@birdygirl and other MSMers. Can anyone share a bit more about their S/D experience at MSM MT? MSM was at MARCAS auditions this past weekend, and we were hoping to learn a bit more about this newer program. How is it going with the new head of MT? Any/all insight is appreciated!
My D is definitely interested in hearing more too after being invited to audition while at MARCAS.
We just submitted my D’s application today. Has anyone been able to get scheduled for an audition?
We had emailed them about scheduling the audition back in September and this was their response.
Our on-campus auditions are March 1 through March 8, 2019. We will hold regional auditions in Chicago on February 3-5, and auditions in New York City on January 19 and 20. More information will be released in December about scheduling your audition
This was my daughter’s #1 on paper until we visited. The person doing the tour did not really have much to say about the MT program. I know it is a relatively new program but its obvious MT was an afterthought. We were so underwhelmed and it has sadly been removed from her list. We were however very impressed with the practice rooms and the concert halls were stunning. It is located in the old Julliard which was an interesting fact. Basically, my daughter couldn’t imagine spending 4 years in this small school. I believe the “campus” consisted of two tiny attached buildings. The whole campus was smaller than her high school. Out of all the schools, we have visited this was the biggest disappointment. This was very sad to us as we loved the look and sound of the program on the website.
@dramamama3 Thank you for your posting information regarding your visit. It has been very helpful.
@lithpool Your welcome . ?
Often the people who do the tours are students from other majors who don’t know the new MT program as well. To get a real sense of the program you should sit in on classes and spend time with people in the program. The campus technically has only a couple of buildings but my S sees the whole city as his “school”. The program has a huge amount of talent for such a young program and they get to work with an amazing array of broadway professionals. An urban campus is definitely a different vibe than the usual college experience, but for some it’s the only way to go.
Mom of a junior MSM MT major here. While I’m not at all surprised by dramamama3’s experience, it really only tells a small piece of the story. It is true that MSM does not have a traditional campus, but the entire Morningside Heights neighborhood is their campus and it’s a pretty cool neighborhood in arguably the best city for MT in the world. It is also true that there is some evident ambivalence towards the MT program from the rest of the MSM community. Until three years ago, the school was strictly a music conservatory, and the sudden large presence of these rowdy theater people is not always appreciated. I get the sense that Liza Gennaro, the new head of the program, is making efforts to improve that relationship. But my daughter is very happy at MSM. I will share some of what I shared with another parent by PM last year:
" I am going to be as honest as I can in answering your question. The short answer is that right now my daughter is happy at MSM and she believes she is getting excellent training to prepare her for a career in professional theater or some other area of the arts. That being said, her ride so far has not been without some significant challenges. When I asked her how I should answer you about the “great training”, she said to tell you that they aren’t Carnegie Mellon or Michigan yet, but she thinks they are better than most of the other programs out there. (obviously, she does not have other experiences with which to compare) I would say this: often I wish that her experience was at a more established program. It can be difficult to be trailblazers - these kids are having to make things happen to a large degree for themselves. But what they do have is the advantages of the relationships that they are building with their faculty. They literally have legends in the business on staff: David Loud, Randy Graff, Judith Clurman. If you don’t know who they are, Google them, I promise you will be impressed. Via these relationships, they have incredible opportunities. Various students have performed with the New York Pops and Megan Hilty at Carnegie Hall, have sung in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and performed on Broadway with Kristen Chenowith. Their first main stage production of Nine was incredible. Maury Yeston, the composer, came to the show(I guess he does that a lot if the production is in New York) and told the company that it was among his favorite productions ever, including the Broadway revival. But they are held to a very high standard working with these professionals, and at times it can be very rough on their self confidence. Or at least in has been for my daughter. My hope is that in the end, it will be for the best and she will be a Broadway caliber performer, but it certainly isn’t always easy. There is not a lot of coddling at MSM."
I would still stand by what I wrote last year, but each year things are getting more established for these kids. And my daughter’s confidence is growing.They are working with more and more theater professional in New York and building those relationships. That is one of the biggest advantages at a school like MSM. At least I hope it will be!
@MTmom1216 @rocsocks Thank you for your responses! They too are very helpful, and I’m glad your S/D found their place!
@rocsocks - this school is very high up on my senior’s list. Would you say the culture or environment has changed at all with the new leadership? Thank you for your honest response. I really appreciate your frankness.
I would say yes. But it is still very early in the transition so it is hard to say exactly how much and if the changes are a result of the change in leadership or just a natural progression as the program matures. This year, there has been an early effort to organize summer stock auditions. A1 came to campus for prescreens, which didn’t happen before but this is only year three and when my daughter was a freshman they were discouraged from doing summer stock and there were no upperclassmen, so naturally that wouldn’t have happened(not sure if that is still the case or not for freshmen) Already a casting agent has been in to see the juniors and give them feedback. Another one is scheduled for later this semester. There seems to be more of an effort to help them get exposure. But again, this may have been the plan all along, just to wait until they were upperclassmen. Luis was very approachable for the students, I think Liza may be a bit more of an authority figure. And again, this is just my impression. Some of the students came to the program largely because of Luis, so I am sure this transition has been tough for them. But Liza seems great and very organized and determined to make this a successful program for all of the MT students.
@rocsocks - thank you for your interesting and honest feedback. I am sure it will be helpful to many applicants. Too often people don’t feel comfortable discussing both the ups and downs of a program and ALL programs have drawbacks as well as advantages. I hope your D continues to feel that the training and contacts she’s getting from MSM are well worth the hard work and I hope the school as a whole comes to embrace the MTers more - they may be rowdy, but they’re such fun! 
@birdygirl Hi! My S is considering MSM and decision day is 5 days away. Eeeek! Your daughter would be a sophomore now. Does she still love it? Any input would be valuable. He has narrowed it down to 3 schools but never had the chance to visit MSM outside of his audition. Thanks!
oh dear I just saw this-and its acceptance day! SHE LOVES IT!
I hope he signed the dotted line- if not- well he will shine wherever he goes!