<p>I know that height probably isn't the first factor on an auditor's mind, and that there are many factors involved in the admissions process. With that said, I've noticed a trend. As a 5'9'' girl, I've been the tallest female at all of my auditions. No one has failed to comment on this. I would overlook this, if it weren't for the fact that the only girls I know of who have been successful in this process are under 5'5''. Do MT programs have something against tall girls now? I can't imagine that talent is limited to those under 5'5''. I know of another girl, an incredibly talented dancer and a fine actress, who has also encountered this. Are there any tall girls who are happily attending college MT programs?</p>
<p>I have yet to hear from all of my schools; I'm still waiting on seven, but I don't have any artistic acceptances yet. I can only hope that this theory is entirely wrong. I know I'm not perfect, but if I am denied admission to a school, I don't want it to be because of my height.</p>
<p>Has anyone else noticed this? I could very well be crazy, and I'd rather be wrong about this, but I felt the need to rant.</p>
<p>I'm extremely tall, also (5'10"), and while I'm a junior and not yet applying to college, people have told me to not let my height get in my way. Colleges are looking for all different types of people. Tall girls can play roles that short girls cannot, and vise versa. I believe that being tall sets us apart from other people and makes us different, perhaps even more memorable than the hundreds of 5'5" girls that they see(no offense to those that are that height. I'm not saying they are less talented). I've been told that most colleges don't want an entire class of cookie cutter girls.</p>
<p>Just my input.
I'm interested in hearing what others have to say.</p>
<p>If you don't get in, PLEASE don't assume it's because of talent. There are so many other factors involved. With seven still out there and the fact that you haven't heard anything yet there is still a good possibility that there is good news waiting out there for you. Talent can be born - yes - but it also is grown so I would hope that no one would ever go on the assumption that it's because of talent.</p>
<p>I have to disagree with the above post. I find it rather harsh to say that if you do not get in, it is because of talent and/or grades. It is more because at the particular schools you chose to audition at the program did not have a need for your "type" this particular cycle. Further, it could be a lack of "connection", if you will, between you and the auditors on that particular day. Unfortunately you have chosen a VERY subjective path and career. I remember this question of height coming up last year by another mom whose 5"9" D was wondering the same thing. She did end up at a school she is very happy at, as my D (who is also 5'9") did as well. However, these 2 girls, both tall, both blonde, did not get into the same schools that they both applied to. Perhaps those schools chose to take one of that type and for whatever reason it was my D, or her D. My D did feel that she definitely had a better chance where there were tall boys and other tal girls in the program as well, and for her at least, that did turn out to be the case as far as acceptances went. That said, if there are already 2 or more tall girls of your type at a school , the program could possibly pass on you, who is as talenteed as those girls, because quite honestly there are only so many parts for that type and sometimes it takes graduatiing for the schools to replace types in their company. Just my opinion. Schools do not usually admit to admitting a class based on company but rather they like to say they are looking for the best talent. From where I sit there is clearly WAY more talent out there than spots in programs so at some point it is impossible to know what determines admits from rejections. Good luck. I hope you get admitted to a school where you can really see yourself thriving at for the next part of your journey. Fingers crossed!!!</p>
<p>i'm 5'8.5" so and of course i chose to wear a small pair of heels for the acting/singing portion of all my auditons. rejected from all of the schools i auditioned for. got into columbia college chicago (they don't hold auditions or interviews)</p>
<p>Sorry for the typos (typing thru tears- buried my mom 2 weeks ago). My D chose the "If You've Got It Flaunt It" route figuring she could not really "hide" her height so she wore 3 to 3 and 1/2 inch heels at all of her auditions!</p>
<p>Thanks! It's good to know that there are some successful tall girls. I'm hoping for the best, and I'm already coming up with back-ups for my back-up options to make sure that I have something to do next year, but even if things don't work out at all, I'll try again next year. I've wanted to do this for too long to give up so quickly.</p>
<p>Look at all of the women in Susan Stroman's choruses on Broadway. ALL really tall. </p>
<p>Tall is a type, every school needs various types. I wouldn't worry about it at all. Worrying will only get in the way of doing your best and showing them your talent. It's what you were given. You can't change it so just work with it and go rock your auditions.</p>
<p>Ok, honest opinion here from a 5ft11 girl here who trained and works in MT in the UK....unless you are a very strong dancer as well as everything else - height WILL go against you for parts as a very tall girl (above 5ft8 say). If you can go for the dance roles like Ulla, Chicago, the dancing chorus etc (and have a fabulous figure) - then your height is fine. It should not be a problem and will probably go for you rather than against you. If you are NOT very slim (say a size 6 US or smaller) and only have average or little dance skills (not enough to play a dancing lead) - you WILL have issues. At least in the UK this has always been the case, might be different in the US as people there tend to be taller on average as well. </p>
<p>NOTE: Height will not stop you getting into a decent college as yes, they look for all different types of people and yes, they tend to take one of each "type" for each of their years. BUT it may well stop you getting cast in the professional world as an ingenue lead once you graduate if that's your casting type and you are just very tall. I have been rejected countless times due to my height as the people cast around me were just a lot shorter. Best example - Maria Friedman at 5ft in Woman in White, I was seen for Laura her sister - but yes, as I am almost a foot taller I did a recall or two and then wasn't considered any further. And - you are always dependend on the height of the leading man and most UK leading men tend to be around 5ft10 or 5ft11. So if you are that height without heels (usually you always wear some heel on stage) - it can be an issue. Sure, there are always exceptions, also in the UK - but there are only very few girls in the entirety of the UK MT world my height that are working regularly in MT that are not excellent dancers. Nicole Kidman never did MT and not much stage work, she pretty much went straight to screen. Sutton Foster - is an excellent dancer with an amazing figure, hence could play that all arounder card. You have to be BETTER than the other "normal" height MT people if you are tall I believe - and Foster is. Someone mentioned girls in Susan Stroman's chorus - exactly, if you look amazing and are an amazing dancer then you have that door to walk through as a tall girl. Like Leigh Zimmerman. But start dancing NOW if you are tall and have not already done so - and concentrate heavily on it. </p>
<p>Some castings here they have strict height restrictions, usually a cut off at the top end rather than at the bottom end for girls. However, make sure you are proud of your heigh and can carry yourself well - just don't expect to be cast in the typical ingenue roles, such as say Maria in Sound of Music or Marian in The Music Man at 5ft11. Most probably - not going to happen. Don't let your height be an obsession for you but on the other hand, it's good to be realistic. My advice for any girl above 5ft 8 that has an ingenue face would be a) make sure you are an amazing dancer as well as the rest and b) make sure you have an amazing body. </p>
<p>P.S. I have got so fed up with the height thing that I have actually had someone write me a comedy song about it (Too tall blues), which is currently in the process of being published!</p>
<p>By the way, I trained in a top MT programme in the UK. But I was the tallest girl in the whole school apart from samy 1 or 2 others (who were full figured character actresses). And there was only one guy taller than me in my year, so I was constantly paired with him in shows. While the other shorter girls had a lot more casting choice, hence got to work with a lot more different people. Also, at most auditions I go to people ask how tall I am. I went to an audition for a Hollywood movie on Tuesday and even there the first thing they asked me was - how tall are you.</p>
<p>I noticed a lot of auditions say, "no females UNDER 5'3". My daughter is 4'11 , so even with heels, she couldn't fake it! These were mostly for cruise ships, I believe.</p>
<p>Ah yes that is true, for cruise ships they often have height restrictions towards the lower end for females. At 4ft11 your daughter will most like be playing children and teenage parts in the professional world when she starts off. It's a good niche to be in if you can sell yourself well there, much better for the producers to hire than adult to play a 14 year old than an actual 14 year old. </p>
<p>Speaking of songs - Elaine Paige is 4ft11 and is currently having a song written for her by Stiles & Drewe about being too short! ;)</p>
<p>really interesting about the dance, JIJane, and true-- I never thought about it much before but I do agree. any big-broadway dance show spectacle has to have a few tall leggy showgirly-dancer ensemble members (I'm thinking "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and such). back to ballet class I go!</p>
<p>It seems to me that I see LOTS of tall girls doing this, but now that I think of it, I've also seen short ones (for one Kristian Chenowith). I think as an above poster stated, "Show your best talent and rock your auditions!" You can find talented people of all heights and sizes, men and women working in this industry. Perhaps a shorter or bigger person may not always get the "romantic" lead role, but there are lots of roles for all types.</p>