<p>Does anyone know anything about the Musical Theatre program at Ohio Northern in Ada Ohio? My son just finished 7 auditions, and this is his last stop. He already has offers, and is still interested in ON, I just wanted to hear the good stuff/bad stuff…so we can make a good decision. I hear it is a new program…</p>
<p>It may be a program that has changed recently, but it isn’t a new program. They have been around as a MT program for at least 15 years. I’m sorry I don’t have much updated information, but at least not too long ago they were only a MT program (no Acting Program, no Design Tech, etc.).</p>
<p>The University is lovely, the facilities are top notch. Not too long ago they brought in several guests per year to supplement the faculty. Top quality directors, designers, etc. They probably still do that, but I just can’t say for certain.</p>
<p>Ada isn’t exactly in the heart of an urban area. In fact it was once described to me as “it ain’t nowhere, but you can see nowhere from here.” That having been said, the program has a lovely reputation. I do have a friend that designs there often and she loves the place and raves about the productions. I have seen two shows there (both several years ago) and the production quality was quite high.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>thanks for the info…kjgc…anyone else have any knowledge of Ohio Norhtern and the MT program there?</p>
<p>My D audtioned there a few years ago and was accepted. She chose Muhlenberg although she was torn about the decision. We did not see a student production, but did visit campus. I believe my D made the right choice as I think Ada would have felt very far from home since we are from California.
We spent some time with students from the program, and they seemed happy there. We heard a few students sing and they had good voices. I think if you do a search you can find a campus visit report I wrote back then. Sorry I do not have any more up to date info.</p>
<p>Thank you! anothermom-w-q ! Ada is just two hours from us. I hear not much is in the area. I guess that could be good …and bad :)</p>
<p>I have a student who attends Ohio Northern. He’s in his sophomore year and absolutely loves it. Although he’s not a MT major, I thought it might help the discussion. Ada is very, very small. So small that this year they actually got their first McDonalds! (which some of the students were upset about, because they were kind of proud that they were at a university that was the farthest from a McDonalds in the nation.)</p>
<p>I think there are more students at the university than residents of the town. But that makes the whole experience unique. The students are extremely active and involved --from athletics to social organizations. He found the adjustment to college very easy; within 24 hours of arriving his freshmen year, he had found his niche and a group of friends that continues today. Faculty and administration are very friendly and approachable. </p>
<p>The ONU web site does not do the school justice, for sure. It’s a very pretty campus and apartment housing for upperclassmen is exceptional. Housing for freshmen and sophomore students is typical dorm-style. </p>
<p>I’ve attended several functions at the performing center. It’s a beautiful facility and the MT productions I’ve seen were top-notch. </p>
<p>Downfalls? If you’re looking for an urban setting, this isn’t a match. Other than that, I have nothing but good things to say about his/my experience after two years. Don’t let the price tag scare you - there are many scholarships and grants available. If your GPA/test scores are good, they have an academic scholarship that can cover a good percentage of tuition. </p>
<p>Don’t know as much about MT program. I’d call the MT department directly and ask a lot of questions. Better yet, make a visit. That’s what sold my son when he was selecting a college. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>I have a student who attends Ohio Northern. He’s in his sophomore year and absolutely loves it. Although he’s not a MT major, I thought it might help the discussion. Ada is very, very small. So small that this year they actually got their first McDonalds! (which some of the students were upset about, because they were kind of proud that they were at a university that was the farthest from a McDonalds in the nation.)</p>
<p>I think there are more students at the university than residents of the town. But that makes the whole experience unique. The students are extremely active and involved --from athletics to social organizations. He found the adjustment to college very easy; within 24 hours of arriving his freshmen year, he had found his niche and a group of friends that continues today. Faculty and administration are very friendly and approachable. </p>
<p>The ONU web site does not do the school justice, for sure. It’s a very pretty campus and apartment housing for upperclassmen is exceptional. Housing for freshmen and sophomore students is typical dorm-style. </p>
<p>I’ve attended several functions at the performing center. It’s a beautiful facility and the MT productions I’ve seen were top-notch. </p>
<p>Downfalls? If you’re looking for an urban setting, this isn’t a match. Other than that, I have nothing but good things to say about his/my experience after two years. Don’t let the price tag scare you - there are many scholarships and grants available. If your GPA/test scores are good, they have an academic scholarship that can cover a good percentage of tuition. </p>
<p>Don’t know as much about MT program. I’d call the MT department directly and ask a lot of questions. Better yet, make a visit. That’s what sold my son when he was selecting a college. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Another ONU parent here. My daughter is a Comm major with a PR emphasis and is involved in some of the auditioning process as a student intern…ONU takes the audition process seriously and as acknowledged in another post, offers some wonderful scholarship opportunities for promising students. Their facility is top notch and has a regular schedule of performances year round - a great sign of an active program - and impressive that even with their rural location, they can attract sell out crowds to a variety of performances. </p>
<p>A couple of D’s friends are actively involved in productions - both as on stage performers and behind the stage workers - they are kept BUSY!!! </p>
<p>I too cannot say enough about the school as a whole and the professors have gone out of their way truly to advocate opportunities for my daughter at least. Students as a whole work very hard at ONU. Though the school is well known for pharmacy/engineering, the comm department including MT is a hidden gem IMO.</p>
<p>And don’t let the remote area be a draw back unless a big town is a top priority for you. There are plenty of on campus activities - I’ve never heard “I’m bored”. </p>
<p>If the campus is at being considered by your son, I would definitely keep it in the running until you see what kind of fin aid package they offer…</p>
<p>kristanoel </p>
<p>What did you and your s think of ONU?</p>
<p>Can you give me some feedback on your child’s experiences at ONU?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I have been accepted at ONU and am seriously concidering it. It’s a great school that has a relatively small and very new but wonderful department. The heads of the department were great at auditions, they brought along students who really seemed to love going there for MT (especially the study abroad programs), and have a paid summer reperatory where their students can do shows (and they are working on getting it to where actors can earn equity candidacy points).</p>
<p>Alexa have you visited the campus? Did you like it? Have you heard from any current/former students that have been through the program?</p>
<p>I haven’t visited the campus yet (I plan to in March) but it looks pretty. The students that accompanied the MT reps to the auditions seemed to really love the school. They were both talented girls who mentioned the fact that many alumni from ONU do move to New York and keep connections, informing eachother about upcoming auditions, how to get in touch with agents (they DO have a senior showcase in NYC, btw), and letting current students stay with them in their homes which is a cute thing to mention. :)</p>
<p>Plus, their mascot is the polar bears… come on people!</p>
<p>My D and I visited ONU last weekend. She attended a music theory class and a rehearsal on Friday. She really liked the school and the people in the MT program. She’s looking for a small, liberal arts school where she can get good training in all three MT disciplines - voice, acting, dance. They also offer a minor in Dance. I think it could be a good fit. The ONU campus and the town of Ada are both nice, but definitely rural, which my D didn’t mind at all.</p>
<p>Has anyone seen any recent productions at Ohio Northern?</p>
<p>In the last few years I have seen Oklahoma, 42nd street and a dress rehearsal for Millie, all of these shows were fabulous. I have been to MANY schools during my D’s audition process and I can honestly say that the productions we saw at ONU, were among the best. This is an old thread started in 2009, so let me add, that Northern is not a new school, or even a new theatre department. They are a growing school which has added a BFA in MT in the last 10-15 years or so. The program is small and up and coming. The facutly are fantastic and I don’t think you can find a better program anywhere.</p>
<p>My D has been accepted to MT program. We are going to see “Nine” in April and schedule a campus visit during her spring break.</p>
<p>Good for you dreaminbig. We are looking at an April visit as well. 
Looks like a great program!</p>
<p>My daugter was accepted with a scholarship but is wondering if she should go to a bigger school. She is also wondering if their graduates are getting their equity cards</p>
<p>I am not sure about that. D was also accepted to OCU and we need to plan a visit there as well.</p>