Thank you @vvnstar ! I’m a rookie, can you tell?!
@1027fam Hi and Welcome! I am sorry to say, we did not get to see a show so I cannot speak to that end. I did question MT students when we did our tour and their responses were all, YES very challenged in all areas and very busy schedules! They were all happy with the dept and faculty. We loved Michael Staczar and all he had to say and his vibe. We also loved the actual theater facility. I hope this helps and please let me know what your D decides!!
and thank you @vvnstar I had not seen the post 
Congrats everyone!! And @deesthree yes yes!! to “someone out there is going to Love your son or daughter” I so agree and also agree with a “fit” As most know my D’s number one choice for most of this process wound up putting her on waitist and giving no money, Her other top choice accepted her within 2 weeks of her audition and rewarded her monetarily both academically and for talent, she couldn’t resist feeling Loved by them and being debt free as well!
Thank you @Joyfulmama! Hopefully a decision soon!
Congrats @deesthree and@SongnDanceMom! So great to have decisions happily made!
@SongnDanceMom Welcome to the frog fam! Just got back from TCU of a weekend full of awesome Best Little Whorehouse performances and a film premier that my son was is in… Send me a private msg so I can add you to our private FB page for parents… Any other future frogs, feel free to contact me with any questions and send me private msg so I can add you to our private parent FB page…CONGRATS!!!
I guess I’m ready to share my D’s saga. I have to say that at the beginning we were really excited. D has had a lot of encouragement locally, enough for us to think of her as a very talented singer and actress. She gave up dance while still in grade school because when it entered the competition phase, she was no longer interested. She started doing shows in middle school, never a lead or principle role, but usually a role with a name and a few lines and maybe a song sung as part of a trio. She had always loved to sing, but was not a stand out. That began to change as she entered high school. People began to recognize that her voice was quite strong, but she needed to learn how to control it. She began private voice lessons and took classes at our local community music school on Saturdays. She started being cast in principle roles at her high school and winning awards for those roles. Her voice teacher raved about the unique strength of her voice at a wide range. She was told her comic timing was fabulous. We got her in some private dance classes and signed her up with MTCA. We were on top of the MT world! And then came pre screens…
Actually, first came the rejection from the only summer program to which she applied. She didn’t only apply to one because of hubris, it was just that she had a mission trip she was going on and this was one of the few she could go to around that schedule. When she was not accepted we panicked and scrapped both songs that she sang on that audition tape. In retrospect, that may have been a mistake because I actually liked those two better that the ones she ended up using. But then came the prescreens. She had 16 schools on her original list and 7 required prescreens. Of those prescreens she passed 2. Five rejections from prescreens, one of which I had to ask for because they never bothered to e-mail her or update her portal. It was brutal. And not typical of what you read about on this forum, so I am sharing it because someone from a previous year shared that they hadn’t passed any and had still ended up happy at a school, and that really helped me.
So after the prescreen results were in, we added a few more schools. Five out( Ithaca, Michigan, Penn State, Shenandoah and Otterbein) and four in (CCPA, Ohio Northern, U Arts and SUNY Buffalo) We were able to move on, but I have to admit that I had a few pangs at Unifieds when people were lining up outside of those doors for their auditions. I’m sure my D had them too, but she never said anything.
I’m going too long so I will make the rest quick. In the fall, early auditions at BW and Elon. My D loved Elon and thought her audition went well, but both early results were nos. At this point, the reality of the odds was setting in, so she shook those off. She also auditioned early at Muhlenberg for scholarship money and he gave her great feedback, just enough to keep her going. Then came NY Unifieds. That was so fun. One of the great advantages of being with MTCA is that they have a private gathering space at Unifieds. When we entered the room on the first day, Ellen (MTCA First Lady) immediately told my D that she should do a walk-in for the Manhattan School of Music. When she went to her audition for CCPA, she loved everyone in the room and they told her that they wanted her, but she should also audition for their dear friend who was starting a new MT program at the Manhattan School of Music. So she did a walk-in for the Manhattan School of Music.
In Summary:
Prescreens: Michigan, Penn State, Otterbein, Ithaca, Shenandoah, Pace and SUNY Fredonia
Prescreens Passed: Pace, SUNY Fredonia
Auditioned for: Pace, SUNY Fredonia, Elon, BW, Wright State, SUNY Buffalo, Ohio Northern, CMU, Muhlenberg, Manhattan School of Music, CCPA, Rider, Ball State, Northern Colorado, Montclair State,
Cancelled Audition: U Arts
Artistically Accepted: SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Fredonia(Acting), CCPA, Manhattan School of Music
Wait listed: Ball State
Final Decision: Manhattan School of Music
The process for making this decision was different than other people’s. my D could not attend a class or talk with a current MT student, because there aren’t any! But she is very excited about being in MT class #1 at MSM. I believe that this school is putting their name,reputation and money into this program, so they will be invested in seeing its first graduates succeed. At least I hope so!
So happy to hear your journey @rocsocks and literally agreed, MTCA saved my life this year! Congrats to you both.
@rocsocks dont know if you read my D’s story but she did not pass ANY of her pre-screens. I know how brutal that can be but in the end my D found her fit. Congrats on MSoM what an amazing opportunity! We went to the school for my D’s audition what an amazing place!!!
Alright, here we go.
Prescreens (passed): Penn State, Pace, Shenandoah, Wright State, Coastal Carolina, NYU,
Prescreen (rejected): Indiana, Ithaca
Schools auditioned: CCM, Wright State, Hartt, Coastal Carolina, Emerson, Pace, Ball State MT and Acting, Rider, Uarts, Viterbo, Point Park, Penn State, OCU, TSU
(Walk ins): MSM, Temple, Northern Colorado
Academic Acceptances: All Admitted (that were seperate from artistic)
Artistic Acceptances:
UArts BFA MT, Viterbo BFA MT, Ball State BA Theater Studies, Coastal (redirected to Vocal Performance) LIU Post, Temple University BFA MT, University of Northern Colorado MT
WL: Hartt MT
Holds: CCM
Training Background:
MTCA/Making It on Broadway
Voice: 3 Years Private Voice
Dance: 2 Years
Acting: 4 Years
Theatre Studies: 5 Years
Professional/RegionalTheatre: 3 Years
Current training:
Baldwin Wallace Conservatory Vocal Performance Major
-Dance Minor
The only thing I can really say was best said by Mary Poppins herself:
"Anything can happen if you let it.
Life is out there waiting, so GO AND GET IT. Stretch your mind beyond fantastic, dreams are made of strong elastic, Go and chase your dreams you won’t regret it.
ANYTHING Can happen if you let it. <3 "
I had the most educational and worthwhile experience this year at my current school. I was privileged to do regional and professional theatre, perform in the Mainstage Shakespeare production, Mary Poppins, and I’ve met and learned from the most fantastic people ever. They all helped me find my way, without even knowing it.
I’m so happy I can finally pursue my one true passion: Musical Theatre.
I started out thinking my top was places like CCM, Pace, Penn State, etc. and was on hold for CCM until the end! But through this process, I found where you go to school is truly decided for you, and by doing the RESEARCH you will end up at the best possible fit for yourself and for your goals. I recommend MTCA for coaching, as it helped me find my people, and so much more. Do as many mock auditions as possible and workshops you can to prepare for this. (Making it on Broadway) This year I took on every task of auditioning/traveling alone, as an adult this time, and feel so much stronger and prepared than ever.
I feel so happy and certain of my decision. The environment, campus, oppurtunies, and people are so positive and welcoming.
Final words of wisdom: Never stop chasing what you want and what makes you happy. And if you’re not sure what that is yet, you will find it through learning and life experience. I know I did! And I couldn’t be happier and more excited to continue my journey as an MT.
FINAL DECISION:
University of Northern Colorado MT
Class of 2019 !!!
@destiny95 - CONGRATS!!
@destiny95 Congratulations and best of luck to you! I love your Mary Poppins s/o! AND it looks like you didn’t have to start over? Even better!
@destiny95 congratulations and so happy for you! Your independence and drive are so incredible and I am very happy this all worked out!!!
Congrats @destiny95 ! I’ve been lurking and following your journey.
Final decision:
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA Wietzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre!
(Referred to in the MT college world as OU-MT)
I’m leading off with the choice because I don’t want this school missed by others reading CC for future years.
Our S spent a year crafting his audition/ application list. Tons of research about program quality, outcomes (based on the question, Who is putting out men who do what I aspire to do?), cost and scholarship feasibility, location, and the ever-present “fit”.
Also by way of context, my husband is a university president of a regional university and we have spent our careers in higher education. This process is mind-blowingly complex and we are amazed students and families are so dedicated to this educational choice. If every learner’s parents were as engaged in higher education as the parents in MT/Drama, the world would be a more beautiful place!
S’s Training
Dance: no formal dance training except in-show choreography, some of which was professional level.
Acting: five years local summer intensives, one summer Stagedoor, one summer local professional Shakespeare company, two years high school drama courses, two years college drama courses.
Singing: choir since age 3; voice lessons 6 years, classical voice 2 years.
Audition coaching: none formal, but a “village” of advisors.
Education: two years in large, urban, academically and artistically strong public high school; two years homeschooled attending a regional university with a BFA theatre program. Did 4 college musicals and a few straight plays. Had leading roles in all high school shows. Had
supporting or leading roles in all college shows. The homeschool-to-train model was a very important choice in this journey. It was asked about everywhere he auditioned. Seemed a key point of interest to many adjudicators.
Applied to: CMU, Juilliard, NYU Tisch (all studios), CCPA/Roosevelt, Marymount Manhattan, AMDA, Shenandoah, Boston Conservatory, University of Oklahoma.
Visited OU-MT in March of junior year. Very informative, loved the campus and program, but it was clear from the beginning they were only taking 12 and “it probably wasn’t going to be ‘you’.” This attitude stood in sharp contrast to the reputation-elite Juilliard, CMU, and NYU. It was a barrier at OU for us from the beginning.
S decided to apply to drama also (which he did at a few schools, but OU’s drama program really interested him).
Applied and auditioned for AMDA in early August before senior year. Admitted very early in the fall with large scholarship. So going into the broader audition realm, he already had a place at a BFA-MT program in NYC/LA. This was like a nice snuggly blanket all year long. Thank you AMDA!
Pre-screened by video where required. All passes.
Academically accepted (with good $$) everywhere separate from artistic.
Artistically rejected: Juilliard and CMU.
Attended the Blizzard on Broadway for Unifieds. LOVED that trip! Walked 27 blocks back to hotel in the beautiful blizzard after the Juilliard rejection and no cab service in the city. Saddest day of our year; but also a wonderful mom/son day we will always share.
Withdrew after visiting: Marymount Manhattan and Shenandoah Conservatory. No reason except “fit”. They were two of the three affordable schools on his list. Financial reality check.
Callbacks at OU MT and drama in late January. Drama faculty offered an on-site verbal admit IF the MT admit didn’t come through. Elevated OU again. But even at OU MT callback, the pervasive message was, "we will take 12 and it probably won’t be ‘you’ ". They were breaking our hearts a little because he really loved the program.
As all was happening with OU, received admits with scholarships from CCPA and NYU Tisch (NSB), and BoCo. Just through preference, he withdrew from BoCo and AMDA.
Received admit to OU. Flipped out a little. First male from our state ever admitted to their program. Very flattering. But, did they like him and would it be a good fit? Back to OU for the 3rd visit. Watched spring MT production. COMPLETELY blown away. Six minutes into the show, S leans over and whispers to me, “I’m going to OU.” I cry. He cries. Visits all day the next day, attends classes with interesting profs, meets fabulous students, goes to dance class where he sees his potential, lunches with the warm, engaging director, buys college merchandise – which he has refused to do all year, joins FB group for admitted OU MT students, etc. This time the clear message was, We only have 12 spots, but we want/need you to be one of them!
Lessons for us parents, they will know it when it’s right. I believe it was my job as a parent to facilitate getting him into position for that to happen. OU was last on his list to begin with and his first choice in the end. And in the middle where many other more “logical, reputable, affordable and not-affordable, shinier” choices. He decided based on how the program can best meet his needs, what he can possibly contribute to the program, and what options will be available to him by choosing an affordable program now in a seemingly less-than-desirable location, but a truly quaint college town, so he can live out his career in one of the esteemed theatre meccas.
These are huge decisions for young adults to make and I’ve been so encouraged by the parents and students who have shared the process on CC. Godspeed to our children! May they thrive as artists in the years to come – at programs all across the US and a few abroad!
Final decision:
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA Wietzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre!
They will only take 12, but ANYONE might be one of them!
Engrossing story and sounds like a perfect match of student and school - congrats to you both!
Thank you so much! @mom4bwayboy @artskids @Twoboysandadog @lake4
Applied to: Baldwin Wallace, Coastal Carolina. Northern Colorado, Belmont University, Ball State, Western Michigan, OCU, Memphis, Missouri State
Academically accepted to all
Prescreens required: Coastal Carolina (Passed)
Did not audition: Memphis and Missouri State
Artistically accepted to: CC, Northern Colorado, Belmont, Ball State, Western Michigan, OCU
Waitlisted: BW (It was my s first audition and he says his worst. He changed after that and things went better)
S was disappointed because he fell in love with BW when he went there for Overtures but I truly believe God had other plans. I think if my s had gotten in there in November he would not have auditioned at some of the other schools he did and the one he is going to.
I also believe that despite terrible weather, we were able to make it to the audition for the school he is going to during a terrible blizzard. He is soooooooooo excited to attend: Belmont University in Nashville Tennessee and be a part of an incredible MT program.
He will also get to continue pursuing his passion of worship music and I am so happy for him because he would have a hard time giving that up!!!
He felt very blessed to get to know people at the different colleges he was accepted to. There is a lot of talent out there and I look forward to hearing all the kids names!!
Congrats to your son @SeekingMT ! Mine was also asked about homeschooling to train at several auditions…
@okpackers - Congrats on Belmont decision! He will be happy there I bet!