<p>WOW, Soozievt! It all sounds so fabulous! Congrat's to her! She is surely in the right place. I think there is lots to say about the old real estate addage "location, location, location"! Enjoy these great times.</p>
<p>Jasmom, thanks for that feedback and info. as to what the Dean said about outside theater opportunities. My D is not auditioning outside of school at this time. That sort of thing always makes me nervous because she is in school so if a student got something, that disrupts school. Then again, if it is a great opportunity, I guess a student could take a leave. Two other things that happened after people saw her in a performance this summer that I did not talk about here, were interesting and exciting on the one hand but I keep thinking the timing is not good, she is in school now. But I guess you can always weigh if an opportunity arises. I know a friend of hers from camp got an excellent role in an Off Broadway play with well known actors in it after arriving at Tisch another year and she took it and switched over to Gallatin to accomodate still being a student while being in this well reviewed play. Right now, my D has not pursued auditioning at all while a student. I'd hope she would work in theater next summer but that is different. Even when she was in high school, we laid VERY low with auditioning in NYC (and live far away) via her agent because I always felt she was engaged in a show in our area (once you commit, you have to honor it, nor did she wait around for some big break but rather stay involved in training and productions) and it was too hard to disrupt what she was in. I kinda feel that way even more now being in college and she is loving college to boot. We knew that freshmen year would mean no shows and she was fine with that, even though this is the first time in her life not working on a show in who knows when. She does have her a capella group and that is a performance oriented thing that she rehearses and loves and there is the summer for shows and she just came off two shows from this past summer anyway. I do wonder how her friend will do the TV episodes and he is actively auditioning but like you say, if someone lands a great opportunity, there likely is a way to take a leave. It is just that my D has not pursued that at this time. One thing that came out of someone seeing her this summer does involve her doing a workshop but I have no clue how she'd fit it in but they say they'd be flexible because she is a student. Right now, she is not currently working on it and I'm not sure what that involves other than they want her for it. As it is, the BFA program is more than a busy life, plus rehearsing her other group, plus she now is lining up an internship in the community as part of a requirement for being a Tisch Scholar. I hope after freshman year, she gets into some kind of show of any sort at NYU, but I know that is hard to do. She does have many older friends at Tisch who are cast in something so there is hope. </p>
<p>GKoukla...yes, the location of NYU has some "perks" but I know she did not pick, nor would I, a college program based on this because you can go to NYC in four years too and train at a great program elsewhere in the meantime. Picking a good match program is really at the core. Now that she did land in NYC, yes, there are some added benefits but these are not critical to a fine BFA experience. Yes, she sees many shows and is meeting folks in the industry and yes, Tisch has the resources and networking being in the city to bring lots of people in the industry to the program. A person in this field who was in the audience of a show she did over the summer, led to discussions about her with a major Broadway producer. Not sure what will come of that but the fact that she is in NYC right now, is a factor in that networking that came from this ongoing contact with these people that came out of something this summer. Being in NYC is a nice "pro" on the pro/con list when evaluating various programs. It simply is not an essential. I find EACH program has its pros/cons or little plusses, if you will. They aren't always comparable but it is important to make a list of what is appealing about each school. For instance, my D liked how at UMich, she could continue with piano. Essential for a BFA experience for her? Not necessarily but it was in the "plus" column. Boston Conservatory had Boston, which she loves....into the plus column for that school (based on personal criteria). So, in talking of NYU being in NYC, yes, there are some neat aspects that are a real plus but they are not essential to a great college program. Hopefully any college progam you pick has some appealing aspects.</p>
<p>Hi Everybody,</p>
<p>It's been great catching up on this thread by reading all of the posts. I, too, have a D at NYU, but she is in the Strasberg Studio, as most of you know. D is a sophomore and is loving it even more than last year. She auditioned for the first time a few weeks ago for the Strasberg studio production in the fall. There were well over 60 sophomores that auditioned with only 8 roles in the show, Anton in Show Business, I believe. Although she was not cast, I think she found it to be a great experience; one of her good friends was cast, and she was excited for her. She has the director of the play for class this year and enjoys her; many of the sophomores also had the director for class last year, too. In any event, she didn't seem the least bit concerned about not being cast, which I found to be great, as she will experience this on more than one occasion during her career ;). I do wish, from time to time, that she would take advantage of the many, many auditioning opportunities there are, but she is the one in control of this adventure, not me.</p>
<p>My D has also started private voice lessons this semester through Steinhardt and she is crazy about her instructor. This makes her mother very happy because I was so concerned when she went straight drama that she wouldn't continue her singing. This past summer she took voice with her voice instructor at the state university where we live and I think that this was the impetus for private voice at NYU. What a great deal, it's two hours credit and we only paid an additional $90.00 per semester. Her voice instructor is working towards a Master's in MT and was in a national company for some production, which at the moment isn't coming to mind, but D says she is absolutely awesome. I think that is what I love best about my D's NYU experience. She really, truly enjoys almost all of her courses and is still excited about the school, which I think is an important part of the educational process. Another thing that I have really enjoyed is listening to her describe her dance classes. She never took dance and does not have a dancer's build (she's tall, but a little curvier than most dancers), but both her instructor last year and this year have told her she has the potential to become an excellent dancer, in particular if she would just relax a little bit. It has been fun listening to her incredulous responses to both of those instructors. She did say this year that she really, really enjoys jazz and all of her studio courses even better than last year. </p>
<p>I will say that the other day I spoke with her and she is taking a dramaturgy course, which she said was a little more difficult than she had expected, not quite what she expected, and demands quite large amounts of time to do all of the projects. I think I actually just caught her on an off day as she was attempting to finish the project and sounded exhausted, but I'll fill you in after I talk with her about the class on a better day. That is the only thing I worry about with regard to the drama/MT program at Tisch. They work non-stop 24/7 it seems. I'm sure it's not that bad, but I am amazed at the work they have to do and then the fact that they can do it and maintain high G.P.As.(as I am writing this I can't believe I even complained that I thought she could audition more!!) Sometimes when I look back at my college years it makes me feel like I was a slacker :) Other times I worry that we put way too much pressure on the young adults of this generation. </p>
<p>I guess what I always come back to is that if she wishes to pursue this profession, she is going to need all the stamina they can teach her to maintain. I hope to hear of more NYU drama/MT students appearing in productions. For those parents going to your first parent's weekend at Tisch you will have an awesome time. It was really wonderful. An experience of a lifetime, especially spending the time with your newly independent children. Have a great time.</p>
<p>P.S. I am hoping to get to NYC in the spring now that my daughter has an awesome apartment in the East Village and hopefully we'll have time to see some shows, do some shopping and get over to the Bumble & Bumble Salon in SoHo.</p>
<p>Kristin</p>
<p>Kristin, wow, I loved reading about a soph's experience so far at Tisch. I think her callback was great and it was just that one show. I gather there are various shows to try for there, including student run productions. How that all fits in the schedule I have no idea but I think all these kids are the type who just love this stuff so don't mind the 24/7 routine (and it was like this before college for these theater types). I think it is great that your D was able to arrange for private voice being in an acting studio. And also how great it is that she has become a dancer and sees her potential. The more skills, the more versatile for things that will come down the line. To hear that she loves it there in her second year is all GREAT news. Having that apt. must be really fun for her too. She is now a real New Yorker. For my D, this is a huge lifestyle change but one that she really enjoys....be it the college experience, the city, being on her own, the whole deal. But this is what college is about. </p>
<p>Your comments about the busy life and stamina and all...while all very true....I think is different for these theater kids because they are so passionate and loving what they are doing that it is not like a "grind". I mean, it's fun! And it sure is good to be young, because the hours they keep and the miles they put on walking and the activities and all that stuff...whoa....it sounds stressful but they are engaged in good things and it really will be like this for years to come if they stick with this field. </p>
<p>Please keep posting about her experiences because I know that when my kid was applying to programs, I was dying to hear from those already IN the programs. Even now, I love learning about the various programs out there, plus hearing from older students in the programs my kids are in.
Susan</p>
<p>It's fun to hear these stories from fellow Tischie parents! I haven't written much about what my D is up to in her junior year because she asked me about a year ago not to talk about her here. She used to post here a lot and she enjoyed helping prospective students and even met a few and gave them tours, etc., but she had a bad experience with a couple of parents who frequented the forums and, as a result, decided not to come here anymore. So I've had to respect her wishes although I have posted some general things about her program and things she's been involved in. She also is very happy at NYU and has had incredible opportunities which never would have happened elsewhere. I agree with Susan that location should not be the primary focus on choosing a school which is the right <em>fit</em> but for those who do find that right <em>fit</em> with NYU, it's an excellent school. My D has also taken advantage of the private voice lessons which have been a good complement to her choice of a straight drama studio. She also has had the opportunity to work with a playwright through the Dramatic Writing program in an independent study type placement, to work both on the playwright's work and also on her own. All this in addition to her work towards a double major in the College of Arts and Science, I don't know where she gets her energy!</p>
<p>One thing I wanted to mention to those of you who will be in the city this weekend, just as a little plug because she's involved with it. There is a student run GAP production of Batboy which is running tonight, tomorrow and Friday at 8, Saturday at 12:30 and 6. It is totally sold out but there are waiting lists which may yield a ticket or two if anyone's interested. Word is, it's a wonderful production and that came from original Batboy, Deven May, and Larry O'Keefe, the composer, who attended the first show. And that's all I'm permitted to say! ;)</p>
<p>AlwaysAMom, thanks for sharing what you can. You can always share in private emails. I did not realize your D was double majoring...wow, she is an incredible student, but I knew that already .</p>
<p>About Bat Boy....this past weekend, my older D was in NYC visiting the Tisch D, but the Tisch D one night was at a "bonding" sleepover for her a capella group so the other D at first spent time with younger D's friends and they tried to get into Bat Boy but were unable to. I don't know what is up with younger D but I noticed her "away" message last night said, "I'm supposed to be at Bat Boy"....have no idea what that meant. My younger D was in a production of Bat Boy this summer and has always loved this musical. Older D saw another production of it this past summer at Harvard. Younger D loves Deven May and saw him a few weeks ago in a musical production at the NY MT Festival (bad production but she says HE was great). Hear this GAP show is also great. I wonder if D will get in or saw it last night or just what. What is your D's involvement with the show? By chance is she in it? I have heard that GAP shows are excellent. My D was attracted to the fact that they had such a good student run musical theater group at NYU because she was actively involved in creating student run productions in high school. I wish I could see Bat Boy too. Sounds like many who want to see it, will have to miss out :(.
Susan</p>
<p>Wow, Susan! Kudos to your daughter on making such a great impression on Mr. Maltby! That's so exciting. I would think since it's not technically a "Tisch" production that she could have still done the show. I guess since it's under the "CAP" umbrella....oh well. I'm glad you shared info on all the workshops and senior showcases, etc.; that's news to me! Would I have found out if I hadn't checked here? Probably not, lol!
I'm so mad Bat Boy is sold out!! If anyone has extra tickets (yeah, right!) and wants to sell them, let me know. I won't hold my breath...
I didn't know you could take voice for 2 credits and pay only $90 a semester. Geez, I paid that for ONLY ONE HOUR for my d's voice teacher! (Granted, I could only afford a couple of lessons, but still....) Good to know!</p>
<p>Soozie,</p>
<p>Since you asked for an update on my D's doings at Florida State, here it is. For the 1st time in, well, just about ever, D did not perform this past summer. Without telling me or my H last fall, she decided not to sign up for the Southeastern Theatre Conference auditions. We found out just after the application deadline had passed. D decided not to do the auditions because she wanted to go to summer school after her freshman year so that she would have a leg up on consideration for being accepted into FSU's London semester program the fall of her junior year. My husband and I don't believe that she really needed to go to summer school in order to be accepted into the London program, but she was convinced it would help. Anyway, D spent the summer in Tallahassee going to school and getting some serious health issues under control. (I can't say more about the health issues here - she'd be very upset with me.) D called on Monday to tell me that she just got preliminary approval from her dept. chair to go to London. She's the only MT that has been approved. She is very excited. Nothing is final yet; she still has to be approved by a School of Theatre committee, but she says that usually once the dept. chair gives the green light, it's a go. She'll find out for sure in February.</p>
<p>Meantime, she is in rehearsal for a November production of Marat/Sade. I was a bit surprised when she called in early September to tell me about the casting decisions for the fall semester. FSU is doing Sweet Charity later this month. As it is a big Fosse dance show, we expected our dancing D to be performing in it. The School of Music MT dept. chair told her the day of the auditions to plan on being in Sweet Charity. Lo and behold, the directors of Marat/Sade and Sweet Charity both wanted my D and a senior girl to be in their shows. Because of overlapping rehearsal schedules it would be impossible to be in both shows. Quite a bit of discussion ensued on how they would divvy up the casting assignments. It was finally decided that since the senior girl is a belter and my D is not, that she would be better suited for Charity. The faculty also know that my D loves shows such as Marat/Sade and felt that she'd really do well in it; so, she was given that assignment. She will be singing soprano in a sort of Greek chorus that comments on all of the action on the stage. She is one of 4 singers and will be on stage for about 90% of the show. D is very happy that she was cast in Marat/Sade rather than Sweet Charity, though she would have liked to have been able to do both. </p>
<p>At the fall general auditions D was very surprised to hear one of the faculty auditors excitedly call her name. It turns out that the new stage combat teacher at FSU is from Cincinnati. He was D's stage combat teacher's assistant when she was in H.S. He did not know that she was at FSU. He seemed surprised that she was already in college. D went home that afternoon and immediately added his combat class. On the 1st day of class he took her aside and asked her to be an unofficial assistant. He had already tapped a senior and a grad student to assist him. He knew they were registered for the course before the semester began. He told D that he would have made her one of the 2 assistants if he'd known she was going to be in the class. However, he told her classmates that she would have just as much authority to make corrections as the boys. She's told me that she plans to take another combat class spring semester and expects to be assisting formally at that time. She's currently taking rapier and dagger, a weapon she's already certified in. Her 3 year certification will expire next summer. She will retest at the end of this semester and therefore, be renewed for another 3 years. The instructor is very generously working with D and the 2 assistants for an hour and a half after each class on short sword. That is the one weapon my D has not yet had any instruction in. She and her instructor plan to have her ready to test at the end of the semester with a Society of American Fight Directors fightmaster. If she passes her exam she'll be certified as an advanced actor/combatant, meaning she has achieved basic competency in 6 areas of stage combat. She's currently certified in rapier and dagger, unarmed, quarterstaff, knife, and broadsword. She would be the first to tell you that there are not a lot of fight scenes in musicals. However, she feels that being well versed in stage combat can only help her in the versatility arena. She is interested in performing in straight plays as well as musicals and has expressed an interest in someday possibly doing fight choreography. (And, yes...she is interested in dance choreography too :) )</p>
<p>D is very pleased with her classes this year. D thinks her acting teacher must like working with her. For the first scene assignment of the school year, D and her partner were asssigned to look at scenes in 8 plays. The other students in the class were given around 2 to 3 shows to investigate. D was pleased even though she and her partner had a lot more finding plays and reading them to do than their classmates. Last year the teacher consistently had her present her work first. She said many times last year that her teacher reminds her a lot of her acting teacher/mentor from Cincinnati - a very high recommendation in her book! She truly enjoys working with him. </p>
<p>D also has a new voice teacher. He just came to FSU from Ithaca. D is very pleased with him so far. All in all, things seem to be going very well this year. I can't believe she's already a sophomore!</p>
<p>Kathy</p>
<p>Kathy,</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing your D's news. I enjoy reading about all of these kids. It's hard keeping everyone straight on the forums after all this time here but I think you and I had discussions a while ago about my friend Steve's show The Last Session which was in Cincinnati a few years ago. :)</p>
<p>I remember the first time my D was exposed to stage combat. She took a workshop at a summer arts camp one year when she was about 14 and when we showed up for the end of session performance, it was fascinating to watch. I still remember thinking 'wow, how do they do that?!'</p>
<p>dancersmom,
It's so much fun to picture "our kids" in these environments. I appreciate the detailed decriptions. I love hearing about areas of study that never occurred to me as an area (fight choreography). It sounds like your daughter is taking Tally by storm! And, as an alum of FSU, I know that spending a summer in Tallahassee is a feat in and of itself. Please keep sharing.</p>
<p>Kathy,
It is great hearing from you again after all this time and to learn of how it is going for your D in her second year. She really seems to be making her mark so far at FSU....learning lots and also being recognized for her talents. </p>
<p>I knew she had done quite a bit with stage combat before college and it is neat that she can do all this additional training there with more certifications because, as you say, she will be a versatile actress with additional skills on her resume!</p>
<p>Please keep us updated. You participated here when she was an applicant and we surely want to hear how she is "going places"!</p>
<p>Also, many congrats to her on her recent show casting. That is really great. Tell her to break a leg!</p>
<p>Best,
Susan</p>
<p>My daughter got to see Bat Boy after all at Tisch! She knew it was sold out but really wanted to see it. As I mentioned, she was in a professional production of Bat Boy this summer and loves the show. She had heard about Lawrence O'Keefe and Deven May going the previous night. When she had gone to see about tix, she ran into the boy playing Bat Boy, a CAP junior whom she has not met before but she knew his name. His little sister was a newcomer at my D's summer theater program this past summer and was in my D's cast of Jekyll and Hyde. He recognized my D from having seen the videos of that production. He let her have a ticket that was set aside for an agent who could not make it that night. As an aside, one beneficial thing about being in a BFA program in NYC is that besides the senior showcases, agents and industry folks can be invited to see you in productions as they are right there in NYC. </p>
<p>Anyway, she said the show was excellent and she can't imagine a college production of this musical being any better. She said that it was all CAP juniors/seniors and each was very talented. She really enjoyed it. She had been attracted to GAP shows as one positive thing about the program when she had been exploring BFA programs. Perhaps some day she can be involved in one. I don't know what your D's involvement was in it, but my D says the show was wonderful !</p>
<p>She also recently saw Steinhardt's production of one of her favorite musicals, Merrily We Roll Along. In that production, she said the singing was excellent but the acting was not as much, except the male actor playing Charley acted very well. She will see Tisch's production of A Winter's Tale next week. She realized that she will have seen 11 shows since arriving in NY already and for a kid who loves theater, that is heavenly. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>PS....to RossJi...The N'Harmonics Concert that my D is in is Saturday at 9 PM on the 8th Floor of Kimmel. Pay at the door. It's $5 w/ NYU ID, $7 without.</p>
<p>Hi everyone! Just wanted to tell everyone to break a leg in their upcoming performances & auditions. I haven't logged into CC in several weeks because school has just been crazy (but in a good way :-D). My sister has been to visit Point Park, Baldwin Wallace, and is visiting CMU this week (today, I believe) and Penn State later this weekend as well as Duquesne for VP. She really liked all of these schools but definitely noted the differences among them. Now, she's finishing up applications, essays, etc. and scheduling auditions. I am going to go home this weekend for fall break and check out her calendar of the ones she has scheduled so far as well as the schools she still has to visit.</p>
<p>I hope everyone is having a great fall!!</p>
<p>Went to parent's weekend at NYU; it was very nice. They had a mini-show of CAP students performing a medley of movie hits. Although they couldn't use the stage for their regular movements since the parents were all packed in, they did a great job. The food was good, too; I had a salmon that was delicious (and I don't even like salmon; I ate it to be healthy!)
Saw Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Fri. night; Norbert was funny. I didn't think the show was all that great, though; John Lithgow can NOT sing (sorry John). However, we saw Altar Boyz Sat night (had $39 tickets through my school) and it was FABULOUS! All 5 guys were incredible singers and the choreography, although there were no dazzling turns or anything, was VERY enjoyable. The songs were catchy, and it was VERY funny. 2 of the actors were from NYU; one from CAP and it seems like one from Steinhart (bio said voice performance from NYU, so I'm assuming Steinhart). I highly recommend it! 2 of the actors were stand-ins; the Spanish guy and the gay guy (don't remember their names; my bad!)
All in all, a great weekend!</p>
<p>Just found out (well, was told, forcebly) that I'm taking my friends extra Sweeny Todd ticket for the matinee this Saturday.</p>
<p>I'm not complaining! AH!</p>
<p>Thespian Dreams...lucky you! My D saw Sweeney Tood about ten days ago on her birthday and LOVED it. I hope you do too. She thought Patti LuPone was marvelous.</p>
<p>We just saw Spelling Bee this past weekend and it was great. Very cleverly written. Very enjoyable show.
~~Susan</p>
<p>Keep sharing all you parents. I love reading your posts about how your kids are doing at their final selections. This thread reminds me of the old ones that I spent many a late nite perusing when I first came across CC back in February. I am looking forward to the day my D emails me with exciting tales about what a "perfect" fit her school is for her. I have no doubt that we'll being seeing many of the CC grads names up in lights some day very soon. They sound like they are shining stars, and I know it is hard to be humble, but you do it very well! Thanks for keeping the rookies and wannabees posted!
Eileen</p>
<p>My D is creating a musical version of a book she is reading in Honors English as a class project. This got us to talking about composers and lyricists. I kind of have an idea (thanks to CC) on how you go about (trying) to become a performer, director, designer, playwright or even a choreographer. But how do composers and lyrists develop? How are composer/lyricist teams formed? I dont have a clue. Any ideas? I think she might be interested in looking into this down the road.</p>
<p>Hi, folks. Just back from my trip to NYC and I see that I have a lot to catch up on here. The city was great, as always, along with the weather. I saw six shows, lots of theatre friends, and my D only for about 5 minutes! ;) I had a long chat with a friend of the family who's in a Tony-winning long-running show about Equity contracts, what it's like being in a long-running show, being a swing, the 'drama' of being in a Broadway show, living in the city, training and college, etc. It was very interesting. Will try and share or answer any questions if anyone has any after I get a chance to unpack and sleep! The city is fun but much too busy for this old mom. :) Best of luck to all those who have auditions this weekend!</p>