"Mom/Dad, I want to major in Musical Theater!!" - Then What?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>One more clarification :) - I didn't mean to imply with my last post that dance training isn't ESSENTIAL to an MT - so if you are a younger high school student, get yourself into dance NOW if you can at all afford it. (Give up other "random," non-performance-related activities if you need to - dance IS a "sport," and the MORE TRAINING YOU HAVE, the better.) I was gearing my "non-dancer" comments to those who will be auditioning THIS year and are freaking out because they feel they "don't have enough dance." That may be true, and you even STILL have time to get into dance (dance intensively ALL FALL and then audition in the winter - you will have picked up SOME things). But don't feel defeated if you're a rising HS senior and your dance is weak - make it as strong AS YOU CAN in the time you have left, and then PERFORM your guts out at dance auditions!</p>

<p>Thanks AGAIN to theatermom for ALL of her info - let's face it, her D has already begun to "make it" with her great Equity summer stock job AS A FRESHMAN!!! (I can say that cause I'm totally objective - I've never even talked to her D in person, just seen her perform) - yet theatermom continues to care passionately about the young MT's of the world. Oh theatermom, if only all "theater parents" were like you, I might not have left teaching MT in a public high school...</p>

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<p>Coach, I did not see your post when I wrote mine above but you brought up excellent points. For those kids with very little dance training, if they could only take ONE dance class this coming year, it should be ballet. Almost all the college auditions involved ballet....the barre and a ballet combination. Some also included jazz as well. Ballet teaches the technique and is the basis of all the rest. </p>

<p>You also brought up such an important point and I am glad you did. No matter the level of prior dance training, PART of the dance audition is to demonstrate PERFORMANCE skills. Yes, it helps to be a trained dancer with technique but it is also an assessment of someone's energy and stage presence. My daughter often commented after the group dance auditions that she observed some kids with very good dance technique who did NOT perform at all. Then there were kids who might not have technique or training but could perform. It is really important to perform. I believe even an auditor at one of the dance auditions even mentioned that they were looking at that. So, for kids who ARE trained and for those also who are NOT, use this opportunity to sell your performance skills and stage presence, not just dance skills. They are surely looking at that too. And as Coach said, they also are looking at if you are trainable or have the work ethic or potential. So, if you are a very strong singer and actor but weak dancer (less training), you could still get in if you show potential in the dance portion of the audition....performance wise and how comfortable you are moving. I know some kids who are not trained dancers who have gotten into some top programs anyway. It sure helps to be a trained dancer, one more notch on your belt, but someone can surely show performance skills in a dance audition even if technique is weak. Also the trained dancers are not always ones who are strong at performing. What is going on with the energy and the face, and getting into the character is also being judged, not just what is happening with the legs, feet and arms. It is really good that you brought that up both for skilled and non skilled dancers!</p>

<p>While this is not exactly the same, at our dance studio, there is a select dance repertory troupe that performs around the region. Most kids who get into it dance alot and so do have technique. However, the director emphasizes in the auditions that you don't have to be the most skilled dancer to get in but they are really looking at PERFORMERS. This troupe has energy and must really perform well, not just dance well. So, even within a dance studio, this same point comes up in selective auditions. I have seen this troupe perform for years and my D was also in it all through high school and it was clear that the girls in the company were chosen in part due to their performing skills, not only their dance skills.
Susan</p>

<p>EDIT....now that I posted this time, I cross posted with another post you wrote, Coach, sorry.</p>

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<p>Thanks Coach C! It's hard to keep those schedules straight!! And you are of course right about the intensity of dance training at UM as well. My D said that both of her teachers there, and she did take the beginning ballet class along with a second intermediate ballet class first semester (so I guess she was dancing 5 days a week, not 4), were beyond excellent. Even after her years of study, they were able to identify things in her technique that really needed correction and she was so grateful that they took the time to really look hard at what she was doing and force her to back up a bit and correct what needed correcting before moving her along second semester. That's what good teaching is all about!</p>

<p>Your advice about the dance audition is also right on the money. There are so many things you can show about who you are as a performer and as a person. You have to use every opportunity you are given in the best way you know how.</p>

<p>Thanks also for the kind words about my D. She has found her "right place" and I know that she feels that the best way to show her gratitude for the opportunity is to work as hard as she can every day. As for me, I've loved theater all my life - long before I had children. No matter what they end up doing in life, the kids who have studied and been exposed to theater will have richer, more confident lives. If I can help them along this path in any way, it's a good day for me.</p>

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<p>Sorry, 4 hours is an average for our majors (remember, at CSUF only the juniors and seniors are declared "majors"). THIS FIGURE INCLUDES REHEARSAL, where the ensemble is dancing a majority of the time (it's most challenging area to "nail" and clean, as opposed to vocals which are picked up rather quickly and cleaned rather easily).</p>

<p>Our majors regime includes taking classes that are dance-heavy (rather than material interpretation alone, like a musical theatre class) each weekday. Some choose to take more - perhaps adding another dance class twice a week (they want to improve as much as possible while here, and enjoy the fitness aspect as well).</p>

<p>They study:
* dance class: jazz/musical theatre, tap and ballet
* take a course three days each week for the BFAs' touring revue group, The Preeminents, rehearsing their current show and/or rehearsing for their upcoming specialty shows (we use different material for several major university gigs, with tailor made songs for awardees, etc.)
* rehearse for the musical (where most are cast) three to four hours each week night, and sometime 4-6 hours on a Saturday; rehearsals usually last for six weeks, and then 2-3 weeks of production with four or five shows per week.</p>

<p>With the physical demands of all that dance, fitness is vital. Our revue group is performing for 45-50 minutes, non-stop, with few "breathers" built in (meaning they are all on all the time). Our students are constantly pushed to build their stamina, so that they can dance for 45 minutes straight while maintaining full vocal support and tone - and making it all look effortless. Without regular dancing, this is impossible to do.</p>

<p>I also should point out that ours is one of the schools that place a high premium on dance - not all BFAs emphasize dance as heavily. Whether that is good or bad depends on what the student is looking for.</p>

<p>Thank you for asking,</p>

<p>eve</p>

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<p>Eve, now I understand better. If I added in rehearsals for the musical my D was working on or the cabaret, both which involve dance, on top of dance classes, then it is more hours. I was talking before of strictly dance classes....technique oriented, not related to their musical production rehearsals. Thanks for explaining your program. Sounds like a terrific program, by the way.</p>

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<p>I think my family's response was pretty similar to the others who have posted...like others mentioned, it made logical sense that was the field my sister wanted to pursue. It 'fit' for her personality and lifestyle. I think if I would have tried to pursue performance, my parents would still have supported me, but made sure I was making the choice for the right reasons--simply because I'm very different than my sister--I love science, problem-solving, logic & analytical tasks, etc. So it made sense that I went to college for science...but I also love people, so my end goal is medicine. Also, I love performing and at one point, we were both equally involved, but I am basically tone deaf and my sister can SING! So there is the issue of talent, too--we realize that there's a ton out there, more talented people than there are spots available--but my parents thought it would be well worth it to let her try to get into a BFA program because it's the only thing she wants to do right now. </p>

<p>Once my sister decided to major in performance of some type, my dad immediately asked what her 'backup' options were. Many people like illinisue contributed to the list we eventually made :-). So in addition to performance, she will also apply to some schools for majors like entertainment business/management. Then, there is always the option of going to graduate school for a variety of programs.</p>

<p>Another important point is that any four-year degree-BFA, BM, BA, BS-is valuable, at least in my family's opinion. And like the Avenue Q lyrics, "What do you do with a BA in English?" touch upon, there are barely ANY majors that can guarantee you a job when you graduate (there are some, like nursing, but not many). For example, my degree is going to be in Biology and Psychology. If I don't get into medical school, I'm not sure what I will do, but there are certain things I can 'fall back on', like research, teaching, etc., many of which would still require some graduate school. So if performance doesn't pan out for my sister, there are other related occupations she can 'fall back on'--or, choose to pursue because she finds out she likes them. And something great about performance is that, even if it's not the main source of her income, she can do it her whole life. I had a director once who was a greatgrandmother (she had ten kids herself), taught at a college, and still found time to act (she was in a commercial that was shot during the first show I did for her).</p>

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<p>Prof. Himmelheber, the schools I am applying to are Wagner, Emerson, OCU, Hartt, Ithaca, University of Northern Colorado, and UC Irvine as a safety. For all of them, I'm planning to do either a musical theatre major with a minor or double major of theatre arts management or business, so I already have that as a back-up. I figure I can get in academic-wise to all of the schools (4.1 GPA, 1990 SAT, 33 ACT), it's just the musical theatre audition part I'm worried about.</p>

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<p>For the most part, I think my daughter came to her decision gradually. I put the girls in dance as pre-schoolers because I wanted them to be comfortable with their bodies...not because I ever thought they would still be dancing now at 16 and 18! </p>

<p>In the first grade, I'll never forget when the elementary school music teacher (who taught all 700 elementary school students in chorus) pulled me aside in the hallway and told me D had a musical gift and we needed to nurture it. (How he could tell, from just one little voice in 1st grade chorus, I"ll never know!) But I'll never forget that suggestion from him. It wasn't long afterward that D began to beg us for a piano. We eventually did get one and she studied for 7 or more years (until her theatre obligations took up more of her time). </p>

<p>Older D always loved being in plays in elementary school, jr high, and high school. When we would take them to the theatre (which was often) she was always entranced. Her younger sister loved the shows too...but not like the older D. Her eyes are fixed on the stage and actors. Her choreographic mind sees clever dance steps and remembers them for the next show she'll choreograph. </p>

<p>But I think what really started her on the track to a performing career was when she was entering high school and we were looking for a new voice teacher. She had one, but we suspected she needed someone with more training. So we sought the advice of some friends involved in theatre and music locally. They told us there was one man in particular in our city who was "the" teacher to see. But, they told us, he had a waiting list and we would probably not be able to have him train her initially...but maybe someone else in his center (he was the director). So we made an appointment to see this teacher and D sang for him (oh, I think of the tentative little voice that sang for him that night!) and he worked with her for maybe 15-20 minutes and by the end of the time, he had her producing a sound we had never heard before. He told us she had a gift and he would take her on. I suspect that night will always stand out in D's mind, as it does mine, as a turning point. She has progressed under his study as we never could have predicted. </p>

<p>So, I think that for us, professional opinions made a difference...both the opinion of an elementary music teacher, and later a voice teacher. They helped us see that D's passion has a base in a gift for music.</p>

<p>And D would probably say she had an "aha" moment on stage several years ago....one of those awesome moments when you're standing onstage with your cast and the audience applauds and applauds, holding up the show. It was one of THOSE moments that helped her to realize this was how she wanted to live her life.</p>

<p>So, as a family, we came to it gradually, with the help of music professionals with whom we have trusted D's education. These people, and there are others, who have helped us arrive at this point. We cannot imagine her doing anything else. It is what brings joy to her life.</p>

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<p>Theatermom, from a parent</p>

<p>Great question! Chances are, if you've mentioned it to friends or family they've already given you the pat responses about the odds and usefulness of the degree (back up plan)- mostly true, we're afraid. And I hesitated to post since my answer would be so subjective relating to my own experience. Perhaps it can be helpful to some. I have three children, all involved in theatre, 2 boys and 1 girl. All have had great fortune, and great disappointment/rejection, some at the same time - we've had a very sad household from time to time. Our response to each of our children would be different if each were to come to us with the goal of majoring in musical theatre or acting. In our opinion, beyond sheer ability and passion we cannot stress enough the tremendous work ethic and demanding lifestyle required. It's a question we pose to our kids on everything - academics, sports, performances, etc. Are you ready to be in practice, rehearsal, perhaps all hours of the day (many nights, holidays,) sometimes w/ very few people you know, very few people your own age, etc? Are you ready to alter your downtime because certain activites just aren't good for performance (going to the pool, late night parties, etc.) In fact, we just last week had this full discussion with our youngest about a role in "Falsettos." First of all, considering the plot, he will endure some backlash at school, from neighbors, and possibly family. He'll have a very demanding rehearsal schedule, miss some travel soccer games (he cleared this w/ his coach,) and have to be extremely mindful of rest since he's not double cast. Once he's done homework, his leisure time will mostly be his rehearsal time for that show and another he's hoping to do soon. We asked him, and he said he'd wanted to make the commitment. And, still, our answer to him would be very different from our answer to his older brother about musical theatre. We already can see a difference among the three as to who is willing to sweep the aisles, do set construction, work separately w/ other cast members, thrift shop for costumes, do vocal exercises certain days, rest his voice on others,etc. There's also the question of how a student will deal with being away from home AFTER college since performance opportunities often take them far away. And, finally, is performance what you need to do forever? For some, the goal is to get to perform and, once the goal is fulfilled, take their talents in a tangent direction - education, starting their own company, etc. It's there that I believe you can sometimes see the true passion for the art in a young person. They can see beyond the near future. Many of those knew at a very young age, 4 0r 5, that their dream was the theatre, in some capacity. Whether your child's goal is reaching the heights of academia, trying out as a walk on for a Div 1 basketball team, or pursuing musical theatre, I think most parents know in their gut how well prepared their child is or isn't. Then it's up to the parent to support the child: it's tough enough even with that support. If there's a slight doubt, I'd opt on the side of the child's goal, since regrets are something none of us likes to handle. The lessons learned will be tremendous for any walk of life they eventually choose. Sorry to be so long winded, but it's been a constant discussion in our household for years. In my humble opinion,take the technical advice of those posting before me and then measure the talent/passion against the drive, work ethic and emotional stamina. You'll get your answer.</p>

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<p>I cannot tell you all how impressed I am with the depth of feeling and level of discourse this question has generated. Impressed but not surprised because this discussion is at the heart of all the other choices we all have made (or are in the process of making) along with our children. And those choices, and the ones that follow this basic choice are all being discussed with equal intelligence and fervor all over this board. If anything is has been made clear on this forum, it is that if this profession is your dream, there had better be passion involved. And as with many other behaviors, I think children are more likely to be comfortable with feeling passionate about things in their lives when they have the behavior modeled for them. CC parents are nothing if not caring and passionate. </p>

<p>My thanks to you all for taking the time to so thoughtfully articulate the ways in which these decisions are being reached and for sharing such personal stories. Judging by the number of "looks" this thread is getting as well as the slow but steady number of replies, I just know that we are helping a great number of people down the line.</p>

<p>Keep 'em coming!</p>

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<p>Abparent...
Great post. And I think you are right. At our house, too, there seems to be nothing else which inspires the "work ethic and emotional stamina" besides the passion for musical theatre. </p>

<p>One of D's favorite quotations comes from Maya Angelou:
"You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you."</p>

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<p>I would have to say that for someone my age (rising freshman in HS) this has been a most helpful thread. I just recently realized, "wow, MT is what I want to do!" I've always been into the theatre, but up until recently I didn't think about how much I truly loved it and how nothing could make me happier. </p>

<p>Anyway, thanks for everyone who has posted questions and advice on this particular thread! It's really a great help and I even printed the whole thing off so I can refer back whenever I have a question! Thanks again!!</p>

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<p>So it was too late to edit my first post on this thread so sorry for replying again. After re-reading some comments on this topic, I started to worry about my future and my chances of getting into a good college to get a BFA in MT. From the time I was 3 to last summer when I was 13, I went to a 6 week local performing arts camp and played the lead in musicals for 3 straight years. I loved the camp, the people there, the opportunites I had, and because I started at such a young age I can't imagine not being comfortable on stage and stage presence is very natural for me now. This summer was my first without going to camp (they lowered the age limit) so I tried out for 2 local theatres for the first time. This was the first time I'd actually auditioned for a show outside of school or my camp, both of which were rather small and talent rather limited. While I did get called back for several shows at these theatres, I didn't make any. I am HOPING that this was because it was my first professional-esque audition and I will have better luck in the future, but then I started doubting my talents (which as most of your know happens often in MT no matter how amazing you are). I know none of you know me or anything about my abilities, strengths and weaknesses, but do you think it's incredibly bad that I didn't make these shows? I do not stand out in my community (not yet anyway) but I am hoping in the next few years I do become a regular at the professional theatres in the area. </p>

<p>I guess what I'm asking is, do I have time to "stand out" in my community, rather than just my school and my summer camp? I have 4 years of highschool ahead of me, did I realize MT was my passion too late?</p>

<p><em>EDIT</em>
That was longer than intended.. sorry!</p>

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<p>Brdwaybound-</p>

<p>Don't worry at all about starting late. I just got "into" the entire theatre thing this past January. Before that time, Broadway was just a really really long street in New York. Nothing like the "home" that I feel it is now. My friend brought in the Wicked cast recording (Yes, the "Big W") to our art class because our teacher would allow us to listen to CD's during work days, and I just fell in LOVE with how catchy it was. Being a classical instrumentalist, I was head-over-heels with the concept that dissonance could be put together with vocals and a lovely operatic voice and create this great piece. Of course, I had a very eclectic taste in music before I was introduced to showtunes, but this was something new. And it happened to be addicting. VERY addicting.</p>

<p>I went home, and hit the internet and I found out about Wicked as MUCH as I could. I really don't remember how it happened, it was all very fast. But I came across several theatre sites and boards and I was just HOOKED. Within a week, I could tell you who was in what, what was playing where, what got raves, and what wasn't doing so well. And it came as such a surprise to me when nobody I knew had ever HEARD of Idina Menzel or Sutton Foster, or even Chita Rivera or Patti LuPone! Not even the friend who had brought in the Wicked recording!</p>

<p>Of course, I immersed myself in this new form of media that had been completely lost in my life previously. I learned about as many "classical" musicals as I could, "big-name" performers, and just anything or anyone who had an impact on the theatre world. Of course, me being very enthusiastic about this, I thought, "Hmm! This would be great to do!" (At this time, I had NO idea of what I was getting myself into..it was just one of those whim things.)</p>

<p>But I shot the idea of being a performer square in the head. I had started too late, I don't have enough experience, and my parents would NEVER. NEVER EVER approve. Being Asian, I was expected to be a lawyer, engineer, a professor. Something like that. But being the stubborn butt I am, I looked up careers, colleges, summer programs. And I found myself contacting SEVERAL people who were willing to help me through this entire ordeal. Of course, I still wasn't nearly as serious as I am now, but it was a start.</p>

<p>I finally found the courage to tell my mom about my latest ambitions. I told her that this was DIFFERENT than all those other "activities" I did, that this was a career, rather than a dream. Something that was attainable through hard work and relentless motivation. She was less than keen on the idea of investing even MORE money in something that had just come up so recently (she had spent about $2000 for modeling school, and TONS others for other extra curriculers that I had not kept). But now, as I sort of start to reveal what I know to her, she's a bit more sympathetic with me..and admits that she's willing to go with me as long as "it works". Well, of course, that's what I want too.</p>

<p>So I don't know about where I am. Talent-wise. I have a general idea in my community, but absolutely NO idea of myself on a nation-wide level. That's why I'm hoping to attend CAP21's summer program next summer. And yes, the tuition is expensive as well as just being able to LIVE there, but I'm giving violin lessons this school year, and if I get a few more students, I should have about $5,760 by Aprilish-May. I want to sort of "prove" myself to my parents that this is something I can do. And something I can earn on my own. So if everything works out, I'll finally have this achievement that I went to this program all by myself and through my own intentions and efforts. </p>

<p>And even if I'm "starting late", like I said, I'm an instrumentalist. Piano helped me SO much in voice. Just being able to identify pitches, and being able to accompany myself, being able to figure out melodies, rhythm by myself. I just recently started ballet, but the fact that I was always in sports gave me a bit of an advantage rather than someone just starting out because I have a good base of muscle that one would've developed a few months in. </p>

<p>So my "plan" so far is that I'm just going to (as someone said before) let the schools decide. I understand that these schools are just GREAT in seeing potential, and if I can offer that to them, then that's great for me! All my hard work will have paid off! If I can't get into any "major" BFA school, I'll just go become an engineer, I suppose. That always seems interesting. And at least I won't go my entire life knowing that I did not try. I'm pretty smart, you know...I think I can get into a decent college academically. </p>

<p>And at this point, I'm just so motivated to do this. I had questioned whether my intentions were in the right place, and if they were intentions that would waver in hard times, but I really think that they won't. And it sounds like I'm unsure of what I'll do if I don't get into a highly-regarded BFA program, and that's dangerous I guess. Maybe that's my next step-to figure out what to do if I can't live life as a performer. But for some reason, I just feel so confident that I'll get into one, I don't see the need to plan that out. I know that sounds SO incredibly cocky, but I don't even know where that's COMING from. But it's just that...I can "see" myself doing anything: I can put myself in a uniformed body, I can put myself in a white coat performing brain surgery, but being a performer...for some reason, I can't SEE myself doing it, but I can't imagine anything else that would make me happier or anything else that I'm MEANT for, which is quite frightening, seeing as I haven't had any take in theatre besides a couple of middle school plays I was forced to be a part of. I was usually part of the pit, but I found myself just constantly distracted by the performance itself (maybe that was a sign). And I just find traits about myself that I before thought were USELESS, but they seem so perfectly fitted for a career in theatre. But that just may be me making excuses for myself.</p>

<p>And recently, I've just had sort of depressing swings...finally realizing how small I am compared to how many actors there are out there, but I have confidence in myself, even at such a young age. I suppose many things will become clearer as time progresses, though. And of course, I've thought of trying to get myself out of it, seeing how volatile and unpredictable theatre is. But everytime I try, the very NEXT thing that pops up is: Then what? What would you do THEN? </p>

<p>No matter how hard I try to stray away, I can't tear myself away from something that I just live and breathe. I'm not sure if it was entirely appropriate to share how I vaguely got into theatre (even without the details, it's lengthy), but I just started and the words..they just wouldn't stop forming! I couldn't stop myself!</p>

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<p>musicalthtrmom-</p>

<p>Thanks for posting your daughter's favorite quote from Maya Angelou.</p>

<p>I am going to post the quote in my classroom and my studio.</p>

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<p>It's a good one, isn't it, wct? Maya has a gift.</p>

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<p>Broadway Bound....oh my gosh, don't be worried about not getting into those couple of local shows. A couple things about that...one is, theater involves REJECTION. Very few people will be cast every single time they audition for something. Even if they are truly very talented. In fact, talent is not the only thing that goes into casting. When they have several talented people worthy of the part talent-wise, they then pick who is right for the part, in terms of type and who is playing other parts and things like that which you cannot control. Yes, you have to be talented to be cast but by the same token, talented people are also shut out of a cast when there are too many talented folks auditioning and they will take who is right for the actual role amongst them. So, that is one thing to learn NOW. It is gonna happen a LOT in this field to you. Secondly, I assume you were auditioning for adult productions, right? And you were, what, 13? You do not say which musicals these were. In many adult productions, there would be few, if any roles, for someone that age. Maybe one teen in the cast or something. So, if lots of kids tried for those one or two roles in that musical, the odds were tough. You might not have fit the part. It does not mean you were not talented. It sounds like you ARE talented if amongst youth, you got some leads. Keep at this. Do school shows, keep trying for community theater. If you can do a sleep away summer program, that is another chance to be among some talented kids and assess how you fare in that crowd. But the main thing is to keep training. You are young and have about four or five years before college. It is not what I would call starting late. You have already done stuff when younger and you have all of high school yet. You are on track. Don't fret. Audition for everything you can. High school will be an opportunity to perhaps play a significant role again. I find the advantage of doing a youth show is that often you can play a significant role. But in an adult show, usually a kid is not that big of a role (unless it is a show that features a child in the story) but the benefit of doing a higher level production is really great for the challenge of the work and learning lots in the process. Look for both opportunities. Keep up with lessons/classes. You sound like you are doing fine. </p>

<p>DO NOT judge if you have "it" or not by those couple of times you did not get in a show. It is too hard to go by so few instances. It happens to everyone. If you explained the show, maybe that would give me some perspective. I'll give you a good example, I think. My own D had always been cast every single time she had ever auditioned, for years. She had not yet met with rejection and we all know rejection is prevalent in MT. I am talking auditions within our own state. She did some auditions in NYC, including Broadway and I think it was a great experience to see what that was like and she went into those NOT expecting anything. Anyway, still back here, she kept meeting with success in casting. Then, she auditioned for Sound of Music at age 13. Two hundred kids tried out at the biggest theater in our state. She had been cast twice there before (and again since). She was up for Louisa. However, at the final callback, she was the same height at the three 16 year olds up for Liesl. That did not look right in the "line up" of the seven kids. So, then they started having her read for Liesl but that was never expected because she was only 13 but I guess they were trying this variation. She was not cast. At a later date, a producer of the show ran into my husband and told him that they had such a tough time with her casting because he said they felt she gave the best audition of the 200 kids but they could not place her into the cast the way it turned out which frustrated them. Actually, I was really glad this happened. I mean of course it would have been nice to get into it, naturally, but it was a good experience at a young age to see how things like type or height or looks figure into it, beyond just the talent shown in the audition. This is how it will be many many more times in her life and she also had that happen a couple times in NYC (was told so by the auditioners). So, that very well might have happened to you. She never questioned her ability cause of it. While it was disappointing, it was how this works. She moved on. If every actress gave up when they were rejected, they would not be where they are today. Believe in yourself. Don't go by just one or two casting situations. If it happens zillions of times in a row, then maybe, get feedback on what you need to do to improve. But if it happens a few times, it could very well be that you were not right for the part. I have no clue what you auditioned for but often a thirteen year old is hard to cast in an adult production. Even when my D played Frenchy in Grease in an adult show this past year, 20 of the 23 cast members were ADULTS. She was the youngest person in it and she was 16. Imagine a thirteen year old's chances. She is in an adult production right now that is professional and again is the youngest in it and is sixteen. Almost all are adults. Someone your age would not have stood a chance, in other words. So, it is hard to say based on what you shared. Here is another story to give you an idea. At our high school productions, middle schoolers can try out (the MS is attached to the HS) though they have their own productions. In 7th and 8th grade, my D was the LEAD in the HIGH school drama AND musical. But in ninth grade, she did not get into the drama at ALL (but had a significant role in the musical) ! There you go. There was a nine person cast and she was not one of them.</p>

<p>I hope these stories help you to see that even someone who did get into a BFA program did not get into a show once in a while. Stay the course. Don't give up. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>PS....I agree with WCT about the quote you posted, musicalthtrmom, from Maya Angelou....really great.</p>

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<p>What a great topic....my daughter will be a junior this year and wants nothing else than to pursue a BFA in MT. It was not a surprise, as that is all that I can ever imagine her doing as well. Very similar to the feelings of soozievt, it is her soul, her being. It has been her life! The hours she spends involved in theater are incredible as most of you know. The hours of dance (she gets 1 & 1/2 hours a days in school) and takes dance outside of school as well), the voice lessons, the acting (also getting 1 & 1/2 hours of a theater class a day in school), the guitar lessons, piano lessons, etc. and then rehersals when in a show all because that is what makes her happy and complete as a person. There is no place she would rather be...it's who she is and has always been that way since she was very young. She has never said "I dont want to go to dance (or whatever) tonight"...she can't wait to go! </p>

<p>Regarding the "look". Unfortunately it is such a major consideration in this business. There was a time when my daughter was not considered for a lead in productions because of how she looked (was told that by a director) but it never stopped her from auditioning. She loved it too much! She was thrilled to just be a part of it all! My daughter's situation was a little different. She had terrible crossed eyes (strabismus) from the time she was a baby. The correction was terribly thick bi-focal glasses! She hated them more than I can even tell you! They shadowed her face and threw off her depth perception. In 6th grade her life changed with a new surgery that was able to correct her crossed eyes. That summer she was hired to play Annie at a professional dinner theater. She was the same little girl with the same voice she had a few months earlier but people now saw her differently. </p>

<p>This is a crazy field....we know it...my d knows it. But it is what she loves and who she wants to be. And there will always be issues with look whether it's the color of your hair, your skin, your height or weight. But that shouldn't stop anyone who truly wants to pursue MT from doing it. I feel that my job as a parent is to support her to be the best person that SHE wants to be!</p>

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<p>Thank you so much soozievt and Jalexis! I have no idea what I would've done if I'd never found this message board!</p>

<p>And I agree with all of you.. the minute I saw that MA quote I immediatley pasted it to several of my friends and put it on my AIM profile. Thanks for posting it musicalthrtmom!</p>

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<p>my parents didnt put me through any hoops at all. they knew from the time i was a baby that i would go into the arts in some way. it was just a matter of which one.</p>