<p>Hello! I’m a current sophomore Acting major and MT minor at UArts, and I believe I can answer most if not all of your questions!</p>
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<li>Can acting majors take dance,voice lessons, and/or music theory classes freshman year with extra fees (before auditioning for the MT minor?</li>
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<p>Yes and no. You are able to take any musical theatre dance class (that you are at the appropriate level for…someone who has never danced before would not be allowed in the advanced classes) for no extra cost. You just have to be able to fit it into your schedule, you don’t even have to sign up for them (you just have to check with the teacher, although I’ve never been turned away). Dance classes through the school of dance however, are different. Most of those classes you have to register for, and sometimes you may not be allowed in due to the difficulty of the class and/or the class size. There are a few “open studio” dance classes, which normally you can take without registering for, you just have to check with the teacher that it is ok.</p>
<p>You can take voice lessons, with an additional cost. You can register for them, which they are 1.5 credits with a feed added into your tuition, or you can contact the teachers and pay for them “out of pocket” if the teachers are willing to do that. That way you don’t have to use those 1.5 credits (which you might be saving for say, a music theory or dance class). Those lessons are through the school of music however, which has GREAT teachers. The teachers that teach the musical theatre majors however, you would have to contact directly to discuss lessons with them. It all depends on their schedule, and only a few of them actually teach non-MT majors.</p>
<p>Music theory is a tricky one. You could always register for the music theory classes that the music majors take, if you can fit it into your schedule. That was something I REALLY wanted to do as a freshman (and even a sophomore), because I am a bit of a music theory geek. But unfortunately, it never worked out. And even my AP Music Theory class doesn’t quite fulfill the pre-req to get me into the higher level classes. As for the music theory classes for the MT majors, they start from the VERY basics, and progress from there. I have tried to get into those classes too, but there is always an issue with that. So, long story short…I think you CAN, it just might be difficult. But normally if you go talk to the teachers or the heads of the schools, I would say you would have a chance.</p>
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<li>How many people audition for and are accepted to MT minor?</li>
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<p>I don’t have an exact number, but a number is coming to my head that I could guess at (I could be completely wrong though). I was told they have been able to accept a few more people each year, and I believe in my class there are somewhere between 12-16 of us. I’m not positive how many people auditioned, but I think a few were cut. Not too many though, it isn’t EXTREMELY selective or anything like that. If you’ve had previous training/experience, you should be all right. It is designed more to educate and give experience to students, not to be overly selective.</p>
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<li>What are the performance opportunities like for freshman?</li>
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<p>As a freshman, you are allowed (well, actually required) to audition for shows for the Spring semester. Auditions are at the end of the previous semester, so of course you are ineligible for your first Fall semester. There are several class projects that you may be a part of, as well as play readings, short plays, student theatre, student-directed one acts, student-directed scenes (for a directing class that I believe all non-MT majors are required to take), etc. You can also try and work on student films and things like that. I guarantee that if you want to be busy, you most certainly will be. The hard thing is to schedule your time well to be able to do everything, while keeping up with your class work and everything else. Trust me, you are worked quite hard at UArts (in a good way of course!)</p>
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<li>Are students allowed to pursue performance opportunities outside of the school as long as they do not interfere with their class schedule and other school-related obligations?</li>
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<p>This is sort of an iffy question. Prior to this year, the answer was no, unless it was a “student” project (like a student film from a nearby university, or a student play reading, etc). Although there is a new Dean for the College of Performing Arts, and she made a statement last semester that she was planning to revoke that policy, seeing as that was one of the greatest learning experiences she had while she was in school. Now, don’t quote me on this, but I believe that as long as you maintain your grades and don’t have conflicts with your classes, you may be able to work on outside projects.</p>
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<li>Do you mingle with college students in the Philly area that don’t attend UArts?</li>
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<p>Some do, some don’t. I think Temple is the school we mostly interact with, through mutual friends, events, parties, etc. Personally I’m one of those people though that works himself to death, and love doing it…but I don’t go out and party really at all. Only once in a while. Although I have interacted with several film/directing students at other universities in the area while I have been pursuing student film work, which has been pretty good for me.</p>
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<li>For the straight girls at the arts school (Lol!)…what is it like meeting guys in Philly?</li>
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<p>One of the jokes at UArts is that there are more gay guys than straight guys. Which might actually be true. Honestly though, people meet and interact…and I wouldn’t say it’s really a problem at all. Although you said “Philly”, and I would say that I don’t know many people that date other people from other schools. There definitely are some, I just don’t have direct experience though (also seeing as I’m a male…I haven’t really experienced your problem lol)</p>
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<li>What kind of master classes/guest artists are involved at UArts?</li>
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<p>It varies. We normally have a couple a year, although I know one of the topics brought up to the new Dean was that we would love more (and she agreed that would be great). Just a few weeks ago Alyssa DiPalma, a UArts grad in the tour of American Idiot, came in to talk to the Brind School during one of our monthly meetings. There was a Lighting Designer earlier this semester, as well as I think two or three dance master classes this year. Ben Vereen also came in around the end of last year for a master class.</p>
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<li>What is your favorite class?</li>
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<p>By far, Acting Studio. But that’s kind of a given, seeing as I’m an Acting major… 
But really, I do feel like I’ve been learning a lot in my Acting Studio class, both years. I also find sophomore year Voice and Speech to be EXTREMELY useful, as we are working with IPA and diction for the year. Learning to speak correctly, distinctly, and vividly are fantastic tools that I might have underestimated a little coming into this year.</p>
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<li>What is the classical training like?</li>
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<p>This is moving slightly past my experience, seeing as I am only a sophomore. Freshman year they focus on breaking you down a little, opening you up, and giving you a decent “base” to work from. Sophomore year we have a full year of Meisner training (with some of the best Mesiner teachers around…I’m not joking), which is intense and incredible. Junior year we work with actions, as well as some more classical-ish text, depending on if you are considering classical to be just Shakespeare or not. Junior year is Ibsen, Chekov, etc. Senior year is when we get our solid Shakespeare training, which I have heard is quite good.</p>
<p>My one small complaint, if you will, is that we don’t do too many Shakespeare shows here. We do them every now and then, but generally because of the lack of “good” woman roles we have to pick other shows. Not that there aren’t good woman roles in Shakespeare, we just need MORE good woman roles, otherwise I guess it wouldn’t be quite fair to the women. Personally I don’t exactly agree with that…and I know that some of the teacher are pushing for a Shakespeare show. There was rumor that we were supposed to have one next year, but that it got cut for one reason or another. I don’t know for sure though, because the shows for next semester aren’t out yet.</p>
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<li>How do students spend their summers (training programs, professional theatre, etc.)?</li>
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<p>People do really whatever they want. Some work just to gain money, some relax, some perform in shows, some do training programs, some do internships, etc. Last summer, after my Freshman year, I took an internship in a top-ranking Chicago talent agency (I’m from the Chicago suburbs). This summer I’m doing a 6-week training program in NYC. It really depends on the individual what they want to do.</p>
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<li>Do you get exposure to solid TV/Film training?</li>
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<p>I would say yes, as good if not slightly better than a lot of other universities. We have Acting on Camera in our Junior year, with an Advanced Acting on Camera class that is an option after that. The teacher (who is also my Acting Studio teacher this year) is fantastic, and worked in LA as an actor, agent, producer, casting director, etc. Plus, you can get some practical experience in student films through our school, or through surrounding schools. Temple University has a great open call for their student films every semester, which I love going to. Personally I’d love if there was maybe one MORE acting on camera (or maybe a commercial technique class…but that may be covered in the classes already, I haven’t taken them yet), but that’s just because I LOVE on camera work.</p>
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<li>How does UArts use its curriculum to prepare students for the business side of acting?</li>
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<p>All the teachers instill a pretty good sense of professionalism throughout the four years, I believe. Then senior year there is actually a “Business of Acting” class that we all take. I would assume things are also covered more in the Junior and especially Senior year Acting Studio classes, although I wouldn’t know at this point really. I’ve never heard anyone complain though that they felt unprepared for the business side of it though. There’s also the showcase (not every student gets into the NYC one although everyone is in the Philly one), which I believe can help.</p>
<p>I hope I answered your questions decently! It’s late, and I’ve been working on homework all day (actually most of the past several days, and it’s spring break), so forgive me for any mistakes I may have made. Please feel free to let me know if you have any other questions, I’d love to help! I try and check back on here when I can, but I really do mean it when I say they keep us busy here!</p>