<p>I'm currently a high school junior. I'm passionate about theatre, especially musical theatre, but I have not had the opportunity to have the dance training that a lot of other auditioners will have had. I've only had a few years of each type of dance, but many years ago, and some musical theatre classes. I can definitely do singing and acting though. I've heard that Ithaca does not require a dance audition and Emerson's is incredibly easy. Are there any other BFA MT colleges that do not have/ have an easy dance audition? Somewhere in the Northeast would be preferred. Of course, I'll also be auditioning for many BFA Acting schools, but MT would be my first choice. </p>
<p>Also, how do auditions work in places that have both Acting & MT (I'm thinking Emerson and UArts)? Can you audition for both with the same audition? What about at Unified Auditions? Do they insist that you make a decision beforehand? Although I'd prefer Emerson MT, for example, I'd prefer Emerson Acting to many other Acting programs. </p>
<p>Believe it or not, my easiest dance audition, by far, was for Point Park MT. They believe they can train people to dance well and, therefor, have a very simple dance audition.</p>
<p>A lot of schools, such as PPU, audition you for MT and Acting at the same time through one audition. You may have to do an extra monologue or something in comparisson to a regular MT audition but it’s usually relatively painless. I didn’t audition for Emerson and UArts so I don’t know those specifics.</p>
<p>I wonder if you are overestimating the dance training you need for MT. My S only auditioned for 5 programs and was accepted to 3, and he has had NO formal dance training, but learns combinations fairly easily (very competitive show choir 4 years). His criteria for a program focused on having lots of academics outside of MT (not a conservatory), so I don’t know what that means for auditions criteria…it may make a difference it what kind of skills they are looking for.</p>
<p>Anyway, all of his auditions had a dance components (some harder than others) but I don’t think he ever felt like that his lack of formal training kept him out of the hunt. He is also a strong actor and a good singer…but when I describe his dancing ability, I always say he can MOVE, and pick things up quickly, but no formal training.</p>
<p>This may be more different for girls where there are twice as many applicants, but in general you are auditioning to ACT and SING, and hopefully you can move. Make sure you don’t rule schools out because they hold a dance audition. IMHO. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>I think the key to most dance auditions is the ability to pick up combinations quickly. My D had very little dance training long ago (two years of ballet as a tot, some jazz, no tap) but what she did have was lots of practice learning combinations in summer theatre. Even so, she got into BoCo and that program is dance heavy…if they think you are trainable, you have a chance.</p>
<p>I know this is not addressing the question at hand, but I feel compelled to offer this advice. While I believe I understand the good intent behind it, it bothers me that a young person who wants a career in MT could possibly be missing the boat. The boat I speak of is that MT is a least a three ring circus (singing, acting, and dancing) and anyone who wants to seriously contend needs to want to be the best they can be in all three areas. To do less than that is to purposefully stack the odds against yourself. If I were a junior in HS who sang and acted well, I would spend this summer taking some dance classes - not trying avoid “difficult” dance auditions. Let me further say that what may seem to be an easy dance audition can still tell an experienced choreographer/ dance teacher all they need to know about your dance ability. Hard/fast audition combinations do not necessarily equal better dance training or higher expectations at the program. Also, if it is clear that dance is not your forte - the auditioners might, at that time, be evaluating how you cope with a challenge, your attitude toward difficult work, and any number of other factors. The same advice would apply if you dance like a dream, but need to work on acting or singing. Many programs are content with a candidate being strong in two areas and showing some possibility of growth in a third area. I guess my point is do the best you can do in all areas, work harder in the area that needs the most work. Choose your schools by the programs you would like to attend/be associated with - not by how easy their audition might be. Best of luck as you wind down this path.</p>
<p>As a parent of a dancer who sings, I would say that the ease or simplicity of a dance audition may not reflect what the program is looking for. If there is an experienced dancer/choerorapher watching the audition they do not need to see complex combinations to know who is trained and not trained. Dd has doen dance auditions for very competitive dance programs that only involved dance skills she learned at 12 or 13, But they are looking for a quality of movement. So if you are not a trained dancer you may be fine because they may be looking more for a quality than knowledge.
What training does help with - in my opinion - is reducing stress and knowledge of vocabulary. It is easier to learn a combination if you know the names of the steps and what they look like.</p>
<p>Thanks! I definitely appreciate your sharing of your experience with BoCo…I had ruled it out re: dance, but it was my first choice. I saw Parade ( a student-directed show) there this year, and it was absolutely beautifully done. I’ll be happy to be able to add it back! Point Park is a great idea which I hadn’t really considered, since I do want to be able to dance well in the future!</p>
<p>I’m also glad to know that the difficulty of the dance audition does not generally reflect how good you have to be. I’m definitely able to sell any dance (even if I can’t really do the steps,) and I can hide any frustration and have a good attitude. </p>
<p>Here’s my list so far:
“Reach”: BoCo, Hartt, Ithaca, UArts, Emerson, Point Park, Marymount Manhattan (Minor)
“Safety”: Temple University, Columbia College</p>
<p>I have many other reaches and safeties for Acting, but I think this is probably a good starting point for MT.</p>
<p>Since I go to a private school (because it has excellent acting,) I probably can’t afford to take dance classes as well. I am going to take voice lessons for the first time in a few years though, since I do think I can be very competitive vocally if I get the right “finishing touches” (and I think weak dance and great singing/acting is better than mediocre dance/singing and great acting.)</p>
<p>Temple requires an audition, I believe. No school with an audition can be considered a safety. </p>
<p>Columbia College – Chicago does not require an audition for entrance into the school (unless this has changed), and I do not believe it is highly competitive from an academic standpoint, so it could be considered a safety school for many if it is affordable.</p>
<p>Ultimately, a true safety is a school that does not require an audition to the program, where you are well above the academic entrance stats, can afford, and would be more than happy to attend.</p>
<p>I’m considering Temple a safety because I believe that the Acting/Theatre BA is non-audition, and you can do that if you do not get in to the Musical Theatre program?</p>
<p>I would definitely be more than happy to attend Temple & Columbia College, especially Temple (particularly regarding their locations.) Thanks for your advice!</p>
<p>i auditioned for PP this fall, and I do have to say, the dance audition was very hard, and i have had some basic training. i ahve my pace audition this saturday, so we’ll see. But so far, i thought NYU was the most easiest, and fun.</p>
<p>D has completed six auditions thus far. Her impression at this point is if you have not had years of dance training, you will be in good company at the auditions. Dancers with years of training seem to be among the minority, at least in her particular audition groups. </p>
<p>Soso- your city might have a rec center program or public school summer program where you can get beginner ballet and jazz classes for less $$ than you might find at a dance studio.</p>
<p>Look up Holly Williams on youtube “Looks 10 - Dance 3” for some great advice: “Learn to dance and you’ll be asked to stay and sing.” She’s a grad of Univ of Miami BFA.</p>
She’s a grad of Univ of Miami BFA.</p>