Does anyone have information about the University of Indiana Bloomington MT program? Im having a hard time finding much online (aside from the University’s website). We’re from Los Angeles and finances are tight, trying to figure out if we can make the trip to audition in February. Would love to know what the reputation of the program is. Maybe connect with a student in the program now to ask questions. Has anyone heard anything? Any insight would really help. Thanks so much!
It’s a good program, beautiful campus, and the nicest people ever. When my D auditioned there, the students in the program were so genuinely nice, supportive and friendly…it was the most fun audition for me (as a parent). 
Seriously, I was VERY impressed with the facilities and the people…really, really impressed.
Thanks so much for your response. Did your D audition recently or in the past? Did she choose to attend the program?
IU has an excellent program. S was accepted there two years ago and visited a couple times, including a day sitting in on classes. At that time I think they were looking to take something like a dozen students. Their emphasis is on developing the “complete” artist - one who recognizes his/her own unique strengths and uses them to the best of his/her abilities. They also want students to be “creators” - not just performers. Academically they are little more rigorous than some other BFA programs and have more inclusive Liberal Arts expectations and requirements. Students are encouraged to pursue minors and even double major (taking extra time) There is some crossover with IU’s excellent Jacobs School of Music. All productions are open to ALL students in the university and MTs can be in operas and non-theater majors can be in MainStage musicals/plays. When S was auditioning, Robby Benson had recently been hired to head the film department and there were plans to build a closer relationship between Film and Theater departments. The Dance department had also recently moved from the “Phys Ed” department to the Theater department, so there were some exciting changes taking place.
IU was on S’s short list - in the top three after some of the “top tier” programs fell several notches based on audition experiences, but ultimately finances played a HUGE role in the final decision. Be aware that IU’s top merit scholarship for out-of-state students does not even cover the OOS differential - which is enormous compared to other state schools. (IU does have a more generous VERY competitive “competitive” merit scholarship, but the deadline for applying may have already passed). At least when S auditioned, the MT/Theater program did not have large amounts of money to spread around for talent based scholarships. S received a modest talent scholarship, but even stacked with the top merit scholarship it did not cover OOS state tuition hike, let alone make it affordable (We are middle class with two kids in college at the time and did not qualify for needs based aid other than loans). I believe that it due to these financial realities that IU has a reputation for being a “regional” MT program". The program is excellent, if you can afford it. I think the MT/Theater department folks at IU was aware of this hurdle and perhaps things have changed. S has a few friends who have gone there and loved it. One female 2014(??) graduate we know is doing very well in NYC. We might be able to hook you up with a current/recent student if you PM your particulars.
Thanks so much @mom4bwayboy! Money is a huge issue for us and if they dont offer a lot of aid, im afraid it may not be possible to consider them. I’d love to have my D put in touch with a student though so she can get more detailed info, i’ll send along a PM to you now.
@rittlette - our experience was very similar to @mom4bwayboy - D was accepted, the program made her short list - we did a post acceptance campus visit and she fell even more in love - hoped we could play the “We’d love to come to your school, but need more financial assistance” (She did qualify for their top merit scholarship - but as @mom4bwayboy states - it doesn’t even cover the differential) and while they did offer a little more money - it was barely a drop in the bucket. We were looking for them to eliminate the IS/OOS differential - and they were honest and said that they just don’t have the $$ to do that. It was a sad day at our house when Dad and I told D that financially we couldn’t swing IU.
It sounds like we too will have to pass. Its so hard to take any school off the list but I can’t bear to have her accepted only to have to make the same decision as you both. So appreciate your help!
@rittlette, no my D goes to Ithaca. She was WL at IU.
Thank you @monkey13. My D is auditioning at Ithaca too, how does she like the program?
@rittlette, she ADORES it. She is a junior, getting ready to head to London for the semester! (Most of the MTs go to London 2nd semester of their junior year…acting majors go 1st semester junior year). The growth I have seen in her is absolutely incredible. It was the best choice ever.
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Great to hear. My D is auditioning at Ithaca as well for MT and really loved the school when we visited there in the fall.
@CTDramaMom, we know each other from PARF’s Theatre Notes, I believe…feel free to reach out to me there about Ithaca or anything else (I don’t think you have enough posts to PM anyone on CC yet). For my D, Ithaca was love at first sight…but we both really liked the vibe at IU (and the talk that George Pinney and the Voice director at the time (I forgot his name, but I believe they have someone new now…? I could be wrong.).
My advice to those of you trying to decide between the many wonderful programs out there is this: don’t forget the acting. Some of these programs have one (1) acting professor (or very few). Acting does get short shrift in some of the programs. My personal opinion (yes, it is JUST one person’s opinion) is that there are many places where your child can improve their voice and their dance. But if they are not incredible actors, they’re in trouble. As one of the professors at Ithaca told the parents several years ago, “There are a lot of kids who can sing and dance beautifully. But there are far fewer who can act beautifully while singing and dancing beautifully.” That is what you want. Again, IMHO. Check out the faculty. Ask questions when you are on campus auditioning. See shows. We saw one production while on campus auditioning (I will not mention the school’s name) where the show was like a mediocre high school production. It was a mainstage production for the MT department, and it was filled with juniors and seniors. I understand that you cannot judge a program solely on one show, b/c it is, after all, an educational facility where the professors cast not just the best person for the part, but b/c of seniority, b/c they want to see if a particular student can stretch and do something outside their comfort zone, etc. BUT, when you see students across the board in a single performance who cannot act, or are singing unhealthily, there is something wrong.So, do your research, go with your gut, but don’t forget the acting. IMHO.
^^ Hear, Hear @monkey13 ! The head of one tippy top program is famous for saying something to the effect that, “you can have a musical with performers that can’t act. You can have a musical with performers that can’t dance. But you can’t have a musical with performers that can’t sing.” While is some instances of outstanding singers, that may be true, I would totally disagree that in this day and age that’s good “advice” for any young performer in training. That sentiment was a big turn-off for S. During his audition year, we happened to see two back-to-back productions of Les Mis at the aforementioned program and another program known for it’s acting emphasis. The story is much more engaging if the audience can “believe” what the performers are singing - otherwise, it might as well be a concert. Strong acting will give performers the greatest range of career options and longevity in the field. This is even becoming a controversial issue for VP wannabes. Look for a program with a strong acting component.
I have to respectfully disagree with that head of the tippy top program…you can put on a musical with performers who can’t sing or dance or act…but that doesn’t mean it’s any good. I have seen musicals with wonderful singing but the acting sucked and it was a horrible show. The singing does NOT save the show just because the singing is good…i.e.… the televised version of The Sound of Music is a perfect example. ugh
How is IU’s acting (not MT) program? I know it’s not an auditon program. DD got accepted with merits and that’s her safety school.
Be careful if you do go – my D fell in love with that campus, the school, it is absolutely gorgeous! We did not pass PS so we do not need to face the financial dilema, but everything stated above is very true. IU is not known as a school that gives a lot of money and it is super super expensive for OOS.
I don’t know how the quality of IU’s Acting program compares, but I do know that acting majors and other BAs are often cast in lead and supporting roles in the musicals. I think IU also has MFA and playwriting programs, so there are all kinds of opportunities to work in self-produced and student-run productions/workshops. Yes, the campus is gorgeous and Bloomington is an ideal college town. Lots to love.
I think typically audiences have a pretty high tolerance for what experts would consider “bad acting.” For example, after seeing a production, sometimes I will hear complaints about people not staying in character when they aren’t the focus, or not doing much with their faces when they are, and I am surprised because I don’t usually notice those things as long as they have expressive voices and I can hear what they’re saying (good projection).
So my point is that a lot of kids might not realize that they have a lot to learn in the acting realm.