We live in the Southeast, and are making a trip up to do some visits over spring break. My teacher spring break and my daughter’s don’t line up, so we only have Wed - Mon to plan around. We currently have Baldwin Wallace, Ball State, Indiana, Millikin and Roosevelt on the agenda.
We’ve found out it’s important for my daughter to visit the school to get a feel for the campus and the program. There have been several that are top tier programs that she looks at me midway through the tour and says, “not for me.” Every time I spend more time on these boards reading threads, comments get made about other schools that are in that area that maybe we should also visit.
SO - with all that being said - what school are we missing from our list that we should check out? We aren’t visiting Northwestern as she probably wouldn’t get in academically (just being real) or U of M because she fears that is TOO Far. Any other suggestions?
Otterbein, CCM, Wright State are all in Ohio
She has actually visited CCM last year while at SETC, so we are good there. Thanks for the suggestions of Otterbein and Wright State - Otterbein was of the ones that I realized was close by after reading threads - who knew Ohio had such a plethora of MT schools? Ha!
And not all that far from Ohio you’ve got CMU and Point Park in Pittsburgh.
I’m from Ohio but have lived in the southeast for about 100 years! My daughter has Ohio Northern, Wright State, Ball State, and Southern Illinois Carbondale on her audition list from the 3 states you mentioned. Would have Kent State as well but can’t fit it in. Also there are Western Illinois (I think) and Youngstown State. This doesn’t include any B.A. programs. The Kent State program looks really appealing to me (but I went to Kent State for 2 years so it caught my eye).
@carriemc95 make sure you get your visits/tours set up through the theatre department and not just the school administration. Hopefully that way you can schedule some time to sit in on classes that your D would be taking for her major if she attended. As a parent I actually got to sit in on a few classes at a couple of schools as well. It’s nice to see what they actually may be doing! Break a leg this season!
If you are driving you may wish to consider stopping at Northern Kentucky U. too.
Illinois, one hour east of Millikin is University of Illinois. They also have a campus in Springfield, an hour west of Millikin. An hour north of Millkin is Illinois Wesleyan University and up the street from it is Illinois State University. Peoria has Bradley University. The areas around most schools are not very good. In Millikin and Bradley’s case, the town is very good but both campuses are very secure. Decatur smells like burnt soy beans but you get used to the smell just like you get used to the trains. Millikin has just built a new cafeteria and will start building a new school of dance in the next year. If you have any questions about Millikin, my daughter and I are both alumni and another daughter is an alumni of Illinois Wesleyan. We would be happy to answer any questions. No matter what school she chooses, I advise not to go out at night by yourself. There is safety in numbers.
I don’t know much about musical theater, but I always thought Oberlin College was known for that.
Oberlin is an amazing music conservatory. My daughter has a friend who attended for vocal performance and opera. It has a world renowned opera program so a wonderful choice for that pursuit. But it does not offer a musical theatre degree through the conservatory. There is a theatre BA via the College of Arts and Science, but not a musical theatre program.
I would also consider looking into Ohio Northern, Indiana U (Bloomington) and Illinois Wesleyan
@carriemc95 I would add Kent State to your visit if you can. My D is an MT freshman there . Not sure what week you’re visiting but it’s not that far from BW.
I’m bummed - Kent State is on spring break while we are there and won’t be open.
aww that sucks @carriemc95 . Yes they are on break the week before Easter. Well, maybe another time. If you have any questions in the future just message me and I may know the answer. Is your D a junior now then?
@carriemc95 - In all the college visits (20-ish) I’ve done with 2 kids, if classes were not in session, my kids registered ZERO interest during/afterward. Truly time wasted. Especially for the small selective theatre departments - sitting in on classes really helps prospective students get a vibe and see (or not see) themselves there. Have a good trip!
I totally agree, @Atreuh . It’s so, so important to see/experience the actual STUDENTS.
If you are visiting Roosevelt you might add Columbia College Chicago for a strong nonaudition MT program. Or DePaul for acting (not MT).
Not strictly MT, but their curriculum looks to include voice (not sure on dance)—University of Evansville, IN, if a small campus appeals.
What about Baldwin Wallace, in Oh? Also Otterbein, Kent State may not have been mentioned yet…