Q's about Pace MT program!

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>BRbway,
Thank you so much for being willing to answer my questions! And anyone else who is a grad/attending Pace- feel free to jump in to this conversation :)</p>

<p>I guess my first question would be- what was your audition like? I’m assuming it’s the general 2 monologues + 1 song (16 or so bars). And the dance portion? Was there ballet in it, or just jazz? Also, is there an evaluated vocal warm up?</p>

<p>What do you believe helped you most in your audition, like- what are you strengths? I would say currently, my weakness is dance, but I am currently taking lots of jazz classes to help it. I mean, I am a really good dancer, it’s just that I certainly don’t have as much training as some girls. Oh, and like I said- I am currently a junior in HS :)</p>

<p>Do you believe being in the NYC is a big advantage? And generally, what is the atmosphere like at the MT program? Friendly, competitive?</p>

<p>And how do you feel about the education? Are your dance/voice/theatre instructors experienced and, well, nice?</p>

<p>Hmm… any other important stuff about Pace? I guess I might think of more questions later haha</p>

<p>Thank you!!</p>

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<p>Also, what are the strengths of the MT program at Pace, do you believe? I know a lot of schools are really vocal-oriented, etc., so I was wondering</p>

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<p>Hey Elizabeth,</p>

<p>The website pretty accurately details exactly what is required for your audition. I think it’s two 32-bar cuts and a short monologue. The dance portion will consist of ballet, jazz, and tap. There is also a music theory test, which will ONLY be looked at if you are accepted into the program.</p>

<p>Amy Rogers and Robert Meffe, heads of the MT program, put a huge stress on individuality. They accept students with a point of view on their lives and their art. The dance training is really great at Pace, so if you are a dancer it’s definitely a “plus” but in no ways a “minus”. If you like to sing rock music or pop music, than do a rock or pop song as one of your selections. They’re not very particular about doing one pre-1960 and one contemporary song. Perform what you love and wear something that makes you feel great! Pace is all about learning the traditional rules, then twisting them to make your own. Along with finding your own identity as a human and performer. </p>

<p>I ADORE being in NYC. I feel like if I had gone to school anywhere else I would’ve graduated and had to take another year to move and get accustomed to living and auditioning in the city. After freshman year I knew my way around the city, I’d been to every neighborhood, and I understood the rhythm of the place; by junior year I’d already been seen by every major casting director in the city, along with working with major directors from the avant- garde theatre in Italy, regional theatres across America, and Tony- award winning Broadway directors.</p>

<p>Almost every program you visit, will tell you that their program is one big family. So, I will also say that our program is like one big family! haha I love our family because we are all fascinating people with many other interests and hobbies, who happen to have chosen Musical Theatre as their profession. Musical Theatre isn’t what defines us, but it is what we have chosen to do with our lives. I hope that makes sense.</p>

<p>Most, if not all, of our teachers are working professionals. Either on Broadway, off-broadway, regional, LA or international. So, the curriculum is always kept current with industry trends and needs. You’ll get training on doing “period work” and singing classically for revivals, but you’ll also learn how to forge your own performing identity and work on new musicals. </p>

<p>One of the leading mottos of The Performing Arts Department is “Don’t Be an Assh*le”… so everyone is generally very kind, respectful, and professional.</p>

<p>Amy Rogers, head of MT, says the strength of our Musical Theatre program is the emphasis on synthesis… Which is the successful fusion of the three main aspects of musical theatre. So, I guess that’s the “strength” of our program.</p>

<p>Please, let me know if you have anymore questions!</p>

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<p>Can you describe the process of the audition? Like from an experience standpoint? Thanks!</p>

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<p>Geogio- The one thing I remember that was different but cool about the Pace audition last year is that the auditioning students sang on the main stage (with the next one up waiting in the wings). The lobby/waiting area was full of current students eager to chat and answer questions, which was very helpful.</p>

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<p>Thank you!</p>

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<p>Hey BRbway Would you say Pace is strict about one up-tempo and one ballad? Or can they just be two different styles?</p>

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<p>Geofio: You’ll be split into a few different groups. One group will sing/ act first, in the style that Classicalbk mentioned. One group will do the dance audition. One group will wait in the lobby, getting a chance to finish their music theory tests. Then everyone will switch!</p>

<p>BroadwayKing17: If you feel like the songs represent you and what you have to say as an artist, then by all means do whatever you want! Hope that makes sense.</p>

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<p>Do they offer talent scholarships? How do kids afford the tuition?</p>

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<p>I think they have some money available specifically for Performing Arts students, BUT the University is VERY generous and gives A TON of aid! A lot of grant money and a lot of scholarships. We have a theatre liaison in the Financial Aid department that works miracles!</p>

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<p>This is great info!! How many students are in your senior MT class, BRbway? I think I read somewhere on college conf that there’s typically like 25 MT students per year? And do you know the program acceptance rate?</p>

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<p>And also- same thing for the BFA Acting program- how many students get accepted, like 25? What’s the acceptance rate?</p>

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<p>I don’t know the exact numbers for the Acting department, but they’re similar to ours.</p>

<p>My senior class is a bit messed up because we had 5 people come back from tour (In the Heights, HAIR, Mamma Mia, Wizard of Oz, FAME), so we actually have 32. The junior class has 18, the sophomores have 23, and the freshman have 27. The heads of the program aim for around 25 per class, with 100 in the entire program. When accepting students, they generally accept 30 and hope to yield 25. So, in the case of my class and the freshman class, nearly everyone that was accepted came to Pace and they couldn’t take anyone off the wait list… the sophomores yielded the perfect amount, and the juniors started with 21 and had 3 people leave for personal and professional reasons.</p>

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<p>How hard did you guys find the dance call? I’m really nervous about it since I’ve only trained in jazz and few months and have never done tap in my life.</p>

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<p>I’m pretty sure they’ll be having a separate “mover’s” call and a “dancer’s” call this year! Just put all your effort into it and give some attitude and you should be fine.</p>

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<p>I’m auditioning in February in LA & they emailed me asking about my dance training in order to put me in the appropriate dance audition group, so I’m pretty sure they are separating us by past experience</p>

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<p>I’m so glad I found this thread - I have my audition next weekend, and I’m pretty nervous! Since I’ve had more than five years of dance, they put me in the more advanced group - how hard is that audition?
Also, for music theory, how difficult is that, and what exactly do they test you on?
Thank you so much!</p>

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<p>I don’t know much about the audition process since my own audition is in 2 weeks, but I know the music theory test plays no part in the audition/admission process. It is only used if you get in, to place you in the correct difficulty level with music classes</p>

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<p>I wouldn’t worry much about the theory test. It was pretty basic and my d, who has had some piano but is certainly not a trained musician, got through it without too much trouble. They are very clear about it being for placement only. Interestingly, the girl next to us was on the phone gathering answers. She wasn’t hiding this and no-one seemed to care.</p>

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<p>What exactly do they test you on though? And how? Is it vocal or like a written test? Just so I can study. Should I practice my sight reading, major and minor triads, etc…? </p>

<p>(I get nervous especially for these kind of auditions, if you can’t tell…)</p>

<p>Also, does anyone know anything about the dance audition for applicants with 5+ years of training?</p>