<p>My son has a dilemma; he wants to study dance or theater in college - and to be able to cross-over into the other area as a minor, at the every least. He has experience in all forms of dance, dancing for 13 years, excels in tap, he is a National Young Artist Foundation Winner in Dance/Tap 2014, Honorable Mention 2013, and is studying modern/lyrical at a local studio, ballet at community college, and teaches tap and hip-hop. He came a little late to the game as far as other dance disciplines because of intense bullying, but found his way back to it all, and is doing everything he can to make up for lost time relative to other forms of dance since tap has been his primary focus, without interruption, for so long. He will never be praised for his barre work, but he has been told by numerous teachers he has potential and natural ability in dance overall. He has a trainable voice too - not fantastic but workable and has done well singing, three lead roles in high school and local theater. Academics are better than average with a 3.2 Cummulative GPA (just under). He has had some honors classes but usually does average work (and has a processing information learning disability although he manages it well and has never had special education). He does, however, routinely obtain As in physical education and wellness and any arts-related classes, including shop, art, drama, media production, creative writing, etc.... He has two years of language, but only one is considered a high school year. He is also a musican; reads music, plays the piano and drums (percussionist), and raps - and has won a local contest for his rap/lyrics. He also has won multiple tap dance awards and contests, and choreographed award-winning competition team routines. Our struggle is in figuring out where all the pieces of this puzzle will fit. Is there a college or university that will accept him into their program with less than stellar academics, but recognize his gift for creativity and artistry, with an amazing capacity to choreograph, and a desire to one day create a theatrical dance performance production company and showcase this work across the world? Is there anywhere that would be interested in his talent and accept him based on his undeveloped potential? Is there a college that would be interested in laying the groundwork for him to more fully develop his artistry? IF he cannot get passed the ballet barre or the vocal audition to the part where he can tap or, perhap,act, he might not ever be seen. Then there is the whole challenge of obtaining admission into a university with a more diverse performance arts program. Where does this leave him as far as possible options? We have 5 schools we are applying to, so far, but are not even certain these are right for him. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>As I said over on the drama thread, I would definitely have him check out the Roosevelt/CCPA musical theatre dance emphasis program. It is an auditioned BFA in Chicago. My D is a freshman on the voice emphasis track and loves it. They are less selective academically so if he has a good audition that shouldn’t be a problem.</p>
<p>Also look at Muhlenberg–it is non-audition and they offer lots of ways to craft your own performing arts degree. They are tougher to get into academically however. But if he auditions for scholarship with Charlie Richter and he likes him, Charlie puts in a good word with admissions.</p>
<p>Thanks, Austinmt. You following me? I am not familiar with Roosevelt/CCPA so was about to check that out. Yes, Muhlenberg is at the top of his list and he met Charlie. Seems like a great guy, very dedicated and knowledgable - brings a different approach to the theater dept. SO - How the heck did you know that? Anyway, my son absolutely loves it there but his academics are just under what they look for in their incoming freshman. Not sure how to get passed that possible obstacle, however, his talent does seem to be appreciated and recognized. Worried about money too. It is the most expensive school on both our short and long list.</p>
<p>I have a friend whose son dances. He’s a freshman this year at Manhattan Marymount (majoring in dance). He also looked at George Mason (a Virginia state school right outside of DC) and Point Park in Pittsburgh. (can’t remember the other schools he applied to.)</p>
<p>It’s Marymount Manhattan, not Manhattan Marymount. 
</p>
<p>WannaBHines, look at Pace. They are the only school I know of that has a Commercial Dance major, and they have a bunch of BA Acting majors. His GPA would not be a stumbling block there at all. My D is not looking at Pace for MT because they don’t have a music program there (I know, people say it doesn’t matter, but it matters to us), but the dance program is supposed to be good. The other places I would tell him to look are Montclair, OCU and BoCo (BoCo only if he wants to go straight dance, as they don’t have plain acting). Also you may want to check out Indiana University. I have to respectfully disagree with SU88BFA…Marymount Manhattan would not be the first place that comes to mind with regard to a great dance program where he can also act.</p>
<p>WannaBHines, I would not recommend Marymount Manhattan for your son. From what I hear the dance program (BFA Dance) is good, but dance is not strong in the MT program - and the MT dance is VERY separate from the BFA dance, which is why my D did not go there. He might really like Montclair (where my D goes) where the head of the MT program (Clay James) is a tap dancer, the MT and BFA dance kids CAN take the same classes (but don’t have to), there are minors in both dance and MT, and the dance/theater/music programs all work together really closely. Montclair reportedly (according to google, if you can believe that, lol) accepts 57% academically, which does not make it super easy to get into academically, but your son’s GPA is certainly not terrible, and he’s had honors classes which is good. The language requirement might be a stumbling block, but he could possibly make it up once there; might want to call Admissions and ask. My daughter took Physics senior year BECAUSE Montclair wanted another lab science, but ironically, once there, the BFA MT or Dance kids don’t have to take math or science the whole 4 years! My daughter had a strong dance background and it has turned out to be an excellent fit for her. Tap instruction is strong. They are doing 42nd Street this year!</p>
<p>These replies are awesome! Thanks everyone! Montclair is on the list. 42nd Street is such a great show, Calliene, I am glad you let me know. That musical fueled my son’s interest in tap and theater at age 4.</p>
<p>WannaBHines–Many colleges require two years of a language. So your son having only one year of language might exclude him from some colleges he otherwise would get into. Has he considered taking a semester of the language at a community college? One semester at a community college counts as a full year in high school and would fulfill his requirement. Another option is online classes. His guidance counselor should be able to help.</p>
<p>WannaBHines, your post about your son has stuck in my head all afternoon so I’m gonna just throw this out there: Sarah Lawrence would LOVE someone like your son. They LOVE those kids that are artsy and work hard at things they are passionate about – even if it is sometimes at the expense of a perfect academic record. They care much more about who someone is, what they care about, and what they’ve accomplished and hope to accomplish in the real world than about grades and test scores. They LOVE creative kids who like to integrate all their interests. They have strong music, theater, and dance departments HOWEVER there is no BFA so it is likely not what you are looking for, but just thought I’d mention it if by chance you are open to other avenues. Also it is very expensive, but there ARE scholarships for kids they really want! And who they really want will NOT be based on GPA and test scores (they don’t even want the test scores). It’s also very close to NYC.</p>
<p>Dance departments are always hungry for talented young men who show potential which your son clearly shows potential. You have many options!</p>
<p>I would suggest looking at some of the following schools. All are unique in their own way and I wish you luck finding the right one:
AMDA
University of Indiana Contemporary
Ball State
Bard
Elon University
Ohio State University
Santa Clara University
Mercyhurst
Muhlenberg
Oklahoma City
Pace
Plymouth State
University of the Arts</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>I will second dancingcoach’s suggestion of Bard! They have a fabulous dance program, and a fabulous theater/acting program. And, you can make your own major there. Plus, they don’t care about SAT or ACT scores at all. If you need to be convinced, Google the Fisher Center…that’s their performing arts center. GORGEOUS building. (Disclaimer: I went there, and my son goes there…he’s a senior physics major, and he used to be a double major with music, so we know the arts program well. )</p>
<p>Go to this website and read a new article all about the new dance/MT program at Roosevelt in Chicago! [Their</a> Chance to Dance](<a href=“http://www.roosevelt.edu/News_and_Events/News_Articles/RR/FA2013/Dance.aspx]Their”>http://www.roosevelt.edu/News_and_Events/News_Articles/RR/FA2013/Dance.aspx)</p>
<p>Looks like you have lots of research ahead of you WannaBHines! 
Under the Roosevelt thread in the Musical theatre schools section there is a whole discussion about the MT dance program that the article Christie2 references.</p>
<p>Have fun! We loved Muhlenberg, too. What beautiful facilities for dance they have!</p>
<p>Suggest also looking at MT, Theatre, and/or dance at UNH, Syracuse, Penn State, and James Madison.</p>
<p>The path that will most allow him to create the balance he wants may vary from school to school, so don’t feel shy about asking lots of questions at all schools you are checking out. :)</p>
<p>OCU has an amazing professional dance school - the Ann Lacy School of Dance at Oklahoma City University. Although there is no MT minor, dance majors are required to take voice and acting among there other classes. They can and do audition for all shows on campus. And many go on to very successful performing careers as dancers, actors and singers. It would be worth looking into as he can get very advanced dance training and still continue voice and acting as well.</p>
<p>He should look at Wayne State University - their BFA Dance is very strong in choreography and he could double major with a BA in Theatre or minor in Theatre. Also, their admissions are holistic, so his grades should be fine. They allow you to tailor your areas of study a bit more than other programs.</p>
<p>That may be a good combination for him if he can’t decide what direction to take: BFA Dance + BA Theatre</p>
<p>To piggyback on connections comments about getting a 2nd year of a language, I would consider 2 things:
You could verify which of the schools on his list require 2 years of a language (most do) and then contact them to see if he can be accepted academically with one year, contingent on his taking a 2nd year (one college semester) before he matriculates. This will be case by case basis for every school.<br>
Or, as connections suggested, look at CC and online classes for winter or spring term. If he can take it before he graduates, it should count as both HS and college credit - he may even be able to drop an elective and take the college level language as duel enrollment so he gets all his credits. </p>
<p>Dallas County Community College District (dcccd) has 4 week winter classes including beginning Spanish which is completely online and runs Dec 16-Jan 10. It looks like beginning French requires an onsite lab. My kids have used them for gen eds during May and Winter terms as well as summer and flex semesters during their regular semester. It is super cheap if you live in the Dallas area or out-of-district with Texas instate tuition, but even for OOS with an online fee, they are less expensive than our local CCs. To see their current class schedule search “dcccd online”.</p>
<p>WannaB, I posted this on the threater/drama side too. Have you guys considered Point Park University in Pittsburgh? GREAT dance program, and MT, and lots of interplay between the disciplines. You can major in dance and minor in MT there too. One of the best dance majors in the country, and a very, very strong MT program as well. I just saw “Oklahoma!” there. The dancing was very strong in the show. He will be okay academically there, and they have a very good support system university-wide for students with learning disabilities.</p>
<p>So glad you wrote about Bard. The campus is amazing and as you emphasized you can make your own major there which is very unique. I’ve seen some amazing dance performances there,too. One very memorable one was when the Mark Morris dance company performed in their beautiful facility.</p>
<p>I strongly suggest U Arts in Philly. He could be a dance major and a musical theater minor. He should be able to get voice and acting lessons, along with his dance classes, and plenty of opportunities to perform. Good luck!</p>