Summer Programs - Discussion

<p>Have any of you had experience with this program? There are several different options including theater (ballet, modern dance, and choral studies being others). It is apparently run by a NYC based theater company (can't remember which one) and the kids go for a month to SUNY New Paltz in the Catskills and train for up to 12 hours per day. Our D auditioned this past weekend (she is currently a sophomore) and it is one of her possible choices for this summer but we don't know anyone who has actually attended from our area for theater. We know several who have attended for ballet at their Saratoga Springs location and found it very worthwhile and one MT kid who did the Choral Studies option at SUNY Fredonia and also thought it was worthwhile, but no info on theater. Any info would be greatly appreciated because if she is chosen (only 30 kids) it would be the least expensive option for us since it is only $1500 for a month of training. Thanks for any input!</p>

<p>Has anyone attended this program who auditioned by videotape rather than on campus audition? We live at least 8 hours drive away, and were planning to drive there in three weeks for the auditions, but now it appears we won't be able to make the drive at that time. Do you think it is possible to get in with a video audition? I know from reading CC for the last year that for college audition she would be best to do it on campus rather than at a unified for example, but what about for the summer program? Any thoughts?</p>

<p>My d is auditioning for the summer program. When I called to confirm her audition time and date I was asked if I knew that she could audition by tape since we were coming from NC. We just want to visit the campus so decided to make a day of it. Her question would make me think that a taped audition would be acceptable. Hope this helps!</p>

<p>Re: NYSSSA
Let me also add that the NYSSSA Visual Arts program is excellent and Ballet is very well regarded.</p>

<p>When does UMich usually notify about admissions into the summer program? The website says all decisions will be mailed by May 10...does it usually take that long? My audition is Friday March 18. So excited.</p>

<p>-Nick</p>

<p>I thought I would post our ds experience at the NHSI Cherub program the summe of 2003. It was a great experience for her. She attended both the drama and the MT extension. It was a long stay with the added MT portion, but I think she would have stayed longer if she could. She also met many wonderful, talented actors and actresses who she maintains friendships with to the present. In fact, she is a freshman at NYU Tisch and several other cherubs are there also. I believe there were upwards of 20 cherubs accepted into the NYU Tisch program. I will share with you that my daughter did an MT audition, but told the auditor that her father set up the wrong audition as she wished to be in a straight drama studio first, and would pursue her voice training but was more interested in acting first, singing second. It worked out well for her that she was honest as they placed her in Lee Strasberg which does have a singing component. I know there were some cherubs accepted into CAP 21, also.</p>

<p>Anyhow, back to NHSI, our d did not have one complaint. She received excellent training, had a wonderful time in her play at NHSI, and truly enjoyed the MT aspect. Also, I am sure you are aware that many working actors today attended NHSI. It was an excellent program for my daughter.</p>

<p>theatredivasmom- Thank you so much for sharing your daughter's experience at NHSI. I'm applying, but of course have put off the application til the last minute. I have a question about the video-- how high quality do you think it has to be? I was planning on just having my dad video tape me singing to an accompanist. Do you think this is ok? How did your D do it? Thanks! Danielle.</p>

<p>I actually spend my summer at cmu with theatremoms daughter-...and im on my way to U OF MICH NEXT YEAR FOR MUSICAL THEATER-to be with jess again. sooooo exited...ahhhhh.
I highly reccomend cmu's summer program....but get ready for a crazy summer, like you have no idea. I goes by so fast, with lots of fun, and work thrown in....but get ready for the scariest teachers ever. Have fun.</p>

<p>to theatremom....im so exited to go to school with Jess....I am very happy with my decision of U. of Mich. I am just so exited to me my classmates. Hopefully, I will see you sometime soon....but im not sure when....we will definately run into each other...i cant wait.</p>

<p>Mike, stop making it sound so scary, and stop making it seem like you aren't going to audition at CCM... ;)</p>

<p>The Carnegie Mellon Pre-College is life changing. I grew soooo much this summer. The teachers, classes, environment are/is WONDERFUL. Be prepared to work your BUTT off if you really want to improve and if you want to have a shot at getting in!!! And be prepared to fall in L-O-V-E with the school!! I remember me this time last year trying to decide what the summer of 04 would entail. I applied and was accepted to Northwestern's NHSI, NYU's Tisch program, and the CMU Pre-College. I wouldn't have changed going to CMU for the world. Definitely one of the best experiences ever for me. It was a LOT of hard work and STRESS (caused my myself and no one else) but it's sooo wonderful to be surrounded by people just as serious about their craft as you are.<br>
OMG I can't wait to go to college.... I can't wait for the rest of my life for that matter! Waking up every morning to song and dance (well minus the unfortunate years of waitressing to come..) haha :) anyway YAY CMU!</p>

<p>Well, I sent my application in last week - yeah... EXTREMELY last minute (which was hardly my intention! Long story...) - I wonder if I should call UMich today and make sure they recieved it, as today is the deadline for the applications for the live auditions. What do you think?
I also noticed that a couple of you on here are going to be at the Friday the 18th audition. So am I!! (hopefully!) That'll be a day of fun and excitement I'm sure... I have learned to really like auditions over the past year - it's an awesome thing! I am definitely looking forward to it, and possibly meeting a couple of you as well as seeing the Umich campus!</p>

<p>~K</p>

<p>Danielle,</p>

<p>My daughter's video was done at the state university in the small rural town we live in in Illinois. She was lucky enough to have had a previous relationship with the media department through some previous educational commercials and public service commercials she did for the department. They were wonderful and taped her song while she was accompanied by a talented musician from the music department. All of that being said, I think you would be fine to send in a videotape in the manner you suggested. I really think that they just want to hear your voice. My daughter just sang the song while being accompanied on the piano as I mentioned above, and it worked out just fine. Good luck!! :)</p>

<p>Theatredivasmom</p>

<p>Can anybody give me information about Broadway Theatre Project? My D just got her acceptance letter. She auditioned for 5 summer programs, and this is the first one she's heard from. She has a lot of questions. She wants to know how many people attend the program. She wants to know if the master class artists really teach classes to the "apprentices," or if it's more like lectures. She wants to know how good the voice lessons are. What is their final performance like? If anybody knows how it compares with the following pre-college programs, that would help too. She auditioned for OCU, University of Michigan, and University of Miami.</p>

<p>My daughter went to BTP last year and had a wonderful time. The apprentices at BTP are given training and a great deal of the focus is preparing for the end of the program performance. They do have classes & or lectures with the guest artists but Their exposure to the guest artists also depends on what groups they were assigned based on auditions when they arrive in Tampa. If you daughter wants a program to prepare for college auditions, it may not be the best fit. However, if she wants a combined training/performance experience, I don't think you will find a better program. It is heavy on dance, but has excellent acting and vocal instruction also. The ending performance is outstanding and last year both Ben Vereen and Anne Reinking performed with the kids. My d was accepted again this year and we are struggling with her consideration of other programs as well. I hope we will hear from some who can give a comparison to the college based programs, which I am unable to do. Hope this offers you some help.</p>

<p>My D, currently a sophomore, just received word today that she was chosen for the NYSSSA theater program based on the audition she had in February. Apparently only 32 kids are asked to participate, so she is ecstatic! We just sent UMich videotape today- overnight mail- so now we wait some more! We were going to apply to Syracuse and a local two week program too, but now with the NYSSSA acceptance we're not going to bother for this year, especially since the Syracuse prgram costs $5000, while NYSSSA is $1500. She'd really like to go to UMich though, so we're still hoping she gets in there. Anyone else on here going to NYSSSA? Anyone else been to this theater program? I asked before, but no response so I'm trying again! Thanks.</p>

<p>nydancemom, a couple of friends of my D almost went to NYSSSA a few years ago but one ended up at UM for the summer and the other ended up at Syracuse's program. From what I remember, both made their decisions based on two things, differences in the curriculum offered at each, and also the fact that the 32 kids who attend NYSSSA were a range of ages, from kids who just finished eighth grade to those who just finished junior year of h/s. They felt that was too wide a range of ages and experience levels (because no previous acting experience is necessary). I'm sorry I can't tell you any more about it.</p>

<p>FYI Daughter got NYU summer housing assignment notice yesterday for CAP 21 MT precollege. She got the building she put as 1st choice</p>

<p>Which dorm will she be in, noccadad?</p>

<p>Twenty Sixth Street, residence building at 334 E. 26th Street. About 1 mile from the studio. If anyone has any information or advice we would love to here from you.</p>

<p>Did anyone audition at Michigan Friday?</p>

<p>I auditioned for Michigan on Friday. It went very well. I found out 90 kids are auditioning for the program this year. About 30 auditioned on Friday. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.</p>

<p>-Nick</p>