The Freshman Experience

College Majors Musical Theater Major
81

<p>Every college I have been to or known has a range of personality types, particularly if you are talking about quiet types vs. very outgoing types. I can’t imagine how all of one type would land in a program. I just don’t think that happens. I think if you know a few kids at a certain program who share a common type of personality, that is not indicative of the program as a whole. Not to mention one really can’t describe those in a program which they don’t attend themselves. But even at the program my own kid attended, I never noticed just one particular personality type. I think we have to be careful here to not stereotype a group of people by personality at any particular school as I question the validity of such a generalization. I, too, for example, have known some kids at UMich (since it was mentioned) who are anything but quiet and subdued in nature! </p>

<p>Speaking of colleges (not necessarily MT programs), sometimes there are other “types” (not so much personality like shy and outgoing though!) that gravitate toward a school…for example…more liberal or conservative…or very studious or more laid back. But in terms of shy and outgoing…these exist at ALL colleges. </p>

<p>In any case, it’s best to speak about people in a program that you attend (or your child attends) than one where they don’t. But even so, I am not sure how a conclusion as to personalities could be made about an entire group of kids. I think colleges look for a mix of kids as that is what makes a group really interesting, right? :D</p>

82

<p>You are both very right and I didn’t mean to go down a path of stereotyping, but guess asking about personalities of different schools can lead there. I only brought up the question in this thread as I know when D was looking at schools the one thing I really MOST wanted to know, but couldn’t really get my mind around, was that elusive thing we all seek – where will our child best “fit”. I was wishing that freshmen in all the programs could have told us “kids like ___ seem to fit best at this school”. Unrealistic, I suppose.</p>

<p>In the end I’m not sure how much of that fit depends on curriculum, but may be more dependent on the kids who share a dorm room and classes. Guess I’m just unrealistically wishing I could have gone to a thread on CC and found the school with the perfect personality type for D.</p>

<p>Really, though, D knows kids at virtually every MT program I can think of who she absolutely LOVES, so I know you are both right that there’s no answer to my question as every program has all types of personalities.</p>

<p>In the immortal words of church lady… nevermind. ;-)</p>

83

<p>hmm, I don’t really know how to describe a USC MT kid. A lot do a cappella groups? There’s a wide variety of people, but most of the MT people I know are pretty laid back and relaxed. There are some crazy theatre people of course, it is a theatre school, but most of the people I know in the School of Theatre and the musical theatre minor are pretty chill, not too high-maintenance.</p>

84

<p>wisdomsomehow- Since USC MT is a minor, what is your major? Is there private vocal training? Can you only take MT classes if you audition in or is it open to anyone? Anyone can take the acting (theatre) classes, correct? How many are in the classes? Thanks!</p>

85

<p>my major is BA Theatre. Within that, I’ve decided to concentrate in acting. There is private vocal training for music majors/minors and non-majors/minors. 6 units of MPVA 301 are required for the minor (private voice for majors & minors), which is 3 semesters of one-hour lessons. There are also 8 units that we have to take of MPVA 402, which is Musical Theater Workshop. Those are spread out over 4 semesters. I haven’t taken that class yet, so I don’t really know what it’s about. </p>

<p>Some MT classes are open to anyone, others require departmental clearance. For example, my voice class, MPVA 301 requires D-clearance, but MPVA 300 (which is the same class, but for non-majors/minors) is open to any student at USC. Other classes for the minor, like a Broadway history class, keyboard/guitar classes, and dance classes are open to anyone. MPVA 402 requires departmental clearance, so I think only MT minors can take it.</p>

<p>Acting classes for freshman, sophomore, and junior years (THTR 101, 252ab, 352ab) all have sections that are open to anyone in the school, but the senior year acting class (452ab) and most of the sections of the above classes require departmental clearance. Also, the non-D-clearance classes are usually with teachers that are not as sought-after. To give you an idea of the open vs restricted classes, you can look at this: [THTR</a> | USC Schedule of Classes](<a href=“http://web-app.usc.edu/soc/20113/thtr.html]THTR”>302 Found)
sections that end in an R (e.g. 62610R) are open to anyone, and sections that end in a D (e.g. 62607D) are only for theatre majors/minors.</p>

<p>The acting classes are capped at 18, though my class last semester had 14 I think. THTR 101 for majors is all the theatre majors from your orientation, so there were 14 BAs at my orientation. Well, actually 15, but one switched to a different class. This fall, though, I’m pretty sure my class will have 18, as it is full and there are 17 people on the waitlist…</p>

86

<p>…Ball State (BFA MT) – Post #32
…Boston Conservatory (BFA MT) – Post #45
…Carnegie Mellon (BFA MT) – Posts #35, #36
…Coastal Carolina (BFA MT) – Posts #3, #24, #69
…Marymount Manhattan (BA/BFA with MT) – Post #74
…NYU/Tisch New Studio (BFA MT) – Posts #16, #71
…Otterbein (BFA MT) – Post #13
…Point Park University (BA MT) – Post #40
…Roosevelt/CCPA (BFA MT) – Post #58, #76
…Temple (BA MT w/Dance Minor)-- Post #47
…University of the Arts (BFA MT) – Post #52
…USC (BA w/ MT Minor) – Posts #2, #22, #85
…Webster (BFA MT) – Post #56</p>

87

<p>James Madison University – BA Musical Theatre</p>

<p>Below is a sample freshman schedule. Because students take different general education courses at different times, are placed into different level dance classes, and are in different acting class sections, there is some variation in the details of the schedule for each particular freshman… but this gives the general idea. </p>

<p>Since I am not a student I cannot contribute information on hours in the practice room, in the rehearsal studio, at the gym, eating lunch, doing homework, etc… I know that they do all of these things, but I am not privy to their personal schedules and life choices :wink: </p>

<p>Freshman Fall
Monday/ Wednesday
10:10 – 11 Acting
1:25 – 2:40 Intermediate Ballet I
3:35 - 4:25 Voice</p>

<p>Tuesday/ Thursday
9:30 – 10:45 GCOM (Communication GenEd)
2 – 3:15 Dance Improvisation
3:30 – 4:45 GHUM (Humanities GenEd)</p>

<p>Friday
10:10 - 11 Acting
1:25 – 3 Dance Masterclass (weekly open class with guest artists and master teachers)</p>

<p>Freshman Spring
Monday/ Wednesday
10:10 –11:25 Intermediate Modern I
12:20 – 1:15 Performance Analysis
3:35 - 4:25 Voice</p>

<p>Tuesday/ Thursday
8 – 9:15 GMUS (Fine Arts GenEd)
9:30 – 10:45 Acting
11 – 12:30 Intermediate Ballet I
2 – 3:15 GISAT (Critical Thinking GenEd)</p>

<p>Friday
12:20 – 1:15 Performance Analysis
1:25 – Dance Masterclass (weekly open class with guest artists and master teachers)</p>

<p>Rehearsals – Monday through Friday - Rehearsals/ Crew/ Performance – 6:30PM – 10:30PM… Weekends – 4 - 8 hours of Rehearsals/ Crew/ Performance calls (approximately 15 – 25 hours per week… often more during technical/ production weeks)</p>

<p>Freshmen may audition for productions, a cappella groups, university choirs, Madison Dance (student dance performance group), New Improved (student improv group), etc… This past year freshmen were cast in mainstage and student directed productions. The MT freshmen who auditioned for productions and co-curricular groups participated in at least one performance opportunity each semester. Many also participated in productions behind the scenes. </p>

<p>Hope this information is helpful to prospective students and parents. :)</p>

88

<p>…Ball State (BFA MT) – Post #32
…Boston Conservatory (BFA MT) – Post #45
…Carnegie Mellon (BFA MT) – Posts #35, #36
…Coastal Carolina (BFA MT) – Posts #3, #24, #69
…James Madison University (BA MT) – Post #87
…Marymount Manhattan (BA/BFA with MT) – Post #74
…NYU/Tisch New Studio (BFA MT) – Posts #16, #71
…Otterbein (BFA MT) – Post #13
…Point Park University (BA MT) – Post #40
…Roosevelt/CCPA (BFA MT) – Post #58, #76
…Temple (BA MT w/Dance Minor)-- Post #47
…University of the Arts (BFA MT) – Post #52
…USC (BA w/ MT Minor) – Posts #2, #22, #85
…Webster (BFA MT) – Post #56</p>

89

<p>I would love some insight on what a Penn State MT major’s schedule and life is like. I’m probably not even close to being good enough, but I’m probably going to end up switching majors out of music ed and of course an MT major is like the ultimate dream here.</p>

90

<p>SUNY Fredonia-Theatre Arts BA. </p>

<p>Fredonia is currently in the process of improving their BA program according to upperclassmen and word of new classes for the BA starting next year, my fingers are crossed that this is the truth! BA’s are required to double-major or minor. I minor in Creative Writing. Theatre Practice for freshman was three days a week (MWF/TRF) from 3:30-8:15 with a 45 minute dinner break but the hours are being changed so we get out earlier next year and the incoming freshmen won’t have Fridays.</p>

<p>NORMAL FRESHMAN SEMESTER:</p>

<p>English Composition MWF 8-8:50
Script Analysis MWF 12-12:50
Theatre Freshmen Seminar M 1-1:50</p>

<p>Philosophy TR 8-9:25
Intro to Acting TR 9:30-10:55
Intro to Performing Arts TR 11-12:25
Theatre Practice TRF 3:30-8:15</p>

<p>In my second semester, I was taking more Gen Eds but I also took Intro to Technical Theatre (requirement), Intro to Dance (major elective) and Acting Lab (major elective). </p>

<p>Freshmen BAs can audition for anything they like but the BFAs are restricted to mainstage productions ONLY fir the first year without permission, so not to be overwhelmed. We had I think five freshmen BFAs cast last year, two played Lisel and Rolf! </p>

<p>I also kept a blog of my freshman year: [a</a> college theatre dork](<a href=“http://acollegetheatredork.blogspot.com/]a”>http://acollegetheatredork.blogspot.com/)</p>

91

<p>…Ball State (BFA MT) – Post #32
…Boston Conservatory (BFA MT) – Post #45
…Carnegie Mellon (BFA MT) – Posts #35, #36
…Coastal Carolina (BFA MT) – Posts #3, #24, #69
…James Madison University (BA MT) – Post #87
…Marymount Manhattan (BA/BFA with MT) – Post #74
…NYU/Tisch New Studio (BFA MT) – Posts #16, #71
…Otterbein (BFA MT) – Post #13
…Point Park University (BA MT) – Post #40
…Roosevelt/CCPA (BFA MT) – Post #58, #76
…SUNY Fredonia (BA Theatre Arts) – Post #90
…Temple (BA MT w/Dance Minor)-- Post #47
…University of the Arts (BFA MT) – Post #52
…USC (BA w/ MT Minor) – Posts #2, #22, #85
…Webster (BFA MT) – Post #56</p>

92

<p>One Freshwoman’s experience at Northwestern</p>

<p>This is secondhand info from my D, and will only relate to the first couple weeks of school, but may still be of interest. I hope others can chime in and correct or supplement it.</p>

<p>Since Northwestern offers a BA or BS in Theatre, with an MT Certificate, specific course loads vary greatly – particularly since so many kids are double majoring – so I won’t go into that here.</p>

<p>The first week at NU is Wildcat Welcome, and is focused on moving in to dorms (D’s in RIGHT on an amazing beach) welcoming new students to campus. In addition to an incredible number of fun activities (this year including a command performance by Second City and renting Six Flags for a night) a cappella and dance placement auditions are held during this week. For D, that ended up involving over 12 hours of late-night auditions and as it turned out she started school ill, so keep in mind that for someone who wants to join one of the 17 amazing a cappella groups this can be a bit grueling. Apparently the “Glee Effect” applies to a cappella, as this year a record number of kids auditioned (maybe 300+ freshmen?) so they had to add two full days of auditions. </p>

<p>Kids also register for classes this week, so there is plenty to do. D said everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful throughout the entire week and she had a lot of fun in spite of feeling unwell.</p>

<p>The second week classes begin, and potential MT students can audition for an MT workshop course (this year I think only 18 were admitted), Voice Lessons (this year including a specialized MT course taught through the music school to which I think 20 students were admitted) and for student-directed shows. Most fall Mainstage shows are pre-cast the year before, though there was a Children’s Theatre Mainstage musical auditioning in addition to 6+ student-directed productions, so this is another week involving LOTS of auditions and callbacks. Again D reported that the process is very well organized and everyone is incredibly friendly, so she has been healing in the midst of many hours of auditions and callbacks.</p>

<p>Since part of the second week involves auditions which can place kids in additional classes (for example the MT workshop and MT Voice class) several kids seem to wind up dropping other courses they’d registered for to make room for the added MT classes, but that seems to be anticipated and doesn’t seem to be any problem.</p>

<p>In D’s case, this year for Theatre-related classes she’ll have a Theatre general intro course (maybe with all 100 students?), a dance class, an MT Workshop, an MT Voice class, a Tech course for one quarter and maybe others in subsequent quarters. On top of that she has several distribution courses, a cappella 3 (late) nights a week and whatever shows she does. One freshman quarter they are not allowed to audition for shows so they work tech (the quarter is assigned randomly at the beginning of the year). </p>

<p>So far she is absolutely LOVING NU, and starting to recognize that the biggest challenge will be learning to say “no” to some of the amazing opportunities that are available at every turn. </p>

<p>Hope someone can correct or add to this since it’s based on the TWO conversations I’ve had with D since she got there (her voice was gone the first week). ;-D</p>

93

<p>Adding to the post above, the freshman MT Voice class is taught in 5 sections, I think, with only 4 students per section.</p>

94

<p>…Ball State (BFA MT) – Post #32
…Boston Conservatory (BFA MT) – Post #45
…Carnegie Mellon (BFA MT) – Posts #35, #36
…Coastal Carolina (BFA MT) – Posts #3, #24, #69
…James Madison University (BA MT) – Post #87
…Marymount Manhattan (BA/BFA with MT) – Post #74
…Northwestern University (BA with MT certificate) – Posts #92 , #93
…NYU/Tisch New Studio (BFA MT) – Posts #16, #71
…Otterbein (BFA MT) – Post #13
…Point Park University (BA MT) – Post #40
…Roosevelt/CCPA (BFA MT) – Post #58, #76
…SUNY Fredonia (BA Theatre Arts) – Post #90
…Temple (BA MT w/Dance Minor)-- Post #47
…University of the Arts (BFA MT) – Post #52
…USC (BA w/ MT Minor) – Posts #2, #22, #85
…Webster (BFA MT) – Post #56</p>

95

<p>My son is a freshman MT major at Suny Cortland this is his schedule for this semester. It looks like they’re keeping him busy.</p>

<p>The Cortland Experience - ART/MUTH/NMB - 1 credit - F 11:30-12:20
Writing Studies- 3 credits - TR 8:30-9:45
Ballet I - 1 credit - TR 11:40-12:55
Basic Musicianship I - 3 credits - MWF 1:50-2:40
Applied Music - Voice - 2 credits - W 12:30-1:30
Voice Lab - F - 4:00-5:00
Intro: World Politics - 3 credits - MWF - 3:00-3:50
Acting I - 3 credits - MW - 9:10-11:10</p>

<p>Since Cortland’s program is a BA not BFA he’s taking two gen ed courses, all Cortland Freshman are required to take the Cortland Experience course.
All Cortland MT majors are required to audition for stage productions including freshman, he’s one of two freshman who are cast in the main stage production of “Pal Joey” (ensemble) and he is also cast in a drama production of “A Christmas Carol”.<br>
I have no opinion on whether casting freshmen is good thing or not, but he is really enjoying his freshman experience so far, so I’ll go with that.</p>

96

<p>This is a great thread! It would be great as they settle in if other freshmen this year could give a breakdown on their schedules. We know with budget constraints for all of the schools, there have been some changes from year to year. We already see a difference between schools with some dropping private voice from 1 hour to 1/2 hour, some taught by faculty, some taught by grad students, etc. I don’t mean to critique the programs, but it would be wonderful to hear the straight scoop from the first year students. Web pages and faculty and upperclassmen feedback sometimes only goes so far. Thanks!</p>

97

<p>…Ball State (BFA MT) – Post #32
…Boston Conservatory (BFA MT) – Post #45
…Carnegie Mellon (BFA MT) – Posts #35, #36
…Coastal Carolina (BFA MT) – Posts #3, #24, #69
…James Madison University (BA MT) – Post #87
…Marymount Manhattan (BA/BFA with MT) – Post #74
…Northwestern University (BA with MT certificate) – Posts #92 , #93
…NYU/Tisch New Studio (BFA MT) – Posts #16, #71
…Otterbein (BFA MT) – Post #13
…Point Park University (BA MT) – Post #40
…Roosevelt/CCPA (BFA MT) – Post #58, #76
…SUNY Cortland (BFA MT) – Post #95
…SUNY Fredonia (BA Theatre Arts) – Post #90
…Temple (BA MT w/Dance Minor)-- Post #47
…University of the Arts (BFA MT) – Post #52
…USC (BA w/ MT Minor) – Posts #2, #22, #85
…Webster (BFA MT) – Post #56</p>

98

<p>Hello There! I am a freshman MT at Viterbo University. Not every MT has the exact same schedule because there are some classes that can be taken first or second semester and because this is a liberal arts college the gen. eds do vary. Anyways- here is my schedule as a BFA Musical Theatre and Arts Administration major.</p>

<p>Composition 105 Lab
Composition 105 Lecture-3 times a week ( this is your basic english class) however AP scores and good ACT’s/SAT’s get you into the accelerated course (105) which is only one semester rather than two. </p>

<p>Dance Fundamentals- twice a week- this class focuses on the basic technique of jazz, ballet, and tap and requires a combination to be learned for each one. It is really great for focusing on specific muscles and how to most effectively use your body.</p>

<p>Musical Theater Lab-three times a week- this class is by far the best. It is a class for all of the MUTH majors, freshmen through seniors and involves exploration of the different aspects of musical theatre in creative ways. Taught by Dana McConnell and Nikki Balsamo (absolutely amazing) Involves group work, feedback, and growth. The curriculum changes every year to fit the needs of the current students</p>

<p>Arts Admin-twice a week- 101 the basic business of Non Profit Arts Organizations- this is not required for MT’s</p>

<p>Voice Studio- Once a week- sharing the work that has been done in voice lessons</p>

<p>Jazz 1- twice a week-A specialized dance class </p>

<p>Acting- twice a week (two hour class)- every freshman theatre major takes this class. On tuesdays we have one professor and thursdays the other. It’s a great way to learn from two very different professionals. Focus on physicality and your own body as well as improvisation first semester. Text work begins second semester</p>

<p>Along with classes we also have a different practicum each semester which focuses on a different area of production- for example my practicum this sem. is lighting so I have to get 35 hours of lighting. It is extremely interesting and makes you a much more well rounded performer. </p>

<p>Every Friday we also hold an hour forum for the entire theatre dpt. to discuss the productions, internships, workshops, etc. </p>

<p>Freshmen are not eligible for the first semester shows (because they are auditioned for in the spring), however we begin auditioning right away for future shows</p>

<p>This is a wonderful program with incredibly talented students and faculty and I’m so thrilled to be here</p>

99

<p>Hey all!</p>

<p>I’m a freshman in the NYU Steinhardt MT program (Vocal Performance with an MT concentration). For the first two years both the Classical and MT students take the same classes and then we split off after sophomore year.</p>

<p>Monday
8:00-9:15 Music Theory I
9:30-10:45 Aural Comprehension I
At orientation you take a theory placement test with all the rest of the music majors. Most of the MT’s are either in Theory, Aural, and Keyboard I, like me, or in Basic Musicianship, which is for people who have never had any theory experience and is actually super intense from what I’ve heard. You have to get through Theory, Aural, and Keyboard IV by the time you graduate.</p>

<p>2:00-3:15 Italian Diction
Both Classical and MTs have to take one semester each of Italian, English, French, and German Diction- boring, but useful.</p>

<p>3:30-4:45 Speech and Diction I
This is basically our acting class for the year. We focus on a lot of Linklater voice and speech technique, with some splashes of Stanislavski and movement thrown in, and we’re starting to move into interpretation of text from a voice standpoint- very relaxing and mind blowing class.</p>

<p>Tuesday
1:00-2:40 Theater Dance
This is kind of a combination MT dance class and pilates/yoga class. Our teacher, who is AMAZING and was in Cats and La Cage on Broadway, also teaches at a lot of gyms around the area, so we get a really intense workout as well as dance technique, and I have never sweat so much in my life! We also focus on the style of different eras of theater dance- we just finished the 20’s with a Chicago combination and we are moving on to some latin dances- tango and salsa and such.</p>

<p>3:30-4:45 Vocal Performance Chorale
All of the freshman and new transfer VP’s are in this choir. We sing both contemporary and classical choral music, and it’s just a lot of fun to have everybody singing together.</p>

<p>4:55-6:10 Writing the Essay
The really annoying composition course that all freshman have to take. Lots of outside work, and our grade is basically three huge essays and our attendance. I guess it’s probably improving our writing skills, but it is also depriving us of sleep. And since I am a lucky Steinhardt student, I get to take another semester writing course called the Advanced College Essay- really looking forward to that :P</p>

<p>Wednesday
8:00-9:15 Music Theory I
9:30-10:45 Aural Comprehension I</p>

<p>2:00-3:15 New Student Seminar
Every NYU student is in a NSS, and all of the VP’s take ours together. We turn in a journal entry every week that is a response to our life in and out of NYU, and we address some official stuff if needed. The main thing for NSS is that it is where we become familiar with the program’s process of song analysis, and we put on the New Student Cabaret, basically a showcase for all of us, in November through this class. We haven’t started that yet, so most of this class is us talking about the city and what is cool to do and asking the two senior TA’s about life in the program. Lots of fun.</p>

<p>3:30-4:45 Collegium/Program Meeting
All of the VP’s both grad and undergrad get together in the theater and talk about program stuff, see demonstrations from classes, and get sneak peeks of the mainstage shows. Also fun.</p>

<p>Thursday
Same as Tuesday, but I have my voice lesson from 7:00-8:00. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my voice teacher and in the few lessons that I’ve had so far my voice has already grown leaps and bounds!</p>

<p>Friday
10:00-11:40 Vocal Production for Singers
One of the heads of the program, Diana Heldman, started this class because she realized that many singers didn’t know how the voice worked fundamentally. We’re currently learing about the anatomy of the voice-last Friday we met Larry the larynx, a scale model. We also listen to a lot of different vocalist and discuss the quality of their voices. Surprisingly interesting.</p>

<p>12:00-12:50 Keyboard, Harmony, and Improvisation I
Our keyboard class focuses more on sightreading on not on learning pieces but being able to play them on the spot as well as we can. We’re currently working on immediate transpositions with simple melodies and triads in the left hand- kind of frustrating for someone who is not used to sight reading piano music (I played flute for 5 years)</p>

<p>2:00-3:15 Italian Diction
3:30-4:45 Speech and Diction I</p>

<p>Also on Fridays from 12:00 to 1:45 is Studio Class, where anyone can get up and sing a piece they’re working on and get feedback from professors and other students. I try to go as much as I can, but it is also right smack dab in the middle of my lunch break.</p>

<p>On Saturdays at noon, the Players Club, which the Steinhardt’s student theater group, has dance classes taught by working alumni- a really great way to get extra dance training in, and the combos are really fun. We’ve done Footlose and Legally Blonde so far.</p>

<p>As we progress we start taking a lot of classes that integrate our acting with our voice training- Steinhardt is HUGE on acting the song!!</p>

100

<p>Monday
9:05-9:55: College Composition (3 credits)*
This class is required for anyone attending UNCO unless you scored high on your SAT/ACT. It’s a basic college writing class with a lot of emphasis on grammar. It’s not ‘a part’ of the MT curriculum, it’s a Liberal Arts credit.</p>

<p>11:15-12:05: Class Piano for MT (2 credits)
A piano class created specifically for MT majors (we are also able to test out of this class as well but we are not required to take any other piano classes after this semester). It is very beginning which is a little disappointing if you have some experience but not enough to ace out of it. We learn basic piano such as: chords, scales, arpeggios, sight reading and playing pieces.</p>

<p>1:25-2:15: Women’s Glee Club (1 credit)**
Only required to take it for a semester. Helps a lot with blending and singing soprano, and it is EXTREMELY helpful with sight reading too.</p>

<p>2:30-3:20: Voice Class for MT I (1 credit)
A class based solely on signing legit style songs; every single freshman MT is in this class (along with 5 sophomore transfers). For the first 5-6 weeks every single one of us had to learn If I Loved You and workshop it with the professor for maybe 15 minutes in front of the class. We are now working on our group songs: Waiting for My Dearie (Sopranos), But Not For Me (Altos), We Kiss in the Shadow (Tenors), and Try to Remember (Baritones). We each have to workshop these songs in front of the class by ourselves as well. We then choose a solo piece to prepare after that to workshop too. At the end of the semester we have a performance which consists of our class song - If I Loved You, our group songs and then our individual songs. My favourite part of this class is being able to experience and see and the improvement in everyones performances after workshopping it with the professor!</p>

<p>3:20-4:05 Applied Voice - Private Lessons (1 credit)
We study solely legit our freshman year (the Alexander technique) in voice class and private lessons (which is particularly good for me because I’m a belter). We do this because it’s a easy and healthy basis of singing. Lessons are 45 minutes long every other week. The teacher has worked wonders in the 4 lessons I’ve had considering I’ve never had a legit lesson in my life. I personally think it’s a very smart way to start out each freshman with the same technique</p>

<p>Tuesday
12:30-2:00: Acting Theory and Practice (3 credits)
Probably one of the most amazing classes I have ever taken. The teacher is incredible and so passionate and talented at what he does. The class focuses on different theories of acting (hence the name). Theories such as those of Uta Hagen, Viola Spolin, Sanford Meisner, and Constantin Stanislavski. The class consists of watching videos, reading (we read the books Audition, Practical Handbook for the Actor, and An Actor Prepares), scene work, discussing personal experiences, and lectures. However, most of all we do exercise after exercise after exercise so many physical things we do in class rather then just sitting and talking about them (which we do as well). We really get up and explore the exercises that said theorists discuss in their books. The MT majors share this class with the Acting majors which is also another great experience in itself (there are those of us who have it Tuesday/Thursday - while the other half have it Monday/Wednesday/Friday)</p>

<p>3:45-5:00: Ballet I (2 credits)
Again our MT class is split down the middle and a little over half take the 8 AM ballet and then the rest of us (along with dance minors/acting majors) take it later in the day. The teacher is great and amazing at catering to the needs of different levels of beginning ballet dancers. Freshman are allowed to test out of Ballet I and the school just upgraded to level III of all of their dance classes as well!</p>

<p>Wednesday
9:05-9:55: College Composition
11:15-12:05: Class Piano for MT
1:25-2:15: Women’s Glee Club
2:30-3:20: Voice Class for MT I</p>

<p>Thursday
12:30-2:00: Acting Theory and Practice
3:45-5:00: Ballet I</p>

<p>Friday
9:05-9:55: College Composition
1:25-2:15: Women’s Glee Club</p>

<p>*We are urged to have 15 credits our freshman fall semester - 6 of which are Liberal Arts credits (we need to have 40 Liberal Arts credits to graduate) - even though i only have 3 I am in a main stage production (which freshman are allowed to audition for) which counts as 2 more credits.</p>

<p>**We are required to audition for any major vocal ensemble on campus and take part in it for only a semester </p>

<p>Although our program is a BA - it is definitely shaped like a BFA program</p>