Has a show been a dealbreaker for you?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>I won't mention the name of the school, as I think it would be very rude....but this is a very real problem for us .</p>

<p>Love love love the school, the city, the area, the opportunities, the price, the proximity and the people.</p>

<p>Daughter is considering theatre major or minor. Attended a performance (MT spring production) and it was not well done....we were hardpressed to come up with positives. This school is part of a state system, but a great liberal arts school in an artsy area. The production values of the show were akin to my daughter's middle school's. (Though to be fair, her performing arts high school productiions are better than many colleges'we'be seen).</p>

<p>Have you ever loved the school and have seen a fit, but the production became a deal-breaker ? We have almost ruled out the school because of this - even though there were so many other positives about the school.</p>

<p>Sent from my Desire HD using CC</p>

2

<p>I think a poor show should absolutely be a dealbreaker - depending on what kind of show it is. If this is the department’s show, not a student-directed project, then they are demonstrating to you what their artistic standards are.</p>

3

<p>We tried very hard to make sure my son got to see a show and sit in on a class at each of his accepted schools. That is absolutely what made his decision…why couldn’t it also break it? </p>

<p>I also agree that if this is their mainstage production, they have thrown considerable money and time at this and that this is probably what you can expect is their standard.</p>

4

<p>You need to delve further into the show from a school philosophy point of view. Was this the culmination of students’ training? Was it the production where they were pushing kids outside their “comfort zone?” Was it a student production? Just because it’s the Spring MT production does not mean you know the casting/directing/etc. choices behind it. Ask some questions of the department, find out their answers, and then you have a better basis for a decision.</p>

5

<p>I agree that a close look at the show is a definite component of the whole process. I also agree that one must differentiate between a main stage show and a student directed one which may not have the best resources available.
I feel so fortunate that in one the schools my son was most interested in, there were not any shows going on (we were in London) but we were able to attend an open house that had the students doing demonstrations with vocal/songs and dance and we were just so blown away that it made a huge difference. It that had been mediocre in any of the areas we viewed, I think we would have made a very different decision in the end. I think one must consider all aspects. I think following your instincts will always serve you well.</p>

6

<p>I’d factor it in, (and maybe weight it hugely) but I wouldn’t let it break the deal all by itself. You’ve got great advice from amtc and others here…has your D been to a class, talked to students and teachers, studied the curriculum, and the season of shows the school does each year? Sometimes there’s a bad show. But if it’s part of a less-than-professional pattern, then…it would break the deal for me.</p>

7

<p>My D and I have been very dissappointed by what we and most on CC would consider a “top” program. She loved the school early on and we saw a show the first time we visited-even though it was on the main stage it was a different type of show-so we ignored our feelings about it. When we went back for auditions and we saw a show we have both seen (and liked) on National Tour, a regional production and another schools version of it. We hated it! My daughters comment was “this is the top MT program?”. It was directed by faculty and the students from the dramaturgy program were very involved. They had a different take on the show that I didn’t liked but could understand they had a different vision, but with it being mostly seniors in the show - we were not impressed. Maybe it was the only time they have been stage but it honestly changed how we felt about the program. At least after that my D didn’t think it was the end all be all school and took it off its pedastool. It helped her realize that a schools name is not everything-and when you are dealing with all these audition things I am glad she came to that realization before any acceptances or rejections came along. On another note we saw a student directed show that night as well and that was really good.</p>

8

<p>You make such good points, broadway95-- wherever our kids go to school, they’re being launched on a lifelong journey of discovery that will twist and turn through many decades. And the schools do have surprisingly different visions and methods. The question is — where will a student be most inspired, most challenged, most…empowered? And there are lots of different answers.</p>

9

<p>My D and I saw the same musical at two different schools that she had applied to. One was disappointing, and the other was phenomenal. She did not get accepted to the school where the show was disappointing, and she did get into the school where the show was phenomenal. Had she gotten into the first school, it would certainly have played a role in her decision-making. We realize that there are politics at every school (e.g., seniority) that may come into play with casting a show, so we can forgive some things. In addition, you have to think WHY these schools put on shows. I think, in large part, it is to give the students experience in performing and working with directors, choreographers, etc. They are still learning, and undoubtedly, there will be rough spots or mistakes. It is not Broadway. On the other hand, if you look at the juniors and seniors in the cast, and their voices are off or their acting is not good, you DO have to wonder what kind of training they received. By the time the seniors are doing the spring musical, they are about to leave and present themselves to the world. If they are not ready, that must say something about the school.</p>

<p>So, I guess it really depends on the details. In broadway95’s case, there were many seniors in the show they saw…that would scare me and give me pause. At the end of the day, our kids have to rely on their gut feelings about a program. I think seeing a show is a really good way to gauge what a school is doing, but it shouldn’t be the only factor you look at.</p>

10

<p>Fundraising, fundraising, fundraising. BTW in theater -Talent trumps production, a talented ensemble will cure all.</p>

11

<p>I agree that it is important. It may also help to isolate (if possible) what were the aspects that were not good. Was the singing good, but not the acting? Or vice versa? Were the kids talented singers/actors, but the show not well-directed? How was the choreography and dance level?
Maybe it shows some strength and weaknesses of the program in certain areas, and there are specific questions you can ask about those areas.</p>

12

<p>I appreciate the thoughtful responses.</p>

<p>Here is what I know: my daughter sat in on half a class, but unfortunately, not in a theatre class. She is not considering MT, but straight theatre. The show we saw was an MT show. This school is well-known as a great liberal arts education, but it is not classified as a strong theatre or MT program (even though the school itself is considered “artsy”). </p>

<p>The show was a culminating mainstage production and was directed by the theatre department’s chair. The show is a very popular choice right now - rights recently became available, and so many colleges are doing it now or in the fall.</p>

<p>Without sounding harsh and snarky, I would say (in our opinions) that both the singing and the acting was weak. It did have heart. The students appeared to be very invested, and of varying ages. We were told by our campus tour guide that their productions have open auditions - so, the performers could definitely be in other majors … and that explains a lot.</p>

<p>Because my kid goes to a performing arts high school, she is used to lots of talented peers and has been surrounded by a high bar for a few years … but, she certainly doesn’t think every school is going to be a CMU or CCM (and she’s seen their shows). In fact, she would rather go to a low-key school and do her “drama thing” with good teachers and a not so “in-yer-face” environment. </p>

<p>And the environment here was definitely great … but, the production was just. not. </p>

<p>We had some back and forth with the artistic director and the department receptionist before our tour, and because of timing, were unable to meet with them. So, at this point, I feel bad asking pointed questions like, “where did you get these performers?” and things that would sound ugly, as that is not my intent. As stated, the students looked very invested and put major effort into it.</p>

<p>Very true that this could be a fluke and I definitely want my daughter to be able to learn, spread her wings, and experience some foibles to know how to prepare…so, it is a balance. She is a junior, so we are trying to look at several different kinds of schools to get a sense.</p>

<p>I appreciate all the valuable perspective :-)</p>

13

<p>I agree with what amtc said - there really is a lot more to look with regard to the program as a whole if you see a production that is arguably poor (I suppose that would also go for a great production). If it’s a student directed show, then I think that makes that point a bit more obvious, but even if it’s not, there could be more happening with regard to directorial choices, ensemble blend, etc, etc, etc.</p>

<p>I happen to know what program broadway95 was referencing, and the first show her and her daughter saw that was a bit off I also saw and agree, it was strange. I also saw their mainstage spring musical LAST year (that they didn’t see) and it completely, 120% blew me away, to the extent where I would be hesitant to go see it ever again outside of a Broadway revival because I so loved every single thing about it (and that does not really EVER happen with me). So you just never know. If you really don’t like a show, that can very easily leave a bad taste in your mouth, and I completely understand that, but urge you to consider that there might be more there than meets the eye. If you see a production and you feel you see actors who are damaging their voices or with similar bad habits, etc, then THAT is certainly reason for pause, but an off production may or may not be a reflection of the program.</p>

<p>All of that said, if you’re looking in to a program and you’re going to see a show, I’m hoping that you are also able to sit in on a couple of classes because that will give you a more rounded view of what the program has to offer (particularly if you go after you’ve been admitted). And then again, even after all of that, I DO understand how a bad production can be a deal breaker, especially to a student. You have to feel good about the choices you make, and if you’ve got more than one offer, you have to make a decision somehow. If the production quality factors in to that, then there you have it. Complicated discussion- thanks for posting!</p>

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<p>I know it absolutely did influence our decisions in 2007 when D was auditioning. We tried to see a production at every school, either during her junior year visits or during audition weekend. Some we were more impressed with than others, including one of the biggest name schools we really didn’t think was THAT terrific. But it was not enough to make us think the program wasn’t worthwhile. However, at one school, we were actually on campus, the audition was the next day, we went to a main stage production the night before the audition, after we arrived in town. We were so disappointed in not only the production and level of professionalism in the cast, but the facilities, that we actually packed our bags and left the next morning, without my daughter even doing her audition. We knew there was no way she would attend even if accepted so there was no point in having her audition. This is a program that would be considered desirable by many, although probably not “top” tier. At another school,which we initially didn’t know much about and were not sure we’d even consider, we saw more than one production and every one was absolutely stellar. That told us a lot too, and their graduates seem to be having a lot of recent success.</p>

15

<p>There was some discussion about this on another thread. This is a comment from a theatre department chair. Just some things to keep in mind when evaulating:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15548890-post27.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15548890-post27.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>My D certainly considered the productions we saw when she was going through this process.</p>

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<p>Would anyone be willing to share some feedback with me via PM as to the technical and design aspects of productions they’ve seen and how it added or detracted from the production? ( We’re especially looking at east coast programs in NYC, New Jersey, NC, and PA.). Thank you very much!</p>

17

<p>I am a huge fan of seeing productions at programs in which you have an interest. I agree with others about some caveats - is it student directed, perhaps a “student club” production - is it an unsupported workshop. I also worry about folks being swayed by the particular play - most would find a good production of RENT enjoyable while perhaps not appreciating a wonderful production of ANTIGONE. All that aside, if you are able to look objectively at the production elements - set, lights, costumes, acting, singing, dancing, pace, flow, transitions, etc - and still find the production to be lacking - YES this is a serious problem, maybe a deal breaker. The production is the fruition of what programs teach - it should be a culmination of many classes prior to the performance. It really shows you what that program is about. If you don’t like what you see - maybe you do not want to be a part of that process.
Now, true, some school’s production are better than others at the same school. None-the-less, a performance is an indication of what that program is now - not what it once was before two key faculty members left, not what its reputation once was…
Another element you cannot measure is this - is the program deep with talent? Perhaps you can cast the six leads - but are there competent actors in the wings? In any case, best to you on your journey.</p>

18

<p>You’re getting very good advice both above and throughout. Eventually “something” will cause you to rule a school in or out since you can only pick 1. The trick as others have said is to be sure that this performance is not the equivalent of deciding you don’t like a school because you randomly got a tour guide that was a jerk when meanwhile, the other tour group standing to your right is being lead by the kid that if the planets had aligned differently, would have been your best friend. Filter with the data at hand but with a wide view towards what is under the hood as well but sure, eventually you’ve got to go on something to narrow the field. My son is off on a college visit tour right now and the last thing I said to him before they left was: “keep your eyes open and don’t just fall in love with a school because they have egg-shaped sleeping pods in the library. Not a good enough reason!” I guess that’s the opposite of your situation but hopefully you get my meaning. Good luck!</p>

19

<p>My d saw a show at an outstanding academic school that offered MT opportunities and a Theater major/minor (in other words, not a MT BFA school). It was extremely disappointing and there were only 5 people in the audience. She realized she did not want to attend a school where there was so little support of the arts. That is another factor to consider.</p>

20

<p>Yes, agreed on all, and this is good advice. I appreciate your responses, everyone!</p>