<p>My son and I are planning on visiting Otterbein on 10/5… And seeing their production of Les Mis. It looks like a general university visit weekend. Has anyone done this visit before? Will we gave the opportunity to meet someone from the MT department? Thx.</p>
<p>We went to an admissions visit day in the spring of my son’s junior year; Dr. Stefano did a theater info session in the afternoon. The rest of the day was oriented toward general admissions, and there was a financial aid session that included great advice from the arts admissions director (Teri Devlin at that time, but now it’s somebody new). Their financial aid system is very transparent and everyone in the admissions/FA office is helpful.</p>
<p>My son (a freshman in the BFA acting program) is working lights for Les Mis and reports that it’s wonderful. You’ll absorb a lot of insight about the school culture and quality of program from attending a production–not just from the performances but from how all the students interact and work on every aspect of the show. Hope you have time to poke around Westerville a little bit too! :)</p>
<p>MTmom2015, Usually if you contact the department or Matt Wolfe, I believe they will try to set you up with someone to meet in the way of a student, if possible. It is opening weekend of Les Mis, so bound to be very busy, but if you get word to Matt early enough you might at least be able to chat with a student if not faculty. Our son is in the show and our older son is a 2010 grad. It’s a great town to explore as Times3 mentioned. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions. I’ll be glad to help any way I can. Enjoy your trip!</p>
<p>Mtmom2015, definitely contact the department or admissions in advance. My daughter also graduated from Otterbein in 2010 (with abparent’s son), although she was not an MT student. One thing about Otterbein that is very much part of the culture of the school is the willingness to help. No matter who you contact (admissions or the department), they will work with you to set up the appointments you want (assuming the folks are available). Enjoy your visit…</p>
<p>mezzomom, I agree, there is a real willingness to help visitors out at Otterbein. Our visit there was really terrific. </p>
<p>I’m with the others here, MTMom, if you call ahead, they will make sure you see someone in the dept. Even tho our son did not end up there, we suggest Otterbein to anyone that will listen, to theater and non-theater kids because our tour of the University at large was so well done. Between our kids, we’ve been on something like 18 college tours and Otterbein was definiteley top three in organization, friendliness, etc.</p>
<p>Enjoy the show! I envy you and now I’ll have “Master of the House” stuck in my head all day!</p>
<p>Just to chime in - as a resident of the Central Ohio area and a theatre buff - Otterbein is a wonderful school. They put on top quality productions and have an incredible reputation. I have heard they have a selective admission process. Westerville is a lovely town, nice downtown area not far from the university, within walking distance. If you are not from the area be sure and make time to try Graeters ice cream, you will not be sorry. My DD is a dance major and even though Mom felt that she should focus more on MT than theatre in college she is very happy where she is attending - not Otterbein though. I know many of the dance teachers there - many teach at studios in town. They do a great job preparing their students for a future career in the theatre field.</p>
<p>I called and spoke to Matt Wolfe yesterday. Unfortunately, since it is opening weekend for Les Mis, there will not be anyone available to talk to us. 
It is a little disappointing, but understandable. He suggested a skype follow-up conversation with Dr. Stefano next week sometime. </p>
<p>Times3 or abparent… since you have kids involved with the show, are you coming to see it as well? </p>
<p>Our official Otterbein visit is 12-4 with the show at 8pm. We will have the late afternoon free to explore, etc. Any suggestions for dinner? </p>
<p>Thanks! We’re excited.</p>
<p>Easton is a lovely shopping area - not far from Westerville - in between the airport and Westerville. It is huge, there is almost every restaurant and store you could want. There is Italian, French, Mexican, American - you can’t go wrong with Easton. If you want something right in Westerville, if you head north on State Street there are also many restaurants just a few miles up the road.</p>
<p>The more I read and talk to people about Otterbein the more excited I get for my S. I really hope he gets through the pre screen and is invited to the live audition!</p>
<p>MTmom2015, Easton is one option for dinner, although I personally find the whole complex so overwhelming that I tend to steer clear. I usually gravitate to the restaurants on Polaris Parkway (north on State, then left onto PP); the traffic is still ever-present, but the restaurants are generally on the outlots and easy to access. </p>
<p>In Uptown, I really like the Thai restaurant, Thai Grille…pricey but good and as with everything in Uptown, within easy walking distance. Jimmy V’s and Old Bag of Nails are also in Uptown; bar food at Old Bag and bar food+pretty decent Greek at Jimmy V’s. Jimmy V’s does tend to draw the students, so if you are looking for a quiet meal, it would not be my recommendation. If you are around for breakfast either day, I love Sunny St. Cafe which is north on State, about 3 miles from campus. They are only open until about 2 in the afternoon, but their breakfast selections are very, very good.</p>
<p>And don’t forget to leave room for Graeter’s ice cream for dessert - the chocolate chip flavors are the best.</p>
<p>Mtmom2015, I forgot to add that my daughter is living in W’ville again. If you think it would be at all helpful to you to speak with a non-MT recent grad, let me know, and I can see if my daughter is available. She lives right near the campus, so if she is not busy, it would be quite easy for her to meet you on campus someplace.</p>
<p>MTMom2015, I was afraid the opening weekend might limit your options in terms of talking to faculty, but perhaps there’ll still be a theater session as there was at our first admissions event. I wish I could say I would be there, but I"m not going till the 12th! I know there will be other theater parents around, though, because there’s a a special parents’ weekend just for performance majors’ moms and dads, including a lunch on Sunday followed by the musical. Alas, it’s a bad weekend for me, so I won’t be there. </p>
<p>Re: places to eat, I have to confess that we almost always go to the Westerville Grille (a diner about 3 blocks from campus)! My son and I are into routines…the day he auditioned last December, we walked to the Grille between auditions and interviews (about an hour gap) and discovered most of the theater students getting lunch in there too.</p>
<p>Graeter’s is also an absolute must. We like sticking with Uptown and being able to walk everywhere, but there are tons of options at Polaris and in Columbus, of course. Check “Yelp” for referrals to ethnic food (Chinese, Mexican, etc.). And if the timing works out, I’m sure my son would be happy to talk with you too; not sure what time he’s called, and he’s acting (not MT), but they take classes together and audition for the same shows and as far as I can tell, they consider themselves to be one group.</p>
<p>MTmom2015, I sent you a PM a couple days ago, not sure if you received it. I realized there might be new restrictions on receiving private messages for newer members? Let me know if you haven’t received it. Enjoy your trip - perhaps we’ll see you on Saturday at the show!</p>
<p>abparent - I got your message… THANK YOU! I can receive, but I do not have enough posts to reply. However, I appreciate all your info and will look for you on Saturday. Our Les Mis tickets arrived yesterday. We will be in N 9 & N 11. </p>
<p>mezzomom - Thanks so much for the food recommendations. :)</p>
<p>We will be sure to share a follow up report with our impressions. :)</p>
<p>Great - see you then!</p>
<p>Haven’t been on CC for a bit so I’m seeing this for the first time. I’m on the way to Westerville myself. 
I’m happy to visit with you and try to connect with you and your son. I’ll send you a PM as well.</p>
<p>Thanks,kksmom5. Sent you an email. :)</p>
<p>So what were your thoughts on your visit?</p>
<p>We’re going in two days… :)</p>