<p>Just wanted to provide another update on Syracuse Drama after attending Parent Weekend this past weekend. The head of the program told the parent group (parents of students who are already attending SU) that they plan to reduce the number of students they accept for next year. I took that to mean acting and MT since I think the design and stage management programs are already very small. My personal interpretation is that they are looking to keep the program small to give students as many opportunities as possible. (As a reference they took about 25 students for BFA MT for 2008-09; I’m not quite sure about the BFA acting students but it may have been about the same.)</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I don’t have any more information than that – so if you have questions, I would contact the drama department. </p>
<p>Also, the chair said that they are working to bring back a graduate program in directing and playwriting in the near future. Again, I don’t have any details but they are very excited to do this.</p>
<p>Maria Marrero, the chair of the department. She was accompanied by 2 acting professors as well as a musical theatre/dance professor. It was not a formal presentation. It was simply an informal parent Q&A breakout session that took place as part of the Dean’s breakfast (for the College of Visual and Performing Arts). She made the statement as part of a discussion that addressed an answer to a different question. The Dean of VPA was also in the room at the time. </p>
<p>As I mentioned, it would be best to contact the SU Drama Department for more details. It was not a formal announcement. It was part of a broader discussion that was extremely interesting and helpful for parents of current students.</p>
<p>My dd wants audition for Syracuse for acting. However, she’s considering going to the MT audition because she’s probably a 4 or 5 on singing and she thought that might give her an edge for the acting program. On the other hand her dance is likely a 2 so not sure what to do. They do consider the MT auditions for Acting but just not sure if having them hear her sing would give her an edge? Could she opt out of the dance after stating an interest in acting??? opinions appreciated…</p>
<p>If your D is truly just interested in the Acting program, she should just audition for acting. If she wants to be considered for both, she can do the singing, acting, and dancing and specify she wants to be considered for both. She can’t opt out of the dance if she does a MT audition. And singing has no real bearing on the acting program admissions since most who want that program are not even gonna be singing at the audition. If you do a MT audition for Syracuse, you certainly CAN be admitted for acting though. My D’s friend auditioned for Syracuse for MT and she was admitted for Acting (though preferred MT). She is now attending there for Acting. Same thing happened with another MT friend at Ithaca…he attends for Acting but did the MT audition.</p>
<p>I do not think a strong singing auditon is an “edge” for the Acting BFA admission. Most won’t even be singing at their audition. </p>
<p>PS, you have the “scoring” a little off for Syracuse. A high score on a segment of the audition is a “1” and not a “5”.</p>
<p>I agree with soozievt that a strong singing audition has no bearing on acceptance to the acting program at Syracuse. When you audition for MT at Syracuse, they ask you if you would also consider an acting major as an option. So technically, you can audition for both programs at the same time. To be accepted into the MT program, you need a score of 1 or 2 in three of the areas (acting, singing, dance). If your acting skills are much stronger than your vocal and/or dance, you may be asked to perform your monologue for other members of the acting faculty. And no, you cannot opt out of the dance audition; that would likely leave a very negative impression.</p>
<p>The acting and MT departments at Syracuse are very closely connected; acting majors are often cast in musicals, and vice versa. (My D, who is a junior in MT, was just cast in next semester’s production of “The Way of The World”, a restoration comedy.) My suggestion would be for your D to audition as an MT major, and say “yes” when asked about the acting major.</p>
<p>I agree with what onstage posted. But if your D ONLY wants the Acting major, she should just audition for Acting. If she truly is willing to consider either, she should do the full MT audition and she will still be considered for acting if she writes “yes” on the form that asks if you are willing to be considered for both programs (as opposed to just one). My D only wanted MT and so she put “no” to be considered for both there. But kids who say “yes,” and do the MT audition, can and do get into Acting. But I would not do the MT audition if your D ONLY wants Acting because she could be admitted for MT! So, if she truly just wants acting, there is no advantage to doing the MT audition. It makes sense to do the MT audition only if she is willing to do either program. You will only be admitted to ONE of the programs. You are not given a choice when admitted.</p>