Elon University

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>I’m attempting to set up a thread for Elon University. My son is currently a junior, and we’ve visited more schools than I should admit. He has a big list for possible auditions next year that I hope we narrow down, but we have a handful of top schools in mind that we like very much. Of the top choices, Elon is the only one that is extremely under-represented on this forum. I wanted to post thoughts and hope people can add to it and find the notes in the future.</p>

<p>We became familiar with Elon a year ago Christmas when 2 MT graduates played Cinderella and Prince Charming at our regional theatre that brings in equity actors from NY. They told us we would never like anything else once we saw Elon. They were outstanding singers, dancers, and actors, and just all around nice people. They keep in very close touch with Cathy McNeela (head of MT at Elon) and are now almost 5 years out from graduation, I think. One of the young actors who came here for Cinderella is now on Broadway. Elon is a young program, so many people have not yet heard about them.</p>

<p>Elon has a beautiful campus and is reasonably priced. They are 20 minutes from the Greensboro airport and 45 minutes from the Raleigh-Durham airport in a beautiful part of NC - 3 hours from mountains and 3 hours from the beach. Their students are successfully getting summer work and their graduates have a long list of accomplishments. We were most impressed with how personable the faculty was, and we met several. They have some excellent dance teachers in all areas. They don’t require dance at auditions because they think they teach the students everything they need to know while there. My son got to participate in a tap class that he loved (tap is his favorite dance type, although he is taking all). My son also had a sample private voice lesson and really clicked with the teacher. The campus itself has much to offer students for activities. They have 4600 students, the majority from out of state, and most students are on campus on weekends with many options of activities.</p>

<p>When comparing to NYU, similar to CAP 21, Elon has a great triple threat program. They also offer time to take liberal arts courses within conservatory style training (not a conservatory, though). They are small (16 students a year), and students can audition to be in shows the first year. They get much personal attention. NYU CAP21 is much larger. At Elon, you are not in the city, but you are on a beautiful campus. NYU is spread out to some extent around the city, and not all at Washington Square. In fact, we walked from CAP21 on 18th street down to the main Tisch building and it took about 20-25 minutes in the cold wind down 5th Avenue last March. I know NYU is a fabulous program, so I’m not putting it down at all - (PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT - all of you who are going there), I’m just noting the differences. My son is planning to audition for CAP21. We were very impressed with the program at NYU - I just wish we could move it to a “campus” and bring down the price!</p>

<p>My opinion is that Elon ranks with Michigan, and we all know how well liked Michigan is!!! By the way, we love Michigan also - it just already gets much attention on the forum. Elon and Michigan are about the same distance from a major airport. They are both on beautiful campuses with many things to do. They both have excellent triple threat programs and also allow a little time to take other courses if you are interested in something else. They have excellent and caring faculty. They are both fairly small programs (20 vs. 16). We saw musical plays last fall at both campuses that were Broadway quality - Elon’s ranked right up there with Michigan’s. Michigan’s advantage is that it is better known. Elon’s 2 advantages are it costs less for out of state students, and I would assume the weather is better. We are totally impressed with both schools and both programs.</p>

<p>E-mail me if you want more on Elon.</p>

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<p>I have to agree with ericsmom what a beautiful place Elon is! It's close to our home and we have seen many of their productions and they were amazing! Such incredible talent there! My d has performed with a few of the acting and vocal staff there and some of the students currently there for mt and they are so talented and just all-together nice people! It would certainly be a wonderful place to go to school!</p>

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<p>Saturday night I got to see Elon's "A Grand Night for Singing", which is a musical revue type show that includes all the musical theatre students. It was wonderfullllll. It is a very popular event...people were lining up and hour and and twenty five minutes ahead of time. The show included songs from Footloose, Wicked, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Chicago, The Secret Garden, Wild Party, etc. For several of the songs, the students did their own choreography. Everything was incredible. I didn't hear one "semi" voice the entire time...everyone was great! It was obvious how much the students really loved the school...during the last song, as they honored the seniors, I'm not sure if there was one dry eye in the place. </p>

<p>Monday I spent all day at Elon to "shadow" an MT student and sit in on some classes. I went to tap, acting, directing, musical theatre lit, and ballet. The students were all very nice. Elon is very much a "family" environment... the faculty and students all were very supportive of eachother, which is nice. It doesn't seem to be a diva school! There was a laid back feeling to the classes...in directing class, for example, everyone sat in a circle and had an open discussion, and several students were even eating lunch during class. But I definitely didn't see a lack of discipline from the students. They were all very enthusiastic about theater and about Elon. </p>

<p>Cathy Mcneela, the head of the department, seems like an incredible lady. All the students seem to adore her! The campus is beautiful...and they have a really good smoothie place. :) That's all I can think of for now, hehe.</p>

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<p>AllThatJazz....Elon sounds really wonderful. We did not look into it as my daughter did not want schools in the south (or west). I am glad you wrote up your experiences so that juniors can get some accounts of these schools. </p>

<p>When I started to read your post and you mentioned the production "A Grand Night for Singing" and then started naming songs in the revue, I was surprised because "A Grand Night For Singing" is the title of a known show which is a revue of Rodgers and Hammerstein's music. As I read your description of Elon's show, I could see it was not the actual "A Grand Night for Singing" musical. I am a little surprised that they used this title for their show given it is the name of a published musical that is pretty well known. It's a great title though! And the show sounds really wonderful. I like revues as they are not only entertaining but they can showcase many different people's talents. It sounds like each student at Elon was really great. And how wonderful for you to have been able to see one of their productions. I wish we could have done that at all my daughter's schools on her list but the only school at which we saw a musical when visiting were at Penn State (Sweet Charity) and at BOCO (A City of Angels) and they were both great by the way. It is really helpful to get to do that. Thanks for sharing about Elon. Let us know which school you decide on. Lucky you to have such fine choices.
Susan</p>

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<p>Thanks to everyone for posting such positive remarks about Elon. It is on my Ds list of schools for next year....but we haven't been able to visit yet. One question: I know the school is affiliated with the Church of Christ. Do you know if they have any overly-restrictive policies...like early curfews or if they might be more selective in what shows they will present? Are students required to participate in religious activities?</p>

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<p>We visited Elon in April 2004 for a day, just after their GRAND NIGHT production and then for the audition on March 11, '05. At the 2004 visit, my D and I started out in the regular admission meeting with my husband. Halfway through that tour we scooted over to MT classes and he finished the tour and then met us. My D and I observed Dick Gang's Sophomore Acting class (Monologues), a sophomore's voice lesson with Hallie Coppedge, a choir rehearsal (working on Orff's Carmina Burana), and an advanced tap class (this was the best!). </p>

<p>My D is a good dancer and loves tap, although she has mostly studied ballet. The tap teacher, Gene Medler, is so talented and so nice. He invited my D to warm up with them and then step back when the combinations got too hard. To brag a little, she danced the whole class. When Gene saw that she caught on to all the combinations he winked at me and said "She's quick". As he introduced each new combination, he'd give the class a little time to work on it individually and during that time came over to my D to make sure she had it. One move was particularly difficult and new to her, but she eventually got it and he had her demonstrate for the whole class and then asked how many of them had gotten it the first time they'd seen it...none. Well, you can imagine how pumped up we were after that class. The other students were so accepting and fun to dance with. Gene leads the NC Youth Tap Ensemble as well as teaches around the US and abroad (Helsinki this summer) and it is obvious that he loves passing his tap knowledge on to young people. He is a gentle person. My D heard that he will work with you privately if you want.</p>

<p>Acting class with Dick Gang was great, too. The sophomores were working on Spoon River Anthology and we got to see at least 8 kids perform their chosen piece. (If you don't know this collection of poetry/monologues...get it...wonderful character minis of all those who have died in a town...lots of variety) There were some students who were awesome , some who weren't as impressive (yet) and some who hadn't progressed much ( we couldn't tell). We found this out because Dick was honest with everyone...praising some and bashing one kid who was sliding by...no progress. My D loved his honesty, the support of the class for each other, the performance expectations on a daily basis, and the friendliness...the class must have been a mix of BFA acting and mT majors. There was a lot of respect for Dick in that room.</p>

<p>The voice lesson with Hallie Coppedge was a welcome relief after the ones we'd visited at some other non-MT schools. The student had a clear, strong voice, was very musical and Hallie built on that. She was learning classical and mt rep. In my phone conversation with Cathy McNeela just this past week, she gave me her own vocal background (impressive) and said that all the MT students spend about 70% of time on classical rep and the remaining on mt songs...that's just within the voice lesson. There are other classes for which they must prepare MANY mt selections for jury, etc. They are very concerned that students have the proper technique before they begin belting, etc. AFter hearing what some schools promote (non-mt vocal performance studying for opera) we really appreciated Elon's approach. We heard two young Elon men sing the duet from Secret Garden, Lily's Eyes, at my D's audition and they were magnificent.</p>

<p>The teacher overseeing the costume shop is a delight...met him at the audition. The set director is very personable, too. </p>

<p>Elon was my D's last audition and she was close to the end of that day. Without a group dance audition to give her confidence early in the day (we figured) and the fact that the more we waited and talked to students and faculty whom she identified with, my D got nervous for the first time for an audition. She looked at me after one great conversation and said, "I forgot how much I loved this place...what if I don't get in?"...and that's with an admission to FSU & IWU behind her. She didn't think she did that well in the audition (think itwas the nerves) and was shocked to get the personal phone call the next day (decision day for all).</p>

<p>Elon is becoming better known, in fact, one upper class student said "In five years people are going to say - wow, you graduated from Elon in theatre...you must be great! - and it's going to be so much tougher to get in. She already feels that happening. The school is real popular at my D's high school. Out of a class of 90, at least 10 kids applied to Elon...no others in performing arts. My D doesn't necessarily need a big city like NYC yet. She's happy having a good college experience with intense MT training. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks!
I suggest Elon as a visit for anyone interested in MT. I was a music major, direct choirs now and have come to the MT through my two kids. This is a different animal for me, even though I know the music side. Elon has made it very easy to visit, observe and get questions answered. Not all schools are that open. Oh, and the same NY casting director that comes to Elon a lot was at FSU when my D visited there. Enthusiastically positive comments about both schools.
Elon makes it possible for all of their students to study overseas...either for the short term or a semester. It's hard for MT students at any school to study overseas. We met one Junior at Elon who spent last January in London. Yes, she missed being in the January term musical, but she and the school made it work and she has no regrets.<br>
Southernvoice</p>

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<p>A lot of those NC liberal arts schools are associated and supported by Protestant denomiations. I don't think that the Church of Christ's presence is that noticable on campus. If it is the United Church of Christ that supports Elon (UCC) it is a fairly openminded, liberal group...Riverside Church in NYC is a UCC church. Remember, it is in the heart of NC, but I don't think there are ridiculous restrictions. I attended a college that was in Elon's division--use to be similar size before Elon expanded --and it was church supported. If you wanted the religious connections, they were there. If not, you didn't feel hindered by anyone else's beliefs or rules. I think Elon is pretty much the same.I'd ask the admissions office.</p>

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<p>Susan, I was also surprised to read that they used the name A Grand Night for Singing for their revue. When I first saw the name, I thought 'oh, how great that they'd do that show'. We saw it on Broadway in the early 90's when it was nominated for a Tony. Very strange that they would make that decision. Someone didn't show very good judgment, I'm afraid.</p>

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<p>I am as well, but the opera department at the University of Kentucky does a show every June, named...A Grand Night for Singing. My D had performed in the REAL one in a school production, so we were very surprised that they could get away with it.</p>

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<p>Back to the subject of Elon University...it truly is an up and comer in the MT world! My d would have been very happy to attend there had she gotten into the MT program (she was offered Acting). She has several friends that attend Elon who absolutely love it and who have had many performance opportunities. Another bright note about their MT program... when we went there last fall to audition,we saw Jekyll and Hyde, which was phenomenal. The female lead was a girl my d had known from local community theater several years before. She auditioned for Elon's MT program but did not get in her freshman year (they accept only 14-16?) However, she loved the school so much that she decided to attend anyway. She auditioned for all the productions (anyone at Elon can audition), took some classes in the theater department and auditioned to get into the program again for her sophomore year and was accepted! Several of my d's friends tried to talk her into coming to Elon anyway and trying to get in later, and she might have considered it had she not gotten other acceptances. As others have noted...the weather is great, the campus is beautiful, and the price is not too bad as well. Elon is worth a consideration if you are just beginning the process!</p>

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<p>Thanks for everyone's positive remarks to add to the new thread!</p>

<p>Religious affiliation - Elon is supported by the United Church of Christ - the more liberal one (more like our Methodist background). The one they are not affiliated with is the Church of Christ, which is fairly big in our part of the world and is very conservative. I can assure you that this is not the one Elon is affiliated with.</p>

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<p>I am a current music theatre major at Elon and I have to say it is the most amazing place you could ever ask for. Our faculty is amazing. They go above and beyond the call of duty to help us, because they really care. My teachers are also my friends and I know that I can go to them no matter what. For example, after auditions for shows the directors have an open door policy so we can find out what went well with our audition, what we need to work on, and honestly why we did or did not earn a role.<br>
Elon kids are really going places and doing great things. The program has only had ten graduating classes and we've already had alumns on broadway... and a ton on national tours. One of our seniors this year just landed Millie in the National Tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie... and she doesn't even graduate for another 2 months... Heck, a New York Casting agent said at the South Eastern Theatre Conference that we have the top program in the country... its really nice having the security of knowing you're getting an education that will help you get a job. </p>

<p>The best part about Elon, though is how close everyone in our department is. It's a small program, about 16 per class and we take a lot of classes with the kids we'll graduate with. It helps us create a bond and a friendship that serves as a support system throughout our four years. The people I've met in the music theatre department are my very best friends. They will always be there for me, supporting me... Elon is a safe environment. It's a place where you can make mistakes and grow without worrying about getting cut. You're supposed to make mistakes because it's the only way you can learn. </p>

<p>I really think Elon has a great thing going. It's really changed my life and has been the best decision I've ever made. I'm so proud of my school, department, and classmates. It's a fantastic thing to be a part of and a wonderful place to be.</p>

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<p>Elonactress--Thank you so much for your posting about Elon. It's so nice to hear great things about the MT department. If you're hanging around on CC can you answer any questions we have about the department? </p>

<p>For example, this year's audition requirements includes an option to just sing one song and dance a solo of one's choice instead of the other song. It sounds like they are really looking for good dancers. That option sounds appealing to my D because she's a very advanced dancer and likes the idea that Elon's MT department would value that in her. But we want to make sure it wouldn't limit her options if she ended up going there. Would she end up in a "dance ghetto" in the department whereby her casting and/or course opportunities would be limited? Also, by only singing one song that limits what she can show with her voice, so she's thinking cautiously about this option.</p>

<p>The other questions I have are:
Do the MT majors take any acting classes with acting majors?
Do MT majors get music theory and piano?</p>

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<p>Elonactress - Thanks so much for contributing to this thread. I was the one who started it, and I can't say enough what a wonderful day we had there on 11/5. It happened to be an audition day for seniors. My son is a junior, but we came then to see the musical. Even though it was a busy day, the faculty we met were all so helpful and friendly to us. We thought Jekyll and Hyde was fabulous - is it the female lead (can't remember character name) in that show that got the part in the Millie tour? We thought she was going places right away. We were also very impressed with the male lead (Jekyll / Hyde), but it seems he may have been a junior rather than a senior. The entire show was very creative and enjoyable. Were you in it? My son got to participate in a tap class that morning. I don't know if he got to meet you. All of us look forward to your contributions to this thread. </p>

<p>Also, you may want to post your thoughts on what Elon does as an alternative to senior showcase because discussion is going on with other threads, and I'm not expressing very well what they told me at Elon. They just lead me to believe agents are there often and really noticing the program and that the lack of showcase was of no concern. Thanks!</p>

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<p>I think that audition option is really just to allow auditioners to show their strengths. Personally, I know that I can show more by singing a belt song and a head voice song than I can by singing one and doing a dance... If you're daughter is an excellent dancer, by all means, show them that. Sometimes, if they feel her one song doesn't show enough, they will vocalize them or ask for another piece... they'll make sure they've seen what they need to from every student. </p>

<p>Also... she will absolutely not be placed into a special dancer section of the department... it's a small program, about 16 kids per class, and although we all have our strengths, we all learn together. The only thing that could possibly happen to her course opportunities is they might let her skip a beginning level dance class... although that is rare. I'm not sure if that answered what you are asking... if not, let me know.</p>

<p>Yes, music theatre majors take acting with acting majors.<br>
Yes, we take music theory, aural skills, sight reading, piano, and must sing in an ensemble.l</p>

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<p>Yes, Alex, who played Lucy in our Jekyll and Hyde is playing Millie on tour... she starts in August. And Rob, who was Jekyll and Hyde is a junior. I'm so glad you liked it... we worked really hard! Yes, I was in it, I was a Red Rat Girl!</p>

<p>As for a senior showcase... right now it doesn't seem very effective for us. It's extremely expensive to do a showcase in NY and it doesn't seem like it pays off. What we've been doing is bringing agents to us. Last year, out of 16 grads, 4 went right onto national tours and most of the others started working in equity houses around the country or trying their luck in New York. Although it doesn't mean we won't be doing one in the future, for now, we're doing pretty well for ourselves.</p>

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<p>Thanks Elonactress, and the Red Rat Girls were wonderful! </p>

<p>We're getting the Milllie tour during this next year in our city - we'll be so excited to see her in it!!!</p>

<p>To add to your dance notes to mtmommy, based on what we saw on campus and also based on the 2 graduates we know from Elon - they offer very advanced dance - at least, they come out of school as incredible dancers. We've been impressed!</p>

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<p>Elon is also on my son't list. Does anyone know what other strong programs
Elon has besides MT? He is also interested in their athletics. Does Elon offer
merit aid?</p>

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<p>Thanks Elonactress and Ericsmom for the info! Elon sounds fantastic.</p>

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<p>cali - The admissions office could help you, but in our admissions meeting they said their largest majors are business, communications, and education. The communications school would wow you with excellent facilities and student run TV and radio stations. They offer division 1A sports in all but football, which is division 1AA (I think - don't quote me on the football levels in case I'm confused). I just had the impression that football is one tier down from the major universities, but all other sports are competing against major universities.</p>