<p>My daughter reports back that it is the aforementioned Don that says there will be no dance audition this year at CMU, although clearly there were in the past. So assuming he is right, this is a change. </p>
<p>She has Don for 2 classes and says he is just the kind of teacher you would want if you were to have the same person for 2 classes. </p>
<p>She has had and will have some workshops with Gary. </p>
<p>She says there are several other CMU faculty members who teach pre-college as well. Her dramatic lit teacher works at CMU as does her singing teacher (but he's a voice teacher in the school of music) and jazz teacher. Her ballet teacher teaches at Point Park and she thinks that some of the other faculty do as well.</p>
<p>Incidentally, she and her friend intend to check out Point Park this weekend.</p>
<p>NYTheatermom, Your post points out again that it is important that even if some of us who have been through this process in the past share about auditions, that families in this year's coming auditions need to not rely on what we have said went on in the past because there can and seem to be changes. Already, your information about no dance audition at CMU (when there WAS one last year) and then my reading that BOCO HAS a dance audition this coming year (and there was NONE last year), shows that things change and how important it is to go directly to the source (even though the CC forums are great). One must truly go over all the fine print for the audition requirements and other deadlines and procedures for admissions for 2006 and make a master list to keep it all straight.</p>
<p>Yes, and don't forget the recent conversation between Susan and me, where we discovered that even TWO AUDITION dates can differ vastly in the school's presentation and overall persona. So, the message is....read all these comments, but VERIFY! (and get ready to be very flexible!)</p>
<p>Hard to believe just barely 2 weeks left in the program. My daughter said the Shakespeare workshop, taught by Don, last night was fabulous. He shared with them info about how to approach the language, about how important an understanding of each word is, etc. </p>
<p>She said the CMU students he had on hand (to help and demonstrate) were terrific. My daughter said that they told her the theater program and the MT program are not that different. (In some schools, apparently, there is a greater difference.)</p>
<p>In acting class, Don has given each actor detailed written feedback on their performances. </p>
<p>As had been mentioned by someone else before (theatermom? referring to other years), some kids have left and others are apparently leaving this week. Perhaps it is homesickness, but perhaps these are really kids who this BFA-type of approach is too much. For my daughter, it is a near-perfect world -- if it weren't so hot, it might be perfect!</p>
<p>She and her friend are going over to Point Park this weekend to check it out. She has heard that Point Park is particularlly noted for a strong dance program. Also a baseball game Sunday.</p>
<p>Next week she has an interview with CMU admissions. They have encouraged the summer kids to schedule an interview if they are considering CMU. </p>
<p>There is also a workshop next week dealing with how to act your song. </p>
<p>All in all, I think they have hit everything during this program. It appears to be very well thought out.</p>
<p>You have a good memory! Although I may not have been the only one, I did write about the number of kids who left CMU before the program was finished when my D went in '03. I've also privately advised a few parents along the way that the large amount of money spent on sending kids to programs like this is worth it on so many levels. For those who love it, they use what they've learned and experienced to launch them into college auditions with concrete skills and improved confidence. For those who decide that the intense training of a conservatory program is perhaps NOT what they thought it would be or what they really want, the investment keeps their children from making the mistake of applying to a school or 4 year program in which they would be very unhappy. A good return on investment in either case!</p>
<p>I too have enjoyed reading your updates on '05 CMU pre-college. It has brought back lots of fond memories of what was a special and, I believe, pivotal experience in my own D's life. Thanks for sharing!</p>
<p>You said: For those who decide that the intense training of a conservatory program is perhaps NOT what they thought it would be or what they really want, the investment keeps their children from making the mistake of applying to a school or 4 year program in which they would be very unhappy. A good return on investment in either case!</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>As we were checking my daughter into the CMU program two years ago, I got talking to one of the Moms. This was their purpose for sending their daughter to the summer program -- to see if this was really what she wanted to do. She figured this was cheaper than college tuition. The CMU Pre-College experience also solidified in my daughter's mind that, yes, this field is where she wanted to spend her life.</p>
<p>Just a quick update on my son. I don't hear from him much - which means he is totally immersed and having a great time!<br>
This experience has totally solidified his desire to pursue a BFA in MT.<br>
He loves CMU....</p>
<pre><code> Don asked him to audition for a movie last week. He told us the audition went really well, however, after a few days of not hearing anything, he thinks he didn't get the part. He ended our phone conversation by saying "This really is a tough field, isn't it Mom??"
</code></pre>
<p>The program has been full of hard learning experiences that have really opened his eyes. (As we all know - a preview of coming attractions...)</p>
<pre><code> Evidently, a boy was asked to leave the program this weekend b/c he was caught smoking pot. The faculty was pretty clear on opening day that there was a "no tolerence" policy.
</code></pre>
<p>Another "teachable moment."</p>
<pre><code> Not only does this program give kids a taste of a conservatory style BFA program, but it also gives them a small taste of the college world away from Mom and Dad - where they begin to face rejection as well as other types of hard lessons on their own. I think it can only help better prepare them for future college/professional and life experiences.
It has been a wonderful opportunity for him.
</code></pre>
<p>"For those who decide that the intense training of a conservatory program is perhaps NOT what they thought it would be or what they really want, the investment keeps their children from making the mistake of applying to a school or 4 year program in which they would be very unhappy. A good return on investment in either case!"</p>
<p>It also works the other way! I just returned from the NCSA summer program. I was almost sure I wanted to go to the best BA school I could get accepted to and get an MFA later. Now I am SURE I want a BFA if I don't get into Brown which is a long shot. Now I have to totally rethink my college choices and butter up my dad.</p>
<p>Report # 6
Our kids will be home in 11 days! </p>
<p>These last few days will be very busy. The kids are working on their audition material, which culminates next week in monologue/song/dance auditions. </p>
<p>This week to further make sure they are getting as much feedback as possible they are practicing their material on faculty members other than their usual teacher. </p>
<p>Last night's optional workshop on dealing with acting your song was probably the first optional workshop that my daughter didn't find that helpful. All the others, she said, have been outstanding or at least very interesting. </p>
<p>Later this week, she has another new play reading to go to. They require the summer kids to go to two evenings of new plays (which are essentially written and/or acted by the CMU college kids). </p>
<p>Later this week she is getting some coaching on a Shakespeare monologue (that she wants to use in the fall for a non-college audition) from one of the CMU college kids and maybe someone else. </p>
<p>This weekend is a trip to a water park (weather permitting).</p>
<p>On another thread someone has asked how one rates/compares summer programs. I certainly give a strong endorsement to this one. The 2 previous summers my daughter went to Interlochen, and that was a wonderful expereince as well. But the 2 programs are different and also my daughter is now older. She has LOVED the freedom she has at CMU and she has loved the dorm life (apart from the heat). One cannot predict what will happen with college auditions; but from this I can predict that my daughter has a sense of what college will be like.</p>
<p>I must agree with nytheatremom, I believe my son gained so much this summer. I keep thinking of the excitement in his voice telling me about perfoming 'Phantom' and reminding me that they were ALL theatre kids! This is an amazing nuturing environment, and it has provided great experiences for him. </p>
<p>He is also working on his monlogues, and got his audition time, next Thursday, between 2 and 3. His acting teacher and others are viewing and critiquing everyone's scenes. He is also busy with his directing class.</p>
<p>Last weekend he went to a performance of "Lord of the Rings" music, with orchestra and chorus. And on Sunday, several kids took the bus to have Chinese food. He is looking forward to the Play Festival this week, and enjoyed the playwriting class readings last night. He said the talent was wide-ranging and interesting.</p>
<p>Wherever he and the others end up going to college, this has certainly been a summer to remember.</p>
<p>An interesting tidbit...
My daughter said that among the "real" CMU students she met is a young lady who apparently got rejected from all four MT schools she had applied to; went to a state school and hated it; and re-auditoned for the next year and got into 11 out of 12 schools. At CMU at least the student had to begin as a freshman, but it was interesting that the girl had so much success the second time around. (Of course not an ideal solution due to time and money involved.)</p>
<p>I know the student of whom you speak, and yep, that's a great story - and not altogether unheard of. Many students at top programs (esp. CMU, in my knowledge) have started somewhere else or taken a year off and then been subsequently very successful auditionees. I think the life experience (and audition experience) really shows through - and most importantly, the story you tell and others like it show that there are SO MANY paths to success in both the college audition process and the professional MT field!!!</p>
<p>Just after I posted my last response, I thought of this article I read recently that details four very distinct paths to MT success, including one of those "CMU stories."</p>
<p>Thanks for that great article. I am not sure if this question should be posed on the "Summer Programs" thread, but I thought this would be alright, too.</p>
<p>My D auditioned for a spot with PCLO this past spring, without a call back. I remember reading about the cast memebers who made it and all of them seemed to have ties to Pittsburgh in one way or another. I know they stipulate the fact that they hire as many as they can from the Pittsburgh area, so does that make it more difficult to work there being from outside of Pittsburgh? I am definitely not asking this question becuase my D didn't get a call back! I was wondering what the norm is there in Pittsburgh, if you know.</p>
<p>Gkoukla - So interesting that you should ask this question! Just this morning I raised the same issue in an email to another CC'er in response to a discussion I had with my D about her plans for next summer. She also auditioned for PCLO this year, did not get a callback and is under the same impression you are - that PCLO looks to hire Pittsburgh people first - either natives or kids who are in school there.</p>
<p>Coach C, if you have any "insider" info on this, it might spare two Ann Arbor sopranos a trip to Pittsburgh next winter!! Thanks!</p>
<p>Also, theatermom, how about MUNY? D didn't audition for that this year, but I think may for next summer. I know your D got in (WOW), but do they like to hire people from the St. Louis area or are they open for outsiders? What is your feeling or your D's?</p>
<p>As a municipal organization (they receive some city money), they have agreed to hire a certain number of native St Louisans for each show. These tend to be the older members of the ensemble or now and then a few younger ensemble members who have come up through their very popular youth theater training programs called MUNY Kids and MUNY Teens. But the vast majority of ensemble members seem to come from top MT college programs and are cast at auditions held in St Louis in March. I believe that most principal parts are cast in New York, although they cast the small supporting or featured roles from the ensemble. The first day of auditions are open auditions for non-equity singers and dancers who have never worked at the MUNY before. You can audition as a dancer and, as has been mentioned recently, if you make it through the first few dance cuts, you will be asked to sing as well before you are done for the day. Or you can choose to audition as just a singer. Several kids schedule both auditions so that in case they don't make it through the dance calls, they can still audition as singers. After this Saturday call, they post callbacks for Sunday. On Sunday, those people who made it through the Saturday call as either singers or dancers, re-audition along with folks who have worked at the MUNY in years past. As a strong dancer, my D was advised by a UM classmate who lives in St Louis that she would increase her chances of being cast by auditioning as a dancer. If a performer can sing and dance, they can obviously be used in more ways by the creative team and are thus more in demand. According to my D, there were around 180 people who auditioned as dancers on Saturday this year. She survived two dance cuts (the first cut kept half the original number, the second cut the group in half again.) They were then asked to sing a 16 bar cut and my D was surprised at the number of people who said that they couldn't sing, that they were "dancer's dancers," and when asked to sing "something" sang Happy Birthday. At the end of the day, they called back between 30 - 35 people (singers and dancers) for Sunday. On Sunday they started all over again with the added ensemble members of previous MUNY summers who wanted to come back again. There were 3 more dance cuts and then they were asked to sing again. When that was over, the "survivors" were sent to be measured by MUNY staff and then released. When she left she still didn't know if she would be hired. She received a phonecall about two weeks later offering her an Equity contract for 3 shows over eight weeks. She said the person who made the call was soooo nice and seemed as excited to offer her the job as she was to get the offer. Performers can be hired for one, two or three shows of the seven show season, depending on the MUNY's schedule and their specific needs for that schedule of shows. You should also know that the MUNY has the reputation of rehiring ensemble performers if they work hard and do a good job. The "Who's Who" bios in the playbill support that reputation as many wrote that they were "thilled to be returning to the MUNY" for their second, third and even fourth summer. Many of the bios of the St. Louisans told of working at the Muny for as many as 25 years!!!</p>
<p>The MUNY has proven to be a wonderful employer. My D says that it really feels like a family and she can't imagine a better summer job. It has been a wonderful experience in every way.</p>
<p>Sorry - this may be more than you wanted to know, but once I got started, it seemed like a good idea to share the whole casting experience. In summary, to answer your question, although the MUNY does hire local performers, they hire many more people from outside St Louis than local performers.</p>
<p>We LOVE those detailed and very articulate posts, Theatermom!! You share so much helpful and insightful information on this board. keep it comin'!</p>
<p>I want you all to know that Theatermom, as well as many others, has been my mentor. She got me through CMU pre-college with not only many questions answered, but through my D's boyfriend breaking up with her while she was at CMU; auditions, plane flights, parents weekend (whether to go or not - I didn't) - you name it, I read her posts and re-read her posts. If you go back in time and read her advice (as well as Soozievt's et al) you will have all of the info you need. </p>
<p>Anyway, the reason I post this is that she has the ability to say what we are all thinking...in this case "I didn't even know what MUNY was before my D told me about it"...I thought I had missed something I should definitely know about. The same with the Pittsburgh audition...</p>
<p>Ok - my point is that while we all love posting our successes as this makes us so incredibly proud, for our next year's kids auditioning for colleges, please remember that this college audition process is a roller coaster ride. For us, for every acceptance, there were 2 rejections. If I remember correctly, even though we auditioned for some schools earlier than others (including 1 early action school) we did not have an acceptance until March. Fortunately, we were so busy with auditions in January and February, that the only really long month of waiting was March. My D just kept saying, "what if I don't get in anywhere?" It was quite a journey and a bonding experience for my daughter and I. </p>
<p>Now I get to hear from Theatermom about her post-freshman summer experiences and they do sound incredible. If I were closer to St. Louis, I would have definitely made the trip to see her D. What an exciting time for her (and her parents). </p>
<p>Ok, so I'm rambling after a glass of wine...I don't apologize. This board has gotten me through some rough times and some great times. One of the highlights, of course, was actually meeting some of you last year at the Emerson audition in December (you know who you are). Then to meet Dr. John at the unfieds in L.A. What a mench. </p>
<p>Can someone please remind me again who started this board in the first place?</p>