<p>My daughter is a freshman and she is currently looking for a good program this summer. So she'll be a rising sophomore. Her voice teacher told her she is not as impressed with Interlochen as she once was. We are in Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>Also, I'd like to find something a bit more affordable.</p>
<p>My daughter is a very hard worker, and is interested in pursuring MT in college, so we'd be interested in an intense, college preparatory program that is age appropriate.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Take a look at the University of the Arts program in Philadelphia. 4 weeks, very strong program, reasonably priced compared to others of similar length at colleges. The only question you would need to look at is your daughter’s age. Typically, the program takes rising juniors and seniors but I have heard there have been a rising sophomore or 2.</p>
<p>Thanks for your prompt reply. Is this an audition based program and is the faculty the same as for undergraduates ?</p>
<p>It does seem much more reasonably priced.</p>
<p>A good starting point would be to read these two threads:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/122525-summer-program-big-list-data-info-keep-adding.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/122525-summer-program-big-list-data-info-keep-adding.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/24364-summer-programs-discussion.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/24364-summer-programs-discussion.html</a></p>
<p>The first thread above is more information based and the second thread is more discussion based. Both threads cover most summer MT programs. </p>
<p>Then, if there is a summer program that interests you after reading those threads, and the program is affiliated with a college, go to that college’s specific sub forum at the top of the MT Forum and once you open that forum, search for threads discussing that school’s summer pre-college program. If you are interested in a program that is not affiliated with a college, use CC’s Search Function and put the name of that program in the Search Function and often on the MT Forum, there is a thread discussing that program. </p>
<p>I would not limit your search to MT Programs affiliated with colleges for two reasons. One being that there are many really great MT programs not affiliated with colleges. The other reason is that you have a rising sophomore and many pre-college programs affiliated with colleges are only open to rising seniors or only open to rising juniors and seniors. </p>
<p>That said, I will put in a plug for the summer MT intensive that my D attended for 8 summers right up to entering college, a program that I cannot speak highly enough about, that was a significant impact on my D’s life (my D is now a BFA in MT graduate). It is Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center which is located in the Catskills in NY. They have a website. I must warn you that it would be crucial to sign up and reserve a spot in the next couple of weeks as the summer fills up by October every year. Most of my D’s friends from Stagedoor went onto fine BFA in MT programs and many are now working professionally. Just yesterday and another last month of her closest Stagedoor friends were cast on Broadway and there are MANY other friends she knows from Stagedoor who have been on Broadway, National Tours, major regional theaters, film and TV.</p>
<p>There is an excellent book just published in June 2010 entitled “Theater Geek: the Real Life Drama of A Summer at Stagedoor Manor, The Famous Performing Arts Camp,” by Mickey Rapkin. I read it cover to cover in a day. So much fun and very informative. I only wish we had been more aware of Stagedoor when my son was first discovering his theatre interests. I think he would have loved it! He only started theatre his freshman year of high school and wasn’t even aware of his talents and love for performing until about a year or so into the process. I think for any young person who absolutely knows they want to be an actor, this would be a very good option. I’m sure the book has generated additional interest, so I would get to that website and get a deposit down fast! Best of Luck!</p>
<p>cello-mom, the UArts program is not auditioned based but is a rigorous program. All of the instructors come from the regular BFA faculty, including the director of the BFA MT program.</p>
<p>BvilleLady, my husband, myself, and our daughter all read Theater Geek this summer. We all felt it was interesting given that our kid spent 8 summers (six weeks per summer) there but all of us wondered if anyone who never went there would find the book at all interesting. So, it is with interest that I read your post! And yes, putting a deposit down this month would be essential for anyone interested in attending. I must admit that Stagedoor Manor is an amazing place for a drama or MT young person and is intensive. While my D is 21 and has been out of college for over a year, her ties to Stagedoor remain pervasive…extremely close to many alum, lives with an alum, has a new job next week that involved ties to Stagedoor, has professional connections through Stagedoor, and even casting directors or college audition people have commented about it on her resume. She never went there for that reason (after all, she selected Stagedoor back when she was nine and was tied to returning there every summer up until college), but just saying this as an observation as well.</p>
<p>You might look at OCU’s summer program. It definitely takes younger students, is particularly strong in voice, and is reasonably priced. Unlike some of the programs, they use their college faculty for the summer program.</p>
<p>soozievt, I had read a good review of the book and was curious to learn more about a summer camp that could produce the likes of Natalie Portman, Robert Downey Jr., Zach Braff–and obviously, others like your very talented daughter! Stagedoor sounds like a very nurturing place for young performers to get their feet wet. It also serves as a training ground for serious talent as well. I know Jason Robert Brown recruited there, and apparently agents now visit on a regular basis. I only wish my son had gone there, at least for one summer. Fortunately, he is now in a program where he is encountering alumni from Stagedoor, so hopefully it will rub off, lol!</p>
<p>BvilleLady, hope your son loves Tisch as my D did. Yes, there are quite a few Stagedoorians at Tisch and so my D’s bonds from her many summers there carried over into college and beyond and are neverending. I will try to email you as I think your son ( I don’t know who your son is, btw, only that he is a freshman in New Studio on Broadway) may be meeting my D this week. Will explain off forum.</p>
<p>My daughter participated in the Oklahoma City University summer program this summer and adored it! In addition to excellent instruction, the kids put on a full scale production of Urinetown, with main parts double cast, all in 3 weeks! The price is reasonable, the care of the kids and facilities great, and it is run by the university staff. I highly recommend the experience.</p>