General Info

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>I thought I would write to give some general information on the program at UArts. This is a program that is often overshadowed by the larger ones out there, but I feel should definately not be overlooked. It is a conservatory program, with limited liberal arts classes, so if a broad liberal arts program is one that you want, this would not be the school. For those who are more interested in acting, singing, dancing classes, etc., this would be a good program. The liberal arts classes that are offered are either geared towards your major i.e script analyis for an english class, or the regular type classes are offered if you are so inclined i.e. physics. For those interested there is not a math requirement.</p>

<p>The school has teachers who all have professional experience in their fields, which gives a wonderful first hand knowlegde of the industry. By no means are the classes easy, as my daughter can attest to. She has spent the better part of the first semester working on papers, monologues, scenes, songs, etc. well into the wee hours of the morning.</p>

<p>The school is right in the heart of the Philadelphia downtown, with numerous theaters around it. At any given time, there are many productions for the students to attend, and many give student discounts on the tickets. Housing is in “dorms” or what were apartments in the area. They are all secured buildings, with 24 hour security at the front desk, and very strict to get int. There is no meal plan. The students have to cook, or buy alot of restaurant food. They don’t seem to mind, but it has been felt in my pocketbook.</p>

<p>This year, the school has a mini Actor’s Studio, which my daughter said was really nice. So far, they had Harold Gould, next up is Valerie Harper. There are many master classes to attend, excellent practice rooms, and numerouse productions mounted throughout the year.</p>

<p>There are two musicals for the Spring semester, and freshman are allowed to audition after their first semester. The school also puts on many dramas, and this year, their production of “The American Clock” has been selected to compete at the Kennedy Center’s American College Theater Festival. This is quite an honor, considering the number of submissions from the schools in their region: NY, PA, NJ, MD, DC. This is the second time, in three years, that a production from the School of Theater Arts has been selected.</p>

<p>The school has a wonderful nuturing arts environment, and my daughter has been very happy with the school, although coming from Florida, she has had to adjust to some cold weather.</p>

2

<p>Thank you Divasmom for sharing such information on this program!</p>

3

<p>Actingreacting1....In response to your questions, the unifieds differ from the school audition in that there will not be a dance combo taught at the unifieds. You will need to put together a 2 minute dance combo yourself, so if you have skills that you want to impress with, here is the time to show them. You will need to bring your own background music if you wish to dance to music. I believe they just want to see how well you move. Once in the program, they will place you based upon your level of skill. Good luck on your audition. The more you enjoy the process, the better you will do.</p>

4

<p>Actingreacting1...In response to the second part of your question, when my daughter was auditioning last year, they had told us that they usually audition between 500-550 for musical theater, and look to accept 25 into the program. The have a rather small freshman class this year...only 18 students, and at the freshman orientation, they said they had decided to accept less in the program this year to give more opportunity for students to perform. Whether or not they have chosen to accept the smaller number for this upcoming freshman class, I cannot say, but do not let the numbers discourage you....just give them the best that you can!</p>

5

<p>can anyone tell me how hard the dance audition is?</p>

6

<p>I'm not sure if you will be auditioning at the school or at the Unifieds, but I would not worry about it. My understanding if you audition at the school, is they will teach you a dance routine (not too complicated). The want to see yhour ability to move. It is not the primary area they are concerned with, and will not stop you from getting into the program, but do want to see your overall level. All students are initially placed in beginner classes upon entering the school, and then placements are done to move students into upper level classes, who have more dance experience. My daughter has been placed in beginner ballet, jazz and tap this year, and had "minimal" dance experience prior to attending the audition, and does not feel out of place.
If you are auditioning at the Unifieds, it is your responsiblility to provide a 2 minute dance rountine to show your movement. I would suggest hiring a dance teacher to help with a short routine, that would best show what you can do. It does not have to be anything difficult.<br>
Hope this helps. Don't let the dance audition stress you out. Focus on your songs and monologues, That is their main interest. Good luck!</p>

7

<p>I have a question about the vocal concentration of the MT program. The major is really filled with a lot of voice work, with music skills, private lessons, performance studios, etc. But does anyone know how the voice is approached. In their vocal performance music major, it seems like they have a heavy focus on Jazz and Contemporary studies. It says classical is covered, but from what I get it's really not as important.</p>

<p>I'm questioning this because the school might be an option for me in the future, provided I get in. But I'd rather have more classically based vocal instruction. So I'm just curious as to what direction they go for in the instruction of MT majors, classical or more jazz influenced?</p>

8

<p>Classical is not a strong element taught in the school, but if requested, your private vocal teacher will work on classical training with you. I'm not sure the vocal direction can be classified as jazz either. As far as I can understand from my daughter, the private vocal teacher will assess areas that they wish to focus on, and will do so accordingly. If increasing or lowering your range, or learning to belt is a focus, that will be what your teacher will be concentrating on. Musical theater songs are what is mostly worked on, yet if the teacher feels that you have a certain element to your voice, they will also encourage you to work on such songs. For example, my daughters teacher feels she has an excellent voice for "blues" and has suggested certain songs for her to focus on. I think if you are truly looking for a program that will offer strong classical training, this is probably not the program for you. Hope this helps.</p>

9

<p>Yes it does, thank you very much divasmom!</p>

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<p>Divasmom: This might be relative to the questions from Breakintosong...Someshwere along the line I think someone at UArts indicated to us they have a relationship with the Curtis Institute. Formal relationship or not, I assume there are some students who may seek out some classical training from teachers there (of course time permitting).</p>

11

<p>You're right. I think some students might pursue classical interests with Curtis, but the program overall does not have a classical training component as some of the other musical theater programs do. If someone truly wants classical as part of their overall training, they might do better to study somewhere else. If they want some classical training, I think it can be worked into the program.</p>

12

<p>That's nice that they have that relationship between the schools. I was really curious because for the MT audition you can sing an operatic aria as a musical option. So it would seem kind of pointless to have someone do that and then it not study anything classical.</p>

<p>I have another sort of question. Does anyone know of any notable alumni? In the one brochure I got there was a girl who was on the Rent tour as Mimi, I believe. But I've never heard of any in any other national tours or on Broadway. Even there almuni page doesn't really have anything, except for maybe like crusies and stuff. I mean the program looks really solid, but the fact that they don't have really notable alumni is making me a bit wary of it. A program's rep isn't the main thing I'm looking for, but it is something I'm considering in the college search.</p>

13

<p>Yes, they do not discourage classical, and are putting on Grand Hotel in a couple of weeks, which I think is classified as a Light Opera. As far as alumni, I do not know specifically, but did see an alumni in the National Tour of Big River, and another play we saw last year, but can't remember which production the Uarts alumni was in. This program does not have the notoriety or fame of some of the other schools, but it definately has been a good match for my daughter. She loves the instructors, they are all working professionals (or have been in the past) and the program is right for her. In some ways I get the feeling the school tries to remain low key, and have students search them out to see if this is a match for them.</p>

14

<p>From the U-Arts Website:
"All applicants auditioning for the Musical Theater program are required to participate in a group speech and movement warm up followed by a group dance audition. Applicants have the option of supplementing their group dance audition with a solo performance not to exceed 2 minutes. Appropriate attire such as tights, sweats, gym shorts, sneakers, etc., must be worn; jeans, dresses, heels, jewelry, etc., will not be permitted."</p>

<p>So I assume that is not required to do a 2 minute solo dance according to this statement.</p>

15

<p>It's only required if you're auditioning regionally, not on-campus. Because they don't have a group dance audition at the regional auditions.</p>

16

<p>I'm actually not even sure if that's true. I did regional auditions and I was not asked to provide a dance solo. Of course, that's three years ago now, so it could have changed.</p>

17

<p>You're right Sheerviolette, I have my information mixed up. </p>

<p>According to the audition info, on-campus you have the OPTION of doing a solo dance instead of the group dance audition if you so choose. If you apply through videotape, then you must do the solo dance for obvious reasons. I don't know if you have the same option to perform the solo at regional auditions or not though.</p>

18

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I auditioned at UArts on Dec. 2nd, and thought I'd give a run down of how it went for any other prospective auditioners.</p>

<p>First of all, I had never been philadelphia before, and it is such a cool city! I think it would be really fun to go to college there. We couldn't get a room at the Double Tree, which is right in the middle of the street UArts is on, but we stayed just a few minutes drive away. </p>

<p>On Saturday morning, we went to Dorrance Hamilton Hall at 8:45 for registration. I got to meet BroadwayWannabe (from CC) briefly, and then we sat and filled out a form asking a wide variety of questions, about teachers and academic experiences, dance experience, etc.. get to know you kind of questions. There was a brief introduction, but as this was not an open house or formal info session, we didn't learn much about the program. Then we split up into the different programs (I was auditioning for MT) and we went down the street to a different building. There were maybe 30 kids auditioning that day. We went straight to the dance audition (we had a chance to change into our dance clothes), which was actually a lot of fun! Karen led the warm-ups and taught us a jazz routine. The routine was taught quickly but it was not extremely difficult, it left a lot of room for each dancer to include his/her own style. We did it in groups of 4, 3 times each, by alphabetical last names. Those who had prepared solos stayed after, but those of us who just did the group audition went and changed into our audition outfits, and went to a holding room. We warmed up a bit, but then found out that some of us would be acting first.</p>

<p>In the acting audition, there is just one person watching, and it is very friendly. I had to do part of mine again with some direction, and then there was a quick low pressure interview about my future goals and I had a chance to ask a few questions. Then I went back to the holding room, waited a bit, then had my singing audition, which is in front of the accompianist (who is also an auditor) and one other auditor (there was also a student watching). After I sang there was another quick interview about how I thought I would fit in at UArts etc.</p>

<p>And that was that! Overall, it seemed like a really nice school, although I still would like to learn more about the program there. The audition day is not big on information, there is an opportunity for parents to take a tour, but it is mostly looking at the outside of the buildings. The students there were nice, and answered any questions we had. I saw the Madwoman of Chaillot, which was interesting (a little bit of a confusing show, but good talent), and 42nd street, which was not put on by UArts but had one alumni and one current student (at UArts, you can only do outside theatre in your senior year, if you get permission). </p>

<p>If anyone has any other questions about the audition day process, let me know!</p>

<p>Katie</p>

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<p>My daugther (Broadwaywannabe) had "worked" the audition and loved meeting everyone. While she LOVES UARTS, the message she tried to get through to everyone is that there are a lot of outstanding programs out there so no one should get emotionally tied to just one place.</p>

20

<p>
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there are a lot of outstanding programs out there so no one should get emotionally tied to just one place.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Amen to that! Wise daughter :). When the selectivity odds are this long for BFA programs, nobody can afford to pine away for one particular school. Find many you like and explore each deeply and see what happens.</p>