vvnstar hit on a good point…being an URM (under represented minority) can be a “hook” in college admissions. Many schools value and seek diverse student bodies and so it can be an extra “plus” on top of one’s given qualifications to have this “hook.”
Another thing, if diversity is important to you, look beyond the MT program and who is in it and at the university as a whole. Statistics on the make up of the student body in terms of race and gender are readily available. As a personal example, my daughter’s coed a cappella group at NYU which had about 16 members, had Caucasians, Asians, Indians, African Americans, Latino, physically handicapped, gay, and straight students. This group was a huge part of her college experience.
I agree with others who have pointed out that in certain cultures, pursuing musical theater may not be encouraged by parents. I think it is pretty unusual for Indians to be in this field. Also, a lot of Asians who are in performing arts are often in instrumental music which is pushed by SOME Asian parents. These are not absolutes, but I do think there is a general way with that in a cultural sense.
Complete agree with all the above. Musical theater is a very foreign thing (lol pun intended) to Asian cultures, especially for parents of first generation children who come to the United States to pursue steady careers (ex. my parents, healthcare and computer programming!).
@jeffandann …that Rent duet is one of my all time favorite musical theatre duets ever. The only non-professionals I’ve ever seen perform it well (and be Idina worthy) are those two girls from BSU. Pls. tell your daughter I adore her!
KaKaMom: Just looked at it and it wasn’t my D. The girl I think you’re referring to actually left the program. But you’re right, they have a lot of talent in that class. Check the Tear Jerk number - that’s my D.
@vvnstar and @soozievt , being a URM was definitely a positive and an extra plus for my child.
I purposely steered my child towards schools that looked to be in need of a specific type, to hopefully take advantage of exactly what both of you said. Of course the schools had to fit other criteria as well, but since there were quite a few schools with BFA programs, we didn’t have an issue including several schools that may were in need of x,y,z type.
I feel that it worked out well - 5 out of 7 audition acceptances.
I find this topic of great interest also. It is also clear that diversity is viewed differently on this board based on whether you are a member of an URM group or not. One factor that can make this topic important is casting. Are you potentially placing your child in a program where they will not be cast well (given talent is on par with other top class performers) due to ethnicity? Will your child only have large performance opportunities in black box or student run shows (not that these can’t be quality performance opportunities)? Very thread OP!
Again, even with casting, I think one must examine individual programs. Look at previous cast lists and so on and see how URM students were cast or not.
One of my D’s best friends and classmates at NYU/Tisch/CAP21 was wheelchair bound. She was cast very well in the musicals there, as were URM students I know. That is just one school, however.
Another of my concerns, @IfYouOnlyKnew! I would say to my daughter “if you’re at a school where no one looks like you, will the school even know what to do with you?”
I just want to mention that even for white students, diversity can be an important selection criteria for college. Some students really value being in a diverse student body. Speaking from personal experience, my daughters grew up and went to school where there was NO racial diversity (for that matter, really no religious diversity either), and the only diversity was socio-economic (that last one was of value though). Anyhow, I am really glad that my daughters attended universities that seek out and value racial diversity and I feel that was a positive and enriching aspect of their college experience to mix with such a wide variety of people. So, this issue can be important in selecting a college even if one is NOT a URM themselves.
To be honest, almost any college would be more diverse than my kids’ K-12 school experience!
However, I would say that typically, more selective (academically/overall) colleges tend to value diversity in building a student body. So, my older D applied to highly selective colleges and this was an aspect of such schools. Also, she went to highly selective grad schools where being a white American female was almost a minority!! I think most of the MT schools that younger D applied to were racially diverse (looking at entire student body, not just MT). She also wanted a more academically selective MT program, though did not limit her applications to such ones because in her case, picking the MT program was primary and picking the university it was in was secondary. In the end, since she did attend NYU, she got the diverse student body experience. I am now simply reflecting that my kids were enriched by making so many friends from diverse backgrounds, races, and religions, and international students as well. Also, while not the same as racial diversity, my kids were a religious minority where they grew up. When they went to colleges with students who came from all over the country and all over the world, my kids were no longer in such an extreme religious minority as they were growing up in their hometown. That was a big change for them. No longer were they so “different” in that way from every peer at school.
My D’s dearest friend is a talented African American female… And let me tell you, she is in high demand from all these schools… Two schools told her she didn’t have to even do the dance calls at Unifieds (she is not a dancer)… One director said they would do whatever it took to get her, because everyone would want her… She auditioned for 7 top tier programs… And has not one rejection… Yes! She is majorly talented and lights up a room as she oozes with personality… However, there is a serious lack of ethnic auditionees, which most definitely works in her favor. Sadly, the demographic just doesn’t always have the means, privilege or knowledge to attend these auditions. It is hard to be the kid (my D!) standing in the shadows of her success, but realizing how many kids never even get the chance to have these opportunities is helping us keep it all in perspective… So… Don’t let the existing class of’ photo define what ‘type’ a program takes, they are just pulling from the pool that came to them. I believe if you are of talent and ethnicity your chances of being accepted are pretty good.
She must be extremely, extremely talented and like you said ooze a ton of personality which is what got her those acceptances. Her ethnicity was probably an extra added bonus for those schools but definitely not the main reason they wanted her. My child is usually the one in the shadows.
@GSOMTMom Yes, the ‘extra added bonus’…She definitely is spectacular… I was trying to get across that one of ethnicity should not be discouraged by looking at an existing class… But to be encouraged and know they and there talent are needed and wanted… I’m sure anyone of ethnicity has faced many experiences along there journey that this was not the case… But maybe this time your sparkle will be extra sparkly…
I think that is a HUGE concern @GSOMTMom. It would have to be kind of scary! You already are releasing your child into the next phase of life and stepping back. Just one more thing on the long list of worries occurring during this process.
As far as casting goes, try to look beyond the college years. For example, take a look at the cast of Hamilton, currently playing at The Public Theater off Broadway and due to transfer this summer to Broadway. The cast is VERY diverse, and play roles not written specifically for their race.
