<p>I applied to ten schools and was accepted academically to the majority of them and artistically to a few. I can only afford one, though, and it was my "safety" school. They offered a full scholarship on academic and artistic merit, and they have a great BFA Dance program and a good BM Vocal Performance program, but after sitting in on an Acting II class and an Audition Techniques class, I'm not sure about the acting portion of the Theatre program.</p>
<p>Basically, if I attended the school, I would be a BFA Dance & BA Theatre (with a MT Performance emphasis) double major. I know that they have a great dance program, and if I had originally intended to be a dance major, they would have been a great safety choice, but the acting training within the Theatre program is what concerns me. My friend who majored in Theatre there on full scholarship transferred to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in LA after two years, and she said that when she got to AADA she had never heard of most of the methods and techniques that they were teaching.</p>
<p>After I sat in on those classes the other day, I asked a few questions about the acting training within the program, and the acting teacher (they only have one acting teacher) told me that the only acting classes they have are Acting I-III, and they're hoping to establish an Acting IV class next year. No Improv, Clowning, Physical Theatre, Scene Study. Just Acting I-III. I was really disappointed with what I learned about the acting training. The students who presented material in the Acting II class were pretty good. Not great, but not bad.</p>
<p>So I am going to see a full tech rehearsal of Sweeney Todd, their Spring mainstage production, tonight because they said they wanted a decision either today or tomorrow, so I couldn't catch the actual production. I hate to say that this will probably be the deciding factor since I've seen pretty much everything else I needed to see. I want to be blown away and feel completely sure that I would like the program, but if the rehearsal disappoints, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Should I go anyways and perhaps change to a BFA Dance & BM Vocal Production double major with the intent to transfer into a more desirable MT program the next year? Should I take a gap year? I've seen there has been lots of success with gap years, but I've exhausted most of the dance studios in my town and I have yet to find a voice teacher here who knows what "mix" is.</p>
<p>Is the school in a location where there are acting class opportunities outside of the program? Although I know it would be ideal to receive stellar training in all three areas within the program, it sounds like you are comfortable with the training in 2 of the 3. Maybe the opportunity for outside acting classes is financially feasible especially in light of your full scholarship. (Congrats on that!!) you could use your friend at AADA to give you advice on what to look for in an acting class or coach, even start a group class with like minded classmates when you find an acting coach you like.</p>
<p>And no, the school is only an hour away from where I live and is in the middle of nowhere. I don’t really like the campus or the location, so I really wanted to feel completely sure about the program. I wouldn’t mind sacrificing some dance training for some better acting training because my strength has always been dance and I’m pretty confident in my abilities as a dancer.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t mind looking for acting training elsewhere at all, bit I’m not sure where I could find it! The school is about 2 hours away from Birmingham and 3 from Atlanta, so maybe some master classes there every now and then… Other than that, I’m not sure.</p>
<p>Have you checked with the other schools about increasing your scholarship and/or financial aid? Let them know what you are being offered elsewhere and see if they can do anything to help you.</p>
<p>I’m not sure we have all the information we need to help you. Would you be happy at one of the other schools you got into, but you can’t afford them? If this is the case, would you try to defer your acceptance and use the gap year to make money? Or is the purpose of the gap year to hone your skills and re-apply to schools again next year?</p>
<p>It seems to me that you are very unsure of this particular program. The school should not be demanding a decision from you today or tomorrow…you should have until May 1st to decide. Whatever you do, don’t feel pressured into the wrong decision.</p>
<p>Monkey13 is correct. You have until May 1. They cannot “pressure” you to decide early. If there scholarships have earlier deadlines, request an extension til May 1. They MUST give it to you. </p>
<p>If you want to act and you do not like their program. Do not go there. Easy. Free doesn’t make it right school for you. Take gap year and make money. Or borrow money to go to school of choice.</p>
<p>I’m probably going to have this same problem next year! I’m auditioning on the basis that I receive some scholarship money because there’s no way I can afford any US schools S an international student but I have a pretty good transcript. The training here is not that great either and it took me a very long time to find classes and teachers I was comfortable with! I would say go for the school that offers you scholarship money and maybe seek acting help elsewhere or find an acting coach even if it’s via Skype. And do a lot of research yourself! You can read up a lot on different acting practices online. If you end up really hating their program, perhaps you can switch out to major in dance or something else and do acting classes outside of school? Lots of people on broadway don’t even have musical theater degrees so don’t worry! Carolee carmello is the person id name off the top of my head.</p>
<p>Or if you really can afford to take a gap year and reaudition, do so if you think you would like a year to think things over and maybe earn some money! Good luck!</p>
<p>I like Broadway95’s suggestion. It certainly couldn’t hurt to check in with the other programs you were accepted in artistically and let them know of your full scholarship offer. I believe this was brought up on CC recently as acceptable strategy and could yield good results. Keep us posted Performerporter!</p>
<p>I think I may try that, broadway95. I’m not sure how much good it would do, but I guess the worst they can say is no! My family isn’t helping me too much with college expenses, so scholarships and grants are my best bets.</p>
<p>I would definitely be happier with the other school, but I don’t have that “gut feeling” about either one. Maybe (Hopefully!) I’ll get that “gut feeling” when I sit in on the full tech rehearsal tonight, but if not I was considering taking a gap year to fill out my r</p>
<p>I’m seeing this thread for the first time and am curious if you had any other feelings about the program now that you’ve gone to their rehearsal. </p>
<p>I’m with EmsDad that taking on debt for a theatre career is something you should do with extreme caution. If you get admitted into a program that you’re in love with and it means taking on some loans, but you can see how your training at School X will allow you to achieve your post-degree goals (whether that’s moving into a grad program or something performance related), then it’s something to consider. If you’re admitted to a program that you feel doesn’t fit you whatsoever but is more affordable, consider that you’re still going to be taking on some financial responsibility- what will that mean for you? I agree with broadway95 as well that you can play the numbers game with various financial aid offices to get your awards potentially increased, but still, to spend any kind of money, you’ve got to feel like it’s the right thing to do. Is spending a year in a program and spending a year’s worth of tuition more and potentially transferring out more or less risky than taking a gap year and spending cash as opposed to loans on extra training and committing to the application cycle again? </p>
<p>Lots of things to think about! You’ll figure it out!</p>
<p>Well, after seeing a rehearsal of Act I of Sweeney Todd (I left early because I didn’t want to fall asleep in my car, haha), I can say I feel more comfortable about this program! I assumed it was a mainstage production because…well, it’s Sweeney Todd, but they did it as a black box set as an arena stage, and it was brilliant! Risky, but they pulled it off very well. The direction was great and the choreography was spectacular, all the ensemble pieces and the flashbacks gave me chills! With that being said, I think Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney could have been a bit stronger. They were both fantastic singers, and while they each had their moments of raw connection with their characters, they seemed to fade in and out at times. The scene with Johanna and Anthony was a little anti-climactic, too.</p>
<p>Of course there’s no perfect program, and while I saw a lot of great singers who were okay actors, I also saw some great actors who were okay singers, as well as a few very well balanced performers, and I’m sure you’ll find that sort of mix at any school. I think this program is definitely on the rise, and hopefully it will live up to its potential within the next few years. They’ve just added a few new faculty members who I think can push the training and networking to the next level.</p>
<p>I’ve decided to commit to the program for my Freshman year, and I should know by Thanksgiving whether or not it’s really what I need. The plus side is I won’t be wasting money if it’s not because I’ll be on full scholarship! Anyways, I don’t think this program is actually on the Big List of MT Colleges, so I’ll go ahead and add it to the list in a little bit. It’s the Troy University BA in Theatre w/ MT Performance Emphasis (They’re hoping to make it a BFA MT soon, I think). I may not feel 100% confident about it, but I’m sure it could be right for some other MT hopefuls out there!</p>
<p>Performerporter, that’s great to hear that you feel more confident in the program now! It always helps so much to sit in on a class or see a performance – unfortunately I didn’t get to do that for one of my top three schools, which is why I still haven’t made my final decision because I’m nervous about choosing it without having seen any of the students perform.</p>
<p>Anyways, I wish you the best of luck! Always remember that no matter where you are, you can get so much experience and training by just taking advantage of every single opportunity you can manage, and soaking up all the information that’s around you. That’s what I’ve been reminding myself these past few weeks - no matter where I end up, I get to be surrounded by faculty and fellow students that are passionate about performing and who I can learn so much from. So exciting! I wish you the best!</p>
<p>As I have mentioned before in this forum, there is no perfect program. Even in what are considered the ‘top’ programs, there will be students who don’t think they are getting enough casting experience, or enough acting, or enough voice or dance, or who don’t like the professors, or the kind of social experience, etc. etc. It is up to the student to put the most energy in, and get the most out of the program, no matter what is good or bad about it. Acting and MT are lifelong learning experiences. Upon graduation from programs, most actors find themselves enrolling in further vocal or acting training throughout their careers. Choosing your college program is not the ‘be all, end all’. What matters most is that you will grow in many ways AND you are getting a college degree! Choose a program where the campus and student body feel good to you and is affordable, look for the positives and work hard!</p>