<p>Sorry to bump a thread. But I was wondering if Lippa’s “The Wild Party” is considered an overdone show from which to use a song? I have a feeling that it might be, but not so much that I wouldn’t still go ahead with the song I’m planning on singing-- it’s one of my strongest pieces. I am just curious.</p>
<p>hopeful - This isn’t the right thread for song choices, but I happened to be talking to my son and asked him your question. He said Wild Party isn’t over done in his opinion except maybe “How Did We Come to This?”, but that isn’t even that bad. He said it was his girlfriend’s song of choice for a long time.</p>
<p>Wow, I completely thought I was in the Overused Audition Songs thread, I have no idea how I made that mistake.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply! Hahah, yeah, that’s the song I was going to do, but it’s good it hear it’s not THAT bad.</p>
<p>:) Good luck!</p>
<p>My daughter auditioned 2 years ago for a number of the “top” schools listed in this thread. She insisted she wanted a conservatory atmosphere; even when we convinced her to look at a variety of programs she was in a conservatory mind-set. She was accepted into several of the “top” schools and chose the school of her dreams. After 1 semester, she was totally disenchanted with the program. She felt it was too narrow and that she was not getting a well-rounded education. She came home a bit confused and not knowing which direction to go. She auditioned a lot, got into some great shows, went to a local CC , and talked to a lot of older actors to get input. She is now auditioning for schools again as a transfer student and is so much more open to various programs. She is much more mature and more realistic now and all in all, we feel it really worked out for the best (and saved us a ton of money.) She already has received one offer from a university based, MT BFA program- the day after her unified audition with that school. It is not typically considered to be in the top group of programs, but she feels it is a great fit for her. She also auditioned for some of the conservatory’s, so now it is a waiting game. I guess what I am trying to say is that she had this set idea of where she wanted to go (since she was 10 years old) and found it wasn’t right for her. Try to be open minded and explore various programs. Don’t get sucked into “top schools” thing- every school has something different to offer and what is right for someone else may not be right for you. We know several successful actors who went to no-name schools, as well as one who skipped school all together and is doing very well. We know some who went to “top-notch” schools who are switching careers. Above all, before committing to a school where you will graduate with a $200,000 debt, think about the odds of paying it off on an actor’s salary!</p>
<p>I hope no one graduates with anything close to 200,000 in debt unless perhaps for medical school in a high demand specialty. Indebtedness will kill future opportunities to travel, get further training and be available for auditions. It’s much wiser to look at the whole picture which includes scholarships (that do not have to be paid back), price, cost of living and transportation, work/study opportunities, accompaniment and added private voice fees. But in some cases I have found top schools costing no more than less well known schools. Instate publics are usually the most economical choice and sometimes the choice that leads to the most opportunities. There is a much higher drop out rate for students choked with debt.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, we do know several students who are paying for their conservatory educations almost completely with loans. At $40,000 per year that adds up quickly. I can’t imagine starting a professional career with that kind of debt, especially as an actor! (Even as a doctor these days!)</p>
<p>You are so right and the same exact thing just happened to our daughter. she is home now and reapplying to ba state schools because the 180,000 debt and the overkill of a top conservatory program did her in after just one semester. We hope she will be happier in a more rounded program,time will tell but in the meantime its nice to know we wont have that 40,000 a year debt.</p>
<p>This thread is very helpful. Even though the real issue is not putting schools in rank order - clearly that is not possible, nor really relevant - I think it is doing a very good job of answering several important questions we all wonder about:</p>
<p>1) Are there “more selective” and “less selective” schools in theatre/MT? Even within auditioned programs, people refer to ones that are “easier” to get into than others. Some of this is prestige, some straight percentages. This is hard info to find, and it helps when it gets explained.</p>
<p>2) How do people really define the “better school” distinction? Better=famous and with statistically more “successful” grads? Better=more valuable eduction, however that’s defined? Better=meets their needs, whatever they personally are? It’s impossible to predict the future, but everyone does have different definitions, both before and after attending the programs.</p>
<p>Having this in-depth discussion helps all of us reach our own answers to these questions, which are too complicated to be absolute. Thank you so much to everyone who contributes.</p>
<p>The best program is the one that sends you out into the world prepared to compete for work and the best measure of a program is how many of the program’s graduates find work. It doesn’t matter if you are getting a PHD in the humanities or an engineering degree or a degree in law the end result should be employability. And the problem is no one keeps these stats. So the question is, " Do the prestige schools turn out more working actors than other schools?" And are there more working actors who are BFAs or BA’s? I can’t find this out and I would like to be a better educated consumer.</p>
<p>thecheckbook - I think it can be stated, I believe without fear of contradiction, that the “top twenty” or so more highly regarded schools have a better success rate at having their students be gainfully employed than say the some other other group of twenty “not-so-highly” regarded schools. Also, it is typical for the more intense training of the “BFA” programs to result in more actual hires than the broader based “BA” programs. This however only reflects the general odds - if you spend a ton of money going to a great school - this does not guarantee that you will work, and if you skip college altogether - this does not guarantee that you will not work. If only one in 100,000 thousand people contract some serious medical condition - and you are the one that dies from it - who cares what the statistics were?</p>
<p>So, here’s the deal. You need give yourself the best odds you can. You need to find as best a program that you can get into, afford, and thrive in. I am huge on triple threat training and strong mentoring - this does, in fact, set the student up for their best chances at making a life in the performing arts. It is not about the price tag or the reputation - it is about what combination of factors would give each student their best shot.</p>
<p>Thanks mtdog71, this economy puts an enormous amout of pressure on artistic students and their parents.</p>
<p>I’m going to go out on another limb and remark that “working” means many things. I don’t live in the northeast, although I grew up there and have a pretty good handle on it. Let’s not forget that there are many, many employed theatre and other artistic professionals (and non-professionals) all over the country. Some of these kids do feel in their hearts that it’s “Broadway or Bust,” but many others would be happy to be in a small company somewhere else in the country, or starting experimental programs of their own, or teaching, or bringing theatre to third world countries, etc., etc. This profession is bigger than people usually talk about. And there are many, many ways to have an artistic “career.” I think these kids are going to be surprising and exciting in ways we can’t even imagine.</p>
<p>EmmyBet, I agree 100% with your post #93.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>And I actually think my D would say the same thing. Both of my kids have grown up knowing people following their artistic pathways in many ways, and I’m grateful they have don’t question that they have “permission” to create, perform, and express themselves, no matter what anybody says or does, or pays.</p>
<p>Emmy, I agree as well - this is why I often refer to “a Life in the performing arts”.</p>
<p>Does anyone know about the Wichita State University MT program? We have heard that it is up and coming.</p>