Questions to ask during the campus visit

College Majors Musical Theater Major
41

<p>That is exactly what happens at UCI and probably many other programs, as well. It’s not false. But, it doesn’t mean that all decisions are based soley on what happens that day. Not even close. It’s an understandable misunderstanding. But, it probably applies to almost every program where kids audition for shows and the professors know everyone but the incoming class.</p>

<p>At UCI there are graduate students. My UCI kid has been in several shows with MFA’s. This is not necessarily a negative since these are talented peers, some of whom interestingly completed BFA’s at other schools and felt the need for additional training. In addition to the mainstage shows there are easily dozens of student-run and MFA directed programs. There are also classes and workshops that put on small scale productions. Now, if being in mainstage shows at college is the goal it is tougher at this school. That’s true. It’s certainly not impossible since I know many undergrads who’ve done it. And, the same could be said for any larger program I imagine.</p>

42

<p>I think what @Flossy is saying that it’s false that if you have a bad audition day, you’re screwed for the whole year for casting. </p>

<p>The schools already knows 75% of the kids very well, so they are familiar with their ability and work habits. They know a little about the freshmen, but have seen them audition before (usually). </p>

<p>I’m sure @Flossy knows that casting is done this way at some schools, but was just disagreeing with the outcome of a bad audition day. </p>

43

<p>Basically, yes. And, defending UCI because people constantly misunderstand this mainstage show/MFA, thing. Which to UCI students is just a blip, anyway.</p>

<p>A bad first audition would be bad. But, that’s always going to be bad. Any bad audition is bad.</p>

44

<p>Wow, I guess we should add don’t be too influenced by a student tour guide.We know so many high-scoring academic students who use UC Irvine as a safety since it’s non-audition and several who chose it over audition programs are very satisfied.</p>

45

<p>I agree @actingmt I wish my daughter hadn’t been influenced and had kept UCI as an option.</p>

46

<p>“Not sure why they bother to have the kids audition if they already know who is going to play what role.”</p>

<p>Frequent auditioning is a part of training. They learn what material to use for what production. Hair and clothing is also critiqued. Typing, basically. They can also get feedback about their audition. It’s useful beyond being cast. But, being cast is nice.</p>

47

<p>That was one of things that we got out of Drake yesterday. They spend a lot of time practicing professional auditions because it’s so different from college auditions. They’ll have the kids work at until they can effectively perform 2 songs and 2 monologues in a unbroken 90 second period.</p>

48

<p>We’re heading to two campus visits next week - so I’m bumping this because I’m sure we aren’t the only ones! This compilation of questions will be invaluable, I’m certain. Thanks to all who collaborated to pull them together!</p>

49

<p>Just pasting the latest and greatest version of the questions since they were stuck on page 2 of this thread. Just keeping it easy to find!:slight_smile: </p>

<p>School Visits</p>

<p>Get an MT department tour
Try to see a show
If you can eat in a dining hall on your visit, do it.</p>

<p>Productions
How many productions a year?
Who can audition for what ? (Musicals, straight shows, operas).
Can Freshmen audition?
Do undergrads compete with grad students for casting?
Is there guaranteed casting?
Are they required to audition for shows? (some scholarship offers may require the student to audition for every show).

  • Regardless of Freshman performance opportunities, will there be plenty of opportunities to perform in the program? Are there student-directed shows?
    For students not cast in the MainStage productions, what other performing opportunities exist during the year? (Cabarets, student-directed work, etc.)
    Ask about Senior Showcase, particularly if there is a selection process for seniors to be a part of that showcase.</p>

<p>Faculty
Ask about numbers of faculty as not all websites are up-to-date.
How are you keeping up with current MT trends? Is there ongoing training for teachers and opportunities for their growth? Sabaticals?</p>

<p>Class size
How many students are in each theatre department class?</p>

<p>Schedule/Curriculum
What is a typical day like for an MTer?
Maybe also ask to see a sample schedule and/or curriculum guide.-
If you haven’t done it all ready, ask for the four-year curriculum plan so you can compare it to other schools’ plans. You might be surprised.</p>

<p>Voice
How many hours of voice?
How are voice teachers assigned?
Who is teaching voice lessons (I’ve heard some schools have under-grads doing it.)?</p>

<p>If piano is required, do they test for level as well</p>

<p>Dance
Do the students dance daily, and for what duration?
How many hours of dance?
Do they level students for dance or are they required to start at a beginning level?
Can they take extra dance if they can fit it in?</p>

<p>Tech
What kind of tech requirement is mandated - how many tech hours are required in order to graduate as an MT major?</p>

<p>Business
Do you teach the business aspect of this career?
How are seniors prepared for the transition to the real-world?
Are there internships?
Are there “business of the business” classes?</p>

<p>Master classes
What if any master classes does the program hold? Who has led master classes this year?
Are guests artists/directors/agents brought in for master classes? If so, how often?</p>

<p>Study abroad
Is there a study abroad program</p>

<p>Evaluations
What type of evaluations/assessments/juries are done on the students and how often?
Is there any cut program?</p>

<p>Charging
Are there additional expenses for MTs outside of tuition (required software, dance wear, accompanists, etc…).
Are there extra charges for mandatory voice lessons?
How is Showcase financed?</p>

<p>Academic support
How is the academic support, tutoring, etc. (for non-performing arts classes and even some acting and MT classes, whch can get academically tough like theater history, etc.)
Transfer credits? AP credits</p>

<p>Mentoring
Is there a system that assigns a professor in the program as a mentor or advisor so they connect with an adult? Are there enough advisors so your D will feel there is a true interest in her well-being by a caring adult who understands the nuances of the program?

  • Is there a mentorship program for the upperclassmen to help acclimate the new students? Do the MTs feel they have been welcomed and helped by the older students?
    Do you support the students when auditioning for summer stock.</p>

<p>Campus
Is housing guaranteed all four years?
When dorms are closed for break and you have to be back early for production rehearsal how is housing handled?
Safety?
Is it largely a commuter campus?
Do a great deal of students go home on the weekend?
What kind of transportation is available to get to town/stores if they are not in walking distance?
What do the students do on the weekend?
Is the school social scene ruled by fraternities and sororities?
Is there time to participate in campus organizations and activities outside of MT?
Religion
what is campus ministry like?
Are there churches nearby or on campus?</p>

<p>Health and Fitness
Health Center…where is it, what are the hours, how often is there a doctor in the house?
If school is far from your home, does the faculty recommend health professionals in the area if your child has an illness (i.e., doctor who works with singers)?</p>

<p>Fitness center hours…</p>

<p>Questions for students – not Faculty
What is the best thing about going to school here and what is the worst thing?
What is the drinking situation on campus? Do the MTers indulge in underage drinking?
How’s the food?
Does the director know every student from the moment they step foot on campus?
Does it take them a semester? A year? More? </p>

50

<p>…and when the stress has died down, we can all type up the answers to the above questions…I took careful notes today at CCM</p>

51

<p>Yes, this is a wonderful resource, thank you! We will be leaving for campus visits in a week and are grateful to have this to guide us! </p>

52

<p>Ok. Here is my note to add to this. Ask about where a parent can go with iPad/laptop and wifi to fill those hours while the student is observing classes. We just forged our own path today and are using personal hotspots on our phones… But wifi would help our data plan! </p>

53

<p>Part of the time I checked out the town. Then I found a panera, McDonalds or other wifi friendly place to hang out. Also many of the schools have wifi and if you need a code the admissions office will usually give you one.</p>

54

<p>We’re doing a day-of-classes visit at the end of the week, and I plan to work at the hotel during the morning after I drop him off, meet him for lunch at the college to check out the food service, then hang out in various public spaces – library, student union, bookstore, etc. – to soak up the vibe and glean whatever info I can about student life before we meet with the head of the MT department in the late afternoon. That’s the plan, anyway.</p>

55

<p>We had a free parking pass that we would have had to surrender if we left campus. So I think that’s why we felt tied. </p>

56

<p>I will post this under cincinnati too</p>

<p>School Visits - CCM</p>

<p>Productions
How many productions a year? 4 MT, 2 Opera, 2 showcases (Freshman and Senior)
Who can audition for what ? (Musicals, straight shows, operas). MT audition only for MT
Can Freshmen audition? Yes
Do undergrads compete with grad students for casting? No grads
Is there guaranteed casting?
Are they required to audition for shows? (some scholarship offers may require the student to audition for every show). Majors are required to audition

  • Regardless of Freshman performance opportunities, will there be plenty of opportunities to perform in the program? Are there student-directed shows? Yes
    For students not cast in the MainStage productions, what other performing opportunities exist during the year? (Cabarets, student-directed work, etc.)
    Ask about Senior Showcase, particularly if there is a selection process for seniors to be a part of that showcase. No selection. Many students immediately signed</p>

<p>Faculty
Ask about numbers of faculty as not all websites are up-to-date.
How are you keeping up with current MT trends? Is there ongoing training for teachers and opportunities for their growth? Sabaticals?
Not expecting any faculty changes in the near future.
Class size
How many students are in each theatre department class?</p>

<p>Schedule/Curriculum
What is a typical day like for an MTer?
Maybe also ask to see a sample schedule and/or curriculum guide.-
If you haven’t done it all ready, ask for the four-year curriculum plan so you can compare it to other schools’ plans. You might be surprised.</p>

<p>Voice
How many hours of voice?1 hour lesson, 1 class vocal coaching per week
How are voice teachers assigned? In freshman year, all MT students placed with Doctoral students. In sophomore year, all taught by the same teacher. In junior and senior year, placed in voice studios.
Who is teaching voice lessons (I’ve heard some schools have under-grads doing it.)?</p>

<p>If piano is required, do they test for level as well</p>

<p>Dance
Do the students dance daily, and for what duration?
How many hours of dance?
Do they level students for dance or are they required to start at a beginning level? The students are assessed in the first week, and assigned classes.
Can they take extra dance if they can fit it in?</p>

<p>Tech
What kind of tech requirement is mandated - how many tech hours are required in order to graduate as an MT major?</p>

<p>Business
Do you teach the business aspect of this career?
How are seniors prepared for the transition to the real-world?
Are there internships?
Are there “business of the business” classes?
Business of the business is taught.As is how to live and survive in NYC</p>

<p>Master classes
What if any master classes does the program hold? Who has led master classes this year? Yes, Eric Sciotto was there the day we were
Are guests artists/directors/agents brought in for master classes? If so, how often? Yes</p>

<p>Study abroad
Is there a study abroad program </p>

<p>Evaluations
What type of evaluations/assessments/juries are done on the students and how often?
Is there any cut program?No</p>

<p>Charging
Are there additional expenses for MTs outside of tuition (required software, dance wear, accompanists, etc…).
Are there extra charges for mandatory voice lessons?
How is Showcase financed?</p>

<p>Academic support
How is the academic support, tutoring, etc. (for non-performing arts classes and even some acting and MT classes, whch can get academically tough like theater history, etc.) there is a student support system. They also have “learning communities” in Freshman year, which is a class each week to discuss and solve problems
Transfer credits? AP credits</p>

<p>Mentoring
Is there a system that assigns a professor in the program as a mentor or advisor so they connect with an adult? Yes. A member of the faculty is an advisor for each year group.
Are there enough advisors so your D will feel there is a true interest in her well-being by a caring adult who understands the nuances of the program?

  • Is there a mentorship program for the upperclassmen to help acclimate the new students? Do the MTs feel they have been welcomed and helped by the older students?
    Do you support the students when auditioning for summer stock. Absolutely</p>

<p>Campus
Is housing guaranteed all four years? No, only in freshman year
When dorms are closed for break and you have to be back early for production rehearsal how is housing handled? You can have all year round housing
Safety? Lots of Blue posts and campus security. Also a night ride/escort.</p>

<p>Is it largely a commuter campus? No
Do a great deal of students go home on the weekend? No
What kind of transportation is available to get to town/stores if they are not in walking distance? shuttle buses
What do the students do on the weekend?
Is the school social scene ruled by fraternities and sororities?
Is there time to participate in campus organizations and activities outside of MT?
Religion
what is campus ministry like?
Are there churches nearby or on campus?</p>

<p>Health and Fitness
Health Center…where is it, what are the hours, how often is there a doctor in the house? On campus. Also the campus is surrounded by hospitals!
If school is far from your home, does the faculty recommend health professionals in the area if your child has an illness (i.e., doctor who works with singers)? There is a doctor on campus who specializes in vocal health. There are physiotherapists for injuries</p>

<p>Fitness center hours…
Students are encouraged to join the fitness center and get a personal trainer.</p>

57

<p>^this is a great idea!</p>

58

I stumbled upon this today! For those of us who will be visiting schools, this is a gem of a list!!!

59

Adding two questions for your accepted student visit list:

Are students allowed to take part in / encouraged to take part in / prepared for professional summerstock auditions? (follow ups, does your school host summerstock auditions on campus? which theatres? how successful are your students in booking summerstock work)

Does the school collaborate with up-and-coming writers/composers to develop or workshop new musical theatre work? (some schools allow composers to come in and workshop their new musicals using students – it can be a fabulous professional opportunity for students, great for their network and resume)

60

And an additional question to add to @MTTwinsinCA’s very good questions above (kinda part five to her first questions): How early does the fall semester start, and how flexible is the department in letting students start late if a summer stock contract ends after school starts?