MT Major not such a hot idea...

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>Hellooo</p>

<p>I'm new at these boards (actually, I've been lurking for a bit, but decided to finally join). </p>

<p>My mom really doesn't support the idea of going into Musical Theatre as a major/career. Don't get the wrong idea, she's the best mom I could ask for. I mean, I'm not so sure that it's a great idea as well, but I guess it's too soon to tell right now.
It's just that, I feel at this point of my life, it feels so right and it's something I can see myself doing. I'm not to the point yet where it's the ONLY thing I see myself doing. I'm able to deal with the disappointments that come along the road, but I had sort of a late start. I'm willing to work hard to make up for lost time (I've recently started voice in April), but not having my parent's support while doing that is difficult.
I'm just saying that, although she still pays for my vocal lessons, my mom probably wouldn't be able to pay $10,000 for, say NHSI, or about $3,000 for CAP21. She can certainly afford it, but she thinks it's a waste of money and time.
I don't really want her to be 100% supportive, but I don't want her to immediately shoot the idea of MT right down. How should I explain to my mom that this might be a career path for me?
I'm sorry, I don't really know how to explain myself. I'm also putting way too many linebreaks in this post than I should. Sorry! ^____^;</p>

<p>Jeanie</p>

2

<p>Let me respond as a mother...
As has been said over and over again on this forum, going for musical theater is a hard path. It sounds like you are not 100 percent certain (or even 90 percent) that that is the path you want. </p>

<p>With that in mind, and add in your mother's concern, you probably are the kind of person that a BA program at a school with a strong theater department (as opposed to a BFA) would be better. It would give you the chance to do other things and do musical theater. Then you will know better and be in a position to explain how you feel to your mother. </p>

<p>Take a look at the FAQ section for the MT forum, where they define some of the differences. </p>

<p>There are many people in the theater world who do not get BFAs.
You also don't say what year you are in school. If you have a couple of years until applications, then you have time to explore the MT passion. </p>

<p>If ultimately you find that this is your passion, you WILL find the way to explain it to your mother. Parents, you must understand, are trying to protect their kids from hurt and rejection. Of course, we can't do that, but we try.</p>

3

<p>I have always believed that kids should be permitted to pick their courses of study in college. For highschool, I was pushy about making sure that all of my kids got a solid, well rounded education, and that the courses were at a challeging level. Once they went to college, it was their business what the majors were. I did not care if they wanted to be Psych, Social Sciences Area majors, Humanities Area, English, etc. I think the MT major took me aback in that I had not heard of this field and tended to think of the performing arts as Theatre and Music majors within the context of the liberal arts, and though I had heard of kids going MT, it was not within my field of focus. With my son, he wanted to study dance, voice and acting, and in many schools it was not easy to do all three and combine them. With the MT program, it just made things a lot easier, and he could get everything he wanted just being accepted to the program. Now the "just" part is the big problem since most of these programs are highly selective even when housed in non selective schools. </p>

<p>S applied to about 10 MT programs. While undergoing the process and sniffing out the schools more carefully, he came to the conclusion that he did not want a specialty shop school; but a full fledged university. He ended up as a Theatre major and getting the dance, voice combinations with the drama is going to be a challenge at at Yale, as it is a Theatre program within the liberal arts framework and the famous theatre school is for graduate students and it remains to be seen what he will be able to take there--there are some limited opportunities available. Though he was accepted to a number of MT programs, he did not like the schools that housed them, and really ended up choosing the school over the programs. </p>

<p>However, I felt that this senior year was an indicator that going into MT might be a good break from academic for him. He was taking only 3 academic courses and not doing well in them to the point that I had to lower the boom and get a tutor. For some kids, it is so much better that they go to college and get through a program they enjoy and not worry about what the program is. College is not just an academic education. You also grow up there, and have an umbrellla of sort as you experiment, make friends, become independent, etc. What you study is not as important in my book, because it is not such a strong indicator of future career unless you go preprofessional. THe only hesitation I have about kids going preprof is that you are limited if you change your mind, and kids at 18 change their minds alot. But the MT programs housed in universitiies and colleges seem to have enough flexibility built in that if a kid did decide MT was not for him, he could switch into Theatre arts or other BA program. Many schools had that route pretty much mapped out as an option. I did hesitate at the mention of some schools which were more workshops or tech schools, for the same reason I hesitate at any such schools even the more pragmatic ones such as aviation, computer, business, nursing, pharmacy, etc. THey are a pretty limiting commitment at a young age and if not housed within a university, much of the activities and amenities available to most college student is not there. It's not that I put my nose up at such programs; I just think they are better suited for an older kid. At 18, I like the idea of student centers and the mingling of all different types of kids. I did not even like the idea of Juilliard as a choice for my son, because I just did not feel he was at that level of commitment. Few 18 year olds are. But to be a MT major at regular college or university, to me, is a perfectly fine choice for any kid.</p>

4

<p>Picking up on what NYTheaterMom posted, a BA might be a very good option for you because I am not positive you yourself are 100% commited to musical theater and a BFA is a total commitment to this field. Her suggestion to look at the FAQ questions and the differences between a BFA and BA program on this website are great for you because right now, I see you in that place of deciding which type of degree program might be best suited to you with your theater interest. </p>

<p>Picking up on what Jamimom wrote, there are wide differences in the BFA in MT options depending at which college they are located. There is a difference, for example, if one chooses a school like CCM or Boston Conservatory as they are primarily conservatory training with just a tiny bit of academics and they are not located in academically selective colleges VS. choosing a school like NYU, UMich or Syracuse where there is a significant liberal arts component or academics available (even possible minors or in the case of NYU a double major) and where the university itself is selective academically and has challenge in that component along with the conservatory training. So, PERHAPS for you, (and might help with your mom, too!), a good option IF you do choose to go for a BFA is to do so in a college setting where there is a significant academic component too. Actually, this is also true at Penn State and a bit at Emerson as well. </p>

<p>While I am not your mom, I think her way of looking at a major in musical theater as not being worth it, is an outlook I have commonly seen and in fact, have read similar comments on the Parent Forum on CC of that nature...but I feel as Jamimom does that I don't care what my kids major in. They should focus on what interests them and they are getting an education. It is worth it to me no matter what they major in and I had no influence, nor care to, in what subject they wish to focus on in school. I realize your mom is thinking differently, though I do think her line of reasoning is common with some kids who choose to go into the arts. </p>

<p>So my suggestion is to look into BA programs in theater and/or colleges with very active theater as an extracurricular (ie., Brown, Yale, Vassar, Tufts). And if you choose to go for a BFA, think about doing it at a school that has a significant liberal arts component for the BFA candidates (not because they are any better but might be more suited to what you want and need and what might satisfy mom).</p>

<p>Susan</p>

5

<p>Some kids are so MT focused that getting into the MT program is the primary objective of the college process. They do not care if the school is located on the other side of the country or if the other programs at that college are not of the quality of the MT program. It is their main focus. My son went through that phase--for him it was a phase. Had he stayed there, it would have been fine with me. We auditioned to those schools and he got into some of them. But then he decided that the overall school environment was also very important to him. That can complicate matters, as the schools that are the best in both areas tend to be the most competitive for admissions. When he was accepted to a top school in the Theatre Arts programs, he felt that he was at home there, and that pretty much ended his search. </p>

<p>I did find some good MT programs housed in some good colleges that are not as competitive in this process. American U is an excellent choice and they are building a MT program that could fit the bill for kids who want that all in a package MT within the walls of a good university. Butler U in Indianapolis seems to have a wonder Lyric Theatre Program that I think is definitely worth examination. Another choice is Hartwick college's program. All schools not typically on lists but with much going on there. I read on the MT site that U of Indiana is building its MT program and it sounds promising to me. SUNY Buffalo has been making waves and for NYers a veritable bargain. My friend was extremely impressed with the department there and felt that Fredonia was also promising within the SUNY framework. Buffalo, in particular, has the shell of a great university around it and the price is right even for out of staters. The internship program for summer placements that I eyed is the best I have seen, and we looked at all of the Big Boys. Again these are just a few suggestions, slightly off the beaten path. My friend was agonizing among Syracuse, Ithaca and Buffalo as NYer, and though the first two programs are much better known, are they really worth the extra money, particulary with close to a full ride at the state school also in upstate NY? </p>

<p>A lesser known conservatory is Roosevelt in Chicago. Some schools that are eager to build are Northern Illinois, Utah. Some nice LACs that should be checked out are Drake, Webster. Just a small sampling And College of Santa Fe has some great opportunities and facilities for someone willing to go off the beaten path.</p>

6

<p>Sorry if I came off uncommitted, but I am. If I'm able to be accepted into a BFA program such as CMU, CCM, Northwestern, etc., I'd be willing to give it my all. The only doubts that I have right now are whether I actually have the chops for it. </p>

<p>I've read a lot of posts here with kids getting in to prestigious music theatre programs with not that many things under their resume, and that's sort of the situation I'm in now. But I'm starting to work things out.</p>

<p>And I really do want to go into this field. At this point, I really can't see myself doing anything else. The reason why I think my mom is so taken aback my interest in MT is that it was so sudden, and also, it's not an area of her expertise. She came from U of Seoul and then went on to get an MBA from U of Chicago, so she's a very strong believer in education-related fields. </p>

<p>ETA: One thing I have been doing to introduce my mom to this field is going for more shows. I might not've mentioned this, but my interest in Musical Theatre began this past February, and I've gotten so obsessed with it, she may just be intimidated by this sudden change. But recently, I've been participating in more productions, and asking for her to register me for dance classes. I'm also hoping to get a new voice teacher this summer (knock on wood), so we'll see if I improve any. All I need right now for ME is a confidence boost.</p>

<p>Jeanie</p>

7

<p>Jeanie,
if you're 14 (that's what it says under your name), you have some time. You'll be in good shape to apply by the time you're 17.</p>

8

<p>That's what everyone SAYS. But at this point, I really feel like walls are closing in on me. Since I will be a Sophomore next year, and I'll be turning 15 soon, I feel like I've really got to catch up on what I've missed. Which is what I'm trying to do this summer. I've got a production in the summer coming up with a fairly large role and I might be able to study with one of the best voice teachers in town.
I really want to stop time at this point, because it's just moving so quickly.</p>

9

<p>Just to let you know, Northwestern is not in the same category as CMU and CCM. You do not audition for MT. You either audition for classical voice performance (and the requirements are very rigorous-4 pieces in with an Italian and German piece required. or you apply as a Theatre major and have to make the academic threshholds of this very selective school with a good strong resume--it is non audition. You then apply for the MT program your second year there. CMU, though it houses its program in a national univesity, is conservatory style in requirements. You will NOT be taking many liberal arts courses with their very stringent requirements. CCM is a conservatory within the U of Cincinnait, and again it is conservatory first. Very different in the way these programs are run. My son applied to all three of them and they could not be more different.</p>

10

<p>Wow, I had no idea. If Northwestern acceptance is based off of experience, that's going to be somewhat of a challenge for me. I'm pretty confident that I'll make into the actual universities (U of Cin, CMU), and it's just the auditions I'm worried about. And realizing the vast amount of talent and potential there is out there is frightening.</p>

11

<p>Jalexis, yes, it is very competitive. The main thing is not the resume but the talent. You have time in my opinion. Ideally you need to get training in voice, dance, and acting and also do actual theatrical productions. I say this not so much to build a resume but more because you GROW in skill by doing these things. I think if your heart is in this, you have time for the next 2 1/2 years, including summers, to devote lots of energy to it and you'll be fine. But also realize it is a very selective process with no guarantees so EVERYONE, no matter how talented or experienced, must go into it with eyes wide open. You may go for the selective BFA programs but you might also opt to look at non audition schools like Indiana University or Muhlenberg or many others that have fine offerings in this field. Keep an open mind.
Susan</p>

12

<p>I know it's competitive, and I think that's one of the main reasons my mom doesn't want me to go into this field. Along with not knowing much about it, she thinks (or more likely knows) that I won't be successful. But I don't really care if I'm successful or not, I just want to do this. When I told her that, she just sort of exploded and told me, "WHAT?! How can you not care about being successful?! How are you going to live? I can't feed you forever!"</p>

<p>I sort of backed down after that, but I'm one of those people who truly believe that if you put your mind to it, you can basically do anything. So i told myself that I'd audition for those colleges for a BFA program (U of M, CMU, CCM, and a lot of Unifieds) and if I happened to make it into even one, that must say that some people out there believe I have potential. If I'm not accepted, then I might as well go to some other...engineering field or something. </p>

<p>Also, a question about summer programs. I was looking at NHSI, U of M, and Interlochen, but I was just...shocked at NHSI's price! Why is it so expensive for the last two weeks? And is it worth it? ::looks at Summer Programs thread::</p>

13

<p>I've been posting for a few weeks now and, as some of you know, have been very leery of my daughter pursuing musical theater for a number of reasons. But, after reading everybody's posts and really LISTENING to my daughter, I've come to the conclusion that she has to do what SHE has to do and my husband and I will be 100% supportive of it. Are we still concerned about her ability to find work after she graduates? Of course. Are we still concerned about whether or not she'll be accepted into a horrendously overcrowded field? Of course. BUT, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, like being a doctor take a lot of commitment and dedication no matter what the odds, so does MT, along with the kind of pure LOVE of it that comes in knowing the odds, and yet continuing along that path.</p>

<p>So, go for it, just go for it with eyes open and heart strong. Since you're still quite young, I would suggest perhaps a summer intensive program somewhere (somebody help me out on this one), where you could mingle with kids that are totally dedicated to this art form. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

14

<p>Jalexis, I did not notice your age when I read your post. I think it is wonderful that you are looking at college programs and possibilities so early, however, you should not be worried about them. So much can change in the meantime. Programs get added, changed, and you will change too. My son went back and forth and changed so much just during the time he was doing his apps.</p>

15

<p>Agh. Time is so annoying.</p>

16

<p>"Agh. Time is so annoying."</p>

<p>You might not feel that way a "few" years from now......... ;)</p>

17

<p>I see know harm in checking out all of the possibilities early. It 's just important to know that things can change by the time you apply, and you just can't go by your memory of policies or what any of us say. Who knows which schools will have different procedures and reps at that time. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing; something I have to always watch. Tempting sometimes to take a short cut and not check out the current situation, and I find myself confused about something, things have changed or I am just plain wrong.</p>

18

<p>Hi - I'm a new poster but a longtime vocal coach/musical theatre teacher who has students currently at UM (Michigan), CMU, and PPU (Point Park), all in the BFA Musical Theatre programs (which is referred to as Acting/Musical Theatre at CMU). Something in one of your posts stood out to me because it parallels something I always tell my students who are passionate about MT but facing parental hesitations/resistance: you said you told yourself you'd audition at some of the top schools and if you got into even one, you'd take that as a sign that some people out there believe you have potential. That is a GREAT and CORRECT philosophy. Schools like UM, CMU, and CCM see hundreds of applicants, as you know, and have their selection process finely-honed - they KNOW what they want! They want people who show them unique talent and charisma (not in the generic sense, but in the "that person is INTERESTING sense") plus trainability that will lead to eventual MARKETABILITY in the field (be in stage, film, or tv). So, you are right in assuming if you do get into a highly-selective school, it shows that you have "something." Perhaps your mom will become comfortable with the idea that such an admission would be "proof" of great potential in the MT professional world. </p>

<p>As some other posters have pointed out, you ARE very young - but I applaud you for thinking about our college path already! College admissions for MT are more and more and MORE competitive - and although as a boy, you have an advantage overall as compared to girls, the top schools have recently taken a slew of GREAT guys - so it never hurts to focus your training as much as possible on your possible MT goal. A piece of advice a wonderful CMU grad (now working on Broadway) gave to some of my younger students: see as much theatre as you can - good, bad, ANY theatre. It will help you to become more aware of yourself as a performer and of the field as a whole. In addition, get in the habit of reading online theatre news DAILY if you can - I recommend playbill.com and talkinbroadway.com (the All That Chat forum.) It will acquaint you with many shows which may be new to you (which helps SO much in picking audition pieces) and, again, with the field in general. (At Michigan, playbill.com is required daily reading for Freshmen MT's - their program provides an EXCELLENT foundation of "business of the business" knowledge as well as performance skills.)</p>

<p>Good luck - and feel free to contact me with any questions (that goes for anyone else on the Board, too) - I have extensive info from several years of helping numerous students prepare for their auditions. In addition, I was a high school "academic" (not arts) classroom teacher in my first career, so I can address your mom's concerns about stability, wasted money, etc. Many of my students have had the experience of having to choose between full academic scholarships to pre-med or engineering programs and MT admission to a highly-selective school, and I have been able to be a fairly objective party in that process.</p>

19

<p>Oh, wow! Thanks for all that information.</p>

<p>Something wrong about your post though. I'm a girl. ;) I don't know how it came off that I was a male, but being a girl and trying to make it in this field makes it even all the more challenging. But I'm sort of stubborn and not willing to give in to that sort of thing.</p>

20

<p>Coach C</p>

<p>Well now you've piqued my interest! Great advice, by the way. I agree with alot of what you said - especially about the "how and why" many of the top schools select their students. As the Mom of a UM going-to-be sophomore MT, many of my D's classmates fit the profile you described. (Of course I'd love to know which UM MT's you've worked with.......where are you located?)</p>

<p>Also, you used a word I haven't heard mentioned a lot on this site since we used to hear from MTDad (I think that was his screen name...) whose D graduated from CCM - MARKETABILITY. He spoke quite a bit about CCM's desire to accept and work with kids they thought were very marketable, in large part so their grads would go out into the world, be successful, reflect well on the CCM program and allow it to continue to recruit top candidates. Many of us have on occasion questioned the methods they have chosen to achieve this goal, but few can honestly argue that they haven't been successful at achieving it. </p>

<p>You are also right about the quality of the UM "business of the business" teaching. The kids must also read the Arts Section of the New York Times and the Department Chair is always sending them emails with MT business news. As in any other endeavor, if you want to be successful, it pays to be educated about the business you wish to pursue and you can't start the habit of reading about the business too early.</p>

<p>I look forward to your future contributions to this discussion. Thanks for coming forward and welcome aboard!</p>