High School Junior

<p>As a junior, im not really sure what i should be doing right now to prepare for college auditions. Should i have started already? All of this college stuff makes me really nervous, so i figured…why not ask? </p>

<p>I am planning on a major in musical theatre. I want to stay close to home, because i don’t feel like i am ready yet to live on my own. I’m not responisble enough yet, and i want to wait at least a year before i move out. </p>

<p>Just a couple of questions/concerns</p>

<li><p>I know the obserity is important, but i really do not know how to go about looking for songs and monologues. Every audition i’ve ever had has been “bring song from the show” or “vocal numbers will be taught at audition”, so i’ve never actually had to find a song to audition with. </p></li>
<li><p>I know a lot of past MT college auditioners are still here so, what did you do during your junior year, did you prepare at all? Am I really behind?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>thanks</p>

<p>start reading plays and going to the theatre ever chance you get
Good luck!
xxx,Mary Anna</p>

<p>Hi, it is good that you are thinking about college admissions NOW as a junior. Your post is full of several issues.</p>

<p>First, you say you want to live at home the first year. You don't say where you live (state?) and so that is VERY limiting as to which college you go to because not THAT many schools have BFA in Musical Theater programs. It is not like regular college where there may be a few in your area from which to pick. So, knowing where you live (general area) would help. As you may know, these programs are highly selective. If you are limited to just the ones where you live (and that is even IF there are BFA programs near you), you likely won't have many to audition at and the odds of admission will go way down. You will need back ups of other college plans in your area that may not be a BFA program if you were to live at home that first year. </p>

<p>Another issue is that you say you are not ready to move out on your own. I understand your concern. You may want to realize that this is almost TWO years away and you will grow and mature by that time. You don't need to be ready NOW, in other words. It is hard to say now how you will feel then. Have you ever been away from home? Do you have any opportunity to go to a summer program that is sleep away, maybe even just a three week one? This might be a good trial run to see what being away from home is like. Also, while it may seem daunting or scary to you, sometimes life involves taking that jump and once you are there, you likely will be just fine. Some kids do get wary or nervous about a new experience or going to college (though some do not) and that is OK! I am not sure what one more year will do to assuage that sense of nerves about being away from home or on your own. In any case, if you do your plan, you will be limited by school choices and might want to opt to do a GAP year where you don't go away to college that first year but instead do something worthwhile. Perhaps you can do some intensive MT training or an internship with a theater, teach theater to kids and just about anything is possible....and THEN audition for college the following year.</p>

<p>About preparing for auditions as a junior. I don't think you need to prepare NOW for the actual college auditions themselves. My own kid did not start her selection of audition material or preparation until fall of the year she applied (which for her was HER Junior year but equivalent to senior year in this process for anyone else, as she was an early graduate). Your post does not reveal your background, nor what training you already have had. But even without knowing too much about you, I would say that the years leading up to senior year, what you need to do to "prepare" is to get voice lessons, take dance (at least ballet but jazz and tap too would be great), and some acting training (class? coach? whatever you can find), and continue to audition and be in some theater productions. Training is important now, not selecting the college audition material. Also auditioning for shows where you live gives you important audition experience. </p>

<p>While my child did not go about selecting audition material for college in the year before auditions, she did acquire a wide repertoire of songs for her "book". In other words, she worked on many songs that she keeps as possibilities for auditions in general. It so happens that the songs she did for college auditions are not ones she worked on the previous year, it did not matter because basically she increased her repertoire of songs of all types that she has for the future that she can use. She only really selected any songs in the fall of the year she auditioned. If you work with a voice teacher, perhaps he/she can suggest songs for your voice and your strengths. My D's voice teacher rarely suggests songs (though does once in a while) and she finds them on her own. But she is VERY familiar with the body of musicals that exist and picks from her general knowledge of the musical theater repertoire but also buys some musical songbooks (both mixed selections and scores of various shows she likes) and listens to CDs and such to find songs she likes that fit her voice type. </p>

<p>With monologues, my D knew far less in her general knowledge base. One of her monologues she used for college was from a play she saw twice the summer before that she liked. But she also read plays and monologue books to look for material. As well, since she had never had acting lessons as they were not available where we live, nor do we have drama classes at school, she found an acting coach for fall of the audition year and that person helped with suggestions and with her presentation. </p>

<p>So, for now, you need to research songs and plays/monologues to increase your knowledge base and try many out to increase your repertoire but you do not need to actually be selecting audition material for colleges at this point. Ideally, you can work with a voice teacher and an acting teacher. If you do not have either, ask around your community. Approach teachers at school who may have resources or even be able to coach you individually. Perhaps look into a summer musical theater intensive away from home if your parents are willing. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>I didnt realize how vague my first post was! </p>

<p>I hope i can clarify things a little more. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>I live in massachusettes, and although living at home would be my first choice, i will not limit my audition process to this area. I probably wouldn't go past the tri state area, and all of new england. I love the season changes, i couldn't live without them. </p></li>
<li><p>As far as my training goes, i've been taking voice for almost 6 years. Ive been classically trained, and within the past month have switched to a more musical theatre friendly teacher, who owns the local dinner theatre, has directed our high school show choir, and went to new england conservitory, so it should be interesting to see how that all will pan out. I haven't been in too many shows, although i have crunched them in with in the past 2 years. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>thank you so much for all of your suggestions, and i will be looking in to a summer program away from home, just to see how i fair.</p>

<p>for summer programs you might look at Interlochen (by audition) and Stage Door Manor, Tisch and Broadway Theatre Project (by audition)</p>

<p>Simplywicked--
My daughter went to OCU's summer program this year instead of Broadway Theatre Project, and she is so grateful that she did. What a fantastic experience!</p>

<p>Given the new information you shared....it seems like you WILL apply to colleges where you cannot live at home and within the tri state and New England areas which opens you up to programs such as : NYU/Tisch, Wagner, NYU/Steinhardt, Hartt, UArts, Emerson, Boston Conservatory, Syracuse, Ithaca, possibly Penn State, and others.</p>

<p>It sounds like you have had a bunch of voice training, good. It likely will be good that you now are working with someone well versed in musical theater repertoire. That person can help with exposing you to some material that is suitable for your voice. But you still need to go and find music through books, seeing shows, listening to CDs and becoming familiar with the body of musical songs out there. Pretty much same with monologues. Start reading plays and monologue books (only mono books that have monos from real plays). See if there is a drama/acting person who can also coach you or guide you.</p>

<p>As far as summer programs, I am going to copy and paste part of the page from the MT Forum's FAQ page (see links at top of this discussion forum) that was compiled by Shauna and others. See below.....</p>

<p>A + next to a program indicates that the program is very intense; the student takes many classes and stays for an extended period of time. These schools may also be fairly selective. </p>

<p>A ~ next to a school indicates that the program may only last for a week or two and that the program is not as intense. </p>

<p>PROGRAMS </p>

<p>PRE-COLLEGE </p>

<p>Boston University
+Carnegie Mellon University
+New York University (CAP21)
New York University (Steinhardt)
Northwestern University (Cherubs)
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma Panhandle State University - Broadway at Panhandle
+Syracuse University
University of the Arts
~University of California at Los Angeles
University of Cincinnati -- College Conservatory of Music
University of Michigan
Wesleyan University (Center for Creative Youth) </p>

<p>NON PRE-COLLEGE </p>

<p>Camp Bravo
Camp Broadway
Columbia Gorge School of Theater
+French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts
+Interlochen Center for the Arts
+Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp
+Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center </p>

<hr>

<p>I'd have put a ~ next to Camp Broadway.</p>

<p>Also there are other programs and off the top of my head, I'll add:
Circle in the Square Theater Program
Broadway Theater Project</p>

<p>good luck to you,
Susan</p>

<p>If the rumor is true that OCU is expanding to a 6 week program next summer, they will need to have a + put before their name on the list. Also, I'm not so sure it shouldn't already be there. Although the program was only 3 weeks this year, it was extremely intense and trained students in private voice (for rising seniors), master voice classes, acting, dance, music theory, and piano, perhaps more.</p>

<p>At OCU summer, do you knw if they take whoever applys? What is the criteria for acceptance and how many do they admit?
Thanks</p>

<p>I agree with MTMommy that the "+" is needed at OCU and some other programs listed above. I think that someone looking for a summer program should really research these programs and just use the list as a starting point and hopefully realize now that we are pointing it out that the + or - or ~ signs are not that accurate so just use the names of the programs and research them by getting their brochures, reading their websites and looking at past threads (by doing a search) on this forum.</p>

<p>Another clarification is that Shauna's use of "+" says that it indicates intensity of program, length of stay and selectivity and those are all different things. OCU, Stagedoor and French Woods as just a few examples, are intensive and at least three weeks but you do not audition to get in. So, it has two of those three criteria for her +. I think if this student wants to ask about any of these programs here, she should and people who know more can share but just to know that the +, -, and ~ signs are not that accurate or clear enough to go by. For instance, Camp Broadway is one week. Cherubs is selective and intense but not marked as such. UMich is selective for example too. So, just use the NAMES of the programs and proceed from there and find out more.</p>

<p>This year they were going to take a set amount, but when all the tapes were in, they decided to re-do the program and accepted everyone. People thought my daughter was nuts for going there when she had gotten into other great programs and one program in particular was trying to offer her more and more scholarship $, but she couldn't be happier with her decision.</p>

<p>The students were put into two main groups, oiginally by dance audition results, actually. Everyone got cast in the musical because Dr. Herendeen came up with a way to add people to Footloose. I thought it worked out great. The kids took classes at different times. The rising seniors could opt for private voice lessons with Brenda Holleman (who my daughter just loved), regular voice faculty at OCU, as well as master classes, including a master class with legendary Florence Birdwell. There were varying degrees of talent, training, and experience, but everyone got showcased in some way. There was a couple of cabarets. The one for the parents featured tons of students. My daughter had a lead in Footloose so she wasn't able to be in that cabaret, but that was particularly fair of OCU, I think, so that all the kids could have their time to shine.</p>

<p>So they took everyone who applied, but they all had to submit a tape first? A video tape? Was that an "audition"?</p>

<p>My D, too, attended last summer's program at OCU. She attended BTP the summer before and loved it...wanted to go back but I thought it better that she try something different this past year. And, she didn't regret it. She had a fabulous time at OCU...made many new friends that she still keeps in touch with (including Mtmommy's D and Ericmom's S) and OCU is now closer to the top of her list of college choices than it was. Because they divided the kids up by 'ability', the classes were more challenging than you might think. And, being able to work with the faculty at OCU is a real plus. If I remember correctly, she had to send in a CD with two songs....that was the audition. All of the kids were able to participate in the show and/or cabarets and I think everyone felt they contributed to the overall success of the shows....that's a credit to the program. It is an intense program....classes during the day; rehearsals in the evening, but they did have some down time to relax and 'hang out'....a swim party, too. </p>

<p>BTP is very different....the year my D went they had 177 students; 60+ were high schoolers, the rest were college age. There was much less individual attention, as you can imagine. Also, IMO, BTP is much more about dancing than about MT. They take voice and acting classes and have masterclasses, but the end-of-program show is definitely about dance. So, if that is your focus, it is a good program to attend. My D learned a lot (she was only 16 at the time and one of the youngest students there so she was very challenged)....it was very intense....seven days a week 8am - 10pm every day (weekends incuded) for three weeks. She wants to audition again this year....that's how much she loved it....</p>

<p>Two very different programs but with different focuses and goals....both good programs that provide skills needed for a future in performing. </p>

<p>My 2 cents....</p>

<p>After reading these posts, I have a question. Any opinions about OCU's program vs. CMU's with regards to audition practice and "training" if you will?
My D of course is looking for all the experience she can acquire and I had read that CMU was particularly excellent with the college audition process.
CMU does not require audition for entrance to the program I don't think. Anyway, thanks for any info anyone has.</p>

<p>CMU pre-college does provide some great overall audition training, esp. for monologues, but sometimes they don't do much in the way expanding a students' "book" of songs (or teaching the students how to find great song rep themselves). SOMETIMES they do - depends on whether a student takes private voice (which costs extra) and to whom they are assigned as a voice teacher. Just FYI...</p>

<p>I definitely felt that I was given some great new material at CMU's program....in both monologues and songs. I took private voice lessons, but everyone in the MT pre-college program has a singing class with either Gary Kline or Stephen Neely. Both of them give you song advice in addition to your private teacher.</p>

<p>It was the best summer ever!</p>

<p>I don't know if it's changed since my D went in '03, but I have to concur with Coach C. Stephen Neely and Gary Kline were also the singing class faculty that year and my D, who had Stephen, reported that he resisted giving them rep, preferring to begin teaching them how to explore and find their own rep. Gary Kline, on the other hand, gave each student a few different songs that he told them to work on. I know that given the amount of work they had to do, at first my D was upset that the two classes were handled differently but in the end was so glad to have learned what Stephen offered - a process instead of a handout. My D's private voice teacher was based in the Music School was more classically oriented and had little to offer in the way of MT rep. I know there are differing opinions about this among CC posters, i.e. providing vs searching for rep, but I know the seeds planted that summer have born really useful fruit for my daughter. </p>

<p>I also concur about the strength of the CMU audition training. CMU pre-college is ALL ABOUT THE WORK and learning how to approach the work, no performance at the end. It proved to be a very wise, if expensive, investment.</p>

<p>I also had Stephen, but I felt he gave me a lot of material as well. I agree that the two classes were handled differently and ideally I wish I had both. In the two master classes with Gary Kline (and the lucky private lessson I got with him!!), I found him great also....But Stephen was terrific as well! Just in different ways! </p>

<p>It's been exactly two months since I got home from cmu precollege and I still miss it soooo much!!!! Thank goodness a lot of my cmu friends have the same dates for auditions I have!</p>

<p>I'm glad to see so many of your kids had a great time at Oklahoma City University's summer program. We had a blast and as one of the counselors, I can tell you what a truly fun and amazing group we had.</p>

<p>OCU's summer musical theater workshop is a preparatory program for those who are interested in studying musical theater in college. Each morning, students take classes in dance, music theory, piano and acting. We also had three intense career preparation classes where students were given "real world" facts about the business ,audition skills, and preparing for college auditions. We also had classes on improv (an important skill) and diction.</p>

<p>On top of this, afternoons featured vocal master classes with our voice faculty and evenings were for working on the great "Footloose" production. It was very busy and very intense. We expect our summer students to uphold the high values that OCU's music theater majors are expected to meet.</p>

<p>JoBeth Moad, OCU Performing Arts Academy Director and organizer of the summer programs, is currently working on new plans for the 2006 camp. You can get on the mailing list by contacting JoBeth at <a href="mailto:jmoad@okcu.edu">jmoad@okcu.edu</a>. We look forward to seeing you in 2006!</p>

<p>Wow - I've been sporadic on CC the last week and so many things about us have been discussed! I must tell you that the CC family is growing more important to us all the time, and I am forever grateful for getting to meet some of you and your kids in person and develop friendships with people who have this very special area in common with us. My life has just been crazy and our computer otherwise occupied!</p>

<p>I've already posted on the summer program thread how very much my S enjoyed the OCU summer program, and yes, the new friendships developed are probably life long best friends at this point. He was so impressed with the faculty and the things emphasized in the program. This program would be well worth the time for anyone! I think they are possibly considering 3 weeks even next year, but JoBeth Moad (contact info. above) is your best source of information. We had considered 3 possible summer programs and were so glad to have chosen this one.</p>

<p>I have not checked into CMU's summer program but have heard very good things about it. I think it runs for longer and costs more than OCU, but that is about the extent of what I know on comparisons.</p>