<p>As far as SAT reviews, my kids did both did review courses. One at Kaplan, and the other with an individual teacher. They both improved their scores by about 50 points for each of the reading, writing, and math portions. This was pretty significant since they already had very good scores. Students nearer the average scores would likely improve even more. This may not sound like much, but it could be the difference between getting into schools for some kids. Also, don't lose sight of the fact that while your artistic talent is what gets you in, your academics is what gets the money. For all the schools my son was accepted to ( four for MT, 12 academically) the scholarship money for academics dwarfed the money for artistic talent at every school where they stated what the scholarship was for. Two schools just gave a total . Many schools that offer artistic scholarships of 10-25% of the tuition will give up to full tuition, and sometimes room and board as well for academic excellence. When you consider the hundreds or thousands of dollars and untold hours these kids spend on their artisitic endeavors, it is incongruous to me that you wouldn't spend $500 to $1000 and six weeks of time to invest in your academic excellence.</p>
<p>Just to be clear, I think it is VERY important to put time in to prep for the SATs (or the ACT) and that the prep CAN pay off indeed. I just am not into the classes as much, though they may help some, particularly those low on the testing scale. I happen to think that the best prep is taking practice timed tests and reviewing the answers over several months. I also think that a one on one tutor that zeros in on your individualized weaknesses is better than a class. I suppose a class is better than nothing. The most important thing is to prep, however. I also do not think a class should take the place of taking practice timed tests. I have seen people take a class and have never taken practice timed tests. The practice tests should be from the College Board such as from the book, 10 REAL SATs, not tests put out by other companies. </p>
<p>On a personal note, my oldest daughter did timed practice tests, as well as about 6-8 meetings with a private tutor. At the time, the SATs were just the verbal and math and not the writing. She went up 200 points from her first practice test to the test that she took for real. My younger daughter took her SATs in tenth grade and she did about four practice timed tests to prepare (no classes, no tutor). She also went up 200 points from her first practice test to the real thing. Also, for her, the writing was not part of the SATs, though both my kids took SAT Subject Tests including the Writing one. They took some practice timed tests to prepare for those as well. Younger D applied to only BFA in MT programs and all gave her scholarships, though some were based on merit and some were mixed in with need (she was a FA applicant). I don't know that it was all her test scores, however. She did have good scores and very good SAT Subject Test scores (all taken in tenth grade) and higher than any MT applicants I have worked with so far. So, I agree.....prep for the tests.....for that matter, do WELL in school. I am sure it all played a part in getting scholarships. I just don't know the exact criteria for each scholarship she got. She is even getting scholarships now as a senior in college....I'm not even sure the critetria, but we just opened another letter from her school to learn of yet another scholarship award that was given which we didn't know about. </p>
<p>So, I wholeheartedly agree that one should do all they can on the tests and on grades. I just don't agree with the SAT courses as the best way to accomplish that, particularly if you are average or above average. The classes are not geared to individuals. The track record for improvement from classes is not that positive (even if there are exceptions) but improvement CAN be had by practice tests and individualized prep. My kids did so and I think many could if they put in just a little time. I have worked with many kids who have done NO prep for the tests and their scores are holding them back with admissions and/or scholarships. For my youngest daughter (the MT one), I invested NO money in test prep and she gained a significant score increase on her own by just taking practice tests and so I prefer people to not think that it costs MONEY to improve your test scores. It does not. She got the 10 REAL SATs and for that matter, it can be gotten at the library too.</p>
<p>I was wondering for the full-body colour photo, does it have to be professionally made? Or should it just be a neutral picture of me against a plain background taken from a digital camera or something?
(This is for the MPulse audition btw)</p>
<p>Thanks :)</p>
<p>For the full-body photo for the MPulse application, it doesn't have to be professionally made. Last year my D submitted a pic standing by our front stairs. It must have been fine as she was accepted and it wasn't a professional picture.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply :D</p>
<p>cawrd, out of curiosity, what did she wear for her audition and the full-body photo?? I'm still thinking of what to wear and I'm stuck... :(</p>
<p>She auditioned via DVD and wore black pants and a simple top. For the pic, she wore cute blue jeans and a sleeveless top. Looking back, I might have encouraged her to change what she wore for both of these but it ended up working for her.</p>
<p>Oh okay.
For my audition (I'm auditioning via DVD), should I wear a skirt with flats and a camisole or something? Geez haha it seems so hard to choose!! :P</p>
<p>Even though it's on video, it's an audition -- dress accordingly. Neat, flattering clothing that doesn't conceal the shape of your body. The audition panel wants to see what you look like, and they will be more impressed if you make an effort to dress up a bit.</p>
<p>And I recommend a more conservative look than just a camisole. You don't want to be too bare. A few years ago, my D wore a knee length black skirt with a baby blue camisole covered with a semi form-fitting baby blue 3/4-sleeve cardigan-type sweater with some of the buttons buttoned. Not too tight, but not loose and baggy either. I think she wore black pointy-toed flats. This was nearly 4 years ago when this was all very "in."</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips :D
I'll probably wear a black flowy skirt, flats and a cute top (still searching... :))</p>
<p>Anyway, does anyone know what musical the Interlochen Musical Theatre Production is doing?? I've heard it was Les Mis....?</p>
<p>Yeah they're 90% doing Les Mis</p>
<p>My D, home for break, told me tonight that Penn State is starting a summer program this summer for ages 17(rising seniors) to age 22. It is called "Penn State Summer Theater Project" and is billed as "Performance Training and New Works Festival". It is being held at the University Park Campus June 1st through June 21, 2009. Auditions will be in New York City April 4th and 5th and on campus April 11th and 12th. The site says the application deadline is March 15th. More informaion can be found on the site:</p>
<p>Penn</a> State | Outreach | Summer Theatre Project | Home</p>
<p>Could anyone tell me how many of these programs is a "good" amount to apply to? There are a really large number of them that look like they would be really great experiences, and this is after eliminating all the ones that are either too expensive, or that I'm not eligible for (age requirements). As much as I'd like to send in an application to all of these, I don't have the time to make that many audition tapes, nor can I pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars in audition fees if I'm planning to spend thousands of dollars on the program itself.</p>
<p>Any advice?</p>
<p>I'm in kind of an interesting situation. I am currently a college freshman and my major is Music Education w/ a flute concentration. However, although flute is my first love and I wouldn't give it up for anything, I LOVE musical theater as well. I was in every show at my high school and I have found that I miss being on stage, a lot more than I realized I would. I have talked with my parents and (luckily)they are willing to support me so that when I finish with my Music Ed Undergrad I can somehow incorporate voice and/ or musical theater into my education either through a graduate degree (which I intended on getting anyway) or through a second bachelors, I still have a long time to decide this. I believe training in these areas will make me a better overall music educator in the long run. Anyway, I am looking for a summer program that is open to students no longer in high school. I'm going to apply to NYU's program, but I know this is a long shot. I have been lucky enough to keep up my private voice lessons (1 hour each week) with a new teacher while at college. He believes I do have a shot and thinks I'm improving, but I would like to apply to some other programs as well. I have looked at the Penn State program which seems like a good option. Is a summer program a good option now or would it be best to audition for some community shows to build a resume? If anyone as any advice it would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I assume you are talking about NYU's Steinhardt's 3-week summer music theatre intensive. If so, why do you think NYU's program is such a long shot? You will be auditioning for a place against high school juniors and far fewer college students. You will probably find your age and college experience in music to be an advantage, especially if it has included one hour of vocal instruction per week. </p>
<p>The program will give you excellent training and will give you a good idea of what it would be like to be in a program that speciaiizes in vocal performance (either classical or music theatre) within a music department. Its format is similar to the classes in both NYU's BM or MA programs at Steinhardt.</p>
<p>Oh wow, great! The only reason I say that is because I assumed their would be a huge applicant pool because it is an NYU program, but I know they have a number of summer programs. You seem to know a lot about their programs, could you tell me anything about opportunities for grad. students to participate in Musical Theater as well? My ideal situation would be to go for my Masters in either Music Ed or Performance right after I'm done undergrad as opposed to getting a second bachelors.</p>
<p>mmmaia -- my daughter has the same question as you -- she's currently compiling her "list" -- cutting off the ones that are too $$$$$ (sigh), or that she doesn't fit the age requirements for. She will be doing all video auditions, as we don't live anywhere near cities for live auditions, and the budget doesn't include travel money for summer auditions....trying to save up for college audition travel! Previously, she successfully auditioned for summer ballet programs, where the philosphy was "the more, the better." The kids auditioned until they received the acceptance they wanted and/or enough of a scholarship offer to be able to attend. But that was fees of about $25-$30 a shot...some of these programs have application fees of more than twice that...so hopefully some of the experienced folks will chime in soon. Also, any wisdom about how to narrow down audition choices? So far, daughter knows she needs strong dance training, would love to be able to keep up her private voice lessons, wants a performance at the end... That helps somewhat, but this is definitely a learning process!</p>
<p>My D applied to a total three summer programs, NYU CAP21, BTP and MPulse. She was accepted at the first two and wait listed for the latter. </p>
<p>Had she not been accepted at any of these three she would have opted for local acting workshops and/or dance intensives as she did not want to go anywhere else. </p>
<p>NYU did not involve an audition, but essay submission in a formal application. On the other hand, BTP and MPulse both are by audition. In hindsight, I recommend anyone from out of town who is considering MPulse to apply by video submission as it allows you to show a lot more of yourself (you can even include some dance combinations). The audition in person for the summer program is incredibly short, just cuts from two songs, a monologue and that's it. BTP includes a dance audition and keeps you for something like 2 - 2 1/2 hours depending on the time you signed in upon arrival. </p>
<p>Mommafrog - I found BTP to be very reasonable and offer a tremendous amount of training in acting, dance and voice, and it wraps up with that professionally staged showcase at the end of the session something your D seems to look for.</p>
<p>MPulse also has some sort of showcase, but I have to say that it really does not compare to BTP's. </p>
<p>NYU has no showcase at all, but rather "open classes", where the kids perform their scenes that they have been working on, or sing material they have worked on in class. In their dance classes they also work on some original choreography. I personally loved this, but I would certainly not consider this a performance.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. Are there any summer programs that are significantly more or less competitive than others. </p>
<p>Also, is Broadway Theater Project primarily focused on dance? I guess I'm under the impression that they are because they ask for a jazz combination and in optional tap combination in their audition, where some programs don't want any dance at all. I would love to get as much dance experience this summer as possible, but I'm by no means a dancer, so would I even have a shot at getting in?</p>
<p>This has been covered before, but I don't think CMU is all that hard to get into, providing you take care with the application, make sure your essay is good and your teacher recommendations are all in order and you get everything in on time. It does fill up, so the app has to be on time. That said, I have heard from my own D and others in other summers that the talent of the kids is quite high. It's probably a somewhat self selective thing, if you're going to spend six weeks doing theatre classes 24/7 and spending that kind of money, you're probably at least fairly serious about the whole thing. I can't say enough good things about this program.</p>