<p>I just found this in a file and realize I never posted it, better late than never, I guess. It is a long review of the December 2 audition at Syracuse.</p>
<p>My S auditioned on Friday, in Syracuse, for acting, but I hope I have enough info regarding the whole audition experience, and if I am wrong about anything, please, someone, step in to correct me. ; ) </p>
<p>We arrived Thursday from Chicago, rented a car, and headed straight to the theatre building to explore. It is several blocks from the main campus, down a hill. It is walkable, though if your dorm is on the far side of campus a loooong walk. There is bus service available, and I think that theatre students are allowed to have cars as freshmen. The building was locked up - good for security, not good for snooping auditioners. lol We did pick up our tickets at the box office, the student play Italian-American Reconciliation on Thursday, and the main stage equity play Sound of Music on Friday, more on those later. We then drove around the area exploring for student social life. We did not find any/many places for students to spend time off campus. There is a busy Main Street on campus with stores, bank, movie rentals, bookstore, fast food, bars etc. We were later told about an area called Amory Square, where restaurants, bars, etc. attract crowds. You would need a car to get there, I think it take 10-15 minutes to drive.</p>
<p>We arranged by email and cell phone to meet a few CC families on Friday, before auditions, and boy! It was SO nice to have familiar names going into the audition process. S knew a student from summer school and met several others. The Moms (and Dads) seemed to enjoy the company of so many others in the same boat. I sort of felt badly for the parents sitting alone, when so many of us - 12 pairs or so - were able to share the experience. So if you see a large group of chattering folks at future auditions, introduce yourselves! We are probably people from CC and we would LOVE to meet you!</p>
<p>So back to the audition We were asked to arrive at 10:00 am for Welcome and Information. The students filled out paperwork, (show up early enough to do this), and took seats in the little (Storch) theater. There is a smaller black box theatre as well. We were introduced to the head of the program, James Clark, and he told us about the audition process, and about the Theatre Program at Syracuse. The MTs (29 on this day) were sorted into 3 groups, and taken from the room by groups to warm up and audition for dance, (everyone danced first!). Then they were led back to the theater or led to warm ups for voice/acting. Someone from MT, please help me, was there enough time to change between dance and voice??? It seemed to go smoothly, and group 3 was finished by 2:30 or so. </p>
<p>The dance was jazz, (I heard) and it was fast and just a little challenging. The dance was taught, then students auditioned in pairs. The songs and monologues were next. </p>
<p>The actors, (7, 2 males 5 female) were brought together, given time to warm up, then brought before pairs of auditors for the audition. There was also a tech student, and a stage management student there that day. They were brought to the faculty for portfolio review as soon as the faculty was available. James Woods joked that these were the two students who would be guaranteed to get work after graduation.</p>
<p>There was time for tours of the Theatre Department, lunch, and a tour of the main campus. Some students also fit in an interview with Admissions. Parking for the main campus tour is a (long, cold, and on that day, a snowy) walkfrom the admissions building, so leave time for this.</p>
<p>Some families left for Ithaca right away, some stayed over. We saw the student show and found the performances interesting, and two were quite good. The production values were wonderful, a great rotating set - with running water! The lighting was exceptional, and added a lot to the show. We were told during the tour that the sets are student designed, but professionally built (a nice bonus of having a professional theatre on site). The students assist and learn from the pros. The next night we saw Sound of Music on the main stage. A nice show with strong performances, most especially the Mother Superior, she was FAB!</p>
<p>All in all, Syracuse has a very strong program with a warm feeling. The students LOVE it there and are comfortable with each other and the building buzzed with their energy. The head of the program was informative and made us comfortable. The students raved about Murphy, she is a powerhouse who handles everyone, everything, and mothers the students. The biggest, perhaps only drawback, is the location. Except for on campus, it did not feel that Syracuse the city - had much to offer. Some schools in other urban areas may offer more outside attractions. I know, you think the weather is a drawback, but we live in Chicago. 
Also everyone we met boasted of the weather as a point of pride. </p>
<p>We stayed till Saturday evening because of flights, and had massages Saturday morning. A great stress release after the first audition! My Ss was Hawaiian style, very rhythmic with drum music. There is a spa a block from the theatre, on the way to the hotel. We stayed at the Marx, three blocks from the theatre. It is a round hotel with updated pie-shaped rooms. The kids all loved the glass walk-in shower. Some stayed at the Genesee Grand also three blocks from the theatre, and loved it. If you cab or shuttle from the airport, you dont really need a car rental unless you are combining auditions. (Even then, some CC moms carpooled to Ithaca) Come to think of it, the hotel offered shuttle service to the U, perhaps they go to the airport, too. </p>
<p>To all the CC parents at Syracuse, hello again. And if you were there, and saw us, next time jump up and say hello, were a friendly group! Good luck to those still waiting to hear, as my S is also waiting…</p>
<p>Carole</p>