Hey Everyone,
I’ve recently been admitted into OCU’s Musical Theater Program, and I love the school. However, I feel that since they audition students for their senior showcase, they aren’t fully committed to them. The NYC Senior showcase is a big factor as I decide which school I will go to, and I was wondering if any one else’s has any thoughts about it? Is it that big of a deal? Thanks!
Congratulations on your acceptance to OCU MT! It’s a great place to go to school!
Re: showcase: Yes it is true that NYC showcase is by audition. And you are correct. Not everyone who auditions gets to take part. And i will say there are students not chosen for showcase who are actually working more than those that were chosen. So like with everything else, the audition process for showcase is not perfect. And it definitely doesn’t assure one of professional success. But it is an opportunity available if you are interest in auditioning.
Personally I would not choose a school based on a NYC showcase. They can be positive things, but they are not the end all, be all. There are people who do get representation from showcase. But there are also people who don’t. There are students who are working and/or have representation who didn’t go to showcase. So I would not put all your eggs in that basket. There are students who choose not to audition for showcase. Some don’t want to go straight to NYC. Some already have jobs booked before they leave college. Some decide they aren’t going to perform at all but go into teaching or some other field. There are a variety of reasons to choose NOT to be in showcase. And your feelings about showcase may change while in college. So again, I would not choose a school primarily because of their showcase.
Also, it’s important to realize that even if you get representation from a showcase, that does not necessarily mean you will get work. There are numerous examples of students from all programs who either don’t get representation from a showcase or who don’t get work even after they have representation. So yes, it is fun to go to NYC and see what happens, but it is not the only way to get your career started.
I encourage you to base your decision of where to go to school on the comprehensive 4 year program. Throughout your college career, OCU provides many opportunities for students to see and be seen. They bring a variety of actors, agents, directors and others to campus for master classes. They have a fabulous OCUNYC program where students meet and learn from incredible, well known people in the field (agents, actors, directors, choreographers and more) and begin building their network that way. They also have a similar program in LA for students who are interested that they can attend during Spring Break. They also have taken MT students to China as they help bring MT to a sister school there. They even sent some students to NYC to perform with Kristin Chenoweth on Broadway in her one woman show. (the latter 2 programs paid for by OCU) So lots of great opportunities. Additionally, some OCU students are fortunate to be cast in equity productions while in school, some co-produced with OCU, some not. Theaters like City Rep and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma plus the summer Shakespeare in the Park all provide students with professional experience where they can earn equity points if cast. This also gives those students exposure to professional directors and casters and helps them expand their professional network.
I do understand the lure of a NYC showcase. And OCU does provide the opportunity to be in one. But the program is so much more than one showcase. Really study the school, the curriculum, the professors, the performance opportunities, etc… when comparing one program to another. And figure out which overall program suits you best. Don’t choose a school based on one thing such as whether or not you have to audition for showcase.
Thank you so so so much for your thoughtful words! I really have been over weighing the showcases. I love the school already and won’t let the showcase be the make it or break it factor 