<p>Never seen this university in the MT thread. My D went to the summer camp at CCM recently (loved it) and about half of the instructors were from NKU. When I flew up to see the showcase from CCM and we decided to take the short trip across the river and check out their campus. Unfortunately, it was deserted but the doors were open to the Fine Arts building. We explored all the floors...loved all the photos of the plays/musicals from all their seasons. Has anyone had any experience with this university, or any info on their auditions process? Thanks.</p>
<p>I don’t recall how much detail is shared, but I know it’s been in the forum in the past - try using “search this forum”, and entering both Northern Kentucky University and NKU.</p>
<p>I can give a little information since it is in our area, DD knows lots of kids there and has worked with many of the faculty over the years. NKU used to be non-audition but in the last 2 or 3 years has added an audition for the MT program. I believe they still have a non-audition BA.</p>
<p>Many of the faculty are working professional in the area, which is large enough to support a pretty strong equity crowd, what this means for the NKU program is that many of the faculty are adjunct and not full time faculty in tenure lines, as they are at CCM. This provides some flexibility in offerings but may not always provide for the most stable faculty composition. I know the program head (Ken Jones) has an endowed chair, so that is stable.</p>
<p>Because NKU is across the river from CCM (and this is true for many other of their programs) the programs could be seen in competition. I am not sure that this is really what is happening, but it does mean that NKU, as the second guy on the street, has a somewhat different niche. If CCM can (please not I am saying can, I don’t know if it does) present an “elitist” and highly exclusive attitude, NKU is sort of a “working middle class” attitude. We have known many, many amazingly talented kids who would not/did not audition for CCM because it was too expensive. not interested in it academically, or not the right attitude for them, have thrived at NKU and gone on to work professionally. </p>
<p>From what we have seen and of the students we know there, NKU draws from a powerful regional crowd and is just starting to be known outside the region.
Don’t know if this helps.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your reply…yes, we did notice the difference in atmosphere, and didn’t think it was a bad thing. While my D was there for her camp they went to 2 different local shows and she enjoyed both of them. It does seem that the greater Cincy area really does support theatre. We still don’t understand the appeal of Skyline Chili, but maybe it’s an acquired taste?</p>
<p>We are not Cinci natives and only go to Skyline out of desparation or when it is arranged by someone else outing.</p>
<p>The NKU season was just posted on the local theatre site. Just an FYI for anyone interested.
<a href=“http://www.cinstages.com/theatres/nku2010-2011season.pdf[/url]”>http://www.cinstages.com/theatres/nku2010-2011season.pdf</a></p>
<p>I know this is off topic…but, honestly, I have never spit food out as fast as I did at skyline chili. But, the short trip to Graetner’s ice cream did the trick!</p>
<p>OK. Come on. As a long time Ohio (now former) resident, nothing beats a Skyline four way at 2:00am. Yes, I know this is a Musical Theatre Forum - but this is beyond the pale. You are not showing respect for a venerable Ohio culinary tradition! Oh, you can try to make it nice by complimenting Graeter’s, but it doesn’t make up for it. :)</p>
<p>I know a couple of the faculty at NKU and they are quite good. The rap on the program in the past was that it was non-audition and for that reason quite large. Just thought I would add something beyond the argument about Ohio traditions.</p>
<p>It became an audition program 4-5 years ago, for the BFA. There is still a non-auditioned BA in theater - I don’t think in MT.</p>
<p>And - to the more important part of the conversation - I will say that for me Skyline became an acquired taste - but Graeter’s was great from the start 
There is a club in NYC that does Cincy night maybe once a month - Skyline, Graeter’s, Montgomery Inn – yumm :)</p>
<p>Ha ha ha - I guess I moved to Cincinnati way tooo late to need 2 am skyline runs. I am lucky if I am up at 10pm, As for ice cream, I prefer Aglamesis Brothers to Greaters.
But to anyone considering NKU - there is a lot of local food to offer.</p>
<p>I’m interested in the MT program but my questions are more on the side of; is it a pretty campus? Would I enjoy my time there not only as a working student but also on the general student side? I haven’t visited yet and I’m curious about the feel of the campus and the area.</p>
<p>Campus is in a near suburb of Cincinnati. 30 years ago it was 1 concrete building. Now it is a full campus. I have attended a couple of basketball games there and a end-of-music-camp performance. Campus includes the Chase school of law. I have worked with many UGs but none from MT. I highly recommend a visit. UC is a much more highly regarded program locally and nationally but NKU is growing and becoming better known. </p>
<p>We are from Kentucky. A number of kids from our area do choose to pursue theater at NKU each year. For a long time it was the only KY school offering decent theater training. Now it has some competition. It is a large program. Decent training. Not too competitive to get in. Sort of an urban setting. Great to be close to Cincy. Kids who go there seem to like it. </p>
<p>Other schools in the area that should be considered are Western Kentucky which offers a BFA in MT. And University of Kentucky which just started an MT certificate program. UK is one to really look at. The vocal music department is superb. And the folks starting the certificate program are seasoned broadway performers with lots of connections (they brought in their good friend Jonathan Groff last year to work with them on Spring Awakening). </p>
<p>A few classmates from S’s Cincinnati PA high school will be attending NKU this fall (a few go in theatre/MT/dance every year). Unfortunately, some of those kids were not as prepared as they could have been for the MT application/audition process for MT and actually added NKU VERY late in the audition season (in one case I know of, the audition season was already over.) We have seen shows produced there and they do a very nice job. There is some sharing/fluidity of faculty/directors/production staff between CCM and NKU. A local northern Kentucky community theatre - The Carnegie - produces plays and musicals that have actors/singers/dancers from NKU, CCM and even Wright State (Dayton, OH). Those shows are very impressive. The NKU campus is very convenient to getting to theatre/Arts opportunities/venues “over the river”. The on-campus Arts facilities are beautiful. The quality of this program continues to rise. </p>
<p>Hi @hereyouare - My D started at NKU a couple weeks ago as a BA-Theatre and will likely audition for BFA after freshman year. The campus is very nice. The buildings are newer as the university itself is fairly young. As I mentioned elsewhere, it doesn’t look like an “old school” university, but lots of technology in the buildings. While my D is living on campus, this school has a lot of commuters and people living off-campus. I think that is what you are asking about with the working student/general student comment. But there are also a lot of things happening on campus for students whether you live there or not. We are from central OH and my D did not know anyone there before she arrived, but has made several friends in theatre and honors. </p>
<p>It is ~5 miles across the river from Cincinnati so lots of access to things there as well. As mentioned by others, the theatre program isn’t as well known but is growing. And they do share some professors with CCM. We saw Spamalot there this spring and two summer shows they did. All were very good, well acted, well produced. </p>
<p>I recommend a visit. I know their general visit events (Norse Days I think they were called) sometimes filled up pretty quickly, so plan ahead. And when signing up for that definitely request the theatre visit. When we were there the theatre director spoke with us and the assistant director took us on a tour of the building. Both people were very nice and helpful. </p>
<p>Please let me know if you have other questions.</p>