<p>A friend of a friend of my D3 is a freshman at a college which is widely discussed on this forum. While meeting with the director of the program recently (she's only been there a few weeks), he advised her that she should change the color of her hair. This was not a request so that she could play a certain role after being cast in a show, but was a suggestion, in general. I have to say that I'm more than a little surprised, as my D who is a drama major has never heard of anyone at her school being asked to do this, except occasionally for particular roles, and even then, it's always a question which is asked not something that is recommended. I'm just curious if any of your children have had this experience?</p>
<p>Sorry, I don't have an answer for you about this. But my daughter's hair is dyed red, and I am wondering how that will affect her auditions. She was just cast as Charity in Sweet Charity, so it will work for her in that role, and she usually wears a wig in the productions she has been in. But her hair is kind of trendy, with an angular cut. It's not so out there by California standards, but she is looking at schools back east. I was thinking that if she grows it out a bit before auditions, and get a classic bob, it will be less of an issue for auditors. Any feedback anyone who has been there? Sorry if this changes the topic of this thread too much.</p>
<p>I have heard of this happening-particularly with weight and girls. Was the girl's hair very atypical-I mean like green or something really strange? If it wasn't I am curious why the director would ask her to do this particularly when it wasn't for a role in mind. But I believe this is more common than we think</p>
<p>Alwaysamom,</p>
<p>I know that this happens EVERY YEAR at one particular top MT program. It is done to both boys and girls and is by no means limited to issues of weight and hair color. It's part of the program's "package" and does happen right at the beginning of freshman year. I'd be surprised if we are talking of two different schools.</p>
<p>I won't post the name of the school here so as not to offend anyone; but if this is an important issue to anyone getting ready to audition, I'll tell you the school if you email me. It's NOT UM. I also know that this type of thing is seriously DISCUSSED at another undergraduate arts prep program as opposed to being DICTATED as it is at the college program.</p>
<p>How do I feel about it? I think if they feel this discussion has to happen, it could better take place later in the curriculum as students are preparing to move out into the world - perhaps the end of junior year? But from what I know of this program, this situation in perfectly in line with the overall philosophy of the program. I wouldn't want my D at this school.</p>
<p>I think this pretty much goes along with what you're saying, but I know last year a theater friend of mine went to audition for a school...to remain nameless...and they told her that she needed to lose weight on the spot. Thought that was a little disturbing..</p>
<p>I am not sure that we would be talking about the same school but there is a particular school that suggests the following under audition information on it's website:</p>
<ul>
<li>make sure you have appropriate clothes for your personality</li>
<li>It may be hard but take a long objective look at yourself in the mirror and correct what needs to be corrected</li>
<li>if you need to lose weight, begin asap </li>
<li>visit the dentist</li>
<li>invest in a new hairstyle</li>
<li>learn to do makeup.....take care of your complexion</li>
<li>get in shape ...start working out</li>
<li>pass on the double whoppers with cheese</li>
</ul>
<p>I guess that is all so, but it does seem to come at you harshly. I have heard from friends of my d that they have no problem telling you any of this in auditions if they need to.</p>
<p>yes, we are talking about the same school..:-/</p>
<p>Since there have been a few new comments and I've received a couple more PMs, I will mention here in the thread that the school in question is not CCM. I think we all have become familiar with the appearance issues at CCM over the years, and I imagine that the list which kaysmom has posted is probably from their website. My original post, though, was made about another school which is often discussed here and I had never heard of anything being mentioned like this in discussions about them so that's what made me curious. I will add that the girl's hair was NOT green, or blue, or unusual in any way. If anyone would like further information, you can PM me, as I'd rather not post the name of the school or individual who made the comments to the girl, here on the forum.</p>
<p>Yup, I have a friend who goes to one of the 'Big List" schools mt program. She is a brunette and was told by the program director to "do something" with her hair that she is a brunette in a world of blondes.</p>
<p>I am not sure if I particularly agree with that.</p>
<p>Quite the opposite guides the philosophy at Penn State where they specifically seek out very different "looks" among their MT students. The faculty hopes to find a variety of types in order to have casting flexibility - the last thing they want is a cookie cutter group of MT students.</p>
<p>There are no "look" guidelines for Oklahoma City University. OCU seeks a diverse array of students since Broadway and theater accomodates all kinds of people. It's the individual that matters and what they bring to the table.</p>
<p>Does NCSA have a "look" that they typically look for in an applicant??</p>
<p>My daughter has many friends at NCSA and is still on the fence about auditioning there for her senior year of high school next year. Don't know much about the college program except that it is incredibly small. My friend's son is a junior in the college program. Gorgeous...brunette. But from what she has told me they spread it around as well. Someone blonde, brunette, someone who's a real cut up, someone more classically trained, few girls, few guys, etc. They like to have a good mix. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. you were fast! I am looking to audition there for my Senior year also, and then to apply to the college program in Wig and Makeup Design.</p>
<p>hey kaysmom:</p>
<p>If a school posts audition information on its website, and you don't have to have a password or something to access the website, then they are effectively making this public information.</p>
<p>I, for one, can't see why you can't indentify the name of the school that has these audition guidelines posted. They aren't keeping it a secret, they themselves posted it for heaven's sake.</p>
<p>Monydad,</p>
<p>I take your point about the information already being on their website....it is public and clearly they are comfortable with it being so. So.....</p>
<p>The school Kaysmom referenced is CCM - Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. The information appears as part of their section on "Audition Do's and Don'ts."</p>