<p>Bumping AND...
Don't forget to come back at the end of summer and give a "review" of your experiences.</p>
<p>My daughter went to the OCU program this summer, and really enjoyed it. It was three weeks long and they seemed to want the kids to get everything they possibly could from it. I know my D was at it from sun-up to bed- time. My D got to share an apartment on campus with three other girls, and that was an education unto itself. </p>
<p>I really hated that a business trip kept me from going to see the cabaret and production, but I am eagerly awaiting the DVD version. </p>
<p>I will say from talking to my daughter that the OCU people were INCREDIBLY attentive to the goings on in the camp, and really worked VERY hard to make the camp a safe and rewarding experience for the kids. I was very impressed at the level of involvement of Dr. Herendeen and all the other OCU folks.</p>
<p>My d also enjoyed the OCU summer program!</p>
<p>Cap 21 (non TIsch) summer program!</p>
<p>Well, from what I know so far, this has been AWESOME! I am going tomorrow to see some of their end of session activities so I will report more then from a program standpoint. It seems based on 6 weeks of phone calls that this program has been well worth it for my D. (she posts as well as kirstensofie so I will let her answer detailed questions).</p>
<p>My impression as a parent: It has been a valuable learning experience and a great college precursor. SHe had to live with another person(a first for her) very unlike her (older and not in her program), take care of herself in many ways and learn to be responsible for herself and her actions. She was alone (well not quite as one of her best friends is also in the program) and had to manage her time and herself. When she visited at the midpoint, I saw a change. It would appear this is great practice for next year(for her and for her dad and I too!:) ) </p>
<p>I will post after I return from the "show" tomorrow!</p>
<p>MikksMom</p>
<p>Mikksmom, I know I am not the only one here eager to hear more about your D's experiences! My D is a rising junior and knows she wants to do an intensive MT program next summer (the summer before the college audition season), but we are still researching the various options. I need to sit down and look into the differences between Tisch's CAP21 summer program and the one your D is doing ... any input you can give me on that? Are the programs the same length, relative cost, etc.? Does CAP21 help the kids find housing and pair them with roommates?</p>
<p>for NotMama and others:</p>
<p>Here was my research and understanding of the 2 programs: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>The NYU program is 4 weeks long - they take classes at CAP 21 in MT- they must live in NYU housing- they get a few college credits for the course- their time outside of class is structured very strongly- they go to shows as a group and other than a little time on the w/e, they are always supervised.</p></li>
<li><p>The CAP 21 program is 6 weeks long- they recommend NYU housing which you must ask for EARLY as it fills very quickly(based on a cc'er recommendation, I reserved a space before she was accepted - it would have only cost me 25$ to cancel it if she didnt make it and then I new she had a place to live) but there are no GUARANTEED accomodations. Per Kir, there are some kids who commute, some who live in apts their parents sublet for them and some in dorms. They are in class from 10- 5 each day but outside of class they are on their own- there are NO structured activities.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I know my D and she has always been mature and she had spent some time in the city as we live nearby. SHe convinced me that the 6 week program was what she wanted to do, that she could handle the responsibility and that it was not unlike college would be in a year. </p>
<p>We chose the CAP program and from what I have seen it is a very collegial atmosphere. The kids are always together and there have been no problems. My D is never anywhere by herself and they seem to have found safe and fun things to do in the city.</p>
<p>Cost wise it is very close (although CAP is slightly less expensive with housing and tuition it is close and NYU had the college credit thing).</p>
<p>So what do I recommend? Both provide excellent training I think just a different after hours structure. It should be whatever you and your child are most comfortable with.</p>
<p>More tommorrow on the program itself after I visit. I am also sure my D would be happy to discuss the program with anyone.</p>
<p>MikksMom</p>
<p>Well, I am back after observing part of a day at CAP21. I was able to see a Vocal Performance class and a Jazz Class. I will give you my opinions of both.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Vocal Performance: WOW! What a class! As a performer, I learned a BUNCH from David even though I dont do musical theater. There were about 15 students in the class and they worked hard for 2 hours. Ech one had a song they did today and they were all outstanding. David would interrupt as needed and he told us they didnt always get to sing the whole song as they did today. He kept reminding them that we (the audience) had to feel it if the actor was doing their job! He also said he nornally teaches the sophomore Vocal Performance class at CAP and this is a mini version of that. My D said she learned a lot from him in this class about the performance aspects of music and that this will help a LOT going into auditions!</p></li>
<li><p>Jazz class - this was 90 minutes of INTENSE workouts and dance. D is a beginning dance student so the class was probably structured differently than a higher level might be. I was very impressed with what I saw and her instructor commented on how far many students had come. My D's friend who is an advanced level dancer commented that he felt he learned a lot over the summer as well so I have to believe that dance is done well during the program. (they take Jazz, Ballet and Tap)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Overall, I was VERY pleased with what I saw today. The instructors I met seemed genuinely interested in the students, they knew them all and really wanted them to do well. I also like the idea that this was a 'normal' day and not staged for us to be there. We really just observed and that gave me a good sense of what the program was like.</p>
<p>The day ended with an informal get together where the kids all exchanged info and shed some tears with the instructors. I am sure I will see many of these kids over the coming year at college auditions and I am looking forward to that!</p>
<p>My recommendation: go for it! </p>
<p>MikksMOM</p>
<p>I was at CAP21 Pre-College (with mikksmom's D). It was one of the best experiences of my life. Everyone (for the most part) was so talented. The teachers were absolutely AMAZING! </p>
<p>I have learned so much in these past 6 weeks. I really don't know what else to say except that if you are thinking about auditioning, GO FOR IT! It is truly an amazing program with amazing people and you will learn so much.</p>
<p>If you want more info. feel free to PM. </p>
<p>CAP was amazing and I am SO not over it.</p>
<p>Took me awhile because we've been dealing with younger daughter's surgery, but wanted to update on D's experience at BTP. She's 17 and a rising senior. This truly was a life changing program for my D. She loved every minute of the three weeks. Worked harder than she's ever worked (and she works hard all the time!), met some amazingly talented kids and made friends who no doubt will be life long, and had teachers who were unbelievable. She started her day with 8:00AM classes and ended with an 11:00PM nightly meeting, seven days a week. Barely had time to do laundry, went to the pool once-just to say she had! Every day she had at least one voice class, acting class, and several dance classes (many different styles of dance), master classes every day with Ben Vereen, Patrick Wilson, Frank Wildhorn, Terrence Mann, and the list goes on. There were also master classes with college admissions people (Gary Klein from CMU, Brent Wagner from Michigan was supposed to be there, but apparently something changed in his schedule so he couldn't come). I'm not sure if all the kids had as many dance classes, since D was placed in the highest dance level that was her focus, but others were more acting or voice oriented (the staff determined levels through the initial auditions apparently). The final performances were amazing! I had heard they were mostly dance, which some felt was not a benefit for their kids in past years, but perhaps things were changed in the program because this year, although there certainly were awesome dance numbers, there were also several numbers from Rent which were clearly more voice/acting based as well as a cute Oompa Loompa bit, a "silent movie" acting piece, a very cute Music Man acting piece (set in a mental hospital) as well as a takeoff on Braveheart! The theme was Movie Musicals (you probably figured that out). My D would say the most amazing thing of all for her (which I think bodes well for her college experience--I hope she gets in somewhere-she'll be on the audition circuit starting in October) is that she felt like she was HOME!! She said she couldn't believe what it was like to feel like everyone understood her--they were all about the same things she loves, and she just doesn't have that here at her school. It was a community who shared her love of MT--heaven for her! She can't wait to audition for next summer! We'd recommend it highly.</p>
<p>NYDanceMom, thanks for sharing about this program and your daughter's experiences in it (and I know Ericsmom's son was there too). It sounds absolutely terrific for any young person who is into musical theater and dance. The classes, faculty and guests sound wonderful. It surely has a great reputation as well, and seems deservedly so. </p>
<p>I also think the way that your daughter felt at home with the other students due to their sharing of her passions and talent is just what can happen when a kid goes away to a summer intensive, particularly if they do not attend a performing arts high school, because it is so different than their peer group in their community and school. It is exciting for them to become friends with those who share their passion. As well, it is a good experience for them to do an intense immersion and not only see what that is like but also to be among a stronger talent pool than they are used to in their home community and the sort of talent pool that they will come across in a BFA program. I have to say that this peer element, in addition to the intensity of an immersion in theater program (training and performances), was a KEY aspect for my own daughter in another summer program she attended. In fact, at that program, the entire program is called "home" by the campers and staff, such as in "going home". It truly is a sort of home, a second home, if you will, not that my kid (nor likely yours either) doesn't enjoy her real home or her home friends but clearly the theater immersion program is an entirely different environment and peer group and similar to what it will be like if they go to a BFA program. </p>
<p>In any case, BTP sounds like an amazing experience. I am sure your D is going through "withdrawal" about now. </p>
<p>I also want to wish your other daughter all the best in whatever she is going through in terms of surgery. I'm sure you are under a bundlle of nerves but hopefully the recovery is smooth and speedy and your lives can return to normal (whatever THAT is, lol). </p>
<p>Best,
Susan</p>
<p>My son also had a great time at BTP and wants to return next year. I secretly hope he'll be working in theatre next summer, but I would support him going back if he isn't working at that time.</p>
<p>Nydancemom's daughter is not only a very talented dancer and performer but is a very nice person and great friend to my son, one of his very favorites from BTP! I know he'll look forward to seeing her at Elon auditions!</p>
<p>Question about all the summer programs. I've only heard audition preparation mentioned at CMU summer program. From those of you who have gone, did the other programs do any audition preparation? How intensive was it and how did they select the material or did you do it? My daughter wants to do a summer program next summer and is excited hearing about all the programs but definitely wants audition practice from the program she attends. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>mama02girlz- I was at CAP 21 Pre-College(Non TISCH). I got lucky because my teacher for my vocal performance class (basically acting the song) was amazing and he coached us in a way that was basically picking he songs to use at auditions (he has an AMAZING library and knowledge of shows so he picked songs for us that were basically perfect matches...he never missed this summer). But to answer your question, this program did not have a formal audition class, unfortunately. A bunch of us had put in a comment saying that there should be one but that remains to be seen. </p>
<p>But I think the training I recieved definitely helped me in terms of now I am better at going out and, in a short amount of time, I can put together a song that would work and, hopefully, give me a strong audition. So I guess it all depends how you look at it.</p>
<p>My d just finished the Circle in the Square summer program. She LOVED it; faculty were tremendous and students were very talented (an audition-based program, so it wasn't surprising). We had a chance to see the cabaret (at the Triad, a NYC off-Broadway venue); performers were superb and the program was seamless. It's a 7-week commuter program, so this might make it a stretch for those who would have to find their own living arrangements. (D found a summer sublet on the internet (a to "share" in Harlem )that worked well, but I can only say this now that it's over and I can breathe again.) I'm sure d was serious in her praise of the program, since she said she'd be very interested in their two-year program if she were accepted...(but she's in a BFA-MT program and wants to finish that first). The guest speakers were also top notch creatively and also, from what I've heard from d, very down-to-earth and "business" oriented....</p>
<p>Perry-Mansfield's Audition Prep Class is intense and effective.<br>
If the student knew what their school was doing the coming year, they were encouraged to "pick their goal role" and worked the six-weeks on that audition, in addition to the basic techniques and know-hows of auditions, the dos & don'ts, etc. This was all taught by someone who has broadway and university experience and know-how.
D knew her hs musical, selected the lead she wanted and landed the role when auditions came around. She blew the director and fellow auditionees away. She credits it all to the class she took at P-M.</p>
<p>As an aside, P-M did Tommy this past summer and it Rocked! (figuratively and literally).</p>
<p>Bumping for the person wondering about OCU program and training in summer programs.</p>
<p>Thanks Ericsmom for bring this thread up.</p>
<p>The more I read about the OCU summer musical theatre program the more I am impressed. I also love how easy their website is. I tried to navigate the University of Michigan one and all I could get was some PDF brochure.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if the OCU head of MT is involved with the summer program? We met him a few years ago and were very impressed with his style and direction.</p>
<p>The thing I like about the OCU camp is that is seems to really train the kids in basics like music theory, acting, ect. For a child who wants to study MT in college, that would be important.</p>
<p>This link lists the faculty for the high school summer program: <a href="http://www.okcu.edu/music/academy/hsmtp.aspx%5B/url%5D">http://www.okcu.edu/music/academy/hsmtp.aspx</a></p>
<p>The director is listed and the voice faculty listed are all part of the BM MT faculty. We visited the school 2 years ago when the summer program just happened to be going on. We sat in for a few minutes (to cool off from our walking campus tour in the middle of July) and Dr. H was working with the students on the stage. He was great with the kids. Made my D want to go to school there even more.</p>
<p>OCU - Yes, Dr. Herendeen is very involved and was one of the best things about the OCU summer program.</p>
<p>Doers anyone know the acceptance rate for the OCU summer program? I read about a student here last year that wasn't accepted. I guess they are a very national as my child's choir teacher in Texas announced it to her class!</p>