<p>Welcome aboard, Laurie. MY D will be at the CMU precollege summer program, too, so perhaps they will meet. If you want a cram course in MT college admissions, take some time and try to read through as many threads on this list as you can. You will be surprised at the treasure trove of info that is here. In the meantime, feel free to ask questions. There are lots of people here (or there will be, once fall falls ... :) ) who know a lot about this whole thing.</p>
<p>Welcome Laurie! Hopefully, if you can find the time, and read through many threads on this forum, you will glean a lot of helpful information. Yes, it is an overwhelming process but by exploring, researching, being organized, being informed, and pacing out all the tasks, things get done and it all works out. I hope you will join in and participate and share and also get some support by others going through the same process in your D's year and also from those who have gone through it before. I hope your D has a terrific time at CMU Pre-College. I imagine she will!</p>
<p>I just heard from my D, spending her July at the PA Governor's theater school in Erie. Anyone else with a child there? She reports it is intense, very physical, and they have home work. She spent last summer at the UArts program, and this is a lot more work....at least the first 2 days. And, of course, she loves it!</p>
<p>My daughter was accepted into this summer program. Does anyone know anything about it?</p>
<p>It is a very good program and I know people who have done it. My child has not, however. My child's voice teacher and acting coach at home (VT), prior to college, are on the faculty of CITS and they are very good in opinion. I hope your D has a chance to work with them. I'm sure she'll have a great time.</p>
<p>I'm so grateful that I have friends who go to CCM!! They've given me great audition tips and song suggestions for my voice and range!</p>
<p>My name is Bill Jenkins and I am the Chair of Theatre and Dance at Ball State University. I have yet to post any replys on this page but thought I would do based on this recent exchange. In regards to the Circle in the Square program, several of our students have attended in the last few years and have really enjoyed the experience. Both students who attended last year were music theatre majors (one from Colorado and one from Indiana) and they found the classes to be a strong compliment to the work they were doing here. I also think it is a great program as it helps give students a sense of the type of education they are getting and whether or not they feel competitive with the other students who attend the summer program. Both of our students felt they were extremely competitive with the other students who attended from across the country. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thanks Ball State Bill! We'd love to hear more from you!</p>
<p>Mr. Jenkins, welcome! I hope you take more time to post about the program at Ball State, so we can learn more about it. Perhaps you could post some basic information on the Ball State thread at the Big List at the top of the forum? I think that we parents of kids in the Class of 2008 and the kids themselves would be very open to learning more about BSU's MT program. Thanks for checking in here.</p>
<p>Yes, BSB -- would love to pass on info about the Ball State program to some of my students who are currently deciding what schools to apply to. I'm embarassed to admit I don't know where your school is.</p>
<p>Totally off topic -- can anyone explain to me the difference between a Junior and a Senior member on this website? I have been a member since 2004, and I'm afraid my age is way past anything that can be considered junior -- but I am listed as a junior member.</p>
<p>The designations new member, junior member, and member are based on how many posts one has made. The designations do not depend on how long one has been a member or on one's age :).</p>
<p>junior member has to do with how many posts you've made... reading/lurking doesn't count :)</p>
<p>and Ball State is in Muncie, IN -- best known in pop culture as David Letterman's alma mater.</p>
<p>Since dancersmom and I cross-posted, and I'm still jr. with 231, and she's "member" at 375 - I'm guessing the point where you move up is 250 or 300.</p>
<p>Oh gee, I was hoping it referred to my amazingly youthful appearance. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi everyone. I've been predominantly a lurker thus far but need to switch gears and get in the game here. I have a daughter who is in the class of 2008 and will be applying/auditioning for MT programs. I'm a bit intimidated by all of this because it seems to be so darned difficult to get into these programs in terms of talent and also the small number of students these programs take. I appreciate all of the info I have been able to obtain here -- so thanks to all of you who participate and provide such good feedback.</p>
<p>So -- my big question is this -- how do you know if your student has what it takes to get in? There are so many students across the country who are "riding high" in high school MT-related activities (those with the leads, those who get awards, those who move up to state choral events, et al) -- they can't all possibly get in. So how do you know if you should be encouraging your student or not?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there is no sure guarentee of anyone getting into a program. I think if your child has a passion, has had some success in HS and local activities, and wants to give it go, a parent can support and encourage without guilt :) </p>
<p>However, because of the highly competitive nature of these programs parents should encourage their child to be realistic and to have a spectrum of types of program on his/ her list. It is important for all students to have a school or two on their lists (where (s)he believes (s)he could be happy) that does not require an audition, and that his/her guidance couselor believes (s)he can get into academically.</p>
<p>I believe that if your search the board you will find some former posts about the selectivity of different MT programs, and some non-auditioned MT programs.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>It's very difficult to be unbiased when trying to judge your own D's talents. Depending on your personality, you may be overly critical or just the opposite. Try to get the opinion of someone you trust who has some experience as a professional -- preferably not one of your D's teachers. Of course you should be supportive of her ambitions; but success in high school is not equivalent to success in this very competitive industry. And be sure she has a backup plan!</p>
<p>How important is it for a school to have arts accreditation ie. NASD,NASM,NASM?
Thank You</p>
<p>That would be NAST, NASM, NASD</p>
<p>At the urging of senior member "NotMamaRose," I have begun a thread entitled "Ball State's Musical Theatre Program" under the Ball State University/Forum page...it is the second posting as I mistakenly hit return before finishing my initial posting! Please feel free to read the info and post any questions you might have about our program. I am very proud of the program and particularly thrilled with our 2007 MT class that features 18 talented students from across the country (10 states represented in all). I am excited to be a part of these discussions and look forward to reading more from you all in the coming months. </p>
<p>Bill Jenkins, Department Chair
Ball State University
aka Ball State Bill</p>