Musical Theatre

<p>it all depends. </p>

<p>there are many peformers who allow their ego to get in their way and don't care to think outside the box. these performers NEED a well rounded education. </p>

<p>but there are some performers who just have what it takes and aren't quite as ignorant and really understand the way things work. and these people, who have been observant and embraced their intelligence from a young age, can enter conservatory programs if they choose. the extra education is always nice, but for some people, they have what they need in terms of brains. now it's time for the training.</p>

<p>I am an interested transfer student. I am looking for a good fit for myself. I know I want to study MT and am therefore extremely interested in BFA's, however I love intellectual stimulation and am academically motivated so I feel I could thrive in a program that requires education outside of the major. I love how Northwestern is interested in educating the whole person and auditions musical theatre students after the freshman year. I have taken classes in my school's theatre department, but I have taken numerous general education classes as well. Transferring into Northwestern's program seems like an ideal fit! I know that I want to transfer into a MT program for next fall. I would love to attend Northwestern if this were possible. While I am willing to start over as freshman with a BFA, it would be so great to transfer into such a good program and not be behind! Would I be able to audition/be accepted into the program as a transfer student for this next fall (2007)? I know that it has been said that the freshman year with the theatre faculty will have an influence on the MT auditions. Would this put me at a significant disadvantage? I have spent one year without a MT major already, I really want a program that I can start this fall.</p>

<p>I have a question for edmondsg. Is your son in the MT certificate program at NU? Or planning on applying this spring?</p>

<p>Wow. I really enjoyed what you had to say, edmondsg. I am currently a student at CAP21 but my dream school is Northwestern. I like NYU's program, but its very confining. At NU, you make your own conservatory, so I've heard... I would choose NU over NYU any day...
p.s.- the students at NYU think they are so hot because they got in... but as someone on here said, it is based on a four minute audition! (Some kids couldn't sing when they got here!) I would prefer to get into a program (the MT certificate) because of my work ethic and talent, rather than off of a first impression.</p>

<p>It is interesting to hear all these great things about NU, it sounds like a fantastic program, but something that concerns me is what happens if you are going there planning on/hoping to study MT, then come freshman year you audition and don't get accepted into the certificate program? Does that happen often, or does it seem like the people who are really interesting in pursuing MT end up getting in? It just seems like a big risk to enroll in a school without any idea what you will be studying, especially if you know when you start that you want to do MT.</p>

<p>Yes, 'accept' -- my son is thrilled that he just got into the MT program at NU -- auditions were a couple of weeks ago. He is finishing up his freshman year and loves it there.</p>

<p>Regarding possibly not getting in after spending a year at NU, yes, it's a risk, but in my opinion not as upsetting as getting cut from a program at the end of freshman year, as some colleges do. Also, even if you don't get into the MT program at NU as a freshman, you're still a Theatre major, and can always try again the following year or transfer to another school.</p>

<p>It's very much a personal choice whether it's worth it to risk going to NU and hoping for MT. If U Mich is your first choice, for example, and you get in, then of course you wouldn't risk NU. But if it's a tough call, such as it was for my son (he didn't get into UM, and NU and Cap21 were pretty much tied for 2nd place), then things get more complicated. He was beyond thrilled to be accepted to Cap21, but for reasons mentioned above decided to risk NU.</p>

<p>As soozievt mentioned earlier, it's such an individual thing, and everyone has different motivations. As anyone who has been through the stress of auditoning for MT programs knows, it's a blessing to have choices at all. Good luck to everyone.</p>

<p>edmondsg...it is so great to hear from you and the update! A huge congrats to your son for getting into the MT Certificate program at Northwestern by audition at the end of his freshman year. YAY!!!!!!!! :)</p>

<p>Thanks, Susan!! I haven't been on CC as much since the college decision was settled, but I still get my notification emails now and then when someone posts questions about NU, and little by little my interest in CC is coming alive again. I'm finding I still love reading the boards, just from a different perspective. Wish I had more time (work, parents, etc.), but I always get my CC time in when I can! Hope all is well with your daughters!</p>

<p>I was thinking about you this weekend when we visited NYC. We were looking for one more show to fill the fourth day of our visit, and I was wishing NYU had something running. It just isn't a college production time of year, I guess.</p>

<p>G....the school year is over at NYU and so no productions are going on. I know of several productions in the city in which almost every cast member, director, or even writer, are Tisch students or recent alums. None of these took place this past weekend, that I know of. I hope you had a great time. Did you catch a Bdway show? I was there earlier this month and saw Spring Awakening.</p>

<p>S - yes, we went strictly to see shows - it was fun. we saw Rent again because my husband hadn't seen it, Spring Awakening, Grey Gardens and Altar Boyz. Enjoyed them all, but was a little disappointed in Grey Gardens (too much hype maybe).</p>

<p>Congrats to your S edmondsg!!!!!!!!!
Hopefully I will be joining him in the program next year (fingers crossed VERY hard).</p>

<p>Thanks -- I'll be rooting for you!!!</p>

<p>I need to find a school that has an awesome program, but isn't way out of my reach. Northwestern's MT program seems way out of my reach. I guess that's everyone's dream though, to train with students much, much better than them so as to improve. The only problem is getting into the same programs as those students.</p>

<p>I believe that the initial admission to Northwestern is to the university itself. Only later do stdents audition for the Musical Theatre program. ALthough, there may be an audition to help with admission to the school as a freshman as well. Northwestern is highly selective academically. </p>

<p>Can anyone who is currently going (or will be going in the fall) to Northwestern offer insight into the admissions process?</p>

<p>There is no audition to get into Northwestern as a freshman. It is a very selective university. There is an audition at the end of the first year if you wish to get into the MT Certificate (a BA) program. 20-25% are accepted from those who audition and students come from either the Theater Dept. or the School of Music – last year 180 freshmen auditioned and 20 Theater majors and 8 Voice majors got in. The MT Certificate program is within the BA Theater degree and has 30 kids per year.</p>

<p>Thanks Soozievt!</p>

<p>My son is now a sophomore in the MT program at NU, and couldn't be happier. He's had some amazing opportunities and great parts, and is thrilled to be involved with the workshop and staged reading for the latest AMTP show. He's Assistant Director for one of NU's acappella groups, and finds time to work on his own original songs. He's very happy with his decision to attend NU and with the faculty, and with the level of talent he's seen in so many of the students. The campus has snow-covered trees in the winter (and yes, freezing cold!), the beach and Lake Michigan are steps away in the summer, and the temperatures in between are perfect. Most importantly, though, the environment is creative and nurturing, the people are friendly and fun, and the music and theatre classes are top-notch. I'm sure he'd be glad to answer any questions.</p>

<p>G...great to hear from you and an update on what your son is up to. It seems like NU has been all he had hoped for and he is doing GREAT things! It's cool to be working on new musical works. And I know about the love of collegiate a capella and the work that goes into directing it. I know some kids applying to NU this year and am always recommending it to students for whom it is a good fit. As well, the summer program, The National High School Institute (Cherubs), which I recall your son once having attended, has been much loved by several kids who I know who have attended in recent years. Keep the upates coming.</p>

<p>PS....my D's female friend from many summers at theater camp and with whom she has been in several productions, and who has been on Broadway, is in your son's class, I think...BH.</p>

<p>I can't think of who you're referring to, but I don't know many of his classmates yet. I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know them through their performances, though -- it's so interesting and fun. Is she in MT or Theatre? I've only met one NU student so far who's been on Broadway, and he graduated last year (TG). It's good to hear from you!</p>