Questions re: CMU, CCM, NCSA, UMichigan

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>Just wanted to add that for the past few years my MT kids flip immediately to the bios when we go to see a show to see where the actor went to school. We also always go to the stage door to meet the actors. It is usually quite enlightening (and sometimes disappointing when your favorite actor won't give you the time of day!) Asking actors about their training is how my son ended up at his current acting program in NYC!</p>

<p>We recently had the privilege of meeting two actors from UMich who were incredibly gracious and encouraging when talking about their program. Barrett Foa couldn't have been nicer at the stage door of Ave Q. And recently we met Jenni Barber after "Spelling Bee" in SF (add her to list of grads working in Broadway shows!) She, too, was incredibly friendly and open about her training. Even shared with my D the songs she used for her UMich audition! They definitely seem to turn out nice people judging from this small (!) sample.....</p>

62

<p>My S and I also look at the bios when we get our playbills. Does anyone have a thought as to why many (even young) actors do not list their schools in their bios? Just curious as to your thoughts. </p>

<p>Good luck to everyone as the letters (calls and e-mails) start hitting in full force.</p>

<p>vocaldad</p>

63

<p>vocaldad, having had that conversation with some family friends who are currently in Broadway shows and others who are on various tours, the usual answer is one of two things, a. they were unhappy with the college they attended or, b. they didn't attend college, with b. being the more frequent reason.</p>

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<p>I think what to put in a bio is a personal choice. My guess is that for some actors you see on Broadway, they didn't graduate from a college. Another thing is for older actors, they may have numerous credits and being further out from college and just not opt to mention their college as much as a younger actor might. Some might feel a loyalty or pride in their college and want that in the bio and some focus on something else. I can see the variation that way happening.</p>

<p>EDIT: oops, did not see AlwaysAMom's post. I was typing while the class I am subbing in was at gym class and they walked back into the room when I was posting, so back to the class!</p>

65

<p>I wish someone would do a formal study of how many of these actors never went to college at all. [It might help with the BFA-envy..].</p>

<p>But I guess even if there were a study, it wouldn't necessarily show up on a college forum!</p>

66

<p>Where the actors on broadway went to college, if at all, only tells part of the story anyway. Was it the school's training that made the sucessful or would they have been just as sucessful at another program. I suspect that a very talented actor would do well no matter which program. Many programs point to the sucess of their graduates, but its just a piece of the puzzle. The training provided and the trainors are what's most important.</p>

67

<p>Chris, as can readily be seen, many on Broadway never went to college. There are some who even went to college for fields other than theater. It is unfortunate if there is BFA envy. In terms of being a success in MT, there are so many avenues. And a BFA is no guarantee of a successful career on stage. There are so many actors with no BFA as well. </p>

<p>The issue for me is one....it helps to have training. A BFA is one good way to get training but there are other ways, as well. Two, there are so many reasons to get the degree that go beyond getting work on stage. A college education is a worthy experience in itself. An educated mind is something one always has. Also, since it is very hard to make it on stage, a degree is something that can only be beneficial in life and work down the line as a college education is needed today in the workforce if not on stage. </p>

<p>Actorsdad, I agree that a very talented actor would do well no matter which program he/she attended as it is the actor that makes his/her own success, not which school name he/she came from. If you are good at something, it doesn't matter so much if you went to Ivy this or that or Podunk U because if you have what it takes and go after success, you can make it from anywhere. Sometimes a very well regarded school can open some doors or lead to some networking or opportunities. However, it is still the person who has to make it. The piece of paper can only do so much.</p>

<p>I also believe a student can be HAPPY at more than one college. I feel that even though both my children love their respective colleges and have no complaints and couldn't seem happier, I'm pretty sure had they gone to one of their other choices, they'd probably still thrive and be just as happy. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

68

<p>Last fall I had a conversation with a department chair of a BFA program. He said that 17% of the actors currently on Broadway had a BFA degree.</p>

69

<p>pspa,</p>

<p>Wow! That percentage certainly gives hope to the many who will not get into the few slots in elite BFA programs.</p>

<p>We recently had the opportunity to speak to 2 cast members of major Broadway shows. Both were seasoned working actors (not recent grads), who have years of experience the business. The question was: from their perspective, what training would they recommend for young people who were seriously interested in Musical Theatre? (I'm paraphrasing their honest and generous answers as best I can.)</p>

<p>She (40's, currently in ensemble and small role, senior female cast member):
Definitely get a well rounded liberal arts education, to be ready for the future. It's a young person's business. Major in theater instead of Musical Theatre, because there is more work available later. Don't go the conservatory route.<br>
As far as particular programs went, she remembered that some of the other current cast members are graduates of CMU, Ithaca, NYU, and that the latest cast member is from CCI. (hmm ... all BFA programs!)</p>

<p>He (late 30's?, currently in ensemble and swing for several male leads):
He started on BWay as a teenager, and skipped college. (In hindsight, he felt that this was young for someone to be on their own!). He mentioned AMDA when asked about school recommendations. He feels that some college grads think things through too much, and are less natural. The best teacher is stage experience - just perform as much as you possibly can.
He also advised: Don't just have friends in theater, because it's important to know other types of people, and be close to your family. Learn by talking to people of all kinds, cab drivers, waitresses, everyone, to understand their points of view and observe their mannerisms, etc.</p>

<p>For what it's worth, in some cases a natural talent like his, plus determination and luck can be all that's needed to succeed in the MT field, no matter where a person comes from. But her comments speak to the constant uncertainty of a long career in the theatre, and how important it is to be versatile and educated in order to survive. </p>

<p>Of course, these are the opinions of just two individuals, and there are many different paths to a successful performance career. I think we all agree that great college training and connections may facilitate success, but can't guarantee it. But it's interesting that both of these actors don't immediately recommend the BFA route.</p>

70

<p>Mizlyn....I'd be curious if they themselves had gone to college, let alone gotten a BFA. You have to remember that people's perspectives are drawn from their own experiences. Someone who has not gone to college is speaking from their own perspective, same with those who did not study in a BFA program. I think it is good to hear all these perpectives but have to remember, as with anything, who is giving the message. Who values education has something to do with their take on it, as well. </p>

<p>I do believe there are many roads to this field but the right one is whichever is the right one for you and even if a BFA is NOT required to go into this field (and it is not), its value in training, let alone as an education, is not a negative thing. It surely can't hurt, in my view.</p>

71

<p>I just wanted to add that we have many friends who are professional actors, singers and directors. Everyone we have talked to has emphasized the importance of a liberal arts education and has encouraged my daughter NOT to go the conservatory route. Yes, there are many routes into the business, but it is hopefully a lifetime endeavor. Those we have spoken to believe that she will have the greatest possibility of longevity with the broadest possible education, depth of knowledge of theatre, and best possible training. This will hopefully give her the skills needed to survive or to adapt from performance to a different facet of the profession, if necessary. </p>

<p>She is therefore looking primarly at MT programs set in larger universities, as well some as Vocal Performance programs at schools with strong theatre departments, and some BA theatre programs. Her goal is the MT program, but she is realistic about the competition, and knows that the "marketplace will decide."</p>

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<p>Like some of you, we have also asked working professionals these questions. As an acting family, we have had a lot of opportunities to pick the brains of performers now working regionally. We also live in the same town where two famous Bdway stars (one currently on Bdwy; one the lead in a natl. TV series) grew up and we have been privvy to some interesting behind-the-scenes stories lol.
At first, I thought I was compiling important information, but I started to get the feeling that each actor carried their own emotional baggage and would discredit certain avenues of study, and even specific programs, based on their own prejudices, jealousies and bad experiences. For example, when someone says "X school is not what it used to be, do they really know that to be true, or could it be that they did not get in, or perhaps got in, but could not afford to go?
Who hasn't heard these kind of comments: "XYZ school doesn't have the best voice teachers;" "ABC school is really bad for dance;" etc.
I have tried to stress to my D that these comments should not be perceived as gospel, but there are certain actors/directors whom she idolizes and it's hard for her to separate opinion from fact. I can think of at least one bad thing some actor has said about every program my D applied to, and it unfortunately made her start to second-guess the schools she had on her list.
Then you have the people who will say "wow, that's a GREAT school," probably just because of the name, not from anything they actually know about it.
From my own experience, I do know that people will ask you where you went to school for the rest of your life, so it's important to feel good about where you go. I'm not implying that your choice should be based on "the name," but just that, in addition to everything else you are considering, it's important to be proud of wherever you decide to go.<br>
And try not to believe every negative comment you may hear :-)</p>

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<p>Eliza'sMom, your post is real important, in my opinion. While I did want my kids to get as many opinions as possible from others, rather than rely on one student's take on a program, they still had to consider the source and that not everyone is going to be happy some place where you yourself may be. Like your D, sometimes a negative comment by a student would raise some doubt in her mind. She heard kids who had never attended put down a college. Then from those who were current students, several raved about how great it was and then a couple were not as keen....not real negative but were not too thrilled either with their experience. She thought about WHO was saying what. She knew how certain people were personally (she happened to know these kids in other contexts) and weighed where they were coming from.</p>

<p>I was so glad when she just thought about what SHE wanted. She took in the information. In the end she went with her own heart and the way it has turned us thus far, she is a very happy camper. She landed on the side of the friends who were also happy campers though I suppose there was a chance she'd have ended up like the friends who were less gung ho. But she is not them and she likes it. Each person who profers an opinion....is coming at it from personal perspective and desires and personality and that is understandable but kids have to remember that that person's experience may not be theirs because their personalities, interests, backgrounds, values, etc. differ in the first place.</p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Education is an important part of an actor's training. Education from school and life in general. My opinion is that a Conservatory route in a major university offers the best all around "training". I used to always believe that a stong liberal arts program with theatre was the way to go, but my S kept feeling that their theatre programs were not intense enough. Since our initial school search, I have come to realize that the best training is very individual and there's no 1 true answer.</p>

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<p>Hi Manuelo, It's interesting what your friends in "the business" have to say about preparing for a long future. I wish we had more information like that on this forum, but alas, most of us can only see MT from the early stages! I will be sharing your thoughts with my D to at least think about as she forms her opinions.</p>

<p>I think your strategy for a more broad based education may be a wise one for a great many MT applicants, even if only as backup plan to the very competitive BFA programs. I suspect that there are many readers here, especially those with less training or experience, who find the odds daunting enough to discourage them from following their passion. It's important for those driven and talented kids to know that there are many alternatives that could work for them in the long run.</p>

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<p>Mizlyn --</p>

<p>The approach you suggested -- aim for the BFA programs, with the strong BA theatre programs/liberal arts as a backup, is precisely the strategy that I think my daughter has decided on. She wants a strong education, but she also wants good training, so she is striving for the BFA program in the larger university setting where she can hopefully meet both goals. She hasn't excluded the conservatory approach entirely, but it isn't her main focus. She knows she needs to keep options open with the odds being what they are. She will make the final decision when she knows what, if any, choices she actually has.</p>

<p>I agree with you that the long view is the right one, and most importantly, that we should try to help our children not get too scared at the start if things don't work out right away. There are many paths to the goal, and perseverance is crucial. If the BFA program doesn't work out, and my daughter is accepted to a good BA Theatre or Music program, for example, she will simply be a performer with greater experience, education and depth. I don't see how that's a bad thing at 22.</p>

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<p>I just re-read my post above and realize that the title "Long View Indeed" could sound argumentative, when it was not intended to at all. It was meant to affirm Mizlyn's post. I hope this clears up any possible confusion.</p>

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<p>This is a very interesting discussion and the very same one is now taking place in our home as the acceptances (and rejections) are arriving. So far, D has acceptances to all types being discussed: MT conservatory, MT BFA "conservatory-like" in a small university, and BA Theatre in a university (one medium and one HUGE). Much to my surprise, she is now (still) struggling with which would be most suitable for her in the long run; there are benefits for each type which have already been eloquently stated in previous posts!</p>

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<p>We are facing the same thing as BigisMama. It's a very pleasant dilemma to have choices among the various types of programs, but my son is still at loose ends in deciding the best for him. He's only had a couple of years of formal training, so it would seem that the conservatory might be best. On the other hand, he wants "the college experience" with perhaps a broader base of courses and activities available. Then there is the "gut feeling" you get from each school to also consider. We have yet to hear from a couple of schools, one of which was very high on his list, so maybe that one will come through although frankly, it's the school that auditioned 1,200 kids for about a dozen slots so I think there's a better chance of getting struck by lightning.;-)</p>

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<p>My daughter was absolutely convinced she wanted a conservatory, until the acceptance to one arrived! Now she wonders what she might be missing as far as the "college experience": pretty campus, other students with diverse interests, interesting academic options. Couldn't she have had this discussion with herself 9 months ago! What a crazy process.....</p>