<p>DG...sounds like you are getting off to a very good start. Not auditioning for fall semester makes sense. Many schools do not allow freshmen or first semester freshmen do shows and for some valid reasons. So, get everything under your belt and go for it second semester. It sounds like you are enjoying school so far and I hope you continue to love it. It is likely that McDaniel will have turned out to be a good choice for you in the end, and for that, I am glad.</p>
<p>Hi DG,
Thanks for wishing her well! My husband and I will be going to see the show in November and can't wait! She can't say enough about her classes and professors and the people, but mostly I think she just loves being able to devote so much of her time to doing the things she loves. She did well enough on her AP exams that she's pretty much done w/math and science. Her acting professor worked in London for 18 years and she really loves his his teaching style. I'm just so excited for her because she really living her dream and is surrounded by such an incredibly supportive group of people. I'm glad you are enjoying McDaniel! Keep sharing, because it's really great to hear first hand accounts of what it's like!</p>
<p>Thank you also Sarahsmom. That is very exciting about Sarah's acting professor. Drake does one musical a year also, am I right?</p>
<p>Soozie, if your client has any questions abbout McDaniel, she or you can pm me. How is S. doing at NYU?</p>
<p>Hi DG,
You are right, Drake usually does one musical a year, but this year a student will be directing one in the spring as well. D will also be allowed to audition for other area musicals if she does not get a part in one of the spring productions. She auditioned for Company and three other straight plays this fall and there will be another three in the spring. We saw "No Exit" last year, it was fantastic.</p>
<p>DG, thanks for asking. My D is very very happy at NYU and seems to be calling with enthusiastic news lately of each aspect and opportunity, and that's what parents hope will happen. I hope very much that you will be as happy with your choice of school and experience as she has been.</p>
<p>Hey everyone. i am a senior this year and so excited to go to school next year. when i started my seach it was all BFA in MT at a conservatory (looking at the "big guns" like NYU, CM, CCU, BoCo, NWU etc), however during the summer my views changed.</p>
<p>I realized that the BFA MT program is not for me, dont get me wrong its GREAT for some people.. but i dont think the program is fit for me, as i need to be surrounded by more than 30 people for 4 years haha. </p>
<p>So anyways, my mom and i have been doing research and we are trying to find schools with great musical theatre programs where its not so much of a conservatory. I would really like the "typical college experience" but still persue my dream of MT, is it possible?? I want to major in MT. </p>
<p>So far we have schools like Elon, American, Fordham, UNC-G.. but the list is very limited. help is greatly appreciated, and you all are amazing! thanks.</p>
<p>There are definitely all kinds of programs out there and you will surely find what you are looking for...schools like Elon would definitely be a fit as they do have a number of liberal arts classes that you are required to take. UNC-G has a Fabulous music school and acting program but they do not have musical theater. Fordham does not have a musical theater program either. I believe it's straight acting. Possibly schools like U Michigan and Penn State may also fit what you are looking for. Good luck!</p>
<p>Kaysmom,
I'm dying to know how your D is doing! Is she loving it?!!</p>
<p>In addition, I would recommend that you consider Syracuse, OCU, Baldwin-Wallace, Otterbein, and Point Park. BW and PPU's programs are both in conservatories, but they are part of a larger university requiring liberal arts courses.</p>
<p>My S attends OCU, while the music school is a big deal there, they are a full LAC. It is a small school, but he is still getting the full college experience. And their is alot of one-on-one time with the faculty. If that is the type of thing you are interested in.</p>
<p>Hi Sarahsmom,</p>
<p>She is LOVING it! I'm sending you an e-mail! :)</p>
<p>kathie</p>
<p>theatregirl08 -- I'm personally familiar with 2 of the schools that were mentioned to you as an alternative: PSU and Syracuse. These are both BFA programs. PSU, although not a conservatory, is a small program in terms of numbers -- they only take 12 - 15 students each year; Syracuse accepts about 25. (My D is a sophomore there, and has not met anyone outside of the MT department yet!) I suspect that most of the BFA programs are similar. If you want a larger program, you probably should be looking at BA programs. If you're not sure what schools offer this, check the FAQ link on the first page of the MT forum -- there you will find the Big List, which is a great source of info.</p>
<p>theatregirl08 - In general, all of the BFA programs, whether at a conservatory or larger university, are going to have a singular focus on MT. Even at larger universities there is a limited exposure to courses outside of the MT curriculum. For example, at Syracuse MT majors have a mandated sequenced curriculum which over 4 years permits room for only 8 courses outside of the Theater Department.</p>
<p>Your best bet is too focus on BA theater programs at schools that offer MT opportunities and which do not have a BFA MT program. Add Muhlenberg to your list. If you do a search on this forum, you will find a lot of discussion about the very fine MT opportunities there in the context of a broader liberal arts education</p>
<p>Thank you all for some really great advice. Im going to visit JMU ( :] ) tomorrow, wish me luck! I also talked to a representative from Catholic university and they said they offer a major in musical theatre, but im not sure if its strong or wellknown or anything of that sort. I do love both north/south carolina and more southern schools. That being said, does anyone know anything about UNC-Wilmington or UNC-Greensboro having a BA MT program? Any other suggestions would be amazing.</p>
<p>theatregirl,</p>
<p>There is no BA or BFA MT at UNC-G or UNC-W. They both have BA or BFA's in straight theater only. I have to say though that there is a lot of great things going on in the UNC-G theater department! Beth Leveal who got her Tony Award for The Drowsy Chaperone went there albeit some time ago. You may be able to incorporate classes in the music department too. Their music facility is absolutely top notch and the new music building is beautiful! </p>
<p>As far as UNC-W...they have a lot of good casting connections in acting because there have been a lot of filming and tv show taping opportunities in Wilmington (ie: One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek) and they utilize many of the kids from UNC-W for various roles and extras. </p>
<p>I believe that the only North Carolina State school to have MT is East Carolina.</p>
<p>I'm aboard the same ship. My son also has the passion and we're just starting to drill down into colleges. Looking toward the Unifieds in Chicago this February. Interesting to see all the posts out here about "what's the best MT school."</p>
<p>Hello, I've just joined this group and am thrilled to find it. I've tried to do a search to see if there are any international students or parents aboard this group but have had little luck finding any so I thought I'd introduce myself and ask for help and direction. </p>
<p>I am a mom in Montreal, Canada and our school system here is different from the rest of Canada and the U.S. Here in Montreal students graduate from high school in Grade 11 (at 16-17 years of age) and then typically attend a junior college for two years before moving on a bigger university. </p>
<p>Since MT schools are not an easy thing to find in Canada, my D, who is graduating this year and lives and breathes only for MT, has asked me to find the right US college for her. From what I understand, she would be considered a junior now and will be required to complete one more year of high school (she will have to leave Montreal and go somewhere else in Canada to do so) or do one year in our junior college system to be ready to apply to schools in the U.S.</p>
<p>I am hoping that some of you may have some tips for me on choosing the right MT program and schools for my D to apply to; suggest ways for her to become more competitive and how to enhance her applications; and well, heck, teach me EVERYTHING you know about the college MT application process! LOL! </p>
<p>I would especially like to learn more about international student acceptances to MT programs, schools who may have financial assistance for Canadians or international students and generally if there are spots in some of these schools for talented kids from other countries.</p>
<p>Phew... I know it's a lot to ask but any guidance, tips, resources, experiences, advice any of you are willing to share is most appreciated.</p>
<p>Glad you are here... now back to reading and learning.</p>
<p>Hi MM!</p>
<p>Welcome to our merry band! I have no idea how many of our friends from the North are here but I know there are some. I believe you may not find all your answers here on CC (gasp!)- I suspect you'll be calling schools a lot to get accurate data on the process to get your D into a great MT program - the whole where to do another year etc. seems to be very specific. </p>
<p>Regarding training, take a look at some of the summer program discussions here - might be a good option to look at for next summer and I think a good way to get a feel for audition competition and where your D may need to improve her skills.</p>
<p>My overall advice is to read, read, read. When we discovered CC, I think my life stopped while I read everything. Pick your school threads, use the search function, etc. It will really help in starting down the long road to a PERFECT FIT somewhere!</p>
<p>Good luck!
MikksMom</p>
<p>MontrealMom, feel free to PM or email (I actually prefer this because my PM box is always full!) me and I'll be happy to help you in any way I can to answer your questions. My D is a Tisch grad and we live in Toronto so I'm familiar with the issues surrounding attending college in the U.S. as an international student (although my D had dual citizenship at the time, it was still an issue in some respects). You can click on my username and choose the email option.</p>
<p>I appreciate the responses I've received. One thing I've learned is how addictive this forum is! LOL! I finally turned off the computer at 3 am (to get up at 6) and have been reading non-stop since dropping little D at school! </p>
<p>I've seen references to creating an Excel spreadsheet for listings, being excel-challenged, can anyone recommend where to find such a thing ready for download or purchase?</p>
<p>Thx</p>