<p>Hi,
I've just found this site, and I am the mother of a rising senior in high school who absolutely ADORES musical theatre. She has devoted her whole life to it. She thinks, eats, and breathes musical theatre. She has participated in many productions in our community theatre and regional theatre. She has been taking dance since she was very small, and began some voice lessons when she was 13. She has also recently taken a couple acting classes. So now we are at the point where we are getting ready for auditions. She wants to apply to Tisch (first choice), CCM, Baldwin Wallace, Boston Conservatory, Carnegie-Mellon, Emerson, Flordia State, Ithaca, and Syrcause.
Now my question is, would it be worth it to pay thousands of dollars to send her to these schools? I really want her to attend a school and major in musical theatre, but she doesn't want to. Her heart's just not into searching for a good school. What she really wants to do is to skip school altogether and go to NYC now in order to try and make it on Broadway. She wants me to give her the money I would have spent on college. She would use this money to take more classes and pay living expenses while she is auditioning.
Now, I have to admit, this actually makes a little bit of sense to me. However, part of me would rest easier knowing she had a college degree.
So, how much of a benefit is a BFA in MT, or would it be better to just go out and try to make a living right away? How advanced are classes at the college level? I'm afraid that she wouldn't learn much in them.
Thoughts? Opinions? What would you do if this was your child?</p>
<p>My opinion - if your daughter doesn't want to go to college, I think you would be wasting thousands of dollars to send her to college (if she would go). At age 18, many kids know what they want and my philosophy is to let them try what they want. They will inevitably do better living out and trying their own dreams than feeling pressured to live out someone else's (esp. a parent's) dream FOR them. </p>
<p>You might be unconsciously setting up a situation where your daughter would have to fail college (without actually intending to) just to "prove" that she was correct in not wanting to go. </p>
<p>but that's just one mom's opinion. Good luck.</p>
<p>MusicMom66, I just bumped a thread called "Life after the Conservatory Program MT/Drama". There is a great deal of wisdom to be found in many places on these boards, but please read a post on this thread by "Pamavision" which speaks to the reality of this buisiness. I am sure you already are aware of all of this, but there it is just in case, I guess.</p>
<p>I just happen to be friends with a young woman who is now 30 who did just what your daugher is considering...she is very, very talented. Did several European and National tours and Broadway shows, was a Rockette and did TV appearances. She is now trying to go back and get her college degree. It's pretty difficult to do at 30...</p>
<p>Just something to consider.</p>
<p>I earnestly wish you and your daughter the best and I hope you find the situation that allows her to achieve her dreams!</p>
<p>MusicMom66, wow, what a dilemma! I frankly don't know what I would do in your place! Your D sounds as if she is very talented, determined and focused, and those are all terrific qualities that will hold her in good stead no matter what she does in life. It's a very difficult decision to make, because you know and I know (and the rest of the adult world knows!) that having not only a college degree, but the experience of college, is very, very important. College provides most kids/teens with their real transition time to adulthood and the life of "grown ups." It's a time when they get (most of them) to explore various classes and be around many different kinds of people from many different backgrounds. It's also a time when they get to hone their knowledge and skills in a certain area.
On the other hand, it seems to me that if your daughter is serious about NOT wanting to go to college, it would be wrong to force her to go.
Is there a way to compromise? Perhaps you could agree to allow her to head for New York (with a certain amount of financial backing from you and your family) for a year, and see how it works out. If this were me, I would feel uneasy (if I were you) handing her all at once the "total" you would have spent on college. Instead, how about negotiating a certain amount of financial support while she goes to NY and pursues her dream? At the end of a year, you could re-evaluate where she is and what has happened. If, by then, she is feeling secure and happy and on the road to success (however one defines that!), she could continue, and, at that point, get a job that would contribute to her self support. If she feels (and I would hope this would not happen, but you never know! :)) smacked down by the reality of trying to navigate the world of professional theater and wants to consider doing college, she could head for the college audition circuit.
Does that make sense? Just a thought. Another idea would be to have her apply to/audition for non college acting programs like Circle in the Square or Neighborhood Playhouse, rather than college. That would place her in NY and doing what she likes, but at least she would be taking classes and having a framework for her transition time into NY.
Best of luck, and please let us know what happens.
L</p>
<p>I had a friend who wasn't sure if college was going to be for him, but he compromised with his parents and decided to give it a try. After his first semester he left and was cast in a National tour of Grease (but as of yet no other job has surfaced)....I also had another friend who felt the same way and again compromised with her parents to give college a try and she has decided that college is the best place for her and that she has plenty of time for Broadway.</p>
<p>Remind her that the average age of a Broadway star is 26 (I read that somewhere!!!). Also in college she will have the opportunity to do shows, get training and possibly do professional theater in the Summers. </p>
<p>PS
I think notmamarose has some good options</p>
<p>Good Luck</p>
<p>Have you thought of maybe suggesting a 2 year, non-degree program? I know there are lots of them out there, such as Circle in the Square, Atlantic Theatre School, etc. Maybe this would be a good middle ground?</p>