<p>So I've been reading a lot of the posts and it seems like a lot of the people posting are parents which I think is great since they want to help their kids get into schools. But I'm wondering if there are any teens who are getting ready to apply for MT or who have started lookin for schools. I'm a hs junior and I was wondering if anyone has advice about auditioning or picking a school? Or just to talk about theatre in general. This isn't really a question... Haha</p>
<p>I’m a teen! Haha it’s crazy how many parents are on here. Awesome! But crazy! 
My mom barely checks her email once a week! I could never imagine her or my dad on here. Props to you parents who are!</p>
<p>I just graduated this past June and am taking a gap year. So I’m about to start my applications and such now. Can you say daunting!</p>
<p>Hi invisible and welcome to the forum. You are right that this forum is mostly parents. I think that is because in this particular major there is so much to prepare and do for auditions and much scheduling that many HS students are simply too busy to do it. I don’t have much experience with other majors but I believe that the standard application process it all that is required. For MT and Music majors it is a whole different animal. But this is not to say that students don’t post and are very welcome! A good place to start might be at the beginning of this page there is a thread called “The Big List” it lists all (or most all) of the schools that offer an MT degree and how selective the school is. When you find something interesting check out the colleges website and if you are still interested then you can come back here and read up on what folks have to say about that school. When you’re ready to start the application - audition process read some more and ask your questions. There is a ton of advice here, just start reading. If you are not going to major in MT you might want to check out the Theater forum. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Hi invisible! I’m a teen too! I’m just about to start my senior year, and have already started filling out my applications. And I agree about the parents…my mom posts on this site more regularly than I do!</p>
<p>@srw-don’t forget that the process is hectic for theater/acting majors and techies, too! ;-)</p>
<p>Hey invisiblegirl (N2N fan? wild guess). I’m a teen, but I don’t usually post in here. I try to soak up the advice, though. There are some incredibly knowledgeable people on this forum.</p>
<p>victoria, I stand corrected! :)</p>
<p>I’m a teen! Going into high school as a senior. </p>
<p>I just found this site recently though, it contains a great amount of information :)</p>
<p>Yes n2n fan! I couldn’t think of a good username. I have been reading and there’s so much good advice it’s great!</p>
<p>And 62442 it’s the same with my parents. I don’t know how thrilled they are about me going into theatre either. I mean they’ll support me in whatever I do but are encouraging a double major</p>
<p>Haha, I still haven’t been able to see N2N. To reference one of my favorite musicals, I’ll see it “Later,” hopefully “Soon”!</p>
<p>I am a “teen” who is a freshman at a BFA Musical Theatre program. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me as I’m super busy and I don’t get on here much anymore. But I spent my entire senior year scowering CC and tons of people were helpful to me, so I extend the reach! Welcome. :)</p>
<p>I’m a teen in a BA theatre program, hoping to minor in MT. :)</p>
<p>N2N is amazing and if you get the chance you should see it! Thanks for all the offers for advice! Right now I’m trying to decide if I want to get a BA and double major in something else (business or education) or a BFA with maybe a minor? I’ve been reading on here that with a BFA it’s very hard to double major with the intesity and focus of the program. Theatre is what I love to do and I would love to spend four years of my life just learing the art of it, however I am a little nervous for career oppurtunites. I am not in any way looking to make a lot of money. I’m fine living on pasta for the rest of my life if it means performing 
My parents aren’t too thrilled about the idea and I can see why. They’ll support me in whatever I do but will probably encourage the BA double major option.</p>
<p>Just a heads up that it’s often difficult to even minor with a BFA. It’s possible and in some places (like UMichigan for example) you can even double major, but it’s extremely difficult and often the minor is only allowed for theatre related degrees (BFA MT with a dance minor, etc). Good thing to be on top of this now, though!</p>
<p><em>waves</em> I’m a teen, too. HS Senior, actually. While I’m excited this year, I’m also in a state of worry/panic/OMG-I’m-not-good-enough, which is normal, apparently.</p>
<p>What schools is everyone applying to?</p>
<p>@invisiblegirl-yeah, it can be tough to minor with a BFA. But if you can, it seems like a good option. BAs are also good; in a lot of cases, I don’t see much of a difference between the training at BFA and BA schools (if the training’s good but it’s a little less focused, who really cares?).</p>
<p>I’m a teen…I’m going into my senior year of HS =) Like some of you said, I’m already freaking out about auditions. I’m trying to get all of my stuff prepared far in advance so I don’t need to stress as much later.</p>
<p>I was passing through and noticed some of your comments about parents not being supportive of getting a degree in theater, particularly a BFA, and how there is pressure to get a BA and double major. Now, I’m not a teen and I promise I won’t poach your thread beyond this one post, but since some of you are getting pressure about BA/double major or are dealing with a lack of support on some level for a degree in theater in general, I thought perhaps you would find it interesting to hear a different perspective from a parent of a senior in a BFA MT program.</p>
<p>Any notion that a degree in theater does not provide a college educational experience just as substantive and legitimate as any other major is just plain wrong. Whether it is a BFA or BA program, there is a load of class work that involves reading dramatic literature, writing papers on what you are reading, taking classes on the history of theater which include reading, researching and writing about the periods in which plays take place or in which they were written from a historical, societal and cultural perspective. Script analysis requires delving into the relationships between characters, understanding who the characters are and how they are communicating with each other both by word and action. Acting studio classes require you to delve into the psyche of the characters, yourself and your studio partners and also to engage in a lot of analysis and exploration on a variety of levels intellectually, psychologically and emotionally. The work ethic, discipline and communication skills required and acquired in a theater program are valuable and important qualities for success in the work world.</p>
<p>In addition, with a few exceptions, most undergrad degrees really don’t prepare you for entering the work world in an area related to your major. The primary purpose of an undergrad degree is to provide a college level education which will prepare you for pursuing graduate level education which in turn prepares you to enter the work world in your given area of study. Sure, there are undergrad degrees in things like accounting, computer technology, business systems, physical or occupational therapy and some others that prepare you for entry level positions in the work world, but most undergrad degrees do not prepare you for entry into your given field. And one of the ironies is that a degree in MT is one of the exceptions that does prepare you for entry into the work world in your given field, but what scares many parents is that theater as a field of employment is so speculative and uncertain. But what is often overlooked is that a degree in theater, whether a BFA or BA, gives you the same credential for applying to graduate school as a BA in any other major. I’m a lawyer and I know several lawyers and law students who received undergrad degrees in theater or other areas of performing, took the LSAT and went to law school. (Of course, if you decide to go to med school you’ll need to take a load of science courses first but that’s the same for any undergrad major that is not pre-med or heavy in the sciences. ;))</p>
<p>What really counts is for a student to decide on the type of educational experience he or she wants. The more narrow focus of a BFA or the broader liberal arts experience of a BA. Double major or minors? The throw yourself into it with dedication and passion. The investment you make of your self in the educational process will be far more important than your particular undergrad major in shaping your future opportunities. So if its a degree in MT or theater you want, go for it but do it with 110% commitment. Your undergrad experience is only the beginning of your life as an adult, it’s not the endpoint!</p>
<p>Ok, enough of my long winded intrusion on your thread. Won’t do it again, promise. :)</p>
<p>MichaelNKat,
please don’t think you were intruding. That was so helpful!!! I know my parents won’t stop me from doing something especially when they know how passionate I am about it it’s just I really don’t want to dissapoint them in any way. And I don’t want to make them sound mean and controlling because they are great parents but I’m going to give this a lot of thought. Thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>I’m the parent of a recent BFA graduate; and in fact I have a college theater degree myself. As usual, I strongly agree with what MNK said. If your parents are finding it difficult to support/accept your desire to pursue a theater degree, ask them to read his very articulate post.</p>