<p>Hi guys! I'm a current junior and will be going through unifieds just like many of you, or your kids, have. After reading around here it seems like a professional audition coach is the best way to go. I've found Mary Anna and MTCA's kids have gotten the most results. Can anyone offer any insight on these coaching programs? Trying to decide between the two. My family is supportive of hiring a coach, as we want me to have the best shot at getting into a BFA; knowing the competitive nature of it all. If any of you could give some more insight on the different coaching styles that would be great! Thank you so much</p>
<p>I used MTCA and thought it was really helpful, I would definitely recommend it. PM me and I can go into specifics and I can answer some questions. </p>
<p>You might also consider Dave Clemmons. I know someone who worked with him this year and was very happy with the experience. His Facebook page lists the acceptances for this year.</p>
<p>Depending on where you live, you may find local theater professionals who would be able to assist you also. </p>
<p>We used Mary Anna Dennard (Moo) and could not have been more pleased. You can check out her website at college audition coach dot com to see where this year’s class was accepted/will be attending.
I think all of the suggestions you’ve gotten are good ones. There are a number of great coaches. I would recommend you talk to each and see which one fits you best personally. Although there are lots of great local instructors, when it comes to college auditions, I would stick with coaches who are very experienced with the current college audition process. It is an unusual process and finding someone to help you navigate it is a great course of action.</p>
<p>Where are you from? Lisbeth Bartlett in Philly was recommended to my daughter by a couple of CC posters and was fabulous help. I know now of a total of 4 kids of CC posters who used her and all had great success. </p>
<p>I’d second ActingDad. My son used Lisbeth Bartlett. Her results are excellent, and her prices are reasonable. She does Skype as well, so would be available long distance if needed. </p>
<p>I don’t know Lisbeth Bartlett personally but we have several mutual friends and she is well-respected and well-recommended in the Philly theatre community. She’s amazingly talented herself, and has extensive experience teaching, as well as degrees from Northwestern, Tisch and Sarah Lawrence.</p>
<p>We went with MTCA and were extremely happy with them. While comparing services, there are many things that sets MTCA apart, but for these purposes I think one noteworthy point is that they have several highly qualified coaches on their team. Ellen Lettrich, the founder and director, meets with your son or daughter (we used Skype with great success) and determines which coach would be the best fit for your kiddo . . . she has great instincts about these pairings. As a teacher myself, I know how important that personal connection is with my students and MTCA’s variety of coaches will allow your family to find the best fit. </p>
<p>And remember, you might find people willing to help you that aren’t “coaches”. You don’t need to pay someone (but how nice of your parents to support you and offer to do so!). You could call your local community theatre to see if someone would be willing to watch your monologues. Yes - professional coaches are wonderful, but not necessary. Lots of kids do fine without a coach, or with just a few pointers from some theatre professionals. I don’t want you to feel you NEED to use a coach. I know when I first started to read through the posts here, I freaked that maybe my S was so far behind all the kids who had coaching, etc., and it turned out he wasn’t. Nor were a few of his friends, who all ended up in fantastic programs without hiring a private coach. He did attend a summer theatre program that help with his monologue selections, and gave him pointers, but he didn’t have private coaching.</p>
<p>I think @Marbleheader has a great point . . . with a caveat: If you and your family are sure that the artists/theatre professionals in the community have a real pulse on what colleges and programs are looking for, then absolutely, use their expertise! However, unless your family has been down this BFA route before, you all “don’t know what you don’t know!” Frankly, after having gone through this before, I wouldn’t even consider doing it without a coach; especially if I had a daughter! (I know that boy to girl ratio is a little better for acting auditions vs. musical theatre auditions, but still, there are lots more girls auditioning, which of course means that there’s more competition for those female freshmen spots. I know from your username that you’re a “dude,” but there are others who will read this post.) Best wishes!</p>
<p>^^ Good point, kksmom5. And, man, we really “didn’t know what we didn’t know” going into this. So, yes, a coach is helpful to show you the process of college auditions, as well as the acting/monologue help. I feel, though, that you have support from your parents, and if they will help you with the whole logistics of the audition process, they may also start to see the costs involved - planes, hotels, registration fees, audition fees, vacation time used, etc. - and decide that money spent on a coach (which can also be pricey) is better spent elsewhere. Regardless - exciting time for you! We will watch your progress over the next few years!</p>
<p>Chiming in-- my daughter also used Lisbeth Bartlett, whom we learned about from another CC parent. In addition to being a great coach, she was incredibly supportive throughout the audition process. </p>
<p>Since people are talking about Lisbeth Bartlett, I’ll add another rave. My son had some performance experience but didn’t have much training going into his audition year (no summer programs, no performing arts high school) and Lisbeth provided exactly the boost he needed. </p>
<p>We had help from MTCA and my daughter had an amazing coach. I think that live session are really needed though. So, if you live close to NYC, then I would definitely advise you to go with MTCA. </p>
<p>I also agree with the parents here, without an audition coach my daughter would probably not get into a BFA. Thanks to CC we did that timely!</p>
<p>My boys used Moo for monologue coaching and we are big fans!</p>
<p>Sounds like Moo, MTCA and Lisbeth are all really good…can anyone give insight into who might be most affordable?
My D has awesome coaches here to work on quality of her pieces, but want help on the overall process of the college audition…and I’m sure I don’t know what I don’t know! Thanks-btw this is my first post :-)</p>
<p>pursuethedream, honestly, I’d suggest you contact each directly and ask about prices. Each one approaches things differently. Some have contracts, some don’t. If price is a consideration - as it is for most people - then you can ‘shop around’ and ask. Good luck.</p>
<p>Chiming in…I’m from Swampscott, so I am glad to hear good thoughts from Marbleheader (inside joke),. In the MidWest, you might try Megan Case at College Bound in Kansas City. She has been helpful matching kids to programs…as all of the good coaches tend to do. The path to finding a good school is curious and there are a lot of very good programs available…the campus visit, when appropriate and affordable, will be a valuable asset in the decision making process. FYI the Unifieds in New York and Los Angeles are far less crowded than Chicago. Same schools, different locations. Coaches are, indeed, very helpful, but they cannot guarantee admission. It will still be up to your S or D.</p>