Stagedoor Manor is it worth the Price?

<p>I am looking at some of these summer programs and egads they are pricey!
Stagedoor for instance (which is booked but we would consider for next year) is $4,195 dollars for 3 weeks! That does not include incidentals..there are 6 to a room and you bring your own sheets and towels. So I have to ask is it worth it? I would love my D. to have a learning experience..but is it truly worth it?</p>

<p>We have a local program (days only) which is $400 for 3 weeks and I heard pretty decent. </p>

<p>On the other hand since she wants to enter the field professionally is the away experience with kids from all over worth the bucks?</p>

<p>Angstridden, I know you posted other posts with questions regarding Stagedoor Manor, as well as sent me a PM and I am so behind on emails given my family situation. Since this is a public forum, I feel obligated to at least speak up now since I am one of the parent posters with a child who attends this program. So I will try to answer your question here and then go to where else you left a post and answer that question there. </p>

<p>As far as "is it worth the price"....I almost have no clue how to answer that. What is worth the price to you? Do you think your child needs this program to enter the field professionally? The answer is no. I would not pick a summer program for a child/teen with regard to where it could lead my child. That is not why we chose Stagedoor Manor. My child chose this program when she was nine years old and has gone back ever since. She is supposed to return for three weeks this summer, her final and 8th summer, though she normally goes six weeks (one summer went nine). We hope her dream can still happen but we have to take it one step at a time. She, nor we, ever chose Stagedoor for it to lead to something later on. Even as a teen, it had nothing to do with preparation for college or anything like that. Simply put, she wanted an intensive theater program, looked into a few, and chose Stagedoor as the best match for her desires. At the time, my other child chose French Woods Festival and we let each child go where she wanted and frankly each program fit each of my kids' needs/interests so the match was the right one for each child. Now, as an older teen, my Stagedoor child, nor we, ever thought to make any change in summer plans, nor would our child EVER consider it because Stagedoor is her "home" or her summer "family". The thought of what would prepare her for college or look good or be ready for college auditions NEVER entered the choice to attend or to return in subsequent years. The point was to find a summer theater program that she would enjoy and in that regard, I cannot put enough superlatives into how much she has LOVED Stagedoor Manor. Was it worth the bucks? For my child, yes, because SDM has been the most wonderful experience of her life and she lives for it all yearlong. She would tell you that her summers at SDM have impacted her life greatly. </p>

<p>Does it cost alot? Yes, that is the hard part. But it is not like paying for a regular summer camp. You are paying for PROFESSIONAL staff, not regular camp counselors. All the classes are taught by professionals, and all the directors, musical directors and choreographers, etc. are professionals in the field. </p>

<p>Each three week session puts on 13 full scale productions, about 8 musicals and 5 dramas. There are about 36 total productions per summer. BESIDES productions, students take 8 classes per session. The classes are in every aspect of theater and kids choose their classes. However, there are some classes such as Dance Master Class and Acting Master Class that are by audition. All dance classes involve placement auditions. So, the program is a mix of both training and performance experiences. In just 2 1/2 weeks, the kids mount quite professional productions with professional costumers, set designers, etc. I have seen countless productions at Stagedoor in the fifteen sessions that my child has attended, probably about 60 shows by now and they are some of the best youth productions I have seen in my life. Each cast is limitted to no more than approx. 22 kids or so. </p>

<p>Some kids are also selected to be in a cabaret troupe in ADDITION to their other production they are rehearsing (and classes). This select cabaret troupe puts on a very professional musical revue that until last summer performed around the Catskills at resort hotels. This group is comprised of selected kids by audition in the age range of 12-18. The camp itself, however, is for ages 8-18. My child has been in this cabaret troupe since age nine and it has been the highlight of her summers at SDM. </p>

<p>You asked on another thread about challenge. I would say she has been enormously challenged at Stagedoor. It is a very intensive program and daily schedule. She is rehearsing two shows every day that have to go up in a very short time, one that goes out to resort nightclubs as well. In addition she has classes every day. The schedule goes from early in the morning until late at night. She thrives on it as do the other kids. </p>

<p>I recall another question you brought up on another thread, so will answer that one now as well. You asked about the challenge and the level of talent. There is a wide range of talent at this program. Some kids are merely interested in theater. Many have only done their school productions. Many are involved in community and regional theater. Many have done professional productions. A small number have been on Broadway or TV. Some kids have agent representation. I know you wondered if your daughter would be challenged given her "background". I can assure you the answer is YES. What you will find at Stagedoor is that most of the kids are standouts in their home communities....ie., many are leads at home. Then you get all those kids in one place and your child is entering a different "league" than at home. I was blown away my child's first summer there by the talent. I was shocked when she got leads and got into the cabaret so young because I saw SO many talented kids and it was nothing like being cast at home where it was easier to stand out. </p>

<p>This program is not for everyone. You have to be passionate about theater, either straight drama or musicals (you have a choice which to be cast in). You have to want to eat and breathe theater 24/7. If you are someone who loves that, it is for you. If you want more variety, it is not the place. </p>

<p>I wonder if this is the right place for your daughter given the history you have shared on the Parent Forum. I know your child wants to be a pop singer. This program is totally about THEATER. As long as you know that, no problem. </p>

<p>While we did not pick this program or keep sending our daughter in terms of where it may lead her....I can just comment factually that we know many kids who attended Stagedoor who now are attending each of the top musical theater and acting programs in the country in college. Just among this year's crop of my daughter's friends who are graduating high school, I can think off the top of my head of admittances to UMich, CCM, Emerson, Penn State, Ithaca, Syracuse, Tisch, Miami, Boston University (nobody has heard yet from BOCO or CMU but I know Stagedoorians at those programs as well). As well, some have gone to schools strong in theater but not for BFAs, such as to Brown, Cornell, Yale, Harvard, Muhlenberg. I know another two kids currently at Juilliard as well who were in the cabaret with my daughter. I can think of a few currently on Broadway and off Broadway as well at the moment. Stagedoor does not aim or work on getting kids into these college programs (no pre college audition prep, etc.) but clearly many kids have fared well in the college acceptances in this field. The thing is, from what I know about your daughter, she is NOT looking to go to a BFA program in theater but wants pop music. I would want to make sure she wanted a summer THEATER program because if not, then it is NOT worth the money. </p>

<p>Again, if you base your decision as to if the program is worth it in terms of where it will lead, etc., I can't advise you. If your evaluation as to its worth is how much your child loves the program and it fulfills her needs/interests and she learns a lot and enjoys the program and makes lifelong friends, then it may be worth it. Obviously to the returning campers, it IS worth it. </p>

<p>I did not even mention one of the main aspects of its "worth"....my child has made lifelong friends at SDM with whom she has very very strong bonds and with whom she talks daily (even at the moment she is talking to one she has known for seven years...he is heading to Tisch by the way). The bonds she has made, the people she has worked with, the skills she has developed, the numerous productions she has been in, don't even begin to tell the complete story of her passion for Stagedoor, her heaven on earth. </p>

<p>Kids come from all over the country to Stagedoor and from many foreign countries. My niece is going for the first time this summer with my daughter and she lives in Alaska. My child had kids in her casts last summer from Australia, Ecuador, and Argentina, I believe. Staff also is from around the world. My child's roomies last summer were from Vermont, Connecticut, Florida, Texas, and Colorado. That is another thing that is different than in a day program. </p>

<p>And let me tell you, that bringing your own sheets and towels is the norm for most summer programs....my kids have attended several different ones and I also did as a child and this was the NORM. </p>

<p>Also, comparing the price of a day program to an overnight one is like apples to oranges. You would have to compare the price of a three week program such as SDM with a similar sort of one like French Woods Festival, to make a somewhat fair comparison....or even a pre-College program....they are all somewhat in this ballpark. Also there are barely any "incidental" additional expenses. But I cannot deny that it costs a lot of money. Only you can decide what is worth the money. For me, it has been worth every cent to see my D so in love with a place that I cannot pull her away. Her life has been forever changed and influenced by her summers at Stagedoor. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>Hi Susan,
Thanks for posting. I am not interested so much as where Stagedoor might lead her (ie getting an agent or that type of thing - thats not a consideration as I know its a slim thing though they advertise agents attending shows) or what college it will get her into. She already knows what she wants to do and we werent thinking of this as a helper to get into that special college. </p>

<p>I was interested in if they offer a valuable experience for the money. I mean its very expensive. And I did wonder if the experience she would get there would be worth the substantial price differential over going to a day camp with good people.
I recognize its a different experience..and of course its going to be different for each child.
Its just very pricey..and yes I would send in a minute but I have to be price conscious.
So I wondered if those who attended felt the value was there..which you obviously do. </p>

<p>Yes my daughter wants to be a pop singer..but she loves MT. And does a lot of shows..So it does offer a strong MUSICAL THEATER program also right? Or is it more just acting oriented? </p>

<p>BTW as far as the cabaret goes..do they select new students or students who are in the 3 week program or do you have to be there for the long program?</p>

<p>Also wondered about the dance. Do all the kids take dance lessons? Or only if you want to? Or do you have to audition to get the dance classes?
Thanks</p>

<p>You DO audition to get into the advanced dance at Stagedoor. The entry level classes are open to all. It is not required--but recommended for any child wanting to pursue MT. My D, (a best friend of soozievt's D), is also a longtime SDM attendee. Both girls were in the advanced dance (called Master Dance) class. The skill level of the kids in that class very high. There are also advanced classes in acting and voice, which require auditions. They are indeed taught by experienced professionals.</p>

<p>Soozievt's sentiments about SDM echo my own. I know for a fact that my D's entire experience at Stagedoor has left an indelible mark on her life. On the practical side, it had helped sharpen her skills and better prepare her for a MT career. Her exposure to talented kids and staff, the hardcore and heartfelt nature of the program, and years of performing experience has affected her in so many ways. And another strong element of the program--the CONNECTIONS!! So many of the alums have gone on to be major forces in the entertainment industry. Whenever my D has gone on auditions or MT college visits, someone has always been connected to SDM or worked with someone from there. The alums have a bond--almost like a "SDM Mafia" that continues for years. Both Natalie Portman and Zach Braff (recently of "Garden State") attended SDM a decade ago. And they know Mandy Moore, who knows Michael Ian Black, who knows Josh Charles.....the connections go on and on. </p>

<p>It is hard to put a $$$ amount on something like that. If you look at all the pre-professional programs, they all cost around the same. That is why it is important to shop around, ask questions, weigh the options and choose the program that best suits your child's personality and your family's budget.</p>

<p>Thanks for this info Freelance...So all the kids can take dance lessons and they are leveled?</p>

<p>To answer your questions, yes, Stagedoor Manor is expensive. As I said earlier, it is more comparable to other overnight professionally oriented specialty programs, not day camps. Only YOU can decide what type of experience your daughter would like to have and go from there. Comparing Stagedoor to a day camp and the different cost is simply not the same type of thing or experience. IF you are opting for an overnight program that is more than a camp and involves professional training, you are looking at costs in this range at many programs. So, shop carefully and find the one that best FITS what your daughter wants and also your budget. Stagedoor is not for everyone. For instance, in your child's case, I would look into the summer programs at Berklee as it seems to correlate with your daughter's interests. But maybe she wants a theater program and if so, Stagedoor is certainly worth looking into. As you know, my other daughter chose French Woods Festival and loved it for six weeks for four summers and that was the best match for her interests (she also did theater and was in eight great musicals there and took dance). So, I am not trying to tout Stagedoor as the end all and be all but for those who want an intensive theater program that involves both professional instruction and performance opportunities, this one is one worth looking into. If your daughter needs to talk to those who have attended, she will get the full picture of their deep passion for the place. I know when my children have gone to various summer programs, both performing arts and travel ones, we have spoken to several parents and children references to get a fuller picture. Subsequently many have called here to ask us as references about this program as well.</p>

<p>You question about if it offers musical theater.....I'm not sure if you saw above but I was telling you that in each three week session, they put on 8 musicals and 5 dramas and kids can stipulate at the auditions on the first day if they prefer to be in a musical or drama. My child has always done the musicals. So, YES, they have a heavy amount of musicals and a heavy amount of classes in every single aspect of musical theater....voice, auditioning, all types of dance at many levels, acting, and many other components. </p>

<p>You asked if all the kids take dance lessons. The kids get to choose which 8 classes per session they wish to take. Some may opt not to take any dance classes...maybe they are drama oriented or whatever. There are extensive offerings in dance at every level. IF your child wishes to take dance, she would audition the first day for the dance audition and then be placed accordingly. She will get to take dance if she wants to but her placement as to level in various disciplines is based on audition. Master level classes, however, are by audition only. Anyone who takes dance is in a dance show in ADDITION to their musical/drama production. </p>

<p>Kids who are in the cabaret can only sign up for four classes per session, not eight, because they are rehearsing TWO shows at once (their musical/drama and the cabaret). </p>

<p>As far as selection into the cabaret....if you have been cast in the cabaret in the past and choose to return, you are still a cast member. But there are openings each session in the cabaret and based on the regular casting auditions for the musicals, they do cast new kids in the open slots in the cabaret each session. Some of these kids are returning campers and some are brand new. Each three week session is a complete entity with a cabaret cast. My child got into the cabaret her first summer. However, it is difficult to get into the cabaret. About 250 kids attend the program in any given session and there are about 40 kids in the cabaret and some of those kids are past cast members and so it is not like there are 40 open slots in any session for that particular cast. However, ALL kids are cast in a show, either a musical or drama. Each child gets to shine on stage in his/her play or musical as the casts are under about 22. IF your child goes to Stagedoor and I know you say she is very experienced, she needs to know that many kids there are also very experienced so getting cast is not like the experience in her hometown area.</p>

<p>I meant to echo what Freelance mentioned.....when my daughter has auditioned on Broadway, for example, she has gotten remarks about her Stagedoor experiences on her resume...in fact, sometimes the auditioners have attended themselves! At several college BFA auditions, faculty mentioned Stagedoor as well. If you are wondering about its "reputation", I think it is a known theater program. Many kids have agent representation and agents do visit the program too. </p>

<p>As Freelance mentioned, there is a "network" of alums out there in every facet of this industry. Some have gone onto the highest levels in film, TV, and Broadway. </p>

<p>Freelance....get the Times today...in the ad for the play that H W-G (from camp) is in, she is pictured! </p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>Thank you again. D. did look into Berklee..the session is 5 weeks which was too long for her and the Berklee in CA was 1 week but I was not keen on her flying to CA by herself etc.</p>

<p>My daughter LOVES musical theater. Yes she wants to be a "pop" singer but she loves doing shows..just loves it. And she loves singing broadway style songs. Really she enjoys most types of singing. And I personally feel pop and broadway can overlap alot. But thats my opinion, which I am sure others don't share. She has also done a lot of classical singing (esp when she was younger) but its not her favorite.
She is just as comfortable singing one style as another - so long as she is singing..</p>

<p>For dance, if you want to take the dance classes do you need tap shoes? Or do you pick which type ie tap or jazz etc?</p>

<p>Speaking of the wonderful, lifelong friends you make at Stagedoor- My BEST FRIEND Emily (whom I met at SDM and is from North Carolina) is here at school with me today! (Can you tell I'm excited?) I have met many friends from all over the country in various places, but it seems that the long distance friends from SDM are the ones I will maintain the closest bonds with.</p>

<p>Thats great Dizzi...</p>

<p>Do you think most of the kids have been going for years and thus already know one another or are they open to new kids?</p>

<p>Angstridden,</p>

<p>My son only attended SDM one summer - the summer I decided to once and for all rid him of this ridiculous idea for making a career of musical theatre. I was willing to spend the money to show him how very much talent and how much work it required. It was money well spent. If he had decided that it wasn't what he expected we would have been off the hook for lessons and disappointment later on. Instead we found out he was very talented, he loved it and he was willing to work at perfecting his craft. He made wonderful friends that he keeps in touch with to this day. We would have loved to continue sending him but our top rated childrens' theatre company has a wonderful director that took him under his wing and kept him busy at a price that was far easier on our pocket book. If you can swing it even for one year I vote do it.</p>

<p>Thanks for this post clueless..
How long did your son go for..ie how many weeks?</p>

<p>BTW is dance a major part of the auditions for the musicals? Or is more emphasis on voice or is it equal?</p>

<p>It's important to be outgoing in any new situation when you have kids who have been coming back for years. But there are always a fair amount of newbies. And c'mon... we're all theater kids at SDM... in other words, really friendly and fun. Dance is not a part of auditioning for the musicals- you sing 16 bars of a song and then read a scene they give you. The dance auditions are for placement in dance classes. Likewise, you have to reaudition to get into the master classes (voice, acting, dance).</p>

<p>Dani, great to see you posting. Enjoy every minute of your SD pal visit. I can affirm what you wrote in saying that I feel certain that the friends my D has met at SDM will be lifelong. She is in daily contact with many of them from all over the country. Even now during her recovery, she is hearing from MANY Stagedoorians who are close friends on a regular basis, but also from many who simply know her but feel bonded through their time together at this program. I cannot overestimate that the bonds made with the other kids who share this passion for theater are a major factor in my child's love of Stagedoor. </p>

<p>Angstridden wrote: "Do you think most of the kids have been going for years and thus already know one another or are they open to new kids?"....
The answer is no, not a majority. There is a mix of returning kids and new kids. All new kids are set up with roommates who are also new. Within one day, kids have made many new friends. Also their casts bond really quickly. My niece from Alaska will go for her first time this summer. I believe last year's third session group was primarily new kids. But otherwise, it is usually a mix of some old, some new (that is true at most summer camps). </p>

<p>Angstridden asked: "Thanks for this post clueless..
How long did your son go for..ie how many weeks?" clueless's son went one summer for one session (which is three weeks). Even so, he was cast in the cabaret. That is an example that new kids can get into the cabaret troupe. Also new kids can be cast in major roles. As in any program, there are some benefits to being a returning participant because the casting folks and staff have worked with you in the past and know your talent and work ethic. However, anyone can be cast as a lead, new or old campers. As mentioned, my own kid was cast in the cabaret her first summer. </p>

<p>"BTW is dance a major part of the auditions for the musicals? Or is more emphasis on voice or is it equal?"
The casting for musicals is based on a singing audition and a cold reading with a partner. However, those who audition to take dance classes (for placement purposes only), will have it noted on their forms (for casting) that they are a dancer. But you don't have to do a dance audition for the musical itself. </p>

<p>"For dance, if you want to take the dance classes do you need tap shoes? Or do you pick which type ie tap or jazz etc?"
The child decides which dance classes (types of dance) she wants to sign up for. Depending which ones, she does the placement auditions for those disciplines. So, if she wants to take tap, she would do the tap audition and if she is taking jazz, the jazz one and so forth. She can take whatever she wants...none, many kinds, just one. But the audition places her in the proper level. If she has never tapped, she would be in Beginner Tap. However, to be in Dance Master Class (ie., Jazz Master Class), you must get in via an audition. Your child would bring whatever dance shoes she would need to participate in whichever types of dance she plans to take....jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, etc. Most kids also bring character shoes to have for the shows. However, the camp has a very very extensive costume shop that includes shoes. But for dance classes, it is best to bring what you need from home for whichever classes you wish to take. You don't need to bring tap shoes if you never plan on taking tap, in other words. </p>

<p>Hope that helps.</p>

<p>Thanks so much this is terrific information!!!
Well tonight we went and saw a show put on by the camp that we were considering doing (the day camp) and I have to say it was awful. I dont mean to be unkindly but it was awful. So there is not a consideration of going there at all now.
So that solves one issue!</p>

<p>Susan I am surprised they dont audition the dancing for the roles. I wonder why that is. I mean what if a kid cant handle the dance part?</p>

<p>Susan- I'm glad to see that you're posting too! Must mean that D's doing well. yay. And congrats to her on BoCo (and the five trillion other schools she's been accepted to- wa hooo)!!
Angstridden- Often times if a lead role requires a triple threat (there aren't THAT many that do, but say Lola from Copacabana which I was in last summer), they will cast kids they KNOW to be triple threats, someone who they have worked with in past summers/sessions. In other situations, as in the male lead of Copacabana, (who was recently accepted to Julliard for dance) they know from the stuff you write on your forms-- i.e. he wrote that he won the award for best dancer in Australia (yes, he's an aussie) and various other awards and had been in ballet companies and had 11 years of ballet training etc. etc.. In other shows that don't REQUIRE the triple threat, but may have originally included large dancing roles, they will just modify the dancing to fit the level of the person playing the lead (who will be a stellar singer/actress and make up for it!) It all ends up working out. They've got this casting biz down to a science at SDM. Who knew I could play a Mexican beauty queen contestant??-- but man, that may have been my favorite role in MT thus far. (maria gonzalez in smile for those of you who are wondering). </p>

<p>Danielle</p>

<p>P.S. Emily sends a "Hey Hey Stagedoor..." to everyone affiliated with SDM on this board!!</p>

<p>Dani....Well she IS doing well but the reason I am posting is more that I am on a little "break", lol. Today, for the first time in three weeks, I wasn't tending to my daughter 24/7 as my husband took the day off to do that because my 18 year old is home for three days from college and I spent the day with her. In fact, I heard about the BOCO acceptance in the dressing room at Urban Outfitters, LOL. Right now, I am vegging out reading of all the kids' acceptances on CC (!), because both my girls are lying in the hospital bed in the adjoining room watching a DVD on my daughter's laptop of the musical cabaret my younger one created/directed/choregraphed and performed in a few months ago. I can hear it and pop in to watch a number here and there. My daughter commented she was jealous of herself in it because there she was dancing her choreography, and now she is in this condition but believe me, she will dance in many shows in the future. This hopefully is keeping her mind off things because she already missed a show two weeks ago, one this weekend that she was to have performed in and then her school musical next weekend and all of her dance shows this spring. </p>

<p>You gave a great answer about the dance with regard to casting at SD, by the way. Kids do put on their forms their dance backgrounds. Further, if someone is choosing to take dance classes, they do the dance auditions for that and so that demonstrates dance skills. And like you say, for a demanding role/lead that involves dance, they make sure they know if the kid can handle the part. For instance, kids who are not dancers are not going to get the lead in 42nd Street, lol. Two recent roles my D played at SD, Anita in West Side Story and The Leading Player in Pippin, for example, require someone who can sing, dance and act and so they would place someone in that slot who they knew had those skills and then utilize someone else with different strengths in some other role. They really are pros at casting. Even new kids who were superb dancers had solo dance segments in those two shows from my recollection. </p>

<p>And then sometimes they do wonders with kids with NO dance background. For instance, I recall one summer when my daughter was in this wonderful musical revue that was created for this one time where they brought in this amazing director/choreographer to do it...it was called Another Openin' Another Show and it consisted of 40 opening production numbers from 40 musicals. As an aside (for your inspiration) this director/choreographer was amazing in general but even more so when you learn that he does not have either of his two legs (has prosthetic ones), which he lost in his young childhood, and he went on to dance on BROADWAY! He has also won an Emmy for choreography! Anyway, ONE of the numerous numbers in this production was the opening number to 42nd Street and he had the entire cast, some who had never tap danced in their lives, tap dance the original Broadway choreography to this number (though kids with tap backgrounds tended to be in front)....it was incredible. He also taught all dance numbers himself. If that is not a great example, I don't know what is. ;-)</p>

<p>(talk about a come back from a setback in life!)</p>

<p>Susan</p>