I Didn't Get Into any musical theater programs. Now what? What does one do?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>Hey, you people should have let me know you were discussing my specialty!</p>

<p>For this year's auditioners, I was very active two years ago as my daughter went through the audition process -- and ended out with five rejection letters. Her world was falling apart about the same time as the High School musical and a major dance competition, a new boyfriend, and all her friends having places to go. At one point, she announced that she didn't want an Open House because what's the point. Nobody wanted her.</p>

<p>Towards the end of March, someone on this board mentioned a small college in Illinois. Right about the same time, her French teacher mentioned the same exact college. The symphony director here in town had sent his daughter to that college, and was happy with it.</p>

<p>Daughter is now a sophomore at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. She is majoring in Musical Theater with a minor in Dance. And is very happy. </p>

<p>Millikin is not a top-tier MT college. It is not considered highly selective. But she says she is learning a lot. The teachers are great, and really care about their students. I asked her if she wanted to re-audition at some of the "biggies" again, and she didn't want to. Not even Point Park, which is in the same town as Boyfriend.</p>

<p>So what I am trying to say is, while it hurts, and it does hurt a lot, it's not the end of the world. Or the end of your career. If you don’t make it into a major MT school, there are hundreds of small schools that will give you a great education.</p>

<p>Someone in this forum once said that if you aren't accepted into a top college, you don't have the talent to make it professionally. Maybe that's true. But maybe it isn't. My daughter wasn't ready to give up on her dream just because five colleges didn't want her. There's a whole world out there.</p>

<p>As Jimmy V said, don't give up. Don't every give up.</p>

<p>Peg</p>

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<p>Peggy- I think those are beautiful words to accompany us all as we wait for the mailman. Thank you.</p>

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<p>Hi Peggy,
I think I may have been (ahem, looks down at feet) the one who mentioned Millikin to you when you and your D were in a bit of panic. Anyway, I"m so glad it has worked out for her.</p>

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<p>when schools are auditioning 500 and taking 8, you could be the biggest star on broadway and not get in. part of it is just the numbers. there is simply more talent than spots. you know there are more than 8 terrifically talented kids. but, only 8 will be chosen, leaving the rest to think they weren't good enough. and we all know that just isn't true. peggy, i'm so proud of you and your daughter. and i believe it's people like her who will persevere and succeed. the discussions on this forum really focus on the biggies and that's what many kids want. but there are hundreds of kids who don't necessarily want that and still go to wonderful schools and get absolutely top rate training. the people posting on this forum are just a few compared to all those pursuing this dream.</p>

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<p>There are two examples that stick in my mind. First, there is a gal here in town that is very active in Community Theater. She does a lot of directing, and is very well thought of. She went to CMU in either theater or voice (I don't remember which). But she made her living selling insurance because she couldn’t' make enough money to support herself in theater.</p>

<p>Then there is a friend's nephew who is (was?) touring professionally with touring companies. He got his degree from Central Michigan University.</p>

<p>I am sure there are more details to both situations that I don't know about. I don’t know either of these people personally. But to me, it says that a big name college is no guarantee of success. And a smaller-name college is no guarantee of failure.</p>

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<p>DefyingGravity04 -- I want to compliment you. Two years ago this time, things were very strained between my daughter and I. The fact that we were spending 8 hours a week together in the car didn't help. Throw in a boyfriend, rejection letters and her being SO ready to be on her own. It was rough time in our lives. </p>

<p>There is no way in the world she and I could have had a talk about "what happens if you don't get accepted anywhere". She would have seen it as me having a lack of faith in her. She would not have understood the simple numbers aspect of it, let alone maybe she wasn't quit good enough.</p>

<p>I am impressed that you are level-headed enough to realize it is a distinct possibility. And that you and your Mom are close enough that she can ask that.</p>

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<p>...and of the 8, they would like 4 girls, 4 boys...and so on!!! Yes, the numbers are mindboggling! Then you actually go to these auditions and see and HEAR the numbers! You really wonder how they ever pick...but they do. And those who receive the "rejection" letter feel as if they are not good enough. Here are my feelings, for what they are worth. My d has been finished with the audition phase for three weeks now...phew. She has received one acceptance (to one of her very top picks!) and one "rejection" (not a top pick...) so, I feel she is doing great. She applied/audioned to 7 of the top schools...the most competitive. She arranged her schedule, gathered information, put together folders for each audition, prepared for each audition while still keeping grades up, taking hours of lessons per week, participating in scholarship programs and other pageants. Oh, yes, and filling out the actual applications (with essays) for these schools! Here is the thing...all of you did the same amazingly demanding thing! You see, I feel that if the typical, average student had to do what you have all done to be considered for a spot that only 8, or 12, or 16 will get, well, I feel there would not be too many applications going through the system. I am so very proud of my d!! You have all accomplished something that is truly worthy of praise! If, by chance, these schools do not choose you, it is not because you are not wanted or not talented...you KNOW you are! You have to have that in you, that spirit and passion...and talent to even get through the process. Believe me, we know it is hard...we (my d, but we were all emotionally involved) had a terrible blow to her this year. After the hurt healed some, she said..."mom, this has made me a stronger person". Things happen for a reason...we do not know why, and we may not know why for a very long time. Please, follow your dreams! You are all amazing young people..."never, ever give up"!!!!</p>

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<p>Peggy,
Great point! After all...are all Harvard, or Yale, or Brown, ect...grads at the top of their game? I really doubt it. Schools will train you, and may open some doors upon graduating, but then it is up to you and...hmmm...should I say fate?!<br>
Best of the best wishes to all...and always shoot for that moon!!!! (you are already among stars!)</p>

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<p>This is truly a wonderful discussion, and I commend DefyingGravity04 for initiating it. It was a brave thing to do, because I would be willing to bet money (if I were a bettin' woman! :)) that the title of this thread is the question that is in the back of the mind of every student who is auditioning for or contemplating auditioning for a MT program.
I also love notfromme's comment about not every person who graduates from Harvard, Princeton or Yale (or the other Ivies) being always the cream of the crop or on top of their game. Of course they aren't, just as people graduating from a college or university that most people haven't heard of are not destined to live a second class life, toiling in obscurity! That's just nonsense. An energetic, talented student can get a good, solid education and experience in most places, if he or she sets her mind to it. Of course, in this "brand name" conscious world, it must be tougher than ever for a student to face the reality that he or she has been rejected (hey, I am sure that's how it feels) by the "name brand" programs, such as CCM, CMU, NYU, etc. and has to 'settle' for the one that takes him or her. But as someone else here said, if you check in a year later with a kid who 'settled,' you will likely find a happy, well adjusted kid who loves his or her program and is getting good training.
L</p>

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<p>If ever there was a story of determination, it is that of my daughter's. I am sharing it in the hopes that some of you will be inspired to travel as many paths as you can to achieve your dream. Although my d is currently a senior MT at CMU, it was a long road. Her high school had an impressive post grad center, but the staff knew nothing about MT, the audition process, and the selectivity. She auditioned for Mich, CMU, CCM, and Ithaca and was rejected to all four. She worked through her depression, enrolled in a state college MT program, but remained determined to get accepted to a outstanding MT program. She began the application/audition process all over again- this time as a transfer student. At first my husband and I were reticient, but given her talent, drive, and passion for theater, we quickly agreed to support her efforts. She lengthened her original list of schools adding BoCo, Webster, Emerson, Miami, and FSU, but her first choice remained CMU. She auditioned at the Unifieds in Chicage for most of them and flew to Florida for the remaining two. When she learned in March that she was waitlisted for CMU she was thrilled, but not too hopeful. The acceptance letter arrived the first week in June and boy, did the tears flow! She is leaving for NYC this weekend to perform in the Senior Showcase, after having the lead her junior year (Cunegonde in Candide) and playing Hope in Urinetown this year (which was cast and directed by John Carrafa, the orginal choreographer from the Broadway show). Right now, life couldn't be better.
But it wasn't always like this. There were difficult days as she struggled with rejection, wondering if she was good enough, if she would ever reach her dream. Along the way she has learned valuable lessons of determination, struggle, and self esteem. My heart breaks when I read posts from students who question their talent, their worth. As so many people have said in these posts, there are numerous schools that may be right for you. My d was rejected to all her choices the first time and accepted to CMU, BoCo, Webster, Emerson, Miami (B.A.), and Mich (voice performance) the second time around. Who knows why? What a school is looking for one year may not be what they need the next year. (i.e. You can have only so many short, blondes females in a program.) So if MT is your passion, try as many avenues as you can: audition and re-audition, consider many different schools representling different levels of selectivity, choose the perfect audition outfit, take months selecting the right song and then "be that song." CoachC said it so perfectly in her "Audition Songs" posting yesterday.
In my d's bedroom at home is a framed card that says, "Never, never, never give up." She didn't. And you shouldn't either.</p>

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<p>CMUJohanna's mom,</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your beautiful post. I'm sure it is much needed salve for many readers. Your D's story is inspiring. I applaud her courage and stick-to-it-tiveness. I'm sure she'll go far. I wish her the best of luck as she heads to NYC for the senior showcase.</p>

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<p>CMUJohanna's mom,
Your message has inspired me to finally join in on the discussion. We are having a very hard week, because the first rejection arrived and I didn't realize how hard it would be on the whole family. No matter how much we thought we had prepared ourselves, it still took us by surprise. Emotions are running high, tempers are flaring. I want to be as supportive as I can, but somehow this one darn letter has changed the whole dynamic. I will take your words of support to heart and, at some point, share them with my D. Thank you so much.</p>

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<p>CMUJohanna's mom,</p>

<p>I too applaud your daughter's perseverance and success. Brava to her and to you, her parents, for supporting her in this venture. I'm very glad you shared her story.</p>

<p>One question which I am guessing will come up - was she accepted into CMU (and the other programs as well) as a transfer into the sophomore class or was she required to enter with the incoming freshmen class? I know of several people who post here who have children who have been or will be in this position for whom your answer will have great significance.</p>

<p>Thanks again and break a leg to your daughter in NYC this weekend. How thrilling!!</p>

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<p>CMUJohanna's mom....your post is terrific and I am so grateful you posted it. There is nothing like a real story, a real experience, to bring that point home, rather than just telling kids this message in prose. Your D did persevere and it is very obvious that a BFA rejection is not a statement of talent or worth. Your D's drive kept her on her path and look what happened! A success story! I hope we see her on Broadway soon! I viewed a clip of her online last night and she is amazingly talented and I bet will go far. Your message to not give up no matter the setbacks has come at a good time for this year's seniors/hopefuls. I hope they read your D's story and take it to heart. This field will involve many obstacles, no's, and setbacks, and college admissions to a BFA program is just one of these. Drive and determination and hard work can get someone places. Never give up. </p>

<p>Thank you very much for sharing your D's story and much luck to her with the showcase and future casting in the big world!
Susan</p>

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<p>These top-tier college acceptances are like a school’s grade status report – there is plenty of time to change your final grade.</p>

<p>I disagree with the notion that somehow the top-tiered schools are capricious and that kids accepted are no more talented/skilled/motivated than kids not accepted. The truth is a large percentage of the kids at the audition don’t really have a chance to get in because they are not at that level… yet. The kids that are accepted are often accepted at several programs and have shown they are at that college level… not Broadway level.</p>

<p>Moral to the story: If you didn’t get those top-tier acceptances, realize the race is not over, but in fact is only begun. Understand clearly what gifts you have and then make the most of your gifts and opportunities. If you got those top-tier acceptances, then you deserve it; however; it is vital you capitalize on your gifts and opportunities. You also have a long way to go. </p>

<p>(Speaker steps down from soap box, exits stage left)</p>

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<p>One audience member loudly applauds previous post, agreeing completely.</p>

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<p>I've met johanna...twice!</p>

<p>...and she is officially my hero!</p>

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<p>Great stuff, only in America. With hard work and perserverance anyone can succeed at anything, if they want it badly enough! Thanks for sharing the inspirational stories and words.</p>

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<p>I never expected such a response to my post! </p>

<p>Eliza's mom: I know that feeling - you're heartbroken for your d and there's not a thing you can do about it. Mom's are supposed to be able to fix things! Telling her that there are other options doesn't help. It's the embarrassment that they feel that is so devastating. Everyone knows they auditioned; now everyone knows they didn't get in. On top of that, other students (non-theatre) have no idea how competitive it is and you can't tell them because then that sounds like you're making excuses. Time will help - just don't tell her that! And if she is still driven and you feel she really has the talent, encourage to take Johanna's path. </p>

<p>theatremom: CMU requires that any MT students who are accepted must enter as freshman. There are no exceptions that I know of. There was another student in Johanna's class who transferred as a junior from another school and even she entered as a freshman. It happened again this year. 21 year old freshmen! I don't remember the policies from the other schools, because it wasn't an issue for us. </p>

<p>I can say that the training she has received at CMU has provided more than we ever imagined it would. It is a highly demanding, but very nuturing program that gets results. We live far from Pittsburgh, but I have always felt that my d has been taken care of, academically as well as emotionally. Our money has been well spent!</p>

<p>Soozievt: Thank you for the compliments for Johanna. I will pass them on to her as I'm sure she will not be reading these posts. She is busy with last minute details for her trip to NY on Sunday. I too hope to see her on Broadway soon!</p>

<p>ToTheStage: She's my hero too! :)</p>

<p>I'd be happy to answer any questions concerning MT at CMU. I truly wish I had known about this site years ago. It would have been so helpful (and sometimes therapeutic!) to talk to others in the same position. And you can see all the CMU School of Drama seniors (MT and actors) and their resumes at cmushowcase.com. It will give you a better idea of the training, background and skills these students have.</p>

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<p>CMU's rule of making all transfers start as freshman was the reason I didn't audition there this year - I have 75 MT credits, and I am so opposed to the idea of spending another year of my life without performing in musicals (their freshman have to do stagecraft and costume crew for the shows, which I've already done.) I wish they didn't have that requirement, because I so would have liked to try for that school.</p>

<p>I saw Johanna in Urinetown in December - knowing her back-story is just incredible! Good for her!</p>