Any opinions on Kent State’s MT program?
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A friend has a daughter there who’s roommate is in the MT program there, says she turned down CCM to be at Kent State.
From what I heard, they are a good program with their own professional theater (Porthouse Theater)
My D is really considering this for one of her schools, but we don’t know much about it’s reputation in the MT world, it’s also not in the MT School subcategory of this forum.
Also heard they have 100 auditionees/ 20 accepted (per year), My D will be auditioning Feb. 28
I grew up not far from Kent- and saw many shows at Porthouse (a wonderful outdoor theater- their shows are a mix of professional and college, students- or at least they were then). Kent is more of a regional draw (which may explain why it is not in the subcategory schools. I have known lots of from my D’s PA schoolwho had it on their lists, and have been accepted. (Though all chose to attend other schools). After your daughter auditions you can come back and tell us more about it!
To be honest-- I nothing about the Kent State MT program. But-- My husband saw their senior showcase last April in NYC. (Kent State and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland “share” their showcase.) He was very impressed with the Kent State students-- Their music/repertoire presented was more along the traditional “standard” MT shows, but he said that the talent was very good. (There were 1-2 kids that really stood out.) Granted, hubby is not an agent, or talent scout-- just a parent of an MT kid-- but he walked away with a good impression.
Kent State is a phenomenal program. The kids have incredible voices and usually come out fairly well rounded (actor/singer/dancers). Porthouse is an incredibly well respected SPT Summer Stock.
Alice Ripley went there, as well as a slew of notable alumni.
They also have an MFA Actors who fill out older roles in their plays/musicals - something that I think works well for young BFAs.
I would put Kent State into the same category as a Shenandoah, Ball State, or NKU. Really strong programs.
If I’m remembering right, last year someone posted a really nice review of their experience at Kent State’s audition/visit on the “audition day review” thread. Again from memory, I believe the director of the program said something along the lines of “other programs may get those who are already butterflies. Our students may be caterpillars that just need a little more time to realize they are also butterflies”. I hope I didn’t misattribute that, but it really stuck with me as “proof” that there are many “overlooked gems” out there. That which is shiny is not always gold. And sometimes the gold is hiding in plain sight. S has some HS classmates in Kent State’s program. They are very happy they “found” it.
The other thing about Kent’s program is that Terri Kent (ironically, the name of the BFA MT head) is loyal to the DEATH with her kids. They fill out most of Porthouse’s non-Equity cast. So many MT’s leave with 25-35 EMC points.
If I am not mistake I think they also take alot of their BFAs back to be MFAs if they want. (Don’t quote me on this, though I know of one or two who have done this.)
They also have a unique MFA for returning professionals that is only two years. Thus, you can get your degree with someone like Ken Howard doing plays at school with you.
My D auditioned there last year and I heard the butterfly quote (I might have posted it, don’t remember). We saw one show and it was good. She & I also did a visit where we attended some classes. My D didn’t wind up going there, but it looks like a good program to me and I would have had no concerns with the department if she had chosen it.
I saw some of the Kent BFA kids perform at various local theaters last summer and was impressed! I got to chat with one gentlemen (a junior this year) over the course of a run; he says he loves the program and its professors. In line with the butterfly/caterpillar analogy, he admitted to being a late bloomer and not really “finding his voice” (his words) until college.
I know a student who currently goes there and loves it. I have two younger brothers who went there for different majors but absolutely loved the experience. I cannot believe the changes to that town in the last six years, it has really grown into a very cool place.
Our oldest daughter is currently a junior in the program and LOVES it. (Our second daughter is a freshman MT at Otterbein…so there is much to compare .) Our daughter’s voice has improved dramatically (her voice was strong at the start…but now she can blow the doors off, and has added many vocal styles to her repertoire in addition to expanding her range). She has had opportunity to perform in some capacity in each of her years: from chorus to lead roles. The comparison to Ball State is probably a good one…as we are familiar with both programs. The faculty seems to be “straight shooting” and will speak with your child honestly about strengths and areas to improve. We think this pragmatic approach is good considering the field they have chosen. As far as criticisms: the dance program is adequate. If your child is a dancer, he/she will maintain their skills, but I’m not sure about expanding them. (There is an opportunity to be a dance minor.) Also, there is an audition process for the SHOWCASE. Again, this is a “real world” approach; but other schools (such as Otterbein, BW and Texas State among others) find a way to take all of their students. In the end, if your student is looking at Ball State, Wright State, Ohio Northern, etc… I believe Kent State bears serious consideration.
PS: In looking over some of the earlier Kent posts…I failed to comment on the number of auditionees. Based on the incoming class for 2012/13 (and the fact that my daughter often assists with auditions), I believe the number of kids auditioning for the program is closer to 300 as opposed to 100.
Anecdotal but - we were at an event in 2008 or 2009 and the cast from the revival of “Hair” was performing. Since my daughter was a junior or senior in HS and was going through the whole process of MT admissions, I spoke to some of them and one interesting thing, I thought, was that one kid graduated from Carnegie Melon, arguably the best MT program in the country, while his castmate graduated from Kent State, both the same year, and each wound up in the same first Broadway role. Back then, it made me think. For what it’s worth.
So true, and I know which actors those were! And especially with that cast which had several actors with no college degree, others from schools like Yale and Steinhardt, and one, who is one of the busiest actors I know, consistently booking good work, who has a business degree from USC. Many shows have a similar mix.
I love stories like that! If you look at the bios for Broadway playbills, for many shows, you see such a wide range of schools that the actors went to.
A friend of my D’s graduated from there last year. The growth and improvement over the four years was fantastic. She’s working and actually took her equity card this summer.
My daughter has been accepted to Kent, Illinois Weslyan, and SUNY Fredonia. Any words of advice? Illinois only takes 8-12 students a year, Kent takes 18-20 and I’m not sure about Fredonia. Thanks.
My advice for Fredonia would be to go to their website and find the link to their handbook. It lays out every detail about the program and you can get a feel for what they expect of you. Also if type of school experience is important, you should know that Fredonia is in a sweet town and when we visited, my sister-in-law who went to school and lived there in the late 80s/early 90s was recognized by a bartender she used to work with–very nice people in Fredonia!) Another interesting piece to Fredonia (although this shouldn’t make your decision for you) is that they’re doing Seussical next spring and it’s being directed (and/or choreographed?) by Jen Cody who is an alum. She was in Seussical on Bway (and has other credits as well). The last piece is that they’re opening a brand new performing arts building in the upcoming school year with new facilities.