<p>SrMoment, yes I agree that is what tom<3avenueq is trying to infer and he makes a very valid point. </p>
<p>I was just answering NotMamaRose's query which is sorta the inverse :D. </p>
<p>CTMom, I know what you mean. Once my kid got to college and told me how many kids had done the summer program, I was like, geez, well, good you got in anyway LOL. Still, my take is pretty much what I wrote in earlier posts. I do not think one MUST go to a pre college program!</p>
<p>What I think is that each person, through various avenues, needs to get training, production work, and even try out something of an intensive nature. But there are SO many ways to do that! Each kid going to BFA programs now did a variety of things before they got there. Like I mentioned, we don't have performing arts high schools where we live. We do not have "theater training centers" that I have heard of where others live. We don't have state thespian events and awards and the like that I read about elsewhere. We have no drama classes at our HS. We have no acting classes in our area. But we did piece togethter various aspects of training and also production experiences. And our kid did go to a summer theater program that was intense where she was immersed in all things theater 24/7 with others who shared her passion and many who were very talented, and it was not like anything locally. But she did not do pre college, had no audition prep courses, etc. To prep for college auditions, she worked on songs with her voice teacher and got an acting coach for six months for the sole purpose of working on college monologues. That's it. She has a mix of training in voice, dance, and acting and also many varieties of production experiences...school, community theater, regional theater, professional theater, youth summer program productions. </p>
<p>There is no magic recipe to get into BFA programs. It doesn't matter where you train, as long as you train in some capacity. Theater productions are another facet. Your son is getting to do adult shows in your area (a great thing) and also an educational performing arts training program as part of his school day. It may be all he needs to do. If he actually wants the overnight summer theater program, it is worth looking into, but he doesn't HAVE to have it. I wouldn't do it as a hook to get into a particular college. I'd do it as a worthwhile experience in itself, and also knowing that any sort of intensive theater program may be beneficial as preparation to get into ANY BFA program, and need not be affiliated with one particular college you want to attend later. I also know lots of kids who have attended pre college theater programs who had difficulties in getting itno BFA programs, in general, not just the one they spent the summer at. So one cannot equate precollege summer program = BFA admissions. Talent, skills, training, theater experiences....those may equate to BFA admissions....and you can obtain those many different ways.</p>