Musical Theatre- Comparing Top Choices

@NYYFanNowMTdad it is a very strong contender for us too. My D did a summer program there last year and loved everything about it! The facilities and training were incredible- did you love the Wanda Bass Hall? My D learned so much in a few short weeks there. We are not really bothered about the larger class size- we figure that will be great training for the real world and they seem to have their program down to a science with all kinds of opportunities for the students- from the operas, theatre and musicals. I know, not many direct flights I bet from the northeast… but I bet worth an extra flight to get to! How are you going to decide?!

@MadameT yes we were thoroughly impressed with the facilities, got a parent tour by the dean while the kids were in the dance call. we are waiting to hear back from a few WL schools for now. if 1-2 of them come through it will be a family discussion, maybe a zoom session w Dr. H and 1-2 other program directors, if none of our WL schools come through I suspect it will be OCU…waiting on a few financial appeals but the difference on net cost amongst all schools is within $5K/yr so I dont think that will be the make or break item… with these WL up in the air, we havent " forced her yet" to rank OCU vs the waitlist schools bc they remain unknowns…I think she will be very happy and challenged at OCU , just need some finality that these WL dont offer #torturecontinues #lovethisprocessNOT

I thought of you & your D today … as my D received her 6th WAITLIST letter. ? But we are done. No outstanding schools left.
Thankfully, she has a few acceptances, and while a few waitlist schools are very desirable programs… I think she’s going with one of the newer MT programs she “clicked” with. (UAB)
I cannot stand the waitlist waiting.

soreadytobedone

willshefeelthesametomorrow

@Dramamomma918 UAB is a young program, but PHENOMENAL people…it actually would probably pull my daughter from choosing either Molloy/CAP21 or NYU. She is on the UAB WL and I think would pick it over all others if given the opportunity. A great choice for your daughter!

@Dramamomma918 I have never read anything but super positive vibes on UAB…it is often mentioned as a hidden gem…cant wait to hear the details of your final story

@Dramamomma918 UAB is a phenomenal program. My D has a friend who attends there (I think she’s supposed to graduate this year) and chose it over some more well known programs. It has grown quickly in popularity due in part to the head, staff and all the opportunities. That would be an amazing place to land!

We are waiting for a last decision, and DS asked me not to post specifics, but I have to jump on the UAB bandwagon. I learned about it from my fellow mom in the trenches, @Libish, and DS is really hoping to come off UAB wait list. I saw him after 15 live auditions, and the UAB afterglow was remarkable. He is releasing other acceptances and trusting the process (he does have options, but UAB is his #1).

@NYYFanNowMTdad and others… I do see that flights from NYC to OKC are few and far between. A couple of thoughts:

  1. Are there any direct Southwest flights from LGA to OKC?
  2. If you are having to connect anyway, perhaps fly into DFW and drive < 3 hours to OKC? By the time you change planes and layover, that might be a quicker option.

Just a couple of thoughts.

@TexasMTDad thanks for the thoughts. prior to all this craziness AA announced a non stop flight from NY’s LGA to OKC starting this spring, but who knows if that ends up being consolidated now??

When we auditioned there was a " seasonal" non stop" 1x/ daily from Newark to OKC on United but yes the other 2 options are DFW or a connection…all things considered BOO HOO for me if thats the biggest drawback #perspective

How does housing work with waitlists… I am scared that I won’t get housing if I commit so late, at either the waitlist school or at the school that I would commit to if I didn’t get off (but I want to wait for the waitlist school and I am willing to wait until June 1st if needed).

@bfayay you should ask the schools. You can always email your admissions counselor. I know a lot of schools guarantee housing for freshman.

@bfayay Many schools don’t do their housing selections/assignments until mid-summer. As @NeensMom says - it would be a good question to ask admissions, but don’t fret as it’s likely that it won’t impact your housing selection anyway.

@bfayay I wouldn’t worry about housing with your waitlist. They don’t even assign freshman housing until after orientation since kids meet potential roommates there. They will have room for you, but you may not end up with your preferred room type. I suspect that may be the case at most schools with MT/Acting programs. They are used to dealing with waitlist and decision day acceptances. You may not always get your pick of dorm or rooms, but you will get something. Some have special floors/dorms for arts students. I don’t know how those are affected by waitlist or if they ensure rooms for all entering students. But you can always reach out and ask the school’s housing department if you have concerns.

Western Michigan has posted a great video with details of all of their theatre facilities, including performance, rehearsal, dressing, workshop, and classroom spaces. It would be nice if every school did this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRjcgxXJceo&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR30llkgm5aK-UiwD9OONmskY-4SrjnP83tH5y5DaFiPq842BQ978RB39NA

I think it also demonstrates that even somewhat lesser-known MT departments across the country have very substantial theatre facilities and outstanding programs.

@EmsDad just found that, too, and agree. They have great facilities at WMU!

We loved what we learned about Western Michigan and it would have been a high-ranking choice, for sure if they had accepted my daughter.

@EmsDad - that is one of the top picks for one of my students. It is one school, however, he hasn’t connected with for any of the directors. Any suggestions for him to call? faculty? or reach out to? Since he didn’t get to visit…

@onette - Jay Berkow is the head of the MT program and the guy that your student should talk to - Jay was a long-time Broadway performer (A Chorus Line, Evita, La Cage aux Folles, etc.). You can send him an email directly from the WMU theatre faculty web page:

https://wmich.edu/theatre/directory

The head of the theatre program, Joan Herrington or Mark Liermann one of the acting faculty, would also great to talk to. They can give an overview of the acting component of the MT curriculum and the crossover between Acting and MT (lots of MTP’s land roles in straight plays, and WMU always has a great season of plays).

There is a new head of MT voice, Ed Walker, who joined after my d graduated, so I don’t know him.

There is a good interview with Jay on this page:

https://www.rcreader.com/theatre/get-horse-and-pick-shovel-jay-berkow-finds-reality-circa-21s-oklahoma

Jay still directs summer stock every year, and even appears on stage now and then.

@EmsDad - thank you!!!

@MadameT I second @NYYFanNowMTdad the one thing I would add is the number of performance opportunities, I think I heard 40! Which means auditioning and that prepares them for their future.