<p>Thought I would start a new thread to see how many parents from the Class of 2012 are still checking back on CC now that their students have finished their first full year of MT or acting in college -- and are about to become sophomores!! How do you feel a year later?</p>
<p>For myself, I am feeling more comfortable with the idea of a drama/musical theatre degree in general which I struggled with for some time (and still do on occasion). I definitely stressed over the first in-college auditions and subsequent results (oy!) during freshman year. I'm really happy that my D is happy with her college choice and MT program. And I still love to come back to CC and now, try to add some advice where I can to those who are embarking on that journey we college parents have all been through.</p>
<p>As one of my friends told me about MT, the lows are really low -- but the highs are really high. It certainly is a roller coaster ride -- but it's an exciting one. Would love to hear from others parents of college students -- even if your kids are not from the Class of 2012.</p>
<p>Great idea “not so Newbie anymore MTmom” :D! </p>
<p>My D is definitely loving life, and seeing her so happy, has made it a lot easier for me than I thought it would be to have her living on the East Coast, although I will admit that saying goodbye continues to be tough for me. </p>
<p>At NYU Tisch no one worries about in-college auditions at first as freshmen don’t audition, but solely focus on training, but my D did audition a bit outside of school, and wound up getting a neat job in summer stock, which was a nice affirmation that she is on the right track. Being able to see her onstage with a year of college under her belt has definitely been a great treat. </p>
<p>I still vividly remember her audition process & travels, and so I thoroughly enjoy visiting CC, and celebrating the next incoming class’ experiences and successes.</p>
<p>This thread is a nice idea! I’d love to know where your kids wound up, future posters…</p>
<p>My girl finished her first year at BoCo. She went from being an only child in a single-parent household to sharing a room with four strangers and she absolutely THRIVED. She has grown up so much, developed coping skills and competencies that surprised me, and separated from me so easily I might be a wee bit hurt if I hadn’t been encouraging her to do so the last few years. Boston is the perfect city for my city girl, and BoCo’s neighborhood is young, vibrant, and reasonably safe. She’s been too busy during the school year to do much exploring but she is doing a lot of that over this summer. And don’t get me started on BoCo as an MT school. My D has grown SO MUCH as a performer. Her sweet voice has gotten stronger and when she reaches for a high note, she does it with confidence now and she HITS it. We slacked off on dance classes because of the academics in high school, but she has caught up and is doing so well, even with tap. The teachers are warm and terrific and often connect students with local performance opportunities. Kids are always scooting off for auditions in NYC, too. It’s a strenuous curriculum focused 90% on the arts and it is perfect for her. I do believe that my D will be involved with the arts in some way after college, and I feel that BoCo is developing in her the many facets of her musical ability. The tuition is insanely high…I tremble as I write that monthly check…but I feel I am getting my money’s worth. And am I ever proud? YOU BET!</p>
<p>Even though S is starting junior year at CMU, I still skim the posts and contribute when I can because this forum was so helpful to us during the 18 months prior to college. Many questions about “next steps” remain and I find it helpful to hear from others whose kids are graduating, studying abroad, performing, etc. I often learn something new!</p>
<p>As for his experience–he is spending the summer working in a regional Equity theatre near us where he was cast in all three shows and teaches in a summer musical theatre camp associated with the theatre (which overlaps with the rehearsal/performance schedule for one of the shows). He also agreed to write music for the theatre camp where he worked for the past 2 summers. He is busy! CMU (MT/Acting) keeps him equally busy during the school year so I think he finds the schedule demanding but “normal.” We feel lucky to have him at home.</p>
<p>My D completed her first year at Indiana as an acting major who takes dance and voice classes also. When she performed for me as early as Thanksgiving break I knew that every penny of that huge OOS tuition was well spent. She absolutely LOVES IU in every possible way - the university, the town of Bloomington and the kids that go there. She herself is blown away looking back at how much she has learned and improved in 1 year. Going away to college has changed her into a self sufficient mature person. There is a huge difference between her high school friends that went away and those that went to the closeby state university. She’s not only happy with the quality of the education in the performing areas but also with the academic classes she has taken. Particularly Psychology - but hey IU houses the Kinsey Institute and BF Skinner used to be the head of Psychology. </p>
<p>Bottom line - Both of us are totally content she made the right choice in place and major.</p>
<p>My daughter is also starting her junior year at CMU and I do still skim the posts as well. I feel like I don’t contribute as much but I am so thankful for this site and all that I learned about this crazy process along the way. </p>
<p>I also feel that my daughter has grown so much as a performer and person. She is spending her summer in Florida doing theater and is having such a wonderful time. I am amazed at how responsible she has become and how she manages everything from paying her bills, to doing her shopping, cleaning, rehearsals and shows. </p>
<p>Good luck to the next group of kids auditioning and to those who will be starting their freshman year…such an exciting time!</p>
<p>I must admit that I took a break from CC, although I did answer all e-mails and PMs that came my way! But, I’m back! My daughter, who is going to be a Junior in high school, seems to be interested in performing, following in the footsteps of my son–so I’m getting back into the making-the-college-list-process. My son is going to be a Sophomore at CCM Drama in the Fall. CC was a HUGE help to us in identifying colleges that would be appropriate for him and getting through the audition process. I made several great friends along the way!</p>
<p>My son is doing well at CCM, and likes the training and opportunities to perform at school and in Cincinnati. That seems to be a defining point at CCM–the kids are encouraged to audition immediately. Freshmen drama students don’t perform in school shows (the MTs do), but a number of them did things in the city and many are performing this summer. My son is attending a special training program in CA, focusing on a particular facet of theater, and he LOVES IT!</p>
<p>Good luck to all kids and families who are just getting started–getting started looking around for programs, getting their training underway. What a fun ride!</p>
<p>How about Three Years later.
Freshman year was an adjustment for all the family. Our daughter was gently eased into independance and loved singing in groups.
Sophmore year lead to personal discovery of the actress that lay with in and loads of dancing. Venturing out to audition in New York with fellow students and loving having her own apartment.
Junior year wizzed by . More self discovery. Auditions futher a field . Successes in casting . Having a future in this career is becoming a reality. It is a year full of opening doors. Many more scripts and music to learn. Fine tuning of the craft.
From grub to butterfly.
Now we are thinking the senior year will be over in the blink of an eye and I am shedding a tear.
Having a Musical Theatre Student is a wonderful thing indeed so enjoy every precious minute !</p>
<p>My daughter is now a junior and over the past 2 years I have seen tremendous growth in her as a performer. Along the way, she has made some important connections, been in school and summer outside shows, and has started to think and plan concretely about the directions she wants to go in with performing after graduation. I have been particularly impressed with how she has thought through the types of employment she will have to enable her to support herself as she pounds the audition pavement after graduation and in this regard how she has found a way to integrate her performing arts training into jobs with sustainable and predicable income while maintaining flexibility in her work schedule to audition and perform. Most of all, I am delighted with how deleriously happy she is with her life as an MT student and with the opportunities to pursue her dreams. Who knows what the future will bring but this has certainly been and will continue to be quite an adventure!</p>
<p>My son is a rising junior actor at CMU. I check this site periodically as well, although I rarely post because it seems many people here are more knowledgeable than I am.
My son is very happy with his education and his opportunities. He and several classmates have formed their own theater troupe where they write, produce and perform their own story-telling tales at CMU’s playground and elsewhere. He is working this summer teaching theater at Martha’s Vineyard. It will be interesting to see where their experiences lead them after graduation.</p>