Please Help!! MT kids from New Orleans-Displaced by Katrina

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>To all - </p>

<p>This is the first access I have had to the internet. My D just started her senior year and we were about to start all of her college admission processes. She was attending the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and had 3 classes left to complete her high school credits. We live in New Orleans and had to flee to Houston until we can figure out what to do. We do not have the means to relocate for more than a week or two. I work full time and my husband is now not getting paid because his employer is out of commission as well. They are saying that schools will not open until maybe January. This of course throws our whole process off and we have no where for her to put together her audition work, practice, etc.....sorry if rambling, we are reeling with the implications of this for her. Not to mention, that we are financially devastated. If anyone knows what other MT kids from the area are doing and maybe we can hook up, I would be greatly appreciative. I would also appreciate any info/advice on college admissions at this point.</p>

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<p>I sent you a PM. Please let me know if you didn't get it.</p>

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<p>I sent an email...</p>

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<p>I was thinking further, beyond what I wrote in an email to you...</p>

<p>I would suggest you call a couple of your D's top schools and find out if they would evaluate her based on her existing academic record. I bet you will find some that will. I know getting the officiial HS academic record itself seems like a formidable task, but they may be willing to take some kind of substitute. </p>

<p>Find out also which of the schools might take an audition tape under the circumstances. </p>

<p>I would bet some or most of these schools will waive the application fees as well under the circumstance. </p>

<p>I think you just must ask these schools one by one what they can do to help. They may not have the answers yet, but ask the questions. </p>

<p>I know all of us on CC will be thinking of you.</p>

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<p>Did you see the message about Oklahoma City University opening it's doors to those students displaced by the hurricane.</p>

<p>Enrollment happens today (Friday) thru this weekend (with admissions staff coming in to assist with this situation). We will help as quickly as possible but there are a high volume of enrolling students. You can fill out our application on line. Or you can call 1-800-633-7242 extension one for info. Good luck.</p>

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<p>I agree with nytheatremom 100%! I would think that some of these schools would be able to make considerations in the case of your daughter and those involved. Or they certainly should! Wave a fee, some type of special consideration ..whatever it takes. Especially now while it is fresh on everyone's mind. Call them. Best of luck to you! I also sent you a pm. Be safe!</p>

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<p>I sent you an email....I'm hoping you can access your email from where you are. If not, let me know....</p>

<p>Diane</p>

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<p>NoccaMom and NoccaDad....</p>

<p>My thoughts go out to you during this very difficult time that is hard for many of us to even begin to fathom. It is overwhelming on a personal level, let alone on a community level. I feel rather helpless here in terms of what I can do. </p>

<p>I think the situation is complex. First, I don't know what your family's plans are (if you even have any yet) of relocating temporarily. I realize your husband is now out of work and all of that is so uncertain. You said you work full time but I can't tell if your work can be done from any location or if you need to stay near NO. I suppose the first thing is to find a place to stay for now. </p>

<p>In terms of school, there are many issues. One is for your D to attend the rest of high school to graduate and get the credits she needs. I do not know if there is any networking or contact with her current school and what they are recommending for their students in terms of accomodations. I would start with them. If they have nothing to offer or any reciprocal arrangements or contingency plans for their students, I would see about getting your D enrolled in a school whereever you locate temporarily. Another option might be to get those credits via online or even at a community college. </p>

<p>Next is the issue of her school records. Perhaps in the coming days/weeks, her school will be able to tell if those records will be attainable to send to colleges or not, this fall. I would also contact all the colleges on her prospective list and ask what to do in this situation. This will be something that many schools will be dealing with and thus contingencies will likely be drawn up to help these kids so that their edcuational plans can continue on track as best as possible. It likely is not all figured out yet but I am sure something will be worked out in the coming weeks. </p>

<p>As far as preparing for auditions, I don't know what she has done yet to date but she can either work independently or once you get settled some place in the short term, she might be able to locate local voice/acting coaches to help her prepare....maybe via local schools. For the actual auditions, I would again ask for advice from the colleges individually but would think about lining up audition dates for Jan. and Feb. which buys you more time. My D's auditions, except one, were all in that time span so this is actually quite normal/typical. You might have planned some earlier ones but I am sure they will let you change the dates given the circumstances. Also, consider unifieds to keep the cost down as well as travel given that you have so much on your plate. Look into taped auditions if it comes to that. Stay in touch with each school given your situation. I think you will be able to pull this together once you have settled the more immediate problems for your family as best as can be. I do not know the situation with insurance or assistance to help financially and so I know that you must first get that into place. While your D's college admissions process is very important, it is still a little on the early side. If she did her applications in Oct/Nov. and her auditions in winter, she'll be fine. This buys you a month now to get these other important settlement issues in place to whatever degree possible. I think first thing is to figure out her schooling/credits for this year and once that is set, deal with the college stuff. In the meantime, talk to any reps from her current school, and contact her college admissions offices as well. </p>

<p>Everything seems so overwhelming and bleak but I have confidence that in due time, your lives will eventually get to some level of normalcy and brighter days will come. It will be difficult to endure but I hope that it helps that all of us are thinking and worrying about all of you and if we can help in some fashion, let us know how.
Susan
PS, stay networked here on the MT Forum because if another family is going to the same auditions and coming from the region you are in, perhaps your D can travel with them to lessen the burden on you, plus expense. I'm not in that situation but I bet many are going to those same auditions from that region and can bring her along. Keep connected here.</p>

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<p>I can't begin to tell you how much it helps to read your messages of help and support. Some have sent private messages and have read some of those and will respond as I can and keep everyone posted. My daughter was visibly relieved when I showed her the responses and the ray of hope that all is not lost. To make matters worse she has a bad sinus infection and has lost her voice. I will be following up on all your suggestions in the next few days and will continue to log into the hotel internet when available. This message board is priceless and I will never be able to thank everyone enough for the help. If I can help anyone with information about New Orleans I am happy to share what I know. </p>

<p>Bless you all - I will keep you posted.</p>

<p>P.S. My D attended the "non-Tisch" Cap 21 progam this past summer, if there is anyone that was there that could send her a "hello" I know it would help alot. Thanks!!</p>

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<p>NoccaMom.....if it turns out that your D's HS cannot obtain a transcript to be sent to colleges (they will likely advise you what to do), I just realized that a copy exists at CAP21 when she applied there for the summer program. Perhaps a copy could be had from that source. Just a suggestion. </p>

<p>Thinking of you...
Susan</p>

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<p>NOCCAMom -</p>

<p>I sent you a PM, and I wanted to let you know that my offer extends to any of your D's friends who were displaced as well as to her!</p>

<p>You are in all of our prayers.</p>

<p>CoachC</p>

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<p>I can take care of you and your daughter here in Dallas and get her in school and give you a place to live. Don't worry. If you need help getting to Dallas, we can help you with that too.
Email me at <a href="mailto:maryannadennard@aol.com">maryannadennard@aol.com</a></p>

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<p>Mary Anna, how wonderful you are! I can only hope that any of us would be similarly generous and compassionate if the situation presented itself. </p>

<p>NOCCAMom, while the complexities of everything you're facing must seem overwhelming, I urge you (as others have) to contact all the schools your D's interested in. Think of the best thing you would like them to do for you -- waiving some requirements, taped audition, ED possibility, whatever (short of admitting her on the spot, probably....), and ask for it without apology. You're in an extraordinary circumstance and your D deserves extraordinary consideration. Besides, if you don't ask, it's as though you're making up their minds for them.</p>

<p>My thoughts are with you. If you or your D have occasion to be in the DC area, please let me know.</p>

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<p>Noccamom and Noccadad and anyone else who needs this kind of help......</p>

<p>Artsymom's post made me realize that there is something that many of us can do to help that might not seem so obvious at first. If at any point, you decide that you are able to get to on-site auditions, I'm guessing you will find a CC family ready and waiting with an open door, a place to sleep, food and local transportation to spare you any additional expenses if you are able to reach your destination. Put me on that list if you anticipate a trip anywhere within an hour or so of Philadelphia (University of the Arts, maybe?). You would be most welcome and we would consider it a privilege to help in any way we can. You're not alone.</p>

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<p>Great idea, theatermom! NOCCAMom, I PM'ed you with a similar offer for my area, based on theatermom's genius. :)</p>

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<p>NOCCAMOM,
Please add us to the list of people who would be happy to help out. If your D is auditioning at Syracuse, we live there! We would be happy to have you stay with us, drive you around, pick you up at the airport or train station, etc. Whatever we could do to help! Just let me know- you can PM me anytime! My D is a junior this year, so I'm sure she would love to meet your D and show her around!</p>

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<p>We'd love to have you here in Michigan for U of M auditions. We're only one hour away. Just let us know. Great idea, theatermom.</p>

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<p>And count me in if you come to the NYC area (NYU? SUNY Purchase? others)</p>

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<p>We're in the Dallas area also and would be happy to provide you with a place to stay. My brother also lives in the houston area (League City) and would be happy to help in any way he could. He teaches at San jacinto Community College there, if there's any way that could help you with the education end of it. And the best thing I can do is lift you up in prayer which I will gladly do. Our thoughts are with you all.</p>

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<p>I'd offer help in Arkansas, but it sounds like you have some excellent support above coming from right there in Texas. (Arkansas is taking many people from the N.O. area). You should take up someone, such as mary anna, on the offer to get your D into school to finish HS.</p>

<p>For college process, I am very hopeful your colleges of interest will be understanding. I feel certain they will her to college and waive fees. I'm only concerned for you about the highly selective schools that require auditions to get into MT. It sounds like OCU for example, who is willingly taking MT students this semester, will require that audition for those students in future semesters. Please take all the good advice on contacting all of your audition schools as mentioned above.</p>

<p>Also, I feel that many schools will probably waive application fee requirements for people in your situation. I also think that through the FAFSA financial aid process, you should be able to get major assistance with cost once she starts to college.</p>

<p>You might consider applying to at least one good school that does not require an audition so she will for sure have a place to go next fall. Two schools I would recommend for you are TCU and IU. IU's application does not require an essay and can be completed online in a fairly short amount of time. You should contact them about waiving the $50 fee. Both of these schools have great theatre programs and the opportunity to emphasize MT.</p>