Summer Programs - Discussion

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>Congratulations nydancemom...your daughter should be very proud of herself.
I'm a junior in high school and thrilled to be going to UofM, but I really wish I had started auditioning for things like this LAST summer. Last summer I decided to go to opera camp...haha and though it was with an incredible music department, I quickly learned that I'd rather go the musical theatre route in college. If I were your daughter I'd probably take the NYSSA thing becuase I bet if she made the waitlist at UofM as a soph. she'd be sure to make it in next year. (assuming all is right in the world) haha..but if she's really interested in both programs..I'd say that the more diversity on your resume, the better. So maybe she'll go to NYSSA and make some good connections, learn a few things..and be the star of the program! That doesn't sound like a bad option to me.</p>

<p>Decisions like this are hard to make especially at such a young age, but it's really good that you're helping her out! When in doubt, I always pray for guidance and make a pro and con list...for some reason organization of my ideas on paper helps sort out the crazy emotions running through my thoughts...ahh the life of an actress!</p>

182

<p>Whew! My D got her letter today from CMU accepting her into the summer program. Now just waiting to hear from CAP21. At least we know that she has a one very good option and Mom won't have to deal with a long face all summer!!</p>

183

<p>awesome! i'll be going too! im soo excited!</p>

184

<p>Anybody going to Governor's Schools as a summer program?</p>

185

<p>Northwestern High School Institute Cherub for summer 2005!! :)</p>

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<p>Knowing your interests, NHSIC sounds like the perfect choice for you! Have a great time and I know you will fill everyone in on the details when you're done. Wahoo!</p>

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<p>Thanks so much theatermom, for the warm wishes. I certainly will fill everyone in as soon as I get back (or while I'm there, if there's computer access- can you tell I'm a self-diagnosed CC addict?) I'm very excited for this summer and I thank you for all your guidance earlier this year :) -- it's so kind of you to jump in and offer words of advice and/or congratulations even after your daughter has finished this admission process (so successfully!) Thanks again :)</p>

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<p>Dani, I congratulated you on the other thread but wanted to add now that I am realizing that Northwestern is also a college you are interested in for college itself, not just summer and I forgot about that and so I think it is really great that you are getting to spend a summer there and really getting to know the place and the people. An added bonus, I'll say.</p>

<p>Susan</p>

189

<p>Dani,</p>

<p>Congratulations on your acceptance into the Cherub programat NHSI/Northwestern. As I mentioned on another thread, my daughter attended the summer of 2003 and it was an awesome experience for her. I am sure it will be for you, too. You'll have a great opportunity to take in the campus and the lovely town of Evanston and the City of Chicago. Our d was interested in Northwestern as a college option, and truthfully I always thought that's where she would apply; however, during a college night that they sponsor during the program she fell in love with NYU and is just completing her freshman year at Tisch, Strasberg studio. The summer helped guide her towards the school with the right fit. I am sure the same will happen for you, too.</p>

<p>Your summer will go quickly. I look forward to reading your posts upon your return from the NHSI program.</p>

<p>theatredivasmom</p>

190

<p>FYI - I called today as a follow-up to my D's auditon on April 14. I was told that letters were just mailed in the last day...so if anyone was wondering ...you should receiving news in the next day or so if you auditioned recently....</p>

191

<p>Just discovered this incredible forum and this is the first of what will probably be many posts over the next year. My daughter is a junior and is trying to decide where to go this summer. Last summer she went to Boston University's Summer Theatre Institute and loved it--BU is definitely a top college choice for her as well. She was selected as one of our state's 30 Governor's Honors program participants in theatre--it's basically a six week fully paid program --very competitive but not sure how well known out of our state.
The only other program she applied to was the National High SChool INstitute at Northwestern (also a college she is interested in). She was accepted to the theatre program and the musical theatre extension.<br>
I don't see as much info on this program as I do on CMU or CAP 21 (d is interested in NYU but not Carnegie Mellon). It is very expensive and I really would like to know if the value is worth the price. It certainly looks like a great program! Thanks for any insight!!!!</p>

192

<p>mbear88,</p>

<p>My d attended, as mentioned above, NHSI in summer of 2003, both the theatre and the musical theatre extension. She absolutely loved it. The program was certainly worth the price in our family's estimation. I believe my daughter applied to NYU's summer program, not the CAP 21 program but straight drama, and was not selected to attend. She was disappointed, but went on to NHSI and had a wonderful learning and growing experience. Now she is just finishing up her freshman year at Tisch and has had a phenomenal year. Her grades have been great, and much more importantly, she feels it is the right fit for her, so much so, that this year is the only summer she will be spending with us. She is moving off campus for her sophomore year and will be spending her summers in NYC from now on (makes me as her mom kind of sad, but I know it's what she needs to do to succeed in the career she has chosen). Anyhow, just my two cents, NHSI was definitely worth it for our daughter.</p>

<p>Kristin (Theatredivasmom)</p>

193

<p>My D received her acceptance letter today to CAP21 Pre-College. Now she has to choose between it and CMU Pre-College. She is so thrilled either way. If anyone has any last minute advice for her, it would be appreciated.</p>

194

<p>hi, i am the one that has been accepted to CMU, NYU-CAP21 and Michigan pre-college programs. i have 99% decided on Michigan. Has anyone attended any of these programs before? Which is the best? I hear Michigan is wonderful, and I think it is the right fit for me.
Any help and info would be greatly appreciated.</p>

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<p>mbear88-
I'm planning on attending NHSI this summer, and if your daughter decides to go, I'd love to connect with her before the summer! I also have a friend who is doing the North Carolina Governor's program in drama. Sounds like a really neat experience. Let me know what she decides!!</p>

<p>Dani</p>

196

<p>I'd like to try to help with the decision of which summer program you should attend, but don't have any first hand experience. I would think you need to decide what you are looking for in this summer's experience. UM's program is only 2 weeks, while CMU and CAP21 are much longer, I believe 5 or 6 weeks. Also, I think those two programs are maybe more intense and are focused more on a "college" type experience, whereas I think UM's program is more performance based, while of course still providing all kinds of training I'm sure. Not sure of details, but I'm sure you could call the 3 programs and get more specifics, then compare the "curriculum" so to speak. Of course, on a personal level, I'm hoping you choose either CMU or CAP21 since my D is on the UM waitlist!! lol! Seriously, it's really a personal decision which I'd try to base on comparing the 3 programs and what they have to offer YOU, then decided. My D was also accepted into 2 other programs, NYSSSA (New York State Summer School of the Arts) and Syracuse, and also the National Student Leadership Conference which has an ARTS focus at Loyola in Chicago. Now, like you, she is trying to make a decision on which way to go with the summer! Good luck wherever you end up!</p>

197

<p>Hi,
Help! We are brand new here. Does anyone have any advice on how to go about making good quality audition tapes for entry into summer musical theatre programs?? Any one who has made one and been accepted into a program already? We need tips, please.</p>

198

<p>Thanks for the info on NHSI. It sounds like it was an incredible experience for your daughter and really prepared her for college. It's show week at our house so we probably won't make a final decision until next week about the summer but I appreciate the info!</p>

199

<p>DizzyDani88</p>

<p>If my d decides to do NHSI, it would be great if you could connect with each other before the program starts. We'll decide early next week. Congrats on being a summer 05 cherub!!</p>

200

<p>Candylady-
Audition tapes question, here is what has worked well for my daughter, others may disagree:
Went to the film/media arts teacher at her high school who is also her forensics coach and asked him to tape her in the classroom studio [he also had the ability to DVD if required], he said "yes" and if he had not had the time, he had numerous students who love any excuse to film who could have used the state of the art equipment to do so. She then had her voice teacher play an accompaniment onto tape that could be used in either a simple way [boom box next to her but off camera] or sophisticated [dubbed in], she chose simple way. We have also found that sometimes we know people we don't know we know; and most are willing to help a fellow "artist" on their path, here is what I mean...</p>

<p>My D was working with her choir teacher last fall on a song she was to sing for her cousin's wedding in a rural tiny town far away [sounds like a fairy tale-LOL], anyway, we started getting concerned that D would have almost no time to practice with the unknown accompaniest for the wedding and this made her very nervous because as she said "this is my cousin's most important day of her life and this could ruin it!!!" [no she is not dramatic at ALL!!!] when her choir teacher said, "oh my husband who plays piano for the symphony and works for XYZ music company could record several versions onto CD in his HOME STUDIO! It was awesome, one version was straight piano, one was "produced" with other instruments, another was something else., can't remember. Anyway, before I lose you, if I haven't already, the point is start talking to people you know, "does anyone have the ability to make a CD from an electric piano?" These days with all the computer technology, tons of people can make instrumental music with their home computer.</p>

<p>Oh, one more thing, some churches have the most amazing accoustics and make good recording studios, check yours out. Or your D's HS auditorium might be a good place.</p>

<p>Okay, sorry for the novel. I just remember how freaked out we were the first time D had to do this and I really felt compelled to help, hope I did.</p>

<p>Ooops, I lied, not finished yet. One more thing you might find helpful. WATCH the video/DVD with NO sound on, two times, once reg speed, once on FF. By doing this you will pick up any anoying repeated gestures that someone seeing her for the first time might find really distracting.</p>

<p>Best wishes on auditions!!!</p>