, through no fault of The School) and here's what I have to say about the cut. Generally 15 people drop out (the required 22 credits/quarter can take its toll), 5 people are idiot slackers and everyone sees it coming for them which leaves 6 that are more surprising. If you work hard, take risks, show up to class and take Crew seriously you'll be okay.</p>
<p>The location in Lincoln Park is amazing. The Purple, Red and Brown lines stop right by the freshman dorms and Steppenwolf is one stop away. We get great theatre discounts because our alumni work on just about every production in the city. The neighborhood is well lit and Campus Safety is amazing.</p>
<p>Theatre School teachers are brilliant, well connected and genuinely on your side. DePaul LAS teachers can be another story. Some are great, others are idiots. There is an idea among LAS profs that Theatre School students have an attitude and don't take non-theatre classes seriously so they don't take us seriously. For Quantitative Reasoning and Comp and Rhet you're in a section that is only theatre kids and the prof doesn't really hide the fact that he absolutely hates teaching you.</p>
<p>A lot of people come here with reservations about it being a Catholic school. If you choose to be part of a Catholic community there is a great one here but if you don't, especially at TTS, you won't even notice it.</p>
<p>As for the building, The Theatre School building has character. The oldest part was built around the turn of the last century and added onto numerous times in ways that don't really make sense, so you have to go upstairs and downstairs and upstairs again to get anywhere, don't ever really expect to know where you are but the building is safe wioth awesome design studios and movement rooms. Don't let the building be a turn off.
[/quote]
Was this similar to your experience, CKP?</p>
<p>As for the backstabby part ... Wow. Yeah. It goes on in the real world, but you can't have that in acting class. It's definitely one of the first things I'd cut somebody for if I were a faculty person. It's a total trust thing and you'll get smacked around like a piñata by your classmates for breaching it even if it doesn't get you cut at anyplace decent. You've gotta be tight with those people. They're your family. </p>
<p>I would like some backstabbing technique lessons at some point before I get out there. I'm not sure these eyes in the back of my head will be enough. ;)</p>
<p>ckp - I tried to pm you but you need to clear out your messages. I was really taken aback by your intense reply - were you responding to me? I was hoping to convey nothing but respect for you and the way you have defended your school. I hope you understand that not liking the cut policy is simply my point of view, and it's just as valid as anyone's. Did you mean you are glad you're not my daughter or were you referring to the person who actually talked about back-stabbing? I guess it doesn't matter, but it was really hurtful, the way you struck out - I sure don't think I deserved it if you meant it for me...where do I say I would encourage someone to stab another person in the back? Actually, I don't think anyone deserved this comment. Everyone writing on this thread is focused on trying to understand different programs. I do think DePaul is an amazing school, but I really question the cut policy. Some years it must be close to impossible to decide who that 26th kid is who will have to go - the "surprising" cuts to others and to the students themselves as described in fishbowlfreshman's found quote. I am glad you cherish the program and wish you continued good luck. By the way, even if you wouldn't want me as a mother (my son sometimes doesn't and sometimes does), I would be proud if you were my daughter because I have observed wonderful character traits in you.</p>
<p>Babar, sorry it wasn't for you, and I don't mean anything personal, I get passionate...expecially when I read post after post after post of people with misconseptions about something that is so close to me it is my life, and I get upset when I try to explain, or show a diffferent side and people get even more misconseptions. And I get really angry when I think people won't even try and see something in a different light, especiallly calling my school a "cash cow" which I don't agree with. </p>
<p>And the back-stabbing/wouldn't want to be your D talk was all very sarcastic because I thought the comment about everyone at my school stabbing people in eachothers back was ignorant and deserved an equally ridiculous response. I know that no one is encouraging their chlid to do that, but it came across in their post that we all were and all do that, and it isn't the case. Sometimes I feel that I try to show a different side of a situation and people twist it into something wrong and incredibly painful to me...</p>
<p>But I apoligize for offending anyone</p>
<p>No worries, ckp - your passion is admirable! I am hypersensitive and have a history of misunderstood online comments!!!</p>
<p>Fishbowel-
I really wish that I could say the cut was like that, but it wasn't like that in my year...
3-2 guys and 1 girl- people dropped out (and one is coming back as a frosh this year!) and 1 girl got added because she took a leave so it was 24 guys and 27 girls.</p>
<p>Most people you can see it coming, but you never really know. There were at least 5 people that it actually made me cry/shocked that they did get cut.</p>
<p>I agree that cuts are stupid and I can never blame people for not wanting to do them, it's understandable, but I don't like being made out to be something we are not.</p>
<p>Fishbowel? Fishbutt? Hrmmm I think you might wanna Alexanderize that left hand, sweety. ;) I can see how youd get upset with people making suppositions. And just to clarify What I said about backstabbyness was meant to support what you said about your class. At my first college, we only got about three hours of acting a week, so the bond wasnt there yet and the competition for open casting wasnt helping, but I know from my h/s class (several hours a day) how intimate it can get when you spend so much time sharing. Id still throw myself in front of a bus for any one of those kids.</p>