Rising male senior in need of guidance!

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>Maybe someone here can help me out. I have been reading through the old forums for a few hours now and am getting stressed. I cannot see myself doing anything but musical theater with my life and want to get into the best program possible so as to help a future career. My dad wanted a sone so bad that he could toss the football with. As the first born son, I spent the majority of my elemantary and middle school trying every sport under the sun to placate him instead of taking dance or vocie lessons. I pursued my passion secretly and privately, buying all the latest cast recordings and keeping up with the buzz on sites like broadway.com. I was always told that a career in theatre was impratical and I should use my smarts for something else. Well, I decided at the start of my junior year that to trully be happy I had to pursue my dream. I now have the finacial backing of my parents, but am doing everything myself. I am an intern at a professional theatre here in Atlanta. Will be taking honors drama next year at school, and taking four summer programs. 4 weeks in performance at 7 Stages in Atlanta, 4 weeks of acting at Columbia University, 1 week of acting at UCLA, and 1 week of triple threat training at UCLA. I wish I had more dance and voice. I am going to interview with admissions counselors at U of Mich anf CMU next week. My academics are exceptionally strong, but it seems my audition would be more important. I have no guy frineds into musical theatre and have no standard of comparison. Am I terribly behind in the game? IS it too late to satrt taking dance and voice at the start in Fall before I send in applications, or is my production experience enough.</p>

<p>THe summation of my long sob story is.. based on your guys experience and no-how, for a MALE how rare are my cirmcumstances will I be competing with boys who have been building resumes their whole lifes in prep for accpetance into top programs like some of the girls out there or do I have more leeway!</p>

<p>Please take the time to respond so that I know what I am up against and can come up with a plan of attack coming into my senior year.</p>

2

<p>Dear Musicman,</p>

<p>Thanks for sharing your story! It's clear that it took a great deal of courage to share your real passion with your parents and it's great to know that they are behind you at this point. Good for you!</p>

<p>If you have read much of this discussion, and it sounds like you have a good start, you should already know several things to encourage you in your plans. First of all, far fewer boys choose to pursue MT in college programs than girls. And when it comes to acceptances, most programs are looking to accept at least as many boys as girls, if not more, so the odds are in your favor as far of the % of boys who will get offers of admission. As you read further you will encounter many stories of successful applicants with huge resumes and years and years of training. But you will also read the success stories of kids with short resumes, and not so much training. And there are lots of ways to educate yourself about MT. The stories you tell of learning about the business by reading about it and becoming familiar with shows and repertoire by listening to cast albums are all great! I would hazard a guess that you know more about the history of this business than many others who have been "spoon-fed" by teachers. In my opinion, you have what could be the most important quality of all - real passion for the work. And the amount of work you have done all on your own, the training you have lined up for the summer and the plans you have made to meet with admissions people at two of the top programs in the country speak volumes and will resonate in your applications and the meetings you have. </p>

<p>Clearly you will be working with many professionals this summer. Most importantly, try to find someone you think can help you with audition technique - perhaps someone from 7 Stages in Atlanta as they may be able to continue helping you this fall after the summer program is over (given that Atlanta is your home town.) It is most definitely not too late!! It sounds as though while your parents are willing to support you financially in this quest, they may feel a little out of their league in assessing MT programs. I know there are lots of folks in this discussion group who will be happy to "fill in" and help however we can. Hang in there. You won't have to do his "alone."</p>

<p>I hope you are meeting with Laura Strozeski at UM. My D just finished her freshman year as an MT there and we both think that Laura is a wonderful, supportive individual who will help you in every way she can.</p>

<p>Best of luck Music man - work hard and have a great summer!</p>

3

<p>Hi musicman, check your e-mail. :-)</p>

4

<p>Musicman - As theatremom wrote, males have a better chance of being accepted into programs simply because of the numbers. You may not have a huge resume of performances, but it sounds like what you've been doing will definitely look great on your resume. Being an intern at a professional theatre is great! All the different programs with which you'll be involved this summer will do many things for you. Number one, it will solidify your desire to go MT. Number two, you'll get a glimpse at your "competition" or where you stand talent-wise compared to others your age. Number three, it will (of course) be on your resume for auditions. Number four, you'll meet many, many talented, intelligent instructors. Pick their brains....look for feedback.
Best of luck to you. You sound full of energy and ready to take on this exciting senior year challenge.</p>

5

<p>I feel your pain... I started theatre as a freshman in High School and didn't even really really get into acting/MT until my Junior year. I only made the musical (Fiddler) as an ensemble member my freshman year. My sophmore year I didn't make anything, so I turned to tech and I'm so glad I did. It made me appreciate Theatre sooo much more. For awhile during my sophmore year I though I wanted to go into theatre tech. The summer between Soph and Jr. year I auditioned for Godspell at a community theatre and got a lead, it was a great boost of confidence and it helped me rediscover my love of performing cause I hadn't been onstage for almost two years. when I became an upperclassman my HS theatre career finally took off, I made 6 out of 7 shows that I auditioned for. I had three leads and even won an award for one (Best Supporting Actor - Will Parker - Oklahoma!). And I even made the Illinois All-State production of Ragtime, which had similar odds of getting cast as some of the programs I auditioned for this year. I've never had a dance class (except for small doses of tap from my friend), only had weekly voice lessons that I started this year and have only taken acting classes though my school. My love for MT is the one thing that got me through this process. I auditioned for 7 schools, accepted to 4 with some scholarship money at each school and I have decided on Baldwin-Wallace College. Considering the odds and the amount of training I have, I feel extreamly lucky. Believe me, if MT is in your heart go for it, you will reap the benefits. Good luck.</p>

<p>PS - I was put through every sport as a child too... and yet I was never exposed to the arts, If I had only started younger who knows where I would be right now!</p>

6

<p>musicman6887 - I guess we'll be seeing you at the auditions next year, as my son is the same age as you. </p>

<p>mtfan - What a wonderful story -you will be a huge encouragement for boys starting in HS, and we hope to meet you at BW in the fall!</p>

<p>Back to my son - same deal with sports - every male in my husband's family had always played football and other sports, but football was huge. My older son who just graduated college followed the family path perfectly - played 4 sports all through, but especially football, and has been a student assistant strength coach with the Arkansas Razorbacks the past 3 years. He is big into weight lifting. Eric, on the other hand, tried most of the sports, and never really enjoyed it. He is very small for his age and very musically oriented. He picked up piano at a very young age from me. Seventh grade fall was when we had the big fight in our family - sign up for school football vs. be in a Children's Theatre show in which he was cast. He chose the show and basically has not done any more sports. This was very difficult for Dad at first. Eric has been acting and singing for many years. He only started dance in HS (9th grade) and has just finished his 3rd year. He only goes to dance classes about half the time because he seems to always have theatre conflicts. He missed performing with some of his dance classes at this past weekend's recital due to such conflicts, but he did well with his part in the recital. In fact, big brother was very complimentary of his performance in the dance recital! Dad has been one of his biggest fans for several years now, so in the end it all worked out.</p>

<p>musicman - If you can get in some dance, great, but if not, look for the programs that don't have dance at auditions or where dance is optional. There are several such programs / auditions. Write me an e-mail if you want more (click on my name and send e-mail - don't do private message as my box is almost full).</p>

7

<p>You all have been very encouraging and supportive. I was wondering if anyone who had been through the admissions process had any advice regarding my visits with admissions counselors next week. THe person I am meeting with at CMU is for the whole university, but the one at U of Mich is specifically for thier school of music where their MT program is. I want them to sell me the high points of thier school without looking pretentios, and while still selling myself if I like the programs.</p>

<p>Thanks again everone for your prompt and freindly help.</p>

8

<p>My personal opinion is that the meetings you describe are for you to gather information, not for you to sell yourself. You will sell yourself at your audition. Also, at least in some cases, the person you meet with will not necessarily be part of the audition "judges".</p>

9

<p>Musicman,</p>

<p>Here's my two cents:</p>

<p>If you are not meeting with someone from the School of Drama, you will get very little info that is of use to you in evaluating the MT program or useful in so far as making an impression as a performer. Trust me - my D "interviewed" with an admissions person during her audition weekend (a sleeping bag weekend) and even though she had attended the MT pre-college program, auditioned the day before and had stayed overnight so they had all kinds of info about her, they were CLUELESS!! It was a major waste of time. The admissions office personnel are VERY disconnected from the performing arts programs. If at all possible, ask to meet with someone from the School of Drama and talk to any students that may be left on campus - THAT is what will sell this program for you. Given that classes are over, maybe they can arrange for you to email or talk by phone to a current student or two. The students and faculty are incredible and all the students we met were very eager to talk about their terrific program and were kind and helpful. </p>

<p>With regard to UM, the BIGGEST mistake you can make is going into the meeting expecting them to try and SELL YOU on their program or if you try to SELL yourself. This is a program that prides itself on being collegial and non-competitive. If a student isn't prepared to park their ego at the door, UM is not the right school for them. JUST BE YOURSELF and talk about all the things you wrote in your initial post - the pressures to live up to parental expectations, the ways in which you learned about MT, the plans you have made for the summer and your concerns about your lack of a lengthy performance resume. These are the experiences and thought processes that will resonate with the folks at UM. And ABSOLUTELY write a hand written thank you note to anybody who takes the time to meet with you.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

10

<p>Musicman,
We live in Atlanta also and my D just finished the whole audition process for BFA in MT. We've learned so much. She has chosen Elon in NC, but was accepted at FSU, Tisch/CAP 21 and Illinois Wesleyan. We would be happy to answer any questions you have, or meet with you to share experiences.
I am going to send you a private email with my contact info so you can get in touch with us if you want to. Looks like you are going to be very busy this summer...my D is laying low, with very little planned that involves theatre...trying to earn a good deal of money before college starts!</p>

<p>Others are right, you have an incredible passion and drive for MT. Your parents should be very proud of you. </p>

<p>I have a 9th grade son who is very talented...hung around the dance studio until he was old enough and then studied ballet for 8 years with some tap thrown in. (He sang "I Can Do That" from A CHORUS LINE at a Musical Revue this February and it really was his life story...except that his sister isn't married and fat!) He and his sister both attended a DeKalb County elementary school for the Performing Arts, my D went K - 6, my S went K - 3. He has been on the stage forever either at school or in story ballets. He has not played that many sports through the years, but has turned out to be an incredible runner, making him competitive in soccer and his new passion, ultimate frisbee. When parents see his swift moves, great footwork and well developed leg and arm muscles they always ask what he's been doing. Our answer is always "Ballet!" Our S really doesn't let people's comments bother him, in fact, he handles it so well that most people don't tease him at all.</p>

<p>At his school he has been in the JR Hi musicals (Will Parker in Oklahoma!, the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, and a dancing sailor in Anything Goes this year in H.S.) It's amazing how all the other guys in the show push themselves to learn dancing when they see how much my S can do and how much fun he has doing it. Some of the boys have enrolled in dance classes after dancing with my S. In his corner of the world he is changing people's attitudes about men and dancing. </p>

<p>My side of the family has always been involved in the arts, my husband's side of the family is full of football players and coaches. They may have been hesitant at times through the years, but we really never heard about it, and, our S has performed every time with energy and joy and I don't think any family member questions his passions now. I applaud you for having the strength to persue this. </p>

<p>As parents, we even spent a while questioning our D's decision to persue MT in college...what? we're paying how much for you to sing and dance?...but everyone we've spoken to, other parents and college professionals, have suggested that forcing a child in another direction is just wrong. If something doesn't work, you can always change your mind and your course of direction. If you don't try what you really love, you'll always regret it. For heaven's sake, y'all are only 17 and 18 years old. You have your whole life ahead of you.</p>

<p>Good luck...and contact me soon.
Karol</p>

11

<p>WOW Musicman, you and I (from the snippet of info i have about you) are rediculously similar people! I go to an arts highschool in NC, am a rising senior, and have no dance training. My father also had very different expectations for me. Neither of my parents have ever been interested in or had anything to do with the theatre in any way and in that respect don't understand my longing for the stage.. Unfortunately, I have an older sister in college going into med school and so my parents' financial backing is nil. I want to go to either CMU or NYU...those are my top choices. I don't know where to begin. I didn't have the money for doing summer programs this time around...so i did another show with community theatre. I don't know where to start, looking at interviewing, visiting, picking audition material, whether to apply ED......I feel like I've waited too long to get started in many aspects...though i've had to research and completely discover the theatre on my own as no one around me had any interest in it. Please get in touch with me, maybe we can help each other...my personal email is <a href="mailto:hobbitfootedewoks@hotmail.com">hobbitfootedewoks@hotmail.com</a></p>

12

<p>Hobbit, now that you shared a little of your background, I have a suggestion. You go to a performing arts high school so have an advantage in that way compared to kids like mine that go to a regular public high school that rarely sends kids off to BFA programs in theater. I would meet with faculty or advisors there as they send kids off to arts programs in colleges all the time. They will be a big resource for you. Do you have voice or theater teachers? Pick their brains. Are there recent graduates that you can talk to from your high school who have gone onto BFA programs? I know my child talked to any kids that she knew that are older than herself that attend these various BFA programs (she knew them from summer programs) and gleaned MUCH perspective and information that way. And when she visited campuses, she got together with these kids and found out more or even observed classes with them. That would be a great place for you to get help with this process. Best of luck! Go for it!
Susan</p>

<p>PS, one more suggestion....take a few hours and read as many threads on this forum that you can going back the past two years. You will learn SO much about the process and about the schools on your list.</p>

13

<p>susie's last paragraph is the best advice you can get. if you start at the beginning and read this entire forum, you will have a bachelor's degree in musical theatre programs. before just asking people on here to tell you what they know, go back and read what they've all posted in the past. you'll learn more than you ever needed to know. it will take some time, but will be well worth it. you'll learn as susie has explained, that it's not a matter of selecting a school but a school selecting you. yes, you need to know in the end, what your favorites are, but, you will be extremely lucky to have a choice at all. do your research and pick several schools, give your best audition and hope you have a choice to make in the end. good luck to you. it's a difficult and emotional process and you need to try to get your parents on board if you can. i wish you well.</p>

14

<p>Re: no dance. </p>

<p>I remember an audition I was at (I think it was CMU, actually) where one of the guys was a fabulous dancer. After the audition, the instructor called him over to tell the auditioner that he did a fantastic job and then went on to ask where the guy had learned to dance. </p>

<p>The funny thing was, he'd never taken a dance lesson. </p>

<p>Probably rare, but there is hope!</p>