<p>Hi... i went through an awful lot of old threads to find information about this, but i couldn't find exactly what i was looking for.</p>
<p>i am now a rising senior, so i will be applying/auditioning for colleges next year. my problem is that i HAVE read through many threads on this site and have scared myself silly... while i know that i am gifted in MT, and I do have that unexplainable drive--no, NEED--to pursue it, i have this fear that MT programs next fall are going to find me "unqualified" based on the training and experience that i have read is readily available on the resumes of the rest of the "up-and-coming"... </p>
<p>i did not discover my love for theatre utill i was a HS freshman, and my love for MUSICAL theatre did not develop untill the NEXT year. You see, as a result my resume is a rather limited one... my longest period of training by the time i audition next year will be 3 yrs of voice. and as far as production experience, I will have (at most) 2 musicals, and 4 to 5 straight plays. now, there is other training on my resume (in dance and acting), but, again, it is limited in length...</p>
<p>If you look carefully through this site you will find many kids who discovered their passion for MT relatively recently and do not have the strong resume that some others do. It is not the resume that will get a person in, but the skills and potential skill. And by the way, you probably have more experience that some others have. </p>
<p>So go for it...</p>
<p>My daughter will be a senior, too, so maybe we will see you on the "audition circuit." Of course this process will have its ups and downs for all of us. </p>
<p>Our d, who is also a rising senior, has taken dance for many years but only started doing shows this past year. She has attended the "academic" rather than the "arts oriented" magnet school in our county since third grade...we don't feel she will suffer from her "limited" stage experience. NYtheatermom speaks the truth...and that has been reinforced from our conversations with the "powers that be" at all of the MT schools we visited during our d's Spring Break. We will be looking for you and NYtheatermom's d on the "circuit" this coming year...</p>
<p>Agreed. Your audition--those very few minutes are the most important part of your MT application. Some programs also put more emphasis on your academic resume than others. My son has a classmate who was accepted to Emerson and Ithaca with very, very little MT experience and no private lessons (using my son's routines which he taught him!) So it can very well happen.</p>
<p>I believe that the resume is very unimportant for the college audition process. Your audition, sometimes supplemented by essays, grades, and test scores, will be what matters. They want people who are willing to work hard and make a committment to the program. My son has an extensive resume (which I think will NOT help much at all in the college's consideration), but we're trying to make sure he beefs up training in all areas in preparation for the auditions.</p>
<p>that belle - I tried to find for you, and couldn't, a recent post by theatermom - whose daughter is at the top of my idol list - she attends U Michigan, one of our very favorite programs and one that is very selective in admissions. Her mom wrote about the limited resume she had from HS. You'll just be the next one of those!</p>
<p>Almost all of you on this thread will be auditioning with us next year! Looking forward to meeting you. We'll be auditioning for 10 or more places. I'm planning to wear an American flag lapel pin to be identified by you all, and I may tie a red ribbon to my backpack - unless you all have a better way for CC people to know each other at auditions. We may not post our specific audition dates and schools because this forum is such public information, but please look for us in fall and in winter.</p>
<p>"I believe that the resume is very unimportant for the college audition process. Your audition, sometimes supplemented by essays, grades, and test scores, will be what matters. They want people who are willing to work hard and make a committment to the program"</p>
<p>I agree, although in talking with several college theater administrators over the last couple of weeks, I'm getting the impression that whether or not a student is chosen depends mostly on whether that student "fits" in with a particular college's program and will be an asset to those already there. Auditions are important, of course, but not so important as to get overly stressed over them. The student can only do their research about a particular school, adjust their audition for THAT school, and go from there. One administrator told me flat out that the audition is a part of acceptance, and not always a BIG part. He's seen extremely talented kids who he hasn't chosen because the "fit" wasn't there. Also, you have to look at the college's upcoming season. If a particular school is doing a lot of "belty" musicals and your child is a lyric soprano, for instance, and the department already has a few lyric sopranos, they will be looking at the belters. In some cases, some of these more lyric students have been referred for music department auditions to pursue a BM in Vocal Performance. It just depends.</p>
<p>My daughter is a junior and about to start all of this auditioning. After reading a LOT of CC and talking with administrators, I've come to the conclusion that she's going to have to audition for several schools and hope that somewhere the fit "fits". If not, she'll have to go another route to her dreams.</p>
<p>Laura--No worries. Don't let "second thoughts" grind you down. I know enough about you to know that you have the passion and the drive and the talent, so just go after it with that passion and drive and stay confident. Staying confident is what will get you what you want.</p>
<p>the one tip i'll throw in is to audition at a number of schools. talent isn't the deciding factor. and let me explain that. talent is the most important factor, generally speaking, but all the top talent can't get in because of the limited slots. so, just don't be naive and think talent will get you in. it's necessary, but it's a numbers game too. be sure you audition at enough schools to let those numbers fall in your favor. one thing i always anyone competing is to pretend you didn't "win" and look back on the experience and say, what would i do differently. then, do those things in the beginning. don't leave anything to chance. prepare like your career is on the line. pick the right songs. get the right coach. and practice, practice, practice. videotape yourself. i don't mean to sound negative, but if you don't get what you want, you'll look back and wonder what you should have done. if this sounds like the voice of experience, it is. and i agree, the resume is not the thing. make it as good as you can and there are lots of little ways to make it seem more impressive, but it's that live audition that will get you in. good luck.</p>
<p>"but it's that live audition that will get you in."</p>
<p>Your post seems a little contradictory to me. First you say that talent isn't the deciding factor, and then you say the above. If you give a good audition, doesn't that prove talent?</p>
<p>I still hold to my previous post, however, in that the "fit" is what is the deciding factor, and that is based on my personal discussions with "those in the know".</p>
<p>What a great topic. Let me speak from the administrative side. There are numerous students who have a short span of MT experience and training and do get accepted into MT programs...some at major MT schools. You have already done a fair amount of training which is great. That is something top schools do look for. Do not worry about your resume. A resume will not get you accepted into a school. Experience will help polish you, but it will not get you an automatic acceptance.</p>
<p>I must disagree with you, Razor. While schools are not looking for a super trained and refined student (why would they be going to school), talent does come into consideration for acceptance and, more importantly, for scholarships. A student should demonstrate an ability to perform in their field and show that they have the potential to be developed. Would we pick a student who demonstrates excellent talent who may be border line in academics? Yes. Sure, there are only a limited number of slots open for each MT class and some of the most talented may not be admitted. If that happnes, it is most likely due to specific needs of the program (need more men or women, altos, more tenors). Talent is not the overriding factor for acceptance, but we certainly would not discount it. Talented students will always be recognized sooner or later and most often will be accepted into at least one of the top schools of their choice.</p>
<p>Belle, I highly recommend you begin your school search now (and that goes for anyone else!). In fact, students should begin their school search their sophomore year. Be in touch with schools now when there is little activity on campus due to summer. Talk to the directors, deans and financial aid people. Most importantly, if possible, visit the schools. I know that can be expensive. I would recommend you do this in a family vacation context. Visits will give you and idea of what you should look for in a MT program. It will give you the opportunity to meet MT administration and become familiar with what they need and are looking for. If the school is organized, it will have a campus visit department that will fully book your visit.</p>
<p>thank you all so much for your encouraging, thoughtful, and informative responses! it's not like me to second guess myself like that--guess i panicked. thanks for the affirmation.</p>
<p>Laura</p>
<p>PS. I do hope that i see a lot of you all (and/or your corresponding children) on the "audition circuit" this fall/winter... can't wait! best wishes to everyone.</p>