Questions for UArts students

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

Hi,
I’m interested in applying into UArts’ MT or Acting program. I’m trying to learn a little about the theatre programs at all of my top choice schools, so I’d love it if a UArts student or recent grad could help me answer these questions:

What do you like about your school’s theatre program?
What do you dislike about it (or the school in general)?
What is the vibe like between students in the department? Is it a family atmosphere or is it very competitive?
Does your school have a showcase for graduating students? If not, do they help you enter the profession another way?
I know some schools evaluate an actor’s progress throughout their time at the school, and some even cut students from the program every year. Is there an evaluation process at your school? If so, what does it involve? Is it common for students to be cut?
What other schools did you apply to, and what schools do you wish you had applied to?

I know there are a lot of questions, but if you could answer any of them I’d be so thankful!!

2

I’m a parent of a freshman MT student at UArts, but I’ll try to answer some of your questions. I know @stage2nature (my D), @theimmortalfish , and @MTVT2015 are busily into their freshman year, so I don’t know if they’ll have much time to respond. @annelisesmom 's D is a sophomore acting major/mt minor at UArts; both her and her D were helpful to us last year.

Please check my posts about UArts in the general MT forum; they are from a parent’s perspective, but the ones in the Class of 2019 thread were checked by my D before I posted, so they are from her perspective, also. The stories within them will help you form a picture of UArts and start to answer some of your questions.

If the audiences at UArts productions are any indication, the UArts community is supportive. The atmosphere of the audience at UArts is unique to what we experienced at other places; they are incredibly into it, enthusiastic, and appreciative. When we first experienced this, it was a wonderful surprise, but, now that we have experienced more of UArts, it makes sense, since, as a whole, UArts places a high priority on a collaborative community. However, I’m not able to comment much more on the family vs. competitive nature, as my D just started this year, and freshmen don’t audition for mainstage until the end of first semester, so D hasn’t experienced that angle yet. Will there be a competitive element? Since this is theatre, probably. What I have seen so far strongly indicates that this is more of a family environment, though. And, I don’t think divas would be tolerated here.

In the past, and I think this year, seniors have had a showcase in Philly and an auditioned one in NYC. Starting next year (I believe), they will offer ones in Chicago and LA, too. I don’t have the program information sheets we created last year which contain the details about this, so I’m not 100% sure about the Chicago location or whether or not they will continue to be auditioned for ones outside Philly. (I want to say they won’t, but, again, I’m not positive.)

Students go through a review process every quarter. The goal is not to cut people; it’s not a cut program. It’s to guide them. Students can be redirected if their work ethic is seriously lacking, but that would not come as a surprise to anyone. (If you read my posts in the 2019 thread, you’ll find out about Care Reports that have to be filled out by faculty and staff, and about how each student is always ranked for risk and wellness. The MT and theatre department heads also hold meetings with students. It’s important to UArts that they do everything they can to help students succeed and not fall through cracks, and I’ve seen evidence of that already.)

3

Hi! I never saw this but thankfully @myloves covered a lot in her post. I do want to address the competition/family thing though. That was super important to me going in and it’s only gotten more so. At least in my year, it’s not at all a competitive atmosphere. I feel like I can go and talk to anyone and they’ll be super kind. My acting studio in particular is really close. I haven’t even seen the upperclassmen look down on freshmen at all, which is awesome. And it’s definitely not a place for divas, if you’re defining diva as someone with a bad attitude! I honestly think that any diva who chose UArts would have to reconsider their worldview or leave the program. It is NOT a good fit for that personality. Everything every professor stands for is the opposite of “okay, who’s the best?” UArts is all about collaboration. It’s a really perfect environment for me. Competition, in my opinion, is distraction from doing the real work. I didn’t want to go to a program where I was going to have to spend time and energy worrying about measuring up. I feel safe to play and make mistakes and generally be weird, and I think that’s really important.
If you have any questions about my personal process or anything else, feel free to message me! You can also read the Final Decisions/Background post if you want to see where else UArts people applied. And I can connect you to an upperclassman who might be able to speak about the atmosphere and showcase stuff a bit more.

4

Does your school have a showcase for graduating students? If not, do they help you enter the profession another way?

Starting in the junior year, performers have professional development classes and business of theater coursework built in to the curriculum to ready students. In addition to course work, students perform in a showcase in NYC and in Philadelphia. In past years, a third city has been decided on by the graduating class - last year was LA. A number of students get representation and auditions from these showcases.

I know some schools evaluate an actor’s progress throughout their time at the school, and some even cut students from the program every year. Is there an evaluation process at your school? If so, what does it involve? Is it common for students to be cut?

There is no retention or “cut” program in place, though all performers (Acting and MT) do receive assessment at the end of each semester from a faculty panel. This is also a chance for students to ask about their development in the program.