Anybody have thoughts on MT @ Uarts or Viterbo?
@camban my daughter is considering Viterbo and we toured them on her Spring Break (it was theirs as well). I figured we would tour since we were already doing a major college tour and we could fit it in before coming home and if she still wanted to go there, we would schedule a real accepted student visit to let her sit in on some classes. Of course, that all went to hell but you know that! LOL
We actually really liked the campus - small but pretty. The town is nice and we had a great lunch at Buzzard Billy’s in the downtown area. Our tour guide was an MT major and had lots of great things to say about the program. The theatre facilities were really nice. Dorms were normal dorms you see on pretty much any college campus. There is a convent on campus and the Sisters are seen (she said in regular clothes not habits) and they interact with the students - the students love having them around. The Sisters also pray around the clock for the college and the students. Our tour guide said the campus was VERY safe and actually the scariest moment she had was when she came back to her dorm in her Cats makeup and several security guards came up to her to find out who she was and why she was in the dorm. LOL Every student and college staff/faculty member we have talked to has been super nice and encouraging. The school sits nextdoor to the Mayo Clinic and they said if a student goes to the on campus clinic and needs testing or needs to be seen by someone else, they send them over there which is an added bonus especially in light of recent events.
Sadly, we didn’t learn anything new about the program since she didn’t get to meet any faculty or sit in on any classes. If I think of anything else, I’ll let you know.
@camban I don’t know anything about Viterbo but I’ve done a ton of research on UArts! What do you want to know?
@NeensMom - my S auditioned at NYC Unifieds, and really liked the experience. But we really have no insight into the actually program. He heard through friends that the program is not as strong as it once was, which I am sure you all know “friends” have a huge impact. So just trying to gather as much information on the program. TIA
@camban I’ve been talking to several parents (all of daughters) and my D has been speaking with some current MT students as well (again all girls). So far everyone we have spoken to has nothing but rave reviews for everything about the program. The only complaint I hear is about food. I made a list of program attributes in another thread. I’ll find it and post here.
@camban Here you go:
- They can be generous with financial aid (gave us more with an appeal).
- Easy access to NYC for $15 and an hour-and-a-half bus ride.
- True conservatory program AND it is very easy to minor in literally any discipline available at the University. (My D will minor in art therapy)
- They do a lot of new works so they really focus on teaching their students to be creative and breathe their own life into their stage work.
- After completing your required dance classes you can audit as many dance classes as you want for free.
- Philly is a funky, artsy city with a vibrant professional theater scene literally out the front steps of the University.
- Dorm rooms have full kitchens and bathrooms (they are converted apartments).
- It's an all arts school. Creative people abound and the MT program produces a lot of contemporary, edgy work (so this is a plus or minus depending on your son's artistic style).
- MT students take three required semesters of piano.
- It's a triple threat program (quadruple threat if you are looking for instruments)
@NeensMom Thank you for the info, very helpful.
@RMT549 Thank you.
Wishing you all good luck & thank you for your thoughts @allfour1 @Libish @MTSongbirdMom @NYYFanNowMTdad
It’s such a hard process … my D has to go with that “gut” Feeling… It’s just weird “letting go” if programs do well known for a program we didn’t even know about until audition season! Hoping she is 100% decided soon .
Would love feedback- What is the downside to going to a school that doesn’t have a NYC showcase? They do a showcase for Chicago but not NYC. If you hope to end up in NY doesn’t that put you at a disadvantage to the kids who have one in NY and get the contacts right out of their program? D is worried she’ll be behind those that have that opportunity… It’s bothering her about one of the choices she considering
Greetings! Daughter accepted to CCPA BFA MT program. Would love to hear from others the pros/cons as well! Hope everyone safe and healthy 
@marksmith811 -My D is currently deciding between CCPA MT and Molloy/Cap21
Great choices, @frisbee3! I have only second-hand knowledge but here is what I think I know:
- I think there might be a big cost difference and if it were me I would strongly consider cost when comparing two equally excellent schools.
- Chicago vs. New York…where does your D feel most connected?
- Is she okay with the commute into the city at Molloy/CAP21?
- I think they have different cultures, Molloy being more warm and friendly, CCPA being more serious in its training style. That’s just based on hearsay but something I would look into if you aren’t sure and make sure the school fit is the right fit your D’s personality and style.
Good luck deciding between two great options!
@frisbee3 Your D is smart. Just like FA is a critical part of the equation, so is the path to representation and employment. My suggestion would be to carefully examine their rationale. Does it pass the ‘smell test?’
If the school connects students with industry people in other ways then it may not be such a big deal. If they don’t view connecting students to the industry as their responsibility, then that could be a significant issue. ‘Ivory tower’ attitudes may persist but they should be few and far between. If that’s what you sense, clarify with the department. Several have different approaches.
For instance Utah has a different approach. A couple of others as well in the NYC area have regular interactions with people on both sides of the table. Other programs have intern opportunities or semester in NYC or London.
If after that conversation you don’t feel any better, trust your gut.
With regards to NYC showcases keep in mind that the market is saturated now with many schools doing showcases in NYC in the spring. Casting directors and agents can only attend so many as they also are busy casting their shows (attending showcases when their schedule allows and sending interns in their place).
As a result some of the “lesser” known schools may have low attendance rates by industry people. A few of the schools mentioned this development in their presentations and are considering not doing the showcases anymore. The handful of big name schools still draw a crowd but many are not really well attended or filled with casting interns and assistants who don’t have power to “bring people in”.
Just worth mentioning if your daughter is weighing that heavily it may not end up being much of a consideration in the end.
@mamaboyz - Interesting. So how are most people getting agents if showcases aren’t a thing?
@frisbee3 - mamaboyz is correct. So being very blunt about it - MOST students do not get representation from Showcases. They have to work their a** off and try to get representation on their own.
Are there any parents with current students at OCU for MT, Acting or Vocal Performance?
Well truth is most MT actors do not get or have representation. They go to open calls etc and book things themselves and THEN get representation once they book something (i.e. prove they can bring in $ into the agency). Some actors have luck doing mass mailings of pic/resume to all the agencies which can spark interest and they set up a meeting with you etc…Sometimes a Director or Choreographer who you work with takes a liking to you and helps recommend you to an agency etc…
Some schools have relationships with casting directors who come to “them.” I know that’s what Utah and Nebraska Wesleyan does. I think the workshop the students and then get to know them and develop a relationship with them. I don’t know how that successful that is, but it sounds like a great idea! Maybe a parent who has been through that approach can comment?