Summer Programs - Discussion

<p>My d sent in her application this week and hoping to audition in late March. I'd be interested to know how many are auditioning, too, and how competitive it is to get into the summer program.</p>

<p>Just saw a website for a NY based summer program -
<a href="http://www.nysti.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.nysti.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Summer Theater Institute- Advanced Training and Performance</p>

<p>"Students rehearse and perform a workshop production of a new musical. Professional director, music director,..." etc. </p>

<p>they also offer summer internships for high school and college students in technical and educational areas</p>

<p>based at Russell Sage College, Troy NY</p>

<p>Tuition $500; audition and interview required; videotapes accepted
phone: 518-274-3754</p>

<p>I haven't seen a post on this in a while. Has anyone auditioned yet for CAP21 that can share the experience? Is anyone considering CM program? From their application it looks like it is a non-audition program. Is that true?<br>
Has anyone attended Walnut Hill?</p>

<p>Thanks for any help...</p>

<p>NOCCAMom,</p>

<p>If by CM you mean the Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Summer Program (It's more commonly abbreviated CMU), it is indeed a non-audition program. There is an application, an essay, recommendations, high school transcript and SAT or PSAT scores required. If interested, you must call the CMU office to have an application package mailed to you. My D, who is now a freshman MT at the University of Michigan, attended this program as a rising senior in '03. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have, but there are lots of specific posts in the CC archives if you do a search. It's an incredibly worthwhile albeit expensive program.</p>

<p>CMU and NHSI programs</p>

<p>Is there anyone on this list that has attended BOTH of these programs? I know that LOTS of kids appear to have attended CMU's program - but I have also heard good things about Northwestern's program.</p>

<p>Any thoughts?</p>

<p>thanks -
JaneNW</p>

<p>NOCCAMom--My S attended Walnut Hill last summer and is now a soph there this year. The summer program (6 weeks) is demanding in all the right ways for those who want to be immersed in acting, singing, dance and surrounded by those who want a serious program. The school (arts during the year include majors in acting, music, ballet, creative writing and studio art) uses the two (separate) summer programs they offer in dance and theater to give exposure to the school's topflight programs in these areas. Students enrolled in the school cannot take the summer programs, once they have enrolled, so there should be no worries for summer students about competing with "favorites" of the faculty (not an issue at the school, anyway). The summer productions are more than impressive. Last year's staging of Guys and Dolls showed not only the high level of talent they attract, but the professionalism these young people are taught to reflect throughout the cast. They put on six shows in the course of the program, with each student in one straight play and one musical. All are cast in the final, "big" musical, which, last year was G & D. (If cast in a major part in that show, that counts as their second show; if they have larger parts in another musical, they receive company parts in the 'big' musical, making it the third show for them). The summer program is residential, offers daily classes in acting, musical theater, movement, etc, is well supervised and has some outings in the Boston area. The contact person for the program is Mike Bucco, the theater program's admissions counselor and a person we've come to appreciate for his helpful work with us through the decision to enroll our S in the school program.</p>

<p>my d is a senior right now and set to enter ocu as a theatre performance major, although she just re-auditioned for the mt program. i was wondering about summer programs or summer productions she could participate in, that are not that far from the dallas area. thanks, jamie</p>

<p>Kedstuff - thanks for the info on Walnut Hill. It looks like a great program and a lovely campus. How difficult is it to get into the program? Any advice you can give would be appreciated. thanks!</p>

<p>Has anyone here been or sent your kid to the NCSA summer program? How was it? Do you get a real sample of what intensive training is like there?</p>

<p>Kellster, </p>

<p>My d attended NCSA's summer program for two years...after her freshman and sophomore years, in the area of voice. They don't have a Musical Theater summer program, but the summer Musica Piccola (which is only 2 weeks) incorporates some MT into the classical voice curriculum. My d has several friends who have attended the drama 5-wk summer program, but it does not incorporate much singing into its curriculum, but IS heavy acting if that's what you are looking for. At any rate, my d had a wonderful time, learned a lot in a short amount of time, especially how to take care of her voice, a lot of warm-ups, and theory, as well as some movement and improv skills. You have to apply to get into the summer program, but acceptance is not nearly as strict as trying to get into their residential high school programs. My d also came away with a new voice teacher, one of the faculty members, who has been absolutely wonderful. If you have more specific questions, I will be glad to try to get some answers for you. Hope this helps.</p>

<p>lexasmom</p>

<p>Dear NOCCAMom,</p>

<p>I believe the summer theater program is a bit easier to enroll in than the school year program. If you are able to visit campus and meet with Mike Bucco, I'd recommend it. There is not an audition required as part of the application for summer (although sending a tape is strongly encouraged); for the school year, an audition is required. My S realized just how serious the school is once he attended his audition last spring!</p>

<p>Just to set the record straight, I wanted to note that Walnut Hill also offers summer programs in its other majors, besides theater and dance. I spotted summer programs for music, visual art and writing, as well when I checked the website: <a href="http://www.walnuthillarts.org/summer/index.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.walnuthillarts.org/summer/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Lexasmomkbj, Thank you! Yeah ... I want to go for acting. What I am most interested in is getting a sample of what studying acting in an intense BFA school might be like. I have never had that kind of training and don't have any idea of what it is really like and I feel like it's important to know. I don't want to go anywhere it's all fun and games. I see that kids can get high school and college credit for it.<br>
Kel</p>

<p>Kellster,
I can't really give you specifics about the drama program except to tell you that my d's friends were so impressed with the training and the school that they have applied to attend their high school program. If you have specific questions about it, though, you can e-mail me and I will have my d talk to her friends to get answers for you. Judging from the voice program and the number of kids who were from all over the US, however, I am sure the drama program is also top notch. </p>

<p>Lexasmom</p>

<p>Regarding Cap 21 Summer Pre-College MT, D auditioned in NY on 2/12 and received letter of acceptance yesterday. That was quick turnover now lets hope hosing comes together as easily</p>

<p>NoccaDad, happy for your daughter. That's great. I hope she has the best time this summer.</p>

<p>Thanks soozievt, she did CMU Pre-College last summer and really got alot out of it although very expensive. Were hoping this program prior to senior year will really give her the "it" needed for college auditions. Both programs addressed that goal (college auditions) thoroughly, which is different from the choice of a performance based camp. Not sure of any advantage but it has been worth it to her both professionally and personally.</p>

<p>I'm wondering if anyone has a child who has experience with Berklee College's 5-week performance program or a college student who has experience during the school year? It is not an MT or acting program (it's a music college in Boston, emphasizing contemporary music and the music business) but it does focus on vocal performance skills; musical theater is a genre they include. My S is also a budding songwriter and, since he attends a performing arts high school (Walnut Hill), his major advisor (theater) thinks it would be good for him to use the summer to focus on related interests like songwriting. I'm curious to hear anything others might know about the school or this summer program. Thanks!</p>

<p>Has anyone attended these summer programs for high school students?</p>

<p>One of my son's HS classmates went to the 5 wk Berklee program. He loved it and is in his second yr at Berklee now. He is a music performance major. He felt he learned and worked a lot. The HS is a regular HS w/o much music instruction. Son attended the Berklee in LA week-enjoyed it. I do not believe there was much adult supervision during the week program son attended. Drugs and alcohol were forbidden-and this info was on lots of the papers we read and signed. I guesss several kids on one dorm floor had poor memories about the rules from information our son gave us. This was a few yrs back and they have moved from Claremont McKenna dorms.</p>

<p>This is a wonderful program that D attended. Best part is that she has these wonderful friends now from all over the country. It is very rigorous and intense. Not the typical semi-relaxing summer, as you spend nearly every waking hour for 5 weeks in core plus other courses, very physical as well, plus you do a 1 hour play in groups of 15. She did go to the beach once or twice and they saw some great plays and revues on and off campus. They kids are extremely well supervised. IMHO, the last 2 weeks -called the MT extension, makes it a very long summer away from home, but she did learn some great Broadway choreography and worked with a very good vocal coach. The last 2 weeks also makes it much more expensive- I would say overall to just stick with the first 5 weeks of straight theatre. The plays they put on (total of 160 kids the first 5 weeks) were so professional, but some were really "out there" on the spectrum of theatre. If you are more traditional, you hope your child does a play that is more linear with set roles, etc. but I don't think you truly have a full choice what group you get in.</p>