What is the big difference in classes MT’s vs. MT’s with Dance Concentration take? Obviously the MT’s with Dance Concentration take more dance, but something has to give, doesn’t it? Do they have less acting classes, voice, or are they just busier then regular MT’s?
Actually MTDs (dance concentration) do not take more dance. They are typically placed in the advanced or intermediate advance classes but all MTs and Acting Majors dance daily (not sure if that continues all 4 years for Acting Majors but I know Freshman year they dance daily, Times or Entertainersmom can chime in). The main difference is MTDs take choreography (which my S really loves) and dance history with the dance minors. So from what I understand dance history, for example, takes the place of other support classes. They do not have less acting, voice etc. All MTs have 1 hour private voice per week. As far as are they busier I dunno, they are all very busy but I know my S spends a lot of time on his own choreography projects or participating in other dance minors pieces. He and another freshman MTD assisted with the on campus dance calls so many of you or your kids likely met him.
My S was a fairly advanced dancer already but in only a semester I can see so much growth in him. Stella Kane (head of dance) and team don’t mess around, Otterbein has a great dance program.
Thank you so much @MTMajorCook that is really helpful. If I may ask another question or two… are the dance classes leveled, even if you are not in the dance concentration? The thing is my daughter never danced for Otterbein, but she is really good at it. But because she did a walk-in for Otterbein, the dancing never even came up. Can non dance concentration kids participate in dance events? Also do they have piano? Again, thank you so much!
The first week of every semester dance is leveled, whether you are MTD or not. All students can participate in the dance concert. (I believe auditioning may even be required, but don’t quote me on that.)
S has music theory and I know he’s had some level of piano (on winter break he plucked out a song for me LOL) but I’m not sure its a piano only class or what options you may have to take piano. You can always reach out to Elizabeth Doyle on those specifics.
Thanks again @MTmajorcook that was really helpful. We will certainly reach out to Otterbein about more specifics and also make visit to get a better feeling about the school.
@MTMajorCook, I know they do placement in dance at the beginning of the year (not sure about second semester), and that’s for everyone. And yes, it’s also correct that all students–new freshmen included–are required to audition for the winter dance concert, and that audition happens very quickly, like the 2nd or 3rd week of school.
Acting majors take dance in their first year, 5 days/week like the MTs do; they are not required to keep taking it, but as far as I can tell, many (if not most) of them do continue. Acting majors are required to do stage combat in their second year, so dance becomes an “extra” at that point. I was just talking about this with my son last night; he’s thinking next year he will cut back to doing just ballet so that he only has dance 2-3 times a week. Since he had never danced before college, it was interesting to see how quickly he understood its value (esp. ballet). From what I can tell, it’s a wonderful dance program.
The curriculum has changed a little bit over the last year or two, so I’m not sure my copies of the requirements are up to date; however, I can tell you what’s on the information sheets that I have. The biggest difference between MT and acting majors’ requirements for freshman year is the additional music classes: fundamentals of music, a weekly voice lesson, and a weekly vocal ensemble rehearsal. The additional classes for MTs add up to 1.5 credit hours–again, this based on the written information we got when my son was admitted, so it may not be current.
In later years, there are differences between when they take specific classes (combat, stage makeup, theater history, directing, acting for film)–but the acting classes stay the same.
Last year, they decided to remove the second semester of theater fundamentals for the freshmen; my son was able to take an elective in stage lighting, and he also added a one-credit class in Alexander Technique. So the published curriculum is always a bit of a moving target. The real core of the performance major is the acting class, which meets daily for a couple of hours and which all of them take together. Their days are really, really packed, especially when they have rehearsals at night.
Hope that wasn’t too much information! I know everyone has questions, so this may be a good place to share all kinds of information about the program.
@my97MTbaby, you may want to clarify the dance placement/leveling for freshmen with the staff. I know my son, who will be a senior next year, had at least one semester or year where, if the student wasn’t dance concentration, they were automatically placed at a certain level. Since my son opted to not audition for dance concentration, he thought he would at least dance for placement when he got to school. I don’t believe that happened. I only mention this since you say your daughter does have some training and it would be interesting to see how she was placed for dance. By the way, if your daughter would like to connect with my son for his perspective, I’m sure he would be happy to connect with her - as I think all of the current Otterbein kids would, especially those mentioned here! Wishing you all well as she makes her decisions!
@Times3 and @abparent thank you both so much for the in depth information and for the offer to connect our kids. At this point we are trying to figure out when we can go and visit Otterbein to get a better idea about everything.
^Glad you posted that, @abparent; I just asked my son, and he thinks that happened his freshman year too–that freshmen who weren’t dance concentrators were just placed in basic dance. He definitely took a placement test this fall as a sophomore, though.
Oh for sure double check everything I say, things are easy to misinterpret when you are getting them second hand.
^^Me too!! 
So I checked with Stella Kane, the Head of our Dance Area. It is true that in the past we typically placed freshmen MTs who are not in the dance concentration into the basic dance levels. But we started something different this year. Here are Stella’s own words:
“During the first semester we do place all incoming freshmen into the basic class if they are not coming in as a dance concentration. But all teachers take a look at the students during the first week of the basic dance class and if they belong in a higher level in any technique they are placed up to the appropriate level for any or all of the techniques. In the second semester we are placing every student for every technique in basic through advanced.”
For those who may not be familiar with our dance program, we teach dance every day at four different levels–basic, intermediate, intermediate/advanced, and advanced–in each of the four fundamental techniques, ballet, modern, jazz and tap. Each day is devoted to a single technique, so that we can place students appropriately without changing their schedules.
I hope this clears away any confusion.
Dr. John
Or Dr John will post and clear it all up LOL
@doctorjohn thank you so much for the clarification, it is very much appreciated.
Glad to help!