<p>Hey, all,
Just a heads up that I’ll be blogging this year at [Otterbein</a> Blogs](<a href=“http://oclamp.otterbein.edu/admission/]Otterbein”>http://oclamp.otterbein.edu/admission/) for Otterbein Admissions. I’m a senior musical theatre major and listed as “Andrew Betz.”
Hoping all are well and that I can answer some questions/spark some interest this year!</p>
<p>Nice blog! I noticed you’re from Haddon Heights. We live in Pennsauken. My son’s a freshman BFA acting student at Boston University this year. </p>
<p>A guy from Haddon Heights with whom my son was in a class in Phila once is a freshman in the acting program at Rutgers/Mason Gross this year, I’ve heard through the grapevine.</p>
<p>I’m not sure whether my son knows anybody who might be considering applying to Otterbein, but if I find out about anybody I’ll steer them your way.</p>
<p>Small world! Go South Jersey theatre people! Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Interesting, NJTheatreMOM, in that Linus spent his first 7 yrs in Pennsauken. He also has some good friends currently and previously at BU. Heights is a very small town; I’m sure he knows of the boy attending Rutgers. Linus’ father and I are alumni of Rutgers. And, the teacher who mentored our children in theatre at Heights first got his own taste of theatre at Pennsauken High. And, I grew up in Pennsauken and still sing there for our church choir. So, I think this might be less than 6 degrees of separation! Just a little bit of fun - and definitely a small world. I’m sort of barging in, but I know that Linus is busy with the opening of Babes In Arms and might not see your post.</p>
<p>We definitely recommend exploring Otterbein for any student serious about excellent MT training through one of the smaller BFA programs. Hope your son enjoys his freshman year in Boston!</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply, abparent. I was afraid I might have put my foot in my mouth, barging in on your son’s thread the way I did. </p>
<p>That’s interesting about the drama teacher at Haddon Heights HS being a Pennsauken High School alum. PHS doesn’t do much theatre these days, but in a way that’s been good for my son because he’s had a considerable amount of involvement in community theatre, which led to a lot of growth for him.</p>
<p>My son started out in the Burlington County Footlighters summer intern program in Cinnaminson (the summer program has been in existence for the past 6 years), and he moved up from that to mainstage shows at BCF and other theatres.</p>
<p>Last summer a PHS grad who had just finished her freshman year as a theatre student at Montclair directed a production of RENT in Pennsauken. My son assistant directed the show and played one of the leads. It was an enjoyable production and a really cool experience for all concerned.</p>
<p>My son absolutely loves BU. To quote him, “College is beyond fantastic. I’m having the time of my life.” I’m not sure whether he knows that there are any upperclassmen at BU who are from Haddon Heights. I’ll have to tell him to ask around and try to find them.</p>
<p>No worries. I’m sure he appreciates your feedback.</p>
<p>Yes, we are very fortunate to live where we do with the amount of regional and community theatre opportunities available to our kids. If a school doesn’t have theatre classes or only the minimum in performance opportunity and camps aren’t possible to be in the equation, these outlets are often great training grounds at any level. Plus the valuable connections can be endless. </p>
<p>Glad your son is off to a good start!</p>
<p>Abparent, did you read the Babes in Arms review in the Columbus paper? Nice little shout-out that you’re sure to appreciate…</p>
<p>mezzomom, good to hear from you. Yes, in fact, we just saw the article yesterday. He was very pleased. We actually saw the show Saturday night and it was great, if I do say so! It’s an older show that I didn’t really know, so it was nice that it was very fresh to us. The ending number was excellent and, boy, did those kids work, and make it look so easy! Hope your daughter enjoys her final year!</p>
<p>abparent, now you’re making me second-guess my decision to stay home for Parents’ Weekend/Homecoming! I doubt my daughter would be able to squeeze me in though; between her courses, her honors thesis, work, and grad school apps, I suspect a visit from me is the last thing she needs. But I’ll have to ask…</p>