“It’s a great way to celebrate final decisions as well as to stay in touch with other kids/parents who are going to be at the same college, and also provides great insight into each person’s journey. It’s been so wonderful having everyone on this forum for support!”
USERNAME: Techtheatrewiz
BACKGROUND: Started doing tech theatre Freshman year of high school. Worked on all sorts of different crews for some great shows (Into the Woods, White Christmas, Cabaret, etc.). I became head of Props at my base school Junior Year and recently worked on Lighting/ASM at another school. Being in tech class, my experience isn’t confined to props. I’ve also done a lot of construction and design. I am also a part time employee for my school district where I work in the auditorium when outside user groups rent out the space ( events include regional ballets, Dance festivals, ceremonies, and even Rick Riordan’s book signing/presentation)
SUMMER INTENSIVES:N/A
COACHING/TRAINING: Two years of tech theatre class and 4 years of working on tech crew for the shows at my school.
COLLEGES APPLIED TO: Ithaca, Michigan State, Montclair, Pace, Penn State, Purchase, Rutgers, VCU.
REJECTED: N/A
WITHDREW: Michigan State, Ithaca, Rutgers, Purchase,
ACCEPTED:
Penn State, VCU
Montclair & Pace **(Both academically w/ scholarship, but withdrew theatre application)
FINAL DECISION: Penn State BFA Theatre Design/Tech (with concentrations in Scenic Design and Technical Production). I’ve been told that I can graduate with 2 concentrations in 4 years, so that is definitely a plus. I know that is basically social suicide, but you do it because you love it, right?
I received a decision from PSU pretty early - back in mid December. After touring the school twice and after my interview, I knew that it was the right fit for me- a conservatory style program in a large school setting. After a long winter break, I decided to withdraw my applications from the other schools because I couldn’t see myself anywhere else. I applied to a lot of schools at first because I was worried about my grades and amount of competition.
ADVICE: If you get the opportunities to tour the schools you are looking at, sit down with the professors if you can, and give them a little a sample of what you have to offer. Getting your face and name known before they see your application MIGHT boost your chances of admission if you make a good first impression. If you can meet with professors, ask questions that can’t be found online or, “out of the box questions.” For example, when touring Penn State, they brought me into one of their theatres, and I asked about doing shows with water features. While touring the scene shop, I asked questions about the equipment, how hats are made, and asked if certain props I saw on the shelf were used for certain shows. A big part of the college admissions process for any theatre major is selling yourself. Do you have the interest, commitment, passion, talent, and ability to succeed? Are you able to be thrown into environments where working with others is the only way to achieve a goal? Can you produce new materials that are unique? What can you provide to the campus while not in theatre? I know that some of those, if not all are givens, but I thought that I would just reiterate those points. The process was without a doubt strenuous, but the outcome is definitely worth the time and effort!
