<p>i'm a junior- or really senior now really considering MT. i absolutly love indiana and would love to be accepted into their MT program next year. i'm just scared that i'm out of my league. it's only been since my freshman year of high school i've been involved in musical theatre (it really is my passion) but my dance and singing background goes back to elementary and i've been playing 2 instruments my whole life. i'm fully commited to dancing and singing as well as acting but i know i'm competing against kids who have been doing this their whole life. is there any chance for me?</p>
<p>BWayBound</p>
<p>Don't stress over experience. My d's first experience in MT was her freshman year in high school. She has only been in 6 productions ( some lead, some chorus). She was accepted to great MT programs and plans to attend NYU/CAP 21 this fall. My d also has a friend who became involved in MT her junior year in high school and that girl is now a rising sophomore at CCM. Both my d and her friend had dance experience since grade school. Good Luck!</p>
<p>While many of these kids have been doing this most of their school career there are plenty that haven't or at least haven't pursued it seriously. Much of what is being looked at for a college audition is as much about potential as it is finished product. The best way to approach this is with a good, honest assesment of your skill level and an understanding of the schools you are interested in and THEIR requirements and competitiveness. But you will read story after story on these boards of students who felt they were long-shots who got into very competitive schools. Attitude and confidence is very important as well.</p>
<p>You have a very, very busy summer ahead of you to get ready, but you're not necessarily behind in your efforts depending on your experiences to date.</p>
<p>Good Luck!!!!!</p>
<p>BWayBound....I think your experiential background is just fine. You don't have to have done MT your whole life to get into college for MT. As it is, you HAVE been singing and dancing for years, you say. The fact that you have only been in musicals during your high school years is FINE. The main thing is to have some training in voice, dance, and acting and some production experience. As WMonMTDad says, you need to self evaluate your skill sets against others you know who have been successful getting into college for MT (this is NOT the same as comparing backgrounds or years in musicals!) and also get feedback from voice or acting teachers or directors as to their evaluation if you are competitive for college MT programs. As well, if you ever attend any programs outside your immediate area, you can self assess how you fare amongst a bigger or more talented pool. How do you fare locally in casting? How do you fare if you ever enter music adjudications (such as All States for singing, or stuff like that)? There are various evaluative tools to get a sense if you have the skill sets. Combine the input of these various feedback processes. Do not worry how many years you have done MT. PLENTY of people get into BFA in MT programs who have been in musicals for just four years like you and have training in voice and dance. The main thing is to get training now as well as experience. The number of years you have been doing it is not a crucial piece. I hope you have listened to NOLAMOM who named some kids she knows who go to competitive BFA programs who had only been in musicals a short time. Best of luck to you....</p>
<p>soozievt, </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I did not know the woman you knew at the University of Hartford. I do agree with you about the fact that students should apply to a broad range of colleges.</p>
<p>thanks so much to everyone! i do have a voice teacher and such and my sophomore year i made all region in texas and was 1 up for all state but no one dropped out so i didn't go. and unfotunatly this year i lost my voice the day before auditions for all region so i didn't go so well. but i'm dedicated to 4 choirs and this summer i have a 3 week summer intensive at a very well recognized theatre in my area. thanks again to everyone that replyed!</p>
<p>BWAYBound...go for it, girl!</p>
<p>It is natural to feel anxious about whether or not one can get into these selective college programs. It is chancy even if one has all that is required. Rather than pin hopes on one particular school, explore many options widely. Work very hard to create a well balanced list of options in a range of academic and artistic selectivity. And then keep working hard on your training and audition preparation. Best wishes.</p>
<p>thanks so much! i'm looking at several schools this summer to check out what they have to offer.</p>
<p>BWayBound; (and others) It is very easy on these boards to get intimidated by the accomplishments of other posters and the level of competitiveness to get into these programs. Instead, try to focus on your audition preparation and doing whatever it is you need to do to present your best performance at each school. That is the most positive use for your energy. The most important factor in this process is the time you spend in front of the auditors - that is your opportunity to make your mark. The focus will not be on your resume; the auditors are aware of the fact that high school students have a huge range of opportunity as youth. Some live in a vibrant arts community and have the means to obtain top notch training, while others do not. Anxiety about the experience you lack will only serve to undermine your confidence. </p>
<p>Other posters have said this before, but I think it bears repeating: don't try to second-guess or anticipate. You really don't know what the auditors are thinking or what they are looking for. Just focus on presenting your "best self" and let the rest happen.</p>
<p>Best wishes!
Michele</p>
<p>All4FSU, well said!</p>
<p>Amen, Amen!</p>
<p>thanks for the reply All4FSU!</p>
<p>Dreamcoat,</p>
<p>I am also located in Wisconsin. One name Susan forgot on her list is Webster University in St. Louis. Not sure where in WI you live, but for us it is only a 5 to 5.5 hour drive...I have sons who will be seniors this coming year in Webster's MT program.</p>
<p>Best wishes.</p>
<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>
<p>Oops, Sue....I had jotted down the schools on scrap paper by the computer and then went to type them over for the post and left off Webster which was on my handwritten list! My bad :(. I am grateful you mentioned it, thanks. Great option for this poster.</p>
<p>no problem susan...I understand! Webster is definitely a school to look into. I hope to post some very exciting news soon regarding faculty. </p>
<p>SUE</p>
<p>Interlochen Arts Academy and Summer Camp Sessions...</p>
<p>If you are considering a summer enrichment program in theatre or perhaps an academically challenging arts boarding school, you must consider Interlochen Arts Academy. <a href="http://www.interlochen.org%5B/url%5D">http://www.interlochen.org</a> Our son has just graduated after two years of the most amazing theatre department in the nation. He has grown academically, personally, and theatrically. As a public school teacher, I never would have guessed we would consider sending our S but it was the best thing we could have done for him. He will attend Royal Scottish Academy of Drama (Glasgow) in the Fall for a three year BA degree. This would not have been possible without this experience. </p>
<p>During senior year the students are bussed to Chicago for UNIFIED auditions, taken on enrichment travel (i.e. went to Ann Arbor, MI to see the Royal Shakespeare Company's THE TEMPEST and 12 cast members traveled with the Interlochen Academy production of "A Year with Frog and Toad" to Manhattan for four shows at the Helen Mills Theatre. The faculty and staff are FABULOUS!!!! Feel free to write me, if you have any interest or questions...please check out their website at <a href="http://www.interlochen.org%5B/url%5D">http://www.interlochen.org</a></p>
<p>Our S is just finishing his junior yr so we are beginning the final push for senior yr admission process. He continues his voice lessons, acting lessons, and is attending NJPAC acting classes this summer. We have visited Ithaca, NYU and Montclair State. We plan to see CMU and Emerson this summer. We also plan to work on monologues and song selections this summer.</p>
<p>If anyone has any other suggestions for us that would be great. We have never done this before.</p>
<p>Robsdad, most kids on this board (and their parents) also have never been through the process. I would strongly suggest that you take a few hours and read through various discussions on this list, and then come back with whatever questions you find you still have. You will find a plethora of information on the various threads that will be extremely helpful. I would also think that your son's acting and voice teachers would be able to offer advice on the whole college admissions process. Good luck! You have come to the right place to get info.</p>
<p>Students, it's a good idea to spend summer "free time" before your junior and senior year to take a SAT/ACT prep class, work on college essays (it really helps by having at least rough drafts because the senior year is so busy), keep up with voice/dance classes, take a correspondance course to help free up your senior year (i.e. economics, state history req, electives), and educate yourself on requirements for college applications. Although the 2008
applications are not out, you will have a good idea whether the university will use the common application and/or will require a supplimental application with more essays. It's a lot of hoops to jump...seek out how you can make your application stand out from the thousands that apply...outstanding grades, test scores, volunteering hours, awards, etc. Work on monologues! Our S was told he needed 8 for UNIFIDES...spend time reading plays and looking for monologues, get some quality instruction and research the variety of types (classic, contemporary, etc) each school requires, but always find them in your age range. Many auditioners ask you questions at auditions about the content of the plays so READ THE PLAY and be able to answer questions about it.</p>
<p>thanks for your help!</p>