My kid is interested in MT or VP; I’m guessing MT will win out but only time will tell.
What’s on your list of things you wish you had done earlier and / or differently as you prepared and applied for a MT program? (e.g., skills you had acquired, audition approaches, visiting programs … anything that comes to mind) – being specific about how early or differently can be helpful. Thanks in advance for your input!
What grade is your child in currently? I am starting the process with my third child D2 - HS Jr). We made some adjustments after going through the first time so here is a very general early game plan for #3 (goal to be done with these tasks before mid-October):
Wrapping up 8th grade; heading to high school.
I have seven words for you:
Dance dance dance dance dance dance dance
Oh, and take some dance classes.
@Twelfthman In that case, you have time to focus on some skill building, too. If your S or D is interested in pursuing MT, one of the best things they can do is to get some solid dance training. Ballet/technique classes are especially useful. Also, I recommend reading “I Got In” or “Before I Got In” (geared to freshman/sophomores) by Mary Anna Dennard. Even if you have no plans to use the services of a college audition coach, the books and her other online materials lay out a nice roadmap to follow along in the process.
I have a dancer. I would have added a consistent weekly vocal class from 10th grade on.
@KaMaMom we cross-posted - all on the same page 
In addition to dance, I would add some basic piano at some point. Maybe over summers or even the summer after high school graduation. Just put it in the plan before getting to college. If you have access to quality acting workshops, attend some of those. My S found good workshops more beneficial than an acting class.
I would recommend getting out into the wider world earlier - meaning performing within a larger, stronger talent pool. This can be done through camps, intensives or pre-college programs. And if possible, try more than one. I have seen several local “big fish” be surprised at the level of national competition, and find disappointment in college auditions, because at home - or in the camp they had been going to for years, they were the cream of the crop.
I wish we had seen more of the schools in sophomore or junior year because it would have made my D feel more connected to the application process than a series of college names. Doing that would have made it easier to get applications in earlier, like earlier than you think. If you want to get any auditions - and maybe acceptances - done in November/December, I’d be aiming for October 1st for those schools.
I would recommend not relying on your HS theater/music department to be the sole source of training, stage experience or advice - UNLESS it has a known track record of successfully getting multiple kids into competitive MT/VP college programs. Many HS faculty, theater/music directors and counselors are very hard-working and well-meaning, but unless they have their fingers on the CURRENT pulse of MT/VP college admissions they are often out of touch with what it takes to prepare for this daunting journey. My S is a current junior MT BFA major who went to a PA HS in a mid-sized city with an extensive Arts network. One would think the faculty/counselors at such a school would know how to get their students into competitive national programs - but that was not the case. In the last few years, the students from his HS who have successfully transitioned into competitive, audition-based BFA programs have all done training outside the school setting over a period of years.
I second (third, fourth, fifth. . .) everyone who said get dance training, outside vocal/acting training and experience with a wider range of talent than you are likely to find at most typical HSs and community-run theaters/camps.
I’m getting on the same bandwagon…
DANCE!!
It is my daughter’s weakest link . She continues to get better and better and I know in college she will get even more adept but I would’ve had her in ballet in younger grades. She is mainly a tapper because she did take yrs of tap but I would have had her do all genres.
Ahh hindsight…
And above all else… research schools out the butt! Ask questions and connect with others who know about schools. Ask on this forum which you already are so you are getting info already! Yay! B-)
Don’t depend on your high school to know about college MT. I’m betting they won’t know what is required and how competitive and nuts it is.
Oh also if you can squeeze in an acting class or
Workshops that would be good too. It’s easy to find vocal training but sometimes acting is a bear to find anyone to teach your kid or mentor them. Look now and develop monologue resources!!! So hard to find ones that aren’t overdone. This is always a struggle for D.
Um ok that’s it lol
Agree w/ @mom4bwayboy - when it comes to local help, unless they have extremely current, first hand knowledge of various programs, any tips/tricks/advice can be pretty much pointless.
D has done lots of community theatre with MANY Indiana University & Ball State alumni … who graduated 7+ years ago. (We live in Indiana.) They were FLOORED at how competitive it has become - in the beginning they were like, “oh you should just go to IU for Musical Theatre” like it was that easy. They had a hard time wrapping their head around it … actually, still do!
We didn’t use MTCA, so I can’t speak to their service or their turnaround time. But I will say that our prescreens were taped and submitted long before December. I believe we taped and submitted all my daughter’s prescreens in October. So, honestly, if you’re just getting it done now, you are a little behind the 8-ball. And I haven’t heard of AuditionHero, nor do I know anyone who’s used them. Maybe someone else on this board has some information.
@dramamama8 my daughter taped her own prescreans with he music teacher and video camera. I don’t think it needs to be slick. And it is my feeling many of the prescreens have an academic component
This is not something I wish my D had done differently-but something she DID do-and it is critical, and I had no idea how important it is/was: GRADES AND TEST SCORES. D is in her Senior year, and currently applying/auditioning. She already has 6 academic acceptances; one FULL TUITION scholarship, and one out of state waiver, plus an additional amount off that school’s in-state tuition. And of course, it also helps with passing prescreens (Michigan) that include academics in their decision.
I have a ballet dancer that realized her love of musical theater after participating in her high school musical junior year. We are very late to the party! She spent last summer taking acting,vocal and broadway dance training. Although she is so grateful to have 8 years of serious ballet training under her belt-she does wish she had started lessons with her voice teacher earlier.
IfYouOnlyKnew, as I don’t know much about this field, how do the acting workshops differ from the acting classes offered to high school students?
I agree with everyone saying Dance and Sing. Yes those skills may help you get in to an MT program more than anything else. Smart call for college admission. So YES put some eggs in those baskets if the goal is getting in.
Sigh though… acting is what will really count in the end and sustain a career. A friend posted this in FB tonight: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sutton-foster-a-showbiz-myth-comes-to-life/
Of note is this quote: "Foster can sing and she can dance. But what sets her apart is her acting. “A lot of people say, ‘What’s more important: acting, singing or dancing?’ And I say, always acting. ‘Cause singing without acting is just noise. Dancing without acting is just arm movement. I don’t feel like I’m just moving around and doing, like, fancy footwork. Same thing can go with singing; someone can sing super-high notes, but if it’s not based in any reality or any purpose, then it’s just showboating.”
I can say as the parent of a graduate… there has already been at least one instance where yeah… you sang fine but we hated the song choice with a passion but we will call you back anyway because we loved the way you read. Booked it.