<p>any opinions on the Otterbein program vs Baldwin Wallace program?</p>
<p>i know a couple of MT students at BW who are very happy there and seem to really like the director, victoria bussert. i don’t know anyone at otterbein, but drjohn, the director, has posted on this forum – you can search for his posts if you haven’t seen them.</p>
<p>I have read the sites for both Baldwin Wallace and Otterbein. I am still undecided and the calendar is rolling. Strengths and weakness for these programs?? Thanks</p>
<p>During auditions, my D liked the kids she encountered at Otterbein more than BW. They were friendlier and more animated. The kids on the Q and A panel at BW could not answer the Q of what they do on the weekends for fun - there is a mall nearby was about all they could mange. The Otterbein MT kids did admit a lot of Otterbein students (except for the theatre kids) go home on weekends. Food at BW was better! This does not exactly help with the program, but the student has to like where they will be for the next four years! and who they are with! We just did a visit to a school she got in from unifieds, so we had not previously seen it. The program was good but she said it ‘did not feel llike home.’ Go back to both campuses and compare them in person, attend classes, talk to admin again, if you can. Then you might know for sure. PS - ask students on line for these programs on facebook what they think is the weak point of their program. Do it with a PM, so they do not have to go public, the answers might reveal what you are looking for.</p>
<p>A few differences to consider (and I hope others will add their thoughts/input):</p>
<p>In your class (assuming it’s the BFA program you are considering-?) at Otterbein there will only be seven other students, so you would get lots of personal attention. I think the classes are a bit bigger at BW? Someone? </p>
<p>At Baldwin Wallace you would earn a BM - so there would be more of a focus on the music component of your degree. Hope someone else will chime in on this one, too.</p>
<p>As for kids going home on weekends - at Otterbein, as mentioned by Mom4X, there are a number of out of state kids in the theatre department who are there on weekends. My son is a BA student there and has lots to do on weekends. </p>
<p>And the “home” factor mentioned by Mom4X is a very important one. My son loves Otterbein and definitely feels at home there. We know kids at BW, too, who are also very happy with their school. You should definitely visit both schools if you can and spend some time in classes, check out the dorms, eat in the cafeteria, see a production, go to a party, etc., etc.</p>
<p>Good luck with a tough decision!</p>
<p>In the meantime, you might go through each individual thread for Otterbein and BW. You should find students from each school who’ve posted here who would be willing to PM certain details to you. It will take a bit of time, but would be productive. There are definitely strengths and weaknesses to both programs. As for the point of students leaving on the weekends, the theatre students at Otterbein don’t really count as they’re almost always occupied in rehearsal, performance, crew, or audition prep on weekends and, so, are definitely around campus. A large number are from out of state anyway. Good luck as you make your decision.</p>
<p>BW was my first choice school for a while and I know much about the program.</p>
<p>The programs head, Vicky Bussertt, is a goddess when it comes to connections. She knows many people in the buisness. She gets many of the BW kids cast in Profesional Cleveland shows, and knows lots of people in NYC. If connections are important, BW has them!</p>
<p>You do recieve a BM (Bachelors of Music) rather than a BFA. They focus their MT program on vocal. My gosh, can the kids at BW sing! I witnessed at workshop the students had with Georgia Stitt when I auditioned there, and I’ve yet to hear such talented singers in a musical theatre program. There are 15-20 kids per class. The facutly is small. I dont know if this would bother you, but it did prevent one of my friends from attending the school.</p>
<p>The campus is beautiful. Its a very traditional campus with a laid back feel. It is located in a suburban upscale neighborhood with lots of sidewalks, nice homes, trees and grass! It’s only 15 minutes from downtown Cleveland. </p>
<p>I saw the musical ‘Parade’ when I auditioned at BW. The production was vere well done. The talent of the kids lifted the show up to a high level. Very very impressive.</p>
<p>BW’s only drawback, and the students openly admitt this, is that the dance training recieved through the MT program is weak. They are an MT class that can “sing, act, and MOVE” (is what they told me). That hasnt stopped the BW kids from getting work though! If im not mistaken, 5 out of the 12 seniors from last year found profesional work and national tours very quickly. All twelve of them have their equity cards.</p>
<p>Any more questions, just post! Id be glad to answer.</p>
<p>Something we were told when we visited is that Rob Marshall’s assistant is coming to Baldwin Wallace to either take over or to enhance the dance department beginning in the fall and she is supposed to be amazing. The program is small -averaging 12-16 students in each the freshmen through senior classes from what we were told - so there is much individual attention.</p>
<p>Thanks for responses…I must sort this out. :)</p>
<p>My DD has visisted both BW and Otterbein and knows students in both programs from her HS. My DD did not like BW at all and loved Otherbein bug could not explain why in either case. The students that she knows at both places are all very happy with their choices. Two of the kids she knows at BW came where primarly dancers who could sing and they have been very happy at BW but had a hard time keeping their dance high.</p>
<p>Seems to me that it is a pretty personal choice in a lot of ways.</p>
<p>as far as the schools go, Otterbein may have a reputation, but BW is definitely on the rise, and very quickly, so look out.</p>
<p>The seniors just had their NY showcase this past week and although I haven’t heard how well they did, I’m sure they had great success. In addition to this, BW is doing the regional premiere of [title of show] this spring and actually got to collaborate with Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen on the piece. They were also recognized on playbill.com and broadwayworld.com. So that’s going to give the school some much well deserved attention.</p>
<p>As far as the dance program at BW goes, if rumors are true, the woman who was going to take over next year, has signed on board. BW is going to get a re-vamped dance program, so changes are happening for the better. Which is great working in BW’s favor.</p>
<p>As far as the programs go, Vicky Bussert knows her stuff. She prepares her students so well for their NYC showcase that success is inevitable. In Otterbein’s case, their showcases have been rumored to be not very well put together and BW’s stands out above them, correct me if I am wrong but I think the two schools showcase together. One thing that Otterbein does have is the Senior Experience where they go to NYC and I believe intern for different companies and make connections in the business. If it’s connections you’re looking for, Vicky has them, and you won’t have to wait until senior year to get to explore them. Usually each audition day and other times throughout the year, BW holds masterclasses with some top names in the business, exposing their students young, letting them risk and make mistakes, yet grow, collaborate and learn all at the same time. </p>
<p>As far as equity goes, a number of students from each class will have received their cards by senior year. Although this isn’t the most important thing about a musical theatre education, it sure does help. I know Vicky tries to get the upperclassmen outside work from the school in equity shows and other things around the Cleveland area, which is a very large and thriving theater district, one of the largest outside of NY, but, unfortunately Columbus is not, there aren’t, that I know of, many opportunities around that area. Please correct me if I am wrong.</p>
<p>BW has a very promising future, and if it’s graduates and students continue to have as much success as they are having now then the sky is the limit!</p>
<p>I am a graduating senior at BW, and would be happy to answer any specific questions about the program. Feel free to PM me!</p>