@artskids We were there about 7:50 and only maybe 50 people in front of us… they registered 80 and then took waitlist signups. My D is number 27 on the waitlist.
@afterp89 that truly sux! appreciate the valuable info for next year
It was an honor system, when you got to the front of the line you entered your name in a time slot on a laptop. A person working there said “this is an honor system, we assume you will not delete other names or enter in multiple slots” but noone was checking (except maybe the person behind you looking over your shoulder)
This was a problem for years with equity signups. Which they eliminated with the online signups. That has its own quirks, but at least now you can’t sign up your buddies for EPAs and ECCs. Heck, half the time you’re luck to get yourself signed up.
I love the idea of auditioning for multiple schools, but why not use a free online sign up tool, even if only open 7 days prior? Would be helpful for everyone.
I’m just curious who would have multiple students there… except coaches…
Parents who signed up their kids AND their kids friends, maybe? Doesn’t seem that unlikely to me. I know my daughter’s former coach was NOT planning on being at the combines.
Unfortunately this has happened in the past where parents were signing up multiple kids. My son’s coach has never attended Combines
Combines has turned into a regular NYC open call audition:
Line up several hours in advance
Have your friends/parents sign up for you
Pay a line sitter to hold your spot; AKA Hamilton
I guess I didn’t figure many parent would know a lot of other kids there. At least not the point where you would be willing to sign up for them. Although, that’s not very smart of me, as my kid went to a PA HS and knew half a dozen kids at Chicago unifieds…
That’s terrible! I’m so sorry for those who waited in line only to be turned away like that…I hope the schools are reading this thread and come up with a better system for next year!
Thank you all for the feedback. I think it may help to give you the history. Five years ago a group of universities started talking about how it might be nice to have several schools together in a room to not only help us see more talent, but also to hopefully simplify the process for students versus going to each school individually. That first year we saw around 40 people and had spots left over. This year we had around 125 people for 60-70 spots, which we turned into 91 slots. Please know we try to do the best we can to get everyone in and keep the process fair. This is a completely volunteer-based project for us and as such we have no resources for an online sign-up system, no money to hire additional help to manage sign-ins, etc. We are aware it has grown way bigger than we anticipated and are trying to figure out if we should keep doing it, adopt a different model, etc. Would parents be willing to pay a fee for this opportunity if it meant we could hire staff, and buy into an online sign-up model of some sort?
~VT
@VoiceTeacher I’m just going to chime in here and give my two cents but I know that many families are frustrated that while they had to get their materials into those schools in your group who required a prescreen and they worked mightily to get those deadlines met and put forth the effort and paid the fees and now these kids can just show up and stand in line and get to audition for the heads of those programs without meeting those same requirements it does seem a bit unfair if you can understand their point of view. I think that might be the more important thing to be considered.Or maybe there is something that families are not understanding that you can clarify here
@VoiceTeacher my daughter is not in this cycle nor did she participate in Combines (so I will say upfront that I have zero experience with Combines and how you work them), but if I may make a suggestion… I’m sure that of all the schools that participate, there is at least one school that has a business school filled with many juniors or senior students that would jump at the chance so help solve a real-world problem. Perhaps one of these students would have a specialty in business operations, process management or even hospitality/event management. They get real world experience (coming up with a system) and Combines get assistance at very little cost!
My other thought was simple, inexpensive wristbands. An auditioner only gets a wristband if they sign up THEMSELVES at the desk. Minimal staffing required.
@VoiceTeacher a Student intern or admin could spend 20 minutes max setting up a free “sign up genius” or similar tool. It’s really that simple now. You would just need a door monitor with the list printed out to check people in, and I’m guessing you have something like that already. I’ve set it up for local auditions, costume appointments, etc. You can even have a waitlist option on it for no-shows, with a little modification. Or, just manage WL’s at the door with a written list. Thank you for being on this forum and listening. My daughter is not in this cycle and did not do Combines, but I’m an event planner by profession and I love the efficiency of combines.
I think it could be even simpler than that. Even without advance signups, all you need is someone at the door who is willing to monitor the signup process, and strictly enforce the one person, one signup rule.
@CTDramaMom “one person, one signup rule” does not address the case where a family of 3 is in line (or more accurately 1 of them is in line from the start and the other 2 join them close to 9:00), but when they get to the desk the three of them sign up their kid and 2 other friends.
@VoiceTeacher i am not in this cycle and was thus was not there today. i agree with many of the suggestions above, but to answer your question, i do think parents in general ( never say all) would pay a small fee to defer the costs…i mean seriously, i read in one of these posts that someone paid a line sitter 
take pride @VoiceTeacher that you are up there with Lin Manuel Miranda and Hamilton…
I hope the Combines went well. For all those who did get to participate, it would be great to learn what you thought of the event.
I do believe the participating schools have their hearts in the right place, and they’ve started an event that resonates with applicants. The popularity of this Combine speaks to its broad appeal. At area book fairs, they do hand out numbered tickets early (one per person); then start the line-up process (based on ticket number) closer to the start of the event. Perhaps this could be considered?
Obviously I’m biased because my D was one of the ones (literally) left out in the cold, but I’ve seen better process at GameStop on Black Friday… definitely a numbered ticket system, picked up by the actual student and not a proxy, would be the most fair process.