<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>