<p>My parents have decided that I need to take a year off before going to college for musical theatre. I'm young, (I skipped a grade so I'm graduating this year and I just turned 17) and they want to make sure I realize what I'm getting into. I understand that but its still kind of not cool because I know this is what I want to do. This is what I need to do (LOL, I don't mean to be melodramatic but I'm a drama major darn it!) But now I have to figure out what to do with this year.</p>
<p>Option A (parents favorite option): Go to a four year school for a year. I've been accepted to both Michigan (LSA, obviously) and Michigan State.</p>
<p>Option B: I just found out I've recieved a full scholarship for two years at the local community college which actually has a decent dance department. I could go there, live at home and continue to teach piano and work at my local dance studio. I'd save a lot of money that way</p>
<p>Option C: Take a year off from school live at home and work full time as a dance teacher and piano teacher/accompianist.</p>
<p>I'm kind of leaning towards Option B because I would save so much money and I don't want to be away from school totally but would it be harder for me to get into an MT program if I was a transfer? I'd be fine if my credit wouldn't count, I just have friends who say its hard to change colleges because of transfer requirements and red tape stuff. And if I go to college next year should I take performing arts classes or look for some basics I can get out of the way?</p>
<p>I was also wondering if I could tell a little about myself so someone could suggest some MT programs they think would "fit" me. I know all the prestigious ones but I'm kind of doing the college search on my own (dance teacher didn't go to college all, the other arts professionals in my life are UMich music majors lol) and don't get much opportunity to travel so I'd like an insiders view or to hear about any "hidden gems".</p>
<p>In order of how much I <em>like</em> them (and of course I love all of them), it would be acting, then dancing, then singing. In order of how <em>good</em> I am at them it would be dancing, singing, then acting. I mean, its really difficult to judge how good you are at acting but I have a lot more training as a dancer than many musical theatre applicants so I'm interested in schools that weight dance heavily. I also am a pretty good pianist and am not afraid of theory. Right now I'm planning on applying to UMich, CMU, Cap21 and Northwestern so I need some safeties. Thanks so much. This whole process is just so different if you're an MT major than it is for academics. :)</p>
<p>You sound very talented! Your option B sounds good - go with your instincts. It seems that a fair amount of students transfer into some of the programs. There is another thread that discusses transfer students, but the audition is still required.</p>
<p>The schools you listed are all very good. I hope you know that Northwestern does not put people immediately into the MT certificate program and that you start in drama or music and audition after a year - and only a small number of people get into MT. Otherwise, it is an impressive place. Also, CMU would be very good for the drama you are interested in, but I think their dance is not as advanced as some of the other programs. Perhaps this could be supplemented by dancing at Point Park, but your schedule might not really allow this. Point Park is a good one for you to consider, as they are weighted toward dance and have very impressive dance, and also have good acting.</p>
<p>We weren't necessarily looking for dance-weighted programs, and some with good dance that come to mind are also very competitive. Some of the ones that I think have acting and good dance are Otterbein, Elon, Syracuse, Webster, Marymount Manhattan. I think that at Point Park and Marymount you can major in dance and minor in MT. A couple of smaller BA schools might interest you, where you could possibly combine dance and theatre into a double major - Goucher and Kenyon are two that I believe have good fine arts and have dance and theatre under a fine arts department. They do not offer MT as a major.</p>
<p>Rachelmac--Are you and your parents aware that while you can get a lot of GEs out of the way with options A and B, you will still have to spend four years at college for a BFA in MT on top of that (at most schools)? I didn't know if you realized that or not. Your parents probably assume if you go to the JC for 2 years, then you can finish off with another two years of your "major" in MT, but that's not the case at most of the schools I've heard about.</p>
<p>hmm...i believe interlochen has a post grad program. i was thinking about it for a while. usually its only for seniors who want another year there...but a girl who went there told me it was possible to get into it. you might check that out</p>
<p>"Are you and your parents aware that while you can get a lot of GEs out of the way with options A and B, you will still have to spend four years at college for a BFA in MT on top of that "
-I'm aware, I think my parents hope that I'll go to school for a year, forget about auditioning and end up doing something "practical". Which is not to say they're not supportive...they just worry, which is rational. They wouldn't be parents if they didn't worry, right?</p>
<p>I know how Northwestern works, one of my good friends is a freshman in acting there right now. I put it down because I know I'd be happy there and I have the grades and test scores to get in as an acting major and really excellent dance connections in Chicago.</p>
<p>Chrisnoo- thanks for the suggestion but I thik I should probably work next year, then I can really concentrate on my first year of BFA</p>
<p>Ericsmom, thanks for the great list of good dance and acting schools I'll be sure to look into those!</p>