Send in dvd?

Applying to College
1

<p>senior year i got cast in 2 major plays -which is extremely competitive at our school to be cast. I have never tried out for plays before 12th grade.
i am not majoring in theatre or anything like that but my mom thinks it would be a good idea to send them a dvd of myself on stage and a note saying that i have come out of my shell- i was never cast in any shows because i was too terrified to try out and i just came into the theatre group senior year and landed 2 lead roles. the director keeps convincing me to major in thatre because he has never seen a newbe in the thatre come in a prefmore at such a high level.</p>

<p>my mom thinks it would be helpful </p>

<p>i think it would just be useless..</p>

2

<p>Look at the school you're applying to. Most I've seen said they will NOT review videotapes or DVDs. It's just not time effective -- they will BELIEVE you when you say you like theatre.</p>

3

<p>Sounds like a possible essay topic. It's great that you were able to overcome your fears, try out in spite of your inexperience and win two leads in a competitive environment. You discovered a new talent and learned something about yourself from taking the risk. I don't know if all that would come across from sending the dvd and a note though. Congratulations on your accomplishment.</p>

4

<p>Mmmm. This is a tough one, primarily because I have no idea how good you are. You may be very good, indeed. Or the program you think is highly competitive may not be. I dont mean that to be offensive, it's just that it's common to hear from locals that "that was better than Broadway!" when, in fact, it's not even cllose.</p>

<p>If your theater teacher is a former pro at a high level, then I think you should trust him/her that your performances were really outstanding, or if you got honest feedback from pros that you did a really outstanding job in one or more of the roles, then I think you should trust that.</p>

<p>It's fairly common to send a DVD of performances to schools, but generally you should send it to the theater department (this isn't always the case, so check with admissions departments before you do this). If the theater department likes what they see, they may give you a "tip" in admisssions, meaning they ask admissions to admit you if you are qualified.</p>

<p>That's very useful.</p>

<p>If you think your teacher recs will say something like "Shy. Quiet." etc., then a DVD may be very useful in showing admissions that you are, indeed, coming out of your shell.</p>

<p>As for majoring in theater, just know that theater is all of what you want to do. Don't major in theater if you can be happy doing anything else. Seriously. It's a very, very hard life, and I could not recommend it to anyone.</p>

<p>Overall, if you can trust the feedback you're getting, I think your mom is right. It's unliikely to hurt, and may help your admissions chances. Just be sure to send the DVD to the right person or people.</p>

5

<p>Dont send it in....you may be amazing, it could have also been timing that you got the part...or you can send it but don't expect it to be really looked at</p>

<p>check out American Idol, and most of those performers that take it seriouslly and were cut, well, they were the stars as well, and well, not as amazing as they think they are, and if perchance, your theater director and mother are, well, not</p>

<p>Moms are not the best judges,and I am a mom, of their kids talents</p>

<p>Not to burst a bubble or anything, but theater is a very competitive world, and getting on stage and doing something different is great, but being "amazing" won't push you over the edge</p>

6

<p>I'm going to stick with what I said, originally. If you get feedback from some pros that says you're very good, and if there is a theater program to which you're applying that views DVDs, and if your DVD clearly identifies who you are and is fairly good quality, then send it. I have had more than one child be recruited by a theater department after doing that.</p>

<p>But citygirlsmom is right when she says that your mother is not the best judge of talent unless she is or has been a professional.</p>

7

<p>I came across the same problem having my mom read my essays. No matter how terrible I felt they were she put an A+ on the paper. Not a shrewd judge at all.</p>

8

<p>Many colleges like to see arts supplements and make special provisions for reviewing them. (Stanford and UCB spring to mind.) In general, the message is that sending the arts supplement won't hurt the applicant, but can help. Check out the drama or theater department of every college you're considering online and see if there's information about applications or admissions. You can also telephone the secretary at those departments, explain that you're applying as a freshman and are interested in participating in theater if accepted (This does not commit you to being a theater major! Not to mention, colleges that are not huge theater centers may be particularly interesting in having students who will make their plays shine.), and ask if a DVD should be sent to the theater dept. directly, to admissions, or to both.</p>

<p>That said, the question of the quality of the DVD is a biggie. It would probably make sense to get some feedback from an objective person who knows a lot about assessing the quality of dramatic performances. Also, I'm not sure, but my impression is that in general students send DVD's with monologues rather than sending a snippet of a play in which the student performed. Any drama parents out there who can address this?</p>

<p>If you will go to the Majors section of CC and click on musical theater, you will find a lot of helpful and knowledgable parents who will be able to answer your questions.</p>