Summer Stock

With Strawhats be certain you follow the application instructions 100%. It has been awhile but the first year my d applied her application was rejected right off the bat because she wrote in blue ink and they wanted black ink or something like that. They are inundated with applicants and so they try to weed people out up front.

Although it wasn’t on our radar when looking for MT programs, it’s been an added bonus for my daughter to be at a school where summer stock reps come to the school and audition kids on campus. Otherwise she might not nave auditioned for summer stock this year at all. If I understood correctly, only a handful will see freshman, but the class of 2020 is booking, too! A few contracts (seems like NE as @vvnstar pointed out) do run past the school start date, but her school will accommodate her late return.

Is anyone doing NETC this weekend and any feedback on the theatre companies that are attending?

Some programs are very UN-accomodating for SS auditions. S’s school is fortunate enough to have their spring break line up with SETC, but if you are cast in a fall show, it is unlikely you’ll be able to get to a pre-screen site - and they don’t take videos. While a student in a late SS venue might get some wiggle room on starting back to classes late in August/September if you are not in a fall show, - you are expected to get to campus “earlier” than everyone else if you are cast in the first show of the fall season. If cast in a spring semester show, you will most likely not be able to attend StrawHats or NETC. Faculty will not allow students out of morning class to to sign up for MWTA - as mentioned before, those slots are gone in minutes. SO, if going to one of these unified auditions is a goal, students need to plan accordingly when they go out for school casting options.

There are a few SS casting agencies who come to S’s school to audition - mostly amusement parks. Faculty makes it clear from the very beginning that outside “professional” jobs/auditions and SS are in the far back seat when up against school/program expectations.

CCPA is also not super accomodating about missing rehearsals or classes for any kind of audition, including the mass ones, though kids go to MWTA every year. I think these multi-theater things are a lot more critical for kids who don’t go to school in a big theater town.

At Western Michigan the faculty are very accommodating and encouraging for students pursuing summer stock opportunities. Any absence to attend a professional audition is an excused absence. At least 6-8 summer stock companies hold auditions on campus, some of which are open to students from other schools.

The profs meet with students outside of class to work individually on songs and monologues and they discuss summer stock opportunities in class. All sophomores have to attend all on-campus auditions as part of the curriculum for their MT Workshop class.

Maybe this is because most of the MT and Acting Faculty work in summer stock each year.

Hello all - did anyone else apply for the Musical Theatre Conservatory at Barrington Stage Company before the Feb 15 priority deadline? I read that we were supposed to be notified by March 1, but I have not heard anything from them yet. (When I first sent in my material I did receive a “receipt of materials” reply, but no decision).

I heard that they’ve gone to NETC in the past, so I figured I would wait until that was over in case I was on a “wait list” of some sort and they were waiting to see what talent they got at NETC. But now that that’s over, I was wondering - do I reach out to the program? Ask where I stand? Or is it better to wait until the end of the week in case they are still deciding about me (I don’t want to sound pushy).

I’ve checked my spam email too, so really I’m wondering if anyone else has heard anything in case my response somehow got lost, or if other people are waiting because they are still deciding after seeing the NETC crowd, or if people have applied in the past and didn’t get a decision until the end of March.

@EmsDad I am happy to hear this! BW is the same - a number of programs audition on campus - sometimes as part of the masterclass series - and in other cases, the school helps arrange audition slots. @mom4bwayboy - I am mystified by the attitude of your S school. Summer stock does not conflict with school (although often the summer stock kids come back to campus a week or so after Fall semester starts) and gives students an excellent glimpse of “life after school”. In many cases, they are working with actors of all ages and training levels; some equity, some not. Most of all, they start to make connections outside their respective programs!

I agree @artskids I find it odd that a school wouldn’t encourage the summer stock process .

Did anyone audition for Tulane? I heard people are getting contracts or rejection emails but I have received nothing yet…

I think programs can encourage in different ways. NYU does not set up opportunities- they figure you are in NYC and therefore centrally located for casting. But- you do get opportunities to work with industry professionals which can then lead to other opportunities. 2 boys from one of my D’s shows last year were hired for summer shows by the professional director her studio had used.

CCPA is similar in that way. They don’t hold your hand about it, but it’s pretty easy to hop on a train and audition for things. There’s some friction when students book stuff that conflicts with school shows. Sometimes it seems to be okay, sometimes not.

For students of programs that are not located in NY, LA or Chicago, it is very helpful to have assistance with summer stock, even if it is just permitting students the time to scramble for audition slots, helping arrange audition slots, or bringing theaters to campus.

S’s school does bring in well-known professionals throughout the year for master classes and workshops - so some contacts are made. The faculty just happens to believe that number one priority is being a “student”. Number two is commitment to the show you are cast in. Seniors often make school auditions a lower priority if they plan to attend professional auditions that conflict with rehearsal and performance schedule.

@MTandShakespeare Have you heard anything back from Barrington Stage Co.'s Music Theatre Conservatory? I hadn’t heard of it before you mentioned it, but it seems like a pretty cool pay-to-play program that includes the opportunity to earn equity points. The application says that applicants should be notified by March 1. The fine print does say that the dates are “subject to change.” I would definitely reach out to them now.

@janne006 I have not heard back yet. So you think it’s okay for me to reach out and ask for the application status? Any suggestions as to what to say in the email? I don’t currently have any other offers, but I applied because I’m really interested in the training, and if I don’t get into the MTC then I’d like to sign up for some classes elsewhere.

@MTandShakespeare I definitely think it’s okay to check your status (especially since it is 2 weeks past their notification date). You could mention that this program is your number one choice and that you wanted to check-in with them before you committed to another program. I’m just an MT mom, but that’s what I would advise my D to do. Other programs may be filling up and/or have upcoming deadlines. Keep us posted!

Just saw this forum! Daughter headed to Big Fork Summer Playhouse in Montana! So far away…but exciting!

@crc500 Congratulations to your Daughter! It looks like they have an awesome MT season! I hope you will keep us posted about her experience!

Great news @crc500!