Getting closer!

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>In just two weeks from this Friday my daughter has her first audition. By the end of this week all her applications to the 7 or 8 universities (still deciding on one school) will be in, and all auditions scheduled. And she has her first college acceptance; now if she can also get accepted to the MT program we'll be set!</p>

<p>I think all of us with kids going through this probably share similar emotions. Mine right now is pride. I've become much more aware of just how much my daughter has grown and matured over the years. Reading her essays as to why she wants music theater, I was struck by the maturity in her thought process and how she has evolved her own style. I've been struck by the maturity she has shown in selecting programs to audition for; how she has really investigted programs to see if they, for example, have a good dance component, and whether the programs are at colleges that she feels will give her a true college experience. And I'm amazed how she's done all this while maintaining over a 4.0 GPA this eyar so far, while being president of a very busy performing show choir and while in rehearsals for the school's fall drama. </p>

<p>I don't know if she'll be accepted to an MT program; I believe as do many that have evaluated her that she should match, so I am optimistic. But what this process has shown me is that she is going to be a success in life regardless of the final outcome of her audition process. I hope all the parents that have seniors out there have experienced the same. What great kids we have!</p>

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<p>Good luck! I noted similar strengths with my D last year during this process. When they are focused on the goal there is no stopping them. </p>

<p>If you D doesn’t have any non-auditions on her list you many suggest she add some. Seven or eight schools as a female MT is cutting it real close depending on her castable type and vocal range. It would be nice for her to have options.</p>

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<p>We have heard 7 schools may be a low number but frankly she does not have the time nor the finances to audition at say a dozen schools like some advocate. If my daughter does not audition into any of her choices, she has made the decision to go to one of the schools on her list that will let her re-audition as a freshman. And if that doesn’t work she’ll simply major in something like communications or voice or dance and continue pursuing her goals that way. We have never bought into the non-audition school idea since we have met many folks who did not major in MT in college and are in the business. Many have told us she should major in something other than MT and just continue with a minor in voice, etc, then go into theater. Many ways to reach the same goal!</p>

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<p>As long as she is OK with those options, that sounds like a good plan. Some kids just absolutely ARE NOT and are super disappointed after the process.</p>

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<p>Honestly, I refuse to major in anything other than theater/music and I would have to seriously consider if I only made it into BA MT programs. If I’m going to spend the time and the money and the effort that I am going to spend, I want the tools I need to succeed as a professional triple threat actor. I’d agree with you on the point that there are many ways to reach the same goal, but it’s so competitive and brutal in the “real world” that I want the most rigorous preparation I can get so I can stand out after graduation.</p>

<p>On another note, I’m not sure what my parents are feeling right now. My mother does not agree with my career (and some of my life) choices, so we just pretend it doesn’t exist, with the exception of her telling me: “hope you’re having fun in your play!” which, coming for her, is a lot. My dad is financially and emotionally supportive, even though he’s not heavily involved in the process.</p>

<p>I’m feeling a mixture of things. I’m a transfer student and I live in a different country than my parents and I’m a few years older than the average BFA candidate. I’m feeling quite overwhelmed and stressed, trying to keep up with my classes, my job, extracurricular, rehearsal every night until 11:00 pm, applications, never mind taking and paying for my voice lessons and getting ready to shoot my pre-screens and putting my best self forward when it comes to audition time. I’ve been rejected once before, so there’s that pressure in the back of my head. I don’t have a car in a city where everyone has one, so it takes forever for me to get around. Of course, I have feelings of insufficiently and the vampires in my head telling me that I’m not talented enough, attractive or interesting enough or just plain good enough for the arts ("[title of show]" reference). I just want this SO MUCH, which makes it extra-stressful and if I don’t get in, not only am I going to beat myself up, but I’ll lose some credibility as an actor in my community.</p>

<p>I’m exhausted all the time. I’ve taken to drinking a lot of coffee…and this is coming from a man who goes bat****-crazy on caffeine. I’m fairly calm, considering.</p>

<p>And yet, I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself for getting this fair, and in one of the most difficult areas of performing arts. I’m sorta glad things worked out this way, because I’ve learned a lot more through all the frustration I’ve been through, then I would have as a “regular college freshman”. I’ve learned how to manage my time, balance job and school and work really, really hard (and survive on thirty minutes of sleep…yay, more coffee). I’ve realized that if I do get accepted to the school of my dreams (or close second or third), it will be all the sweeter. In reality, I’ll probably start crying, screaming and then running around the theater/music complex belting “This Is the Moment” from “Jekyl and Hyde”, but I have to focus and not think about that yet.</p>

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<p>“Honestly, I refuse to major in anything other than theater/music and I would have to seriously consider if I only made it into BA MT programs.” </p>

<p>I may be misunderstanding what you are saying, but please do not assume that BA MT programs are any less competitive for admission, or are any less successful at preparing students to work professionally post graduation. The focus in the program is often more well-rounded in terms of education and training, but for someone looking for that it would be the right fit. </p>

<p>That being said… YOU sound like you would prefer to be in a program that is more conservatory focused, and if so, that is absolutely the right path FOR YOU. Not because those other educational and training paths are less rigorous, or the students graduating from those programs are any less prepared to work after they graduate, but because you feel that you will thrive artistically in a more conservatory focused program. Others decide that they will thrive in a less conservatory focused program… different strokes ;).</p>

<p>There are many different paths to a similar career outcome. It is all about finding the education and training path that you feel will work best for you.</p>

<p>All the best as this audition season is ramping up!! :)</p>

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<p>Okay, jeffandann - you got me crying! We do have great kids! The feeling that I keep getting when S talks about college is a real mix of pride, because he is going after his dream, and incredible sadness knowing that he’s going after his dream!! Meaning he will be off to where ever the arts takes him - but not around our little town! Thrilled and heart-broken at the same time. </p>

<p>That sounds kinda dramatic, but that’s exactly how I feel.</p>

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<p>Here, here, Kat!</p>

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<p>My apologies, I should I have thought before I typed. In that case, for my self, I would carefully consider taking a gap year if the BA was the only option I was presented with – I’ve almost got AA degree and now I just want to work on my craft.</p>

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<p>No apologies needed :)… that makes total sense. If you are not interested in a BA MT route as a possibility have you thought about instead included two year certificate programs on your list? Or possibly looking to see if a school like AMDA (which offers a BFA through finishing general education credits at another school) would count the AA degree you have towards that BFA?</p>

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<p>An education is more than the letters on a diploma. In the arts (visual or performing) if matters MUCH more what you can DO. I have a BFA but I am not under the illusion that anybody in my field with “just” a BA is somehow my inferior. My recommendation would be that you research the program either BA or BFA to see what they offer. A BA musical theatee is not less than.</p>

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<p>I’m guessing what downstage is really saying has nothing to do with the end degree and everything to do with the coursework that he/she wants to be focused on right now. My daughter deliberately sought out a BFA in a school that is known for excellent academics. Though I’m pretty sure she would still say that the “other” classes make her a more well-rounded actor, they are a time suck when it comes to the amount of time one has left to really sink her teeth into the theatre classes. </p>

<p>It is not about the degree with respect to what downstage is saying. It is entirely about the training and preparation which can be as good in a BA program as it is in a BFA but the percentage of classes spent in major is less in one and more in the other. It is reasonable to assume you get more “theatre-related” hours in a BFA program or in a school that is a straight conservatory. So downstage if that is what you want, look for schools that can give it to you. I think you know that and did not intend to imply that a BA program offers lesser training. No way is that true since some of the finest programs out there are BAs.</p>

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<p>What a great post jeffandann! Your daughter is lucky to have you!! I wish you and your daughter the very best for her first (up to her final!) audition!</p>

<p>All last year I thought a lot about kids like you downstage . . . those that have to do it on their own. Wow. You are amazing. I helped my D as much as possible and it was nearly overwhelming for the two of us. I admire your tenacity and heart! With moxy like that, you’re sure to go far in life!</p>