Missouri State (Springfield) BFA MT program

My daughter feels challenged in dance, but could level up with her past training at MO State. She feels she’s getting good dance training. She had a summer stock audition this weekend in Dallas for Regional Theater and found the Dance call easy. She’s been cast in the show. Just found out. Her private voice lessons at MO State have met her high standards. Singing is her strongest thing. But what’s she’s loved most her Freshman year are the acting classes. She realizes now she didn’t have good acting classes in her high school theater program. We don’t live anywhere near Missouri, so it was a big leap of faith to send her to another region in the country. But she’s loved it. My only gripe is that Southwest Airlines doesn’t fly to Springfield. So pricey to fly the limited options of airlines into that airport. The price can’t be beat. It’s cheaper than Texas State for a Texan. It’s hard to find affordable MT programs & this is one of the few.

She usually flies American. Both American & SWA are Headquartered out of Dallas. But SWA has the good flight deals. Ugh.

So, My son received an email today that started like this:

“Congratulations! I am very pleased to inform you that, based on your recent video submission, we are keeping you in the pool of students being considered for our BFA Musical Theatre Program. We will be meeting in early April to choose next year’s class.”

Then asked for confirmation of interest in the program. Is this like a wait list? Or are they thinning the list of those who may have committed elsewhere? Does anyone have experience with this? My son is really interested in their program and we have fingers (and toes) crossed!

My D was admitted to Missouri State MT on Sunday - during intermission of her last high school performance! So exciting!! She auditioned in NYC so we plan to visit over her spring break and will need to ask for an extension on decision date. The one concern we have is the distance. We are from NJ, so quite far for her. Anyone from the northeast that currently attends? She is concerned about being far from a major city. Her other acceptances are in Pittsburgh, Philly, and near NYC. But she really liked the faculty (talked to Lisa Brescia for a while) and she also likes a more traditional campus, so Missouri might be a perfect fit.

@mtmom1967 My D was also accepted to Missouri State MT on Sunday! I think our D’s met at the audition, and also from NJ. We asked for an extension to Mr. Westenberg without any issues. We have a visit planned in April. The travelling does look challenging but not so bad. We found a southwest flight and will plan out other future trips if all goes well.

@pegski. I’d have your child call or email about the level of interest right away. Last year these kind of emails were precursors to official waitlist notifications. But this is an email I haven’t seen so reach out to the Department of Theater & Dance for clarification. Fingers Crossed.

@mtmom1967 We had the reverse geographic issue years ago. We live in the Midwest not that far from Missouri State and our D took a spot far away at Florida State. But the program, the people, the big school feel, all were perfect for her. I had to travel to see her - but that’s the case most likely anywhere she picks I assume because these kids are so tightly scheduled. Only you guys know how the campus feels for her, but we (my D and all of her family) got over the distance quickly and have never looked back. In fact, we fell in love with another part of the country and consider ourselves lifetime 'Noles! *also Springfield is a lovely place and has the added advantage of being near beautiful natural activities like floating on the river, hiking etc.

@Kkrazie Is your daughter cast in Mamma Mia?

Yep

@Kkrazie So was my D…can you private message me?

@loribelle fun I tried to pm u it wouldn’t work. Try PM’ing me.

@Kkrazie Do the MT, BFA kids typically dorm together? Also looking to connect with people who will travel back & forth from Northeast area (NJ/NY maybe even PA area). We have a trip planned to see school but looking towards the future.

@trixxie my daughter went pot luck in a popular freshman dorm vs. rooming with Fine Arts kids. She had one friend from home also going to MO State who is a BFA Acting major. They decided not to live together so could meet more people. My daughter lucked out and loves her roommate & they are best friends now. I think her roommate is a science major. Several of her BFA friends asked to live with her Sophomore year. But she’s living at her Sorority House. But Junior year she will live with her BFA buddies. She likes to know all kinds of folks. There are several kinds of dorms & Honors dorms. My daughter just opted for a popular Freshman dorm with all kinds. I’m not sure who to connect you to for East Coast Travel. But it seems this year they are recruiting hard on East Coast so you could have Kids in your class. That happened with us last year. Last year was a big Texas year and my daughter has buddies she can travel with home which eases my Mamma mind. I’d ask Westenberg & Brescia about east coast connections.

@Trixxie check out these community links for dorms. My daughter didn’t opt to do this. But it’s very popular. I think the “creative minds” one would be Fine Arts. https://reslife.missouristate.edu/livinglearning/communities.htm

@Kkrazie Thanks!

@triixxie my son and I are headed to Mo State on April 17. Accepted to MT other, but we need to see it. We are in NY area, flying out of LGA. If that helps. Maybe if we commit, they can do travels together.

@LuvMTs Sorry, just saw your post! We plan to visit in a few weeks. My daughter auditioned at FSU and loved the campus too! She didn’t get into the program, but loved the bigger school feel too. Congrats to your daughter! What is the campus vibe like at Missouri? Are sports big? Campus life? Thanks!

Definitely a bigger school feel although campus is not as spread out as FSU Huge stadium for football/lacrosse/ soccer fields/ etc. fraternities and sororities has houses. They were picking up trash the morning we left. Big student union with bowling alley/game room.

@gatorbridget How did your S like the school/program?

@mtmom1967. I wrote a lengthy observation over on the Missouri State Admitted Students Day thread if you want to check it out. Others have also contributed so it might be helpful for you as well.