How important is "resume" at an audition?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>When push comes to shove, how important is a child's "resume" when they are standing in front of the auditors ready to do their audition? </p>

<p>I know many kids out there have years of shows, competitions, camps, dance/theater classes, etc., etc., listed on their resume-- How much of that is taken into consideration by the judges? Are they just looking at the performer in front of them-- right at that instant!-- and judging them from their audition? </p>

<p>My S (a junior) has a decent resume so far, and we're constantly adding to it. But I also feel like we're busting our butt getting him to all this stuff. I'm wondering-- is it worth it? I know from an experience point of view, it's invaluable to him because it adds to his training. It's also one more line on his resume. But at what point does it not really matter, or am I being delusional and it ALL matters come audition time (or not?)?</p>

<p>Also, I'm curious-- If everything does matter on their resume, what things jump off the page at an auditor? Leads in large shows? 1st place at regional NATS? YoungArts? Specific summer camps?</p>

<p>Any input would be appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Here are quotes from college reps here on CC from a past thread:</p>

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<p>These can be found here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1253689-looking-input-college-reps.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1253689-looking-input-college-reps.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The anecdotal evidence that I can point to is that kids from my d’s high school with limited resumes and big-time talent have gotten into big-time programs while those with extensive experience, a lot of it in pay-to-play camps and such, but with less talent, did not get in. The college athletic coaches I know have a saying, “if camps and lessons could make you a great player, then Major League Baseball, the NFL, and the NBA would be full of rich kids from the suburbs.”</p>

<p>Not to say lessons and camps and shows aren’t worth doing, they are all great, just that building-up-a-long list-for-the-sake-of-building-a-long-
list won’t necessarily help you get into highly competitive, talent-based programs, per se.</p>

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<p>Thanks EmsDad! Great quotes-- I appreciate you compiling them and posting the link. I love the athletic coach saying-- how true is that! </p>

<p>So, (in addition to having the necessary MT skills) I guess I need to make sure that S is personable and approachable during auditions and has a great rapport w/the auditors.</p>

<p>Almost makes me wonder if having TOO much listed on the resume is a bad thing (??)</p>

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<p>I got to sit in with a group this summer at a session with one of the program directors of a very good MT program. Here’s what he said about this topic. The audition is all important, and they are judging you from the moment you walk into the room, how you interact with the accoompianist, how you say hello to the auditioners, whether you thank people for the opportunity, whether you have materials put together the way they asked for them on their web site so it’s easy for them and the accompianist to follow things, etc. They are going to interview hundreds of kids for a few spots; they’ll find talent. What they also need is to have kids that they know they can work with for 4 years, that won’t be problem children. And the other thing he emphasized is grades. They need kids that can absorb and process info quickly. And they have a number of kids who have talent but if they don’t have the minimum grades for acceptance he simply can’t get them into the program. In fact the first thing he said to the kids was to get their grades and test scores up there.</p>

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<p>@SU88BFA - I think it is easily possible to have too much on a resume, for the simple reasons that: (1) “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind,” i.e., it is possible to completely wash out important things by mixing it in with fairly trivial stuff; and (2) resume readers see these lists ad infinitum and would probably much prefer to just see the important stuff. Some of other possible problems are noted in the quotes in Post #2. </p>

<p>I have seen several recommendations from pros that say, basically, “its about the quality, not the quantity.”</p>

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<p>Can I just say that EmsDad, you 'da man when it comes to searching and complining in CC land. Very nice of you to pull this data together for the OP.</p>

<p>SU88BFA I think you are on to something to consider: “I guess I need to make sure that S is personable and approachable during auditions and has a great rapport w/the auditors.” Not every audition experience allows enough time for your personality to shine through but for those that do, being able to convey that “hey, I AM someone you’d enjoy spending the next 4 years with” could tip the scales in his favor. I have no way of knowing if it was talent or personality (or test scores, grades, references or a drought of tall red headed sopranos) but every audition that my daughter had last year where she felt she had the chance to talk enough to the auditors to show her personality and make those personal connections, she got in.</p>