<p>Grace, I auditioned Saturday and had an experience similar to yours. The auditors were not really friendly at all to me, and didn’t say anything once I was done except “have a nice day.” The whole process was odd. We were initially told we would go in two at a time and one person would sit with the accompanist and discuss their cuts and set tempo while the other was auditioning. This made no sense to me at all. Luckily, they seemed to realize this also as they decided to send us in individually after a few people had gone. Many people complained about the accompanist on Saturday…I didn’t have any major problems with her, aside from her messing up some notes, but I heard from a friend that she couldn’t even play one of his pieces. He didn’t even get to sing his second piece, they just told him forget it because she couldn’t play it, and that seems really unfair. These were just my experiences, others may have had different ones at NY Unifieds.</p>
<p>I guess you have to hit them on a good day! Last year, two boys we know auditioned on-campus and had a very good experience. One was even accepted and is now a freshman MT at PSU. My daughter did her audition at Chicago Unifieds and said they hardly looked up to acknowledge her, and seemed fried and disinterested. My suggestion, in hindsight, would be to go on campus or hope for a good day at Unifieds!</p>
<p>At LA Unifieds, they told students at the end of their singing/monologues whether they should come back for the dance call. It was confusing for some students, because some waited around and asked again whether they should come back for the dance call. As a parent, I didn’t see everything that went on, but from what I saw the auditioner was very friendly and encouraging with the students.</p>
<p>My kid auditioned in 2008 at NYC Unifieds (a walk in) and at that time, <em>everyone</em> who auditioned did a dance call. (Back then, there were no callbacks at all at Unifieds.) </p>
<p>However, it was well known (again, in 2008) that if you auditioned on campus and did not get a callback (if your name was not on a list that went up for callbacks), you could assume you were not going to be accepted. It admittedly wasn’t very pleasant for the kids who waited around to see if their names were on the list, only to find they weren’t there, but as a department spokesman said at the time, not being selected is part of the “real world” of the performing arts, and at least the kids whose names were not on the c/b list knew that they could move on, emotionally.</p>
<p>It sounds like things have changed since then and the auditors decide, based on what they see at the singing and acting audition, who they want to see dance. </p>
<p>For what it’s worth, my daughter thought the dance call/audition at PSU (at Unifieds) was one of the most challenging she did, but also among the most fun.</p>
<p>My D is auditioning this weekend at PSU. She is well award of the call back process and seems fine with this process. She said at least she will know where she stands at the end of the day. Keeping fingers crossed!</p>
<p>Yes, it’s immediate feedback. I believe the request to stay for the interview on campus comes as the kid is walking out of the door of the audition room. The “door monitor” (for lack of a better term) will “please stay for an interview”. (There is some predetermined “signal” from the auditors to the door person that communicates the status of that particular auditionee.) Otherwise, the person is free to go and has their answer. There was no list posted.</p>
<p>If you all are wondering how callbacks work at PSU, I auditioned for Penn State MT in NYC 2 weekends ago at Unifieds. After I sang my two songs and did the monologue, they asked me to come sit across the table from them and have a conversation/interview. Then at the end of the interview, they said “we would love to see you come back at 5 for a dance callback” or something like that, and that was it. They tell you right in the room. Don’t stress out about it!! They called back less than half of the people who auditioned that day, so don’t get offended if they don’t call you back! Just relax and have as much fun as possible, but be prepared for whatever they throw at you.</p>
<p>Hmmm, I think I see a pattern here…S just auditioned for PSU at Chicago Unifieds. Terrible experience, very unfriendly, barely acknowledged him, had a problem with the pianist, etc. It was the only audition throughout this whole process that this was the case. It seemed as though all the kids at Unifieds were saying the same things about PSU, rudeness prevailed. In fact, one VERY talented young woman we know was told in no uncertain terms that if she wanted to make it in the business, she needed to “take care of yourself and lose 20 lbs!” Interestingly though, none of those complaining (including my son) received a callback…perhaps the PSU folks are pleasant to only those auditionees they are interested in?</p>
<p>My D auditioned today at Penn State and though she thinks she was close to a call back (they whispered about her and then sent her out of the room to discuss her more) she unfortunately did not get a call back. However, our experience on campus was nothing more than positive. They really try to sell you on how wonderful is it at Penn State. And we did hope she would get in but were totally aware how competitive it is. I know of other students that did not have good experiences however we were not one of them. The only concern I have with the process is that you are told immediately if you got a call back. So for the kids who don’t get one it can be difficult when the kids who do are not discreet about getting one are still in the proximity of the kids who did not. I think that bugged me more than it did my D.</p>
<p>sorry this is so late in the audition season… but…
when you walk in the room and they don’t look up…its usually because they’re still writing their comments about the previous auditionee. Own your 90 seconds…take your place but don’t start until they look up! Don’t say … “um…should I start now?” Confidently introduce yourself and your material after you have their attention. SMILE. This may seem like simple advice, but its so amazing how many people don’t do this.</p>
<p>Very good advice happymtstudent. Probably too late for most but hopefully will help next year’s group! thanks.</p>
<p>I got a big packet from Penn State yesterday…in which was a rejection letter asking me to consider choosing another program. Very insensitive and almost humorous, as I don’t know how someone could put in all the work to audition for MT and then change their mind. Anyways, just further confirmed that Penn State is not the nicest school IMO, but oh well!</p>
<p>very sorry taintedxl0ve, my D will probably get that same packet but is prepared. We heard about a boy who aud for MT last year and got a big packet welcoming him in to the NURSING program!</p>
<p>My son auditioned on 12/10/11. Their audition process is very well organized but intimidating. All the current PSU MT students who were assisting in the process were slim and beautiful which was additionally intimidating. He said the dance portion was very hard which belies the rumour that they don’t stress dance there. While they were all dancing, the parents were in a very candid and informative Q and A with a director and 3 students. The impression I got from the students is that they all work very hard for very long hours and get little sleep but that they are trained very well for a tough career. After each audition one is either asked to a callback for an interviewed with the faculty or no callback which means you go home. He was not called back but this is a very selective school which accepts only a dozen or so each year so they can afford to accept the most talented, slimmest, and most beautiful that they see. I happened to peek in the audition room and along with the long table with the faculty for whom one is auditioning, there were about a dozen students in the corner also watching the auditions. My advice is to be on the top of your game at this audition and be brave.</p>
<p>
This is actually great advice for ALL your auditions 
One more piece of advice based on what you said - some auditions will be in small spaces, some in a large rehearsal hall, some in a performance space. Some will have only 2-3 people sitting in; some may have multiples. In the past, at a couple of schools, you even audition in front of your fellow auditionees! Try to practice your material in as many different spaces and circumstances as you can, so these things don’t throw you.</p>
<p>My D is a current junior in the PSU MT program. I have not heard that PSU does not emphasize dance and I’m not sure where that came from. My D auditioned at quite a few MT programs and counted the dance audition at PSU as among her most difficult. The dance program is very demanding and intense and even those students who entered the program with little dance training have become accomplished dancers. The students do train long and hard. It is a small program so each class becomes a very tight knit group. While it is a BFA program, PSU requires quite a few GE courses, so the students are well rounded. All 3 areas of MT are emphasized equally, and students emerge with wonderful training in all areas. I can’t say enough about how much my D loves this program. I am amazed at how far she has come, and happy to see that her education includes all aspects of performing including the business end and what to expect in the real world. Of course, MusThCC is correct- it really pays to be prepared for as many situations as possible during auditions. Also, as in the case of PSU for those who are not called back for a further audition, do not let that affect your other auditions if you are at Unifieds. There is no rhyme or reason to why one school may love you and the next equally prestigious school doesn’t find you quite so attractive! It doesn’t mean you are any less talented than those who are accepted; it just means that there is a better fit for you somewhere else. Keep your chin up and just keep doing your best! Good luck to all of this year’s auditionees.</p>
<p>I will be auditioning for PSU MT soon and was wondering if anyone knows what type of songs they want to hear ; more soprano style? belter ? legato? , etc. I realize they want contrasting styles, but I was hoping someone could provide some guidance here. </p>
<p>Also, any ideas on what to avoid ??</p>
<p>Thx.</p>
<p>I also have not heard that dance is not emphasized! My D had two dance classes this semester - a standard requirement for the 2nd years. There’s nothing she says that indicates that dance isn’t emphasized or that it’s easy. This semester was very challenging in regard to dance. </p>
<p>I also would not make generalizations about ALL the students in the program based on those helping out. There is a range of body types and sizes in the program. It seems that most of the students try to live a healthy lifestyle in regards to eating and exercise, though. </p>
<p>It’s true, they work hard. But most love it and they’re certainly having fun. How much time one has any given semester depends on the shows one’s in and what extracurricular activities one decides to do. Classes for the 1st and 2nd years typically begin at 9am and end by 4:30. Rehearsals begin about 6:30 and end at 10pm M-F and there are typically 3 to 4 hours on Saturday. Being in a show does significantly reduce one’s “discretionary” time - but that’s the same with almost any other MT program. </p>
<p>From what my D indicated, current students are invited to attend all the auditions. It’s optional. So the number watching from the corner may vary. I also vaguely remember from my D’s auditions, that there is an “on-deck” auditionee in the room. So the person after you will see your audition. </p>
<p>Break legs everyone.</p>
<p>Balihi, I would just pick songs that play to your strengths. If you have an amazing belt, that’s what you should highlight. But don’t try it if you don’t have it. My D (a current junior) sang “Everybody Loves Louis” from Sunday in the Park with George. I think it was a good choice because it’s not typically done and gave her a great opportunity to both act and sing. She was more of a legit soprano when she auditioned, not much of a belter, but they’ve helped her develop a great belt.</p>
<p>I think there are places online where they have lists of songs to avoid that are overdone. Some schools even list those songs in their audition materials. I’d stay away from “Blue Hair”! Good luck!</p>
<p>For those of you reading this old thread and being scared off by the comments about the rude audition panel…don’t be! My D just auditioned for Penn State at NYC Unifieds, and they were SO unbelievably nice! It was one of her best audition experiences because everyone there was so pleasant and easy going. Fabulous experience! It made her love the school even more.</p>