@bfayay
I PM’d you, but you need at least 15 posts to reply…
Last year when S was going through the process, it was brought to my attention that U Utah allows ‘carry conceal’ on campus. I did look into it last year and was able to verify. (It was the only school on S’s accepted list that allowed this).
Not trying to start any controversy, or provide an opinion one way or the other, just information.
@bfayay Since my daughter chose not to go to Utah, my information is second hand, also, maybe things have changed in four years??? I wouldn’t want anyone basing any decisions on what I learned when I researched the program. I’m just suggesting that anyone interested in Utah, or ANY school, reach out to multiple people who go there, or have gone there, to get several true first hand impressions. I’m actively doing that with the schools at the top of my younger daughter’s list this time. It’s very informative! I think the ability to reach out anonymously to people who are in now or have gone through these programs is the greatest asset that College Confidential has to offer!
I’m grateful to everyone that has given me insider info on FSU, Texas State, and University of Arizona 
!!!
Two years ago, Utah hired Eric Sciotto, whose resume has similar star-quality as Denny Berry’s and whose pedagogical experience and reputation are outstanding. Under his leadership, a new, more advanced level of the MT Core Dance class has been added to the department, effectively raising the ceiling for students who come in with a substantial dance training background. Not all students will graduate from that highest level, but it’s there for the students who need it. I’ve spoken with parents of two current students there who are very, very happy with the training and experiences their children are receiving at Utah. Sciotto’s spouse teaches acting in the department, as well (which maybe or speaks to their commitment as a family to putting down roots there? I couldn’t say for sure.).
Yes! Eric was in the original Broadway cast of “Something Rotten” as well as a few other shows. I loved the fact he is a dancer/choreographer but also a real triple threat performer who has worked (recently) in the space that these kids want to be in.
Adding another opinion on Utah -The faculty at the auditions absolutely wowed everyone my kid has spoken to. Amongst friends it was almost everyone’s favorite audition experience. That is the only school I think had it NOT been a yes, there would have been hard feelings. All other schools have been “eh” but the auditors for Utah REALLY knows how to touch their auditioners and make them feel heard and seen. Utah is a very strong contender for us for many reasons. We know a several people who have attended over the past few years or are attending now who had other “higher ranked” options but they chose Utah. All the feedback we have gotten is that they thrilled with their decisions and one recent graduate just moved to NY feeling well prepared with several equity experiences under their belt. Some of the things that are weighing in for us are safety and environment of the campus, location, conservatory style, lots of dance training, vocal lessons, music theory and the opportunity to pay instate tuition. I spoke directly to someone whose daughter graduated last year at great length. They could not think of a single negative thing to say about the program (although @lithpool the information about carry conceal will make me dig a little more) I have also been in communication with a freshman and my kid has been talking to him about the school and he absolutely loves it. He did mention that there have been changes over the past year such as shifting the kinds of shows they have been putting on which he feels is moving in a very positive direction AND the ability to double major if your kid is not afraid of hard work.
We are going to visit in April and are really looking forward to it and hope it will continue to my kid’s first choice. There is an accepted student MTP 2024 page on FB and if anyone has any other specific questions, I can reach out to my Utah parent network and ask, just send me a message and I will see if they are open to talking to you too.
@Ontheverge Thanks for sharing. My D was very impressed with the faculty during her audition with Utah as well. We are definitely going to visit and check it out. It is high on her list right now.
It sounds like Utah has made some improvements since I checked it out 4 years ago. That’s great to hear!
@rickle1 ABSOLUTELY do not pick a school of your strong suit if there is a question about the strength of the school in the one of the other 2. While some people know they will be very happy (and make a VERY good living) as a feature dancer or ensemble, the goal to work in musical theater is to be a triple threat (sing, act, dance). It also gives you the most flexibility after graduation - lots of MT’ers wind up on TV and film. I think most of these schools have training that is a step up from where high school seniors are so they will improve some almost anywhere they go. My S chose his school because of the dance focus which is his weakest of the 3 (but he was also fortunate to not “settle” on the other two). I’m sure a lot of schools say this but Otterbein is upfront about their focus on the triple threat - he just felt the dance was better here than his other choices.
Anecdotally, the summer show for my S is Sanders Family Christmas which is basically a concert show. He had to audition while paying guitar so now there is a “quadruple” threat to worry about. He said his professors see a lot of newer shows going the instrumental route as well.
Following up on post #48, and I have posted this before on this forum, being able to play an instrument has been an asset for my kid (and others, I’m sure). In the last five musicals she was in, she also played an instrument. Besides that, she is a singer/songwriter who performs original songs and so plays instruments in her solo concerts. The more skills you have, the better.
Follow up on Post #48 and #49
I can not tell you how many auditions my son has been on in the past year (at least 3 in the past month) where playing SEVERAL instruments was required. And playing them well.
It’s my understanding that the University of the Arts (our current front-runner) is very much a triple threat program. Does anyone have information to the contrary? @lojosmo what you say doesn’t surprise me. I read an article recently about MTer’s needing to be Quadruple Threats these days: singers/actors/dancers/instrumentalists. There is no instrument requirement at UArts but it would certainly be a wise choice for electives.
@NeensMom - we didn’t apply to UArts - but I do have a friend who just graduated - I would be happy to reach out and get her opinion on its triple-threat status. Another interesting item I just learned about UArts, another friend Jen Grasso (also goes by Jennifer Jones) from Broadway Artist Alliance - just produced their 2020 Senior Showcase - which is impressive because Jen has a ton of industry contacts - she has gotten everyone I know an agent - and actually, when I just heard about this I actually wondered to myself why we didn’t consider the school.
@NeensMom I reached out to my friend - the recent grad - and this is what she said: I would totally consider it a triple threat program. It doesn’t break you down just to start from scratch like lots of the bigger name schools. It takes the talent that you have and helps you really develop it. There are lots of options for class. Especially if you are really a dancer dancer, you can audition to take class at the school of dance which is #4 in the country. Highly recommend it!
@DivaStageMom thank you for this! My daughter really had her heart set on going to school in NYC so she chose Pace as her first choice after visiting (and loving) their campus. But from the very beginning, UArts was high on her list and she just acknowledged that if UArts was in NYC it would have been her first choice from the start. She always said she wanted a true conservatory program, which none of the NYC programs she applied to are. I must say, I am feeling SO HAPPY right now, because I really think she landed the school that has always been the best fit for her and I think she has embraced the concept of “loving where you land.” We will visit next month, but barring her absolutely hating it when we visit, I think we have found her school. She even just said, “I think even if I got waitlisted at Pace I would still pick UArts.” I’m so relieved, BUT now we have to figure out how to pay for it!!
Still, if anyone has ANY reason we should have reservations about UARTS, PLEASE, please share them! We are getting very close to making a final decision and I don’t want to miss any important considerations!!
How exciting that your daughter is almost ready to choose her dream school!!! @NeensMom the only reservation I would have about UArts is the safety of the surrounding area. Philly can be nice on one block and super shady on the next. You might want to check out where the kids live and will be walking late at night.
Also (from your comment on the venting thread) it might be a good idea to wait for BoCo and Pace decisions before committing. My older daughter went to BoCo. It’s an AMAZING Conservatory. Will your daughter regret not visiting if she commits to UArts now and gets into BoCo or Pace later? And if nothing else by waiting you can see what kind of scholarship money each offers you and use that as bargaining power to ask UArts for more $.
@SingerDancerMom Yes, we are definitely waiting to officially commit until close to May 1st so we have as much bargaining power as possible. It’s really the emotional commitment she is making at this point so I want as much info about the school now before she visits and falls in love. 
Thanks for the tip about checking the safety of the surrounding areas! I will look in on that for sure!!
On the playing the instrument thing, it is a GREAT asset to have. My son’s current gig not only required that he be a good guitar player but he wears it on stage about 80% of the time. Being able to play an instrument (quadruple threat?) is a big, big plus!
Which would you choose and why… MT BFA at Texas State or Florida State?
@SingerDancerMom Texas State. Small class size, warm/nurturing environment, focus on the performer’s mental health, phenomenal reputation for being a top MT program in the country.