<p>The University of Michigans musical theatre department has recently sprung its way into the ranks of the finest training programs in the country. Similar to CCM, the musical theatre degree program is a collaborative effort between the Acting, Music and Dance departments. Michigan is also known for putting out good singers, as their music school is one of the finest classical voice programs. There are many performance opportunities, which sometimes include premiering new works by musical theatre composers. Another advantage of the school is that it is housed in one of the nations best universities and the environment is absolutely beautiful. Alumni of the program include Todd Buonopane, Gavin Creel, Barrett Foa, Hunter Foster, Alex Gemignani, Danny Gurwin, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Lauren Molina, and others.</p>
<p>A relatively young program, admission to the school for musical theatre is becoming increasingly more competitive year by year, and with that increase comes a highly competitive environment. It is important at any of these programs to maintain your identity and not lose yourself under the pressure of stressful conditions, and a heavy workload.</p>
<p>Matt,</p>
<p>I respect that your posts are meant to reflect your "opinions," but I'm not sure that you have enough real world contacts at UM to make the statement that the environment WITHIN the program is "highly competitive." You've apparently got UM confused with CCM. It is incredibly competitive to be admitted to the UM program, but the culture of the MT program is most definitely collegial, nurturing and supportive. The behavior of MT students at UM is about as far away as you can get from the definition of "diva" (or divo for a man - just learned that!). They are an extremely talented group who recognize that the success of their classmates does not come at the sake of their own. It is never a zero sum game there. As such, they are able to take risks without fear of reprisal of any kind (never has been a cut system at UM - never will be) and the growth they all experience as a result is quite remarkable. And as for the "unhappy" freshman you posted about on the other thread, he was my D's dance partner at the MUNY last summer and as Coach C has suggested, you may have caught him on a difficult day. As far as I know, he's doing just fine. And UM is only "relatively new" if 21 years of turning out top flight MT performers can be defined as new.</p>
<p>Lastly, I think the issue that I have the most problem with in so far as your "Guides" are concerned, is that you seem to want to present the info/your opinions about these schools as if there is some contest to determine the "best" school and in so doing congratulate yourself for having landed at your own, self designated Number #1 program in the country. THERE IS NO CONTEST HERE. If CCM was your dream school and you got in, congratulations to you. However, it is not now your job to "explain" to others the ways in which every other program does not measure up. Others may disagree, but that is the overwhelming feeling I personally get from reading your "Guides."</p>
<p>Okay you people need to lighten up and realize that online forums are for stating opinions. And I would call casting agents for new yorks top agencies perfectly legitimate "real world" contacts. Furthermore, never did I say competitive was a bad thing. </p>
<p>If you don't want to read peoples opinions, stay away from online forums. I am so amazed at all of your inability to take someone's own opinion for what it is - an opionion. I never claimed to be writing the musical theatre bible. </p>
<p>Have you ever considered that I might have picked the school I did because i thought it was the best? I don't think it's the number one because I picked it, I auditioned there because i thoguht it was the best.</p>
<p>I'm no longer wasting my time on this stupid forum.</p>
<p>Good bye</p>
<p>Matt,</p>
<p>Believe it or not, I'll be sorry if you leave because in many instances I actually do share your opinions. It's one of the reasons I defended your first posts about the different schools. But I'd also like to respond to your statement that "I never said competition is bad." </p>
<p>If you knew me, you'd know that I am one of the most competitive people to walk the planet. My 80 year old mother says that I play "killer" cards - and we're just talking a friendly family game of Hearts! That being said, there are places where competition can be damaging and I believe that one of those places is a learning environment. As you well know, working to become the most accomplished artist you can be is a life long endeavor. It may start at varying times in a person's life, but for a person committed to a life in the arts, the learning should never end. That learning also involves the taking of risks - surely emotional and artistic risks and often even physical ones. You need to explore all of the possibilities of which your physical and emotional intrument is capable. And that can often be a scarey thing. You must learn to open yourself up to your teachers, to your peers and to perfect strangers in an audience. And what would seem to be the one quality necessary in the ideal environment to takes these risks? TRUST. You have to trust that those you work with trust you to give as well as take, trust those who teach you to help you understand and realize your potential. If you are in an environment that tells you in subtle and even not subtle ways that the people with whom you work are your competition, not your fellow travelers on this journey, or are judging every move you make, including how you dress for class every day, then competition becomes the enemy of growth. I do believe that there are certain individuals who thrive in stressful, competitive environments but I think they are the exception as opposed to the rule. And I also believe that it is very easy for those people to lose sight of their real goals and objectives and let their main focus become just being better than the next guy as opposed to being the best they can be.</p>
<p>I'm going to copy this and send it to you in a PM in case you really have left the premises. You are obviously a smart and talented young man and I wish you the best of luck at CCM and in your career. While I don't believe that there are ANY perfect schools, believe it or not, I am truly glad that you have found and been admitted to the one that feels as close to perfect as it can be for you as my daughter has found the right fit for her. Everyone here should be so lucky.</p>