<p>is it possible to be successful in musical theatre only being good at acting and singing? if so, what colleges could a "double threat" attend?</p>
<p>You may decide that you want to pursue a bfa in acting. I think you can get by not be a real "dancer" but being able to pick up moves quickly and having really good coordination. Like me for example. I havent been to dance lessons in 8 years so I lack technique, but i pick things up quickly and have fun with it. If you are just horrible at dancing and cant even do a box step or grape vine, consider going down the acting route. You'll have the oppurtunity to sing still, but just not as much</p>
<p>You might want to consider vocal performance at any of the schools, which would include singing and some acting. </p>
<p>Also, look into OCU for MT. They would let you start in the beginning dance classes.</p>
<p>msjohn, I wouldn't put limitations on yourself. Simply go into a program with a can-do attitude, and let them teach you! It's their job. Many BFA programs don't even hold a dance portion for auditions- they do placement auditions once you get in. In these cases you'll be leveled, worked with and specifically- at your current level to hone your skills.
Gotta love musical theatre... it forces you to focus on what you're NOT the best at, so you can make it better. So ya know what? Dance Dance Dance! :)</p>
<p>mjohns,</p>
<p>I whole-heartedly agree w/ MTpolk! When I auditioned for Otterbein, I <em>totally</em> (and I mean, totally...) messed up the dance audition. I cringe every time I think about how horrible I did. Nerves just took over. . . But, I got over it and went in to do what I do best, singing/acting! and now: I'm going to Otterbein for the MT BFA!
Just pick what schools you love best (Otterbein & OCU are grrreat schools! <em>wink</em>) and go for it. If your passion is musical theatre, just believe in your talent and "show 'em what you've got!"</p>
<p>~Kate</p>
<p>P.S. Speaking of dance, though: I saw Otterbein's production of 42nd Street, last night. . . Talk about FABULOUS -- It was the most breathtaking and professional college show I have ever seen. (I've heard it rivals the 2000 B-way revival, from those who have seen both. I believe it!) The singing/acting talent was exhilerating, the costumes/sets/lighting were perfect, and the show-stopping tap numbers were spot on brilliant! I am so proud of my future MT upper-classmates! And, needless to say, I am absolutely thrilled to be going there this fall!</p>
<p>kegosnell, I believe every word you say about Otterbein and the wonderful performers there. I hear great things about that school, and it is definitely on our radar screen as my D moves toward audition/application time the next few years. Congrats on your acceptance! Promise you will check in here every now and then and tell us about the program in detail.</p>
<p>I agree with MTPolk...I am going to be a freshman next year and currently I am only strong vocally and acting..but that is what college is for...by the time you grauduate..if you worked hard..you should come out with all 3 strong and ready to be displayed...good luck..skys the limit</p>
<p>Mjohns09</p>
<p>While the competition to get into top BFA ATP/MT programs is stiff, having a successful long term career after word is even harder. There are lots of graduates of top programs who end up teaching at the local hs.</p>
<p>The encouragement of others to not limit yourself is sound. As was posted on the drama forum every one is to something, to tall, to short, to weak in this or that. </p>
<p>While I know that the triple threat is talking about dance, I think of it as movement which is much broader than dance. Control of your bodies movement is a pretty important tool in acting. Sports are a good example. You can memorize all the plays and know the game inside and out and look good in a uniform but if you cant pull it all together physically we call you the loser!</p>
<p>It surprises me of the programs we have visited how many students are, well, sloppy looking physically, some of them outright fat. When I go to see professional theater I dont see people who look physically sloppy so I think whats the point of doing this?</p>
<p>Dancing, especially ballet is excellent because of the technique, discipline, control and flexibility it gives you but its not the only way to learn body control. Pilates, yoga, aerobics, nautilus weight training, swimming are all excellent. You have to invest in yourself physically to be a successful actor IMHO and I wouldnt put it off til later cause your competition (at least some of them) are doing it now.</p>
<p>Most successful actors (and even aspiring ones), if they can afford it, have personal trainers. Julia Roberts flys her every where she is working.</p>
<p>I have to say Wally, that your post made me cringe. </p>
<p>Fat doesnt equal sloppy and your comments were more than offending. It really upsets me that you think the only way someone can make it in the business is to be what your definition of put together is. You are right when you say that everyone is always "too something" for certain parts, so should i remind you that a person could be consitered "too skinny" for a part? </p>
<p>I hope I misunderstood you, and if i did please feel free to let me know.</p>
<p>No, I dont think you misunderstood me; you just want to take the realities of your hopeful profession out on me. I have never casted a sole, yet I have seen professional theater all over the world. My definitions have nothing to do with it. If you are heavy it limits your opportunities in an already unbelievably competitive world weather you cringe or not. A person to thin for a role can be given padding, a person to heavy is too heavy. Fat does not necessarily mean sloppy but it limits stamina and versatility. Are you telling me that a guy 59 weighing 220 lbs is as convincing with rapier in hand as the same height 40 lbs lighter? He gets the job probably even if a lesser actor.</p>
<p>Wally- I think the reality of being in an MT program will force students to become fit, if they are not already. There are tons of dance classes required in most BFA programs, and singing while dancing requires great endurance. And the realities of casting will determine who gets hired. I don't think it's up to the casual observer to decide what student is going to make it or not. Yes, ingenue types usually look a certain way. But new material is being written on the very campuses you visited too. And it will reflect what society is. Just as Hairspray, Rent and other newer musicals represents a different view of society than you would have seen 40 years ago.
I think it's hard enough for these students already without outside criticism. Especially when you hear about kids taking up smoking or using drugs as diet aids. I live in a state with very few smokers, and I was much more shocked to see so many students smoking than I was with body types when we did our college visits.
One other thing, I have heard of programs talking to students about their image. I believe I read on a thread here about students being told to change hair color, and other physical changes. I know there is lots of pressure put on dancers to maintain their weight. And since the goal of the audition process is to build a cast at a particular school, it makes sense to me that some of the students they would accept would be more character actors for whom physical appearance is not the primary thing they look at.
The part of your post I would agree with , is that just about every college campus in this country has more heavy students these days. They are in all majors, not just theatre programs. We do have an obesity problem in this country.
At my daughter's high school the drama kids dress very differently from the rest of the student body. They dress more like artsy types, and rarely look "pulled together". My D goes to school in pajama pants sometimes if the urge moves her, or wears old dresses from vintage shops. When she goes to an audition she wears appropriate clothes for the occasion, but if you saw her on an ordinary Tuesday morning you might think she was a slob too. I am sure most of the kids you saw do present a more professional appearance when necessary.
I think your post was harsh, in that you haven't walked in the shoes of these students, at least I assume so. Everyone has some imperfections. People that are overweight happen to carry thoise imperfections in a very public place.
Sorry this is a very disjointed post. I am a little sleep deprived.</p>
<p>i think it's clear that i would rather the more talented performer. </p>
<p>regardless.</p>
<p>Julia Roberts can well afford to fly her personal trainer wherever she goes, and she certainly is a successful film star. But I am not sure that you can call her a successful stage actor.</p>
<p>At my D's arts high school, the actings students <em>must</em> wear loose-fitting (aka, sloppy-looking) pants and sweats for the acting class portion of their day. They need to be able to move around, and that means (for most of the students) wearing loose sweat pants or long loose shorts or pajama pants and loose tee shirts. At another local arts high school that I know of, actings students <em>must</em> dress in actor neutral working clothes: loose black tee shirts and loose black pants or sweats.</p>
<p>Sounds like I touched a nerve. Talk about shooting the messenger! You guys can believe or not believe what you like. The facts are that this is a very physically demanding vocation. This past year I have spent hundreds of hours on both high school and college campuses, as I design and build sets for a hobby (that have won awards). I can discern the difference between artsy or sloppy dressers and people who are physically sloppy. Its sloppy of you guys to blur the two. We know two aspiring actors who both are very much over weight. Great kids and not bad on stage but that fact will hold them back, no question. Im not making that decision, just stating a fact. </p>
<p>Maybe the MT programs will force the students to be in shape but not the MFA ATP programs we visited. Some of the upper classman looked like pizza was a daily staple (assuming it was not medically related which is statistically rare). I also agree with the observation of how many of these kids were smokers. </p>
<p>Everybody in my family struggles with weight. Those who are more committed and disciplined and keep their weight down will live longer and have more productive lives. Actors have similar choices to make. Do you want to be the retired at 35 cause your knee blew out actor who specialized in new material being written to reflect current society? </p>
<p>If Julia Roberts doesnt work for you as an example, fill in the blank.</p>
<p>WallyWorld, I don't think anyone intends to debate you over the importance of young people -- especially young people who want to perform before audiences for a living! :) -- of being in shape and physically fit. I, too, have observed how many more young people these days seem to be overweight and even obese compared to the number I noticed with the same issue when I was a teen. (That was, admittedly, a long time ago!) Most public health specialists believe that we have an obesity epidemic going on, and it seems obvious to me that that is true.
But I also think that it is probably unrealistic to expect college age performers who are working in class on their craft to be "dressed up" each day. Clean and groomed? Yes, of course.</p>
<p>maybe i didn't get my point across right. What i was trying to say but, didn't really, was that fat doesn't always equal sloppy.</p>
<p>I totally agree with you that if you are any sort of sterotype that you are limited. Being over weight is one that you can deal with and hopefully change.If not then they face more problems than just limitations, i don't think anyone needs to be reminded of the various health risks that come a long with being overweight. </p>
<p>but, i still say that the more talented actor should get the part. I'm clearly in love with colorblind theatres/casting.</p>