<p>stlouismom -- There is a book called The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods, by Richard Brestoff that has a chapter each on many of the methods. Another is Training of the American Actorby Arthur Bartow.</p>
<p>Thanks. I'll have my D check it out.</p>
<p>First, let me say a heartfelt thank-you to all of you who generously post your experience, advice and questions. I am so grateful to have stumbled across this site. In the last two days, reading ever theatre post, I have learned a great deal, especially just how little I know!
I have a 17 year old rising senior and I don't know how to guide her! She is away at "Governor's School for the Arts" for 3 weeks, at which she will hopefully get some advice as well, but I would like to ask your help as well.
As all of you have expressed, sometimes after a painful learning experience, the right fit of school to artist is imperative. My daughter is definitely going to need a small, highly structured program to thrive. She is, according to many others, very talented and she is beautiful to boot, BUT...she has ADD, math phobia, and<br>
while she is confident, she is not competitive. She is sweet. In fact, after the first day of class at GSA (the art's program she is attending), two of her fellow drama students said "we want to hate you, but we can't because you are so nice!". I'm afraid this could be a weakness in a highly competitive environment.
As far as the academic side of applications, she has a 3.75, but is likely to score between 22-26 on the ACT.She is strong in language but horrible, and I mean horrible, in math. I guess this pretty much rules out the top tier academic schools. I'm gathering from reading this board that conservatories are not as concerned with test scores...is this correct?
As for structure, she would be lost on a large campus. I can see her getting distracted with other things..(she loves and plays sports), and missing class due to oversleeping, etc...She is not a partier, just disorganized due to her ADD. She is not having trouble at GSA because it so structured. Class begins at the same time every day...you MUST attend every class and everyone else in the program is committed to learning. Is this asking too much of a college program? I don't mean to indicate that she is a dumb blonde by any means...although she is blonde, she has tested aboe 130 on two separate IQ tests, but really struggles with anything mathematical, especially graphs, schematics, etc..and she loses keys, phones, papers, purses, information....on a daily basis. She is a quick study however when it comes to work. She is usually the first to have her lines down and never forgets them once they are memorized. Go figure. Her brother teases her that she doesn't know what month it is, but she can remember monologues, movie lines, funny stories, etc... from years prior.
I just know that if she doesn't find a small, nuturing program, she will fall through the cracks, despite her potential.
By the way, I would like to offer this bit of information in the way of encouraging those students who did not get in a top tier school. When my daughter was 11, she played Mary Lennox in our local state university production of "The Secret Garden". Her co-star, who played Uncle Archibald, was Steve Kazee, currently starring in "110 in the Shade" on Broadway. The third of his Broadway appearances in the last 2 years. So, from a small, rural state university, he made it. After finishing his degree, he applied to Tisch for grad school and was accepted. So remember...that talent rises to the top no matter where you begin. Or at least that is what I choose to believe from Steve's experience. He is amazing and we knew he was going to be a star ther first time we heard him sing in rehearsal.
Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated. I will continue to read and begin to explore the schools mentioned. One thing seems clear...she should attend the unified auditions! How many and what length monologues are expected?
Blessings to all...</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm gathering from reading this board that conservatories are not as concerned with test scores...is this correct?
[/quote]
Pretty much. Some programs will look at them, but they're more of a secondary concern to my knowledge. If her grades are good, her test scores shouldn't hurt her too much. I imagine they'll probably notice if her verbal scores are significantly higher than math. </p>
<p>As for the math phobia ... I don't think it's all that uncommon for artistic people. Many are just "wired differently" in that way. I actually had a friend in h/s who had it so bad that she said she felt like she was being "strafed by Nazi fighter planes" every time she took a test or got called on in class. Fortunately, most of the conservatories don't have a math requirement, but if she ends up at a school that does, a good thing might be to dedicate the summer after freshman year to taking care of it at a community college for transfer credit.
[quote]
while she is confident, she is not competitive. She is sweet. In fact, after the first day of class at GSA (the art's program she is attending), two of her fellow drama students said "we want to hate you, but we can't because you are so nice!". I'm afraid this could be a weakness in a highly competitive environment.
[/quote]
Okay. Let's dispel conservatory myth #1. It's not cutthroat at any conservatory program I know of. Your group/studio/company/class becomes your family. While some may have somewhat bizarre personalities, the members of said family will be amazingly supportive. You'd be amazed at how quickly that bond forms in an intense program. The ones who can't get over being "highly competitive" tend to be the ones who don't make it or at least end up on the outs, socially. This is even apparently true at programs like DePaul where they have a massive cut after freshman year.
[quote]
As for structure, she would be lost on a large campus. I can see her getting distracted with other things..(she loves and plays sports), and missing class due to oversleeping, etc...She is not a partier, just disorganized due to her ADD. She is not having trouble at GSA because it so structured. Class begins at the same time every day...you MUST attend every class and everyone else in the program is committed to learning. Is this asking too much of a college program?
[/quote]
Absolutely not. There will be some variation in class schedule, but conservatory environments are extremely structured. Of course, you absolutely cannot oversleep and be late for class. That is something that will get you in the doghouse real quick-like. It's simply not tolerated ... anywhere.
[quote]
How many and what length monologues are expected?
[/quote]
It varies. You have to look at the requirements for each school. Four or five should be enough to carry her through. Think combinations of dramatic classical / comic contemporary and vice versa. Also, try to keep each to around a minute and a half or less. Some schools may allow for two minutes each, but they don't really need to be that long.</p>
<p>Fishbowl - Where do you go to school? Just curious.</p>
<p>StLouisMom,</p>
<p>Do you know anything about a school called Lindenwood about 30 minutes outsdie of the city? My dearest friend's husband has applied for a position as the baseball coach and we are curious about the school/community.</p>
<p>I haven't resided here very long (6 months) but Lindenwood has a good reputation here and after coming from Chicago, the best thing about the area is it is pretty easy to get around. (Although lots of construction right now)</p>
<p>Culturally it has everything and because it is accessible, we tend to use it more.</p>
<p>Many houses for sale everywhere - (as in whole US) so there are almost too maNY CHOICES.</p>
<p>Sorry I can't be of more help.</p>
<p>Hi, i was wondering what schools had both excellent theatre programs and film programs? I'm interested in getting a degree in theatre, but eventually I would like to do film, and I was just wondering what schools in your opinion excelled in both.</p>
<p>USC and NYU come to mind right away.</p>
<p>My D would also be interested in finding schools with good film/theater programs fror same reason.</p>
<p>Also - what does ARCO stand for? Is this organization's theater program rankings worth finding? We got something in the mail from Evansville saying that they were ranked in top 16 of all BFA programs. I'm wondering who/what this organization is and how to get their evaluations if they are worthwhile.</p>
<p>SUNY Purchase and NCSA both have excellent drama and film programs and both have a fairly large number of acting graduates with film careers, but you can't double major if that's what you're interested in. There is some opportunity for acting students to participate in student film, but it's on their own time. </p>
<p>I have a copy of the ARCO "Performing Arts Major's College Guide" that I got when I first decided I wanted to major in Drama. I don't know what ARCO stands for except that it's a "registered trademark of Thomson Learning, Inc." The book and its rankings are pretty much a joke, IMHO. </p>
<p>It gives no criteria for its rankings and it was last updated in 1999, so no account is made for the rise of the UM Guthrie program or the resurgence of Rutgers. It also lists Catholic University, San Francisco State and Utah among the "Most Highly Recommended" while relegating CMU, NCSA and Cal Arts to a very long list of "Other Noteworthy Undergraduate Programs." It doesn't even mention Otterbein or Hartt. No distinction is made between BFA and BA programs, either. It really doesn't even "rank" per se but instead lists programs as "Most Highly Recommended" or "Other Noteworthy."</p>
<p>It was put together by a former Juilliard admissions person whose arts area was music and my feeling is that the drama section was more or less an afterthought. Maybe some graduates of some of those schools came to Juilliard to complete their training and did really well which is why she listed them. I know some Evansville graduates go/have gone there.</p>
<p>Thanks FF. Like all ranking systems, sounds like some marketing/advertising tool more than anything. My daughter is off to RU summer "boot camp" tomorrow - hopefully to get a feel for the school/program and teachers.</p>
<p>Which do you think is a better drama program University of Washington Seattle Campus or Washington State University?</p>
<p>University of Washington has a larger national reputation.... but I would look at the kinds of opportunities that are available to undergraduates there, because there is a very strong MFA program at U Wasington. Sometimes most opportunities will go the the MFA students rather than the undergraduate students at schools with MFA students. I do not know that this is the case at U Washington, but it is important to ask.</p>
<p>Hi Everyone! This is my first post.</p>
<p>I am on the hunt for an audition coach in the Chicago/ Milwaukee/Madison area. I am auditioning as a transfer to Juilliard, Tisch, Purchase, Carnegie Mellon, Rutgers, and the like. I have done a thorough google search but it has turned up short. Any advice is welcome.</p>
<p>If you have any information, please PM me! </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>While I'm asking, if anyone knows of any reputable headshot photographers...that would be helpful too! :)</p>
<p>Hello, I'm new to this and one of my many questions is if anyone knows anything about Elon's acting program. I know that they have a strong MT program, but haven't heard anything about straight acting.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Hello! Somebody recently sent me a message asking about tips, advice, where I decided, etc, so I replied and decided to post it here, since college confidential had helped me ENORMOUSLY last year. Enjoy:</p>
<p>Hello!
Wow! I cant believe it was just last year that I was researching colleges to apply to it seems so long ago! Id be happy to give you some tips!
Around this time last year, I was researching on college confidential like crazy especially because nobody at my school had a clue about where to start (neither the teachers nor the students). My parents were busy working and helping out the family, so, in terms of research, I was pretty much on my own. Your d should be thankful she has your help! Anyway, I ended up freaking out because I saw all those threads on what to do if you dont make it into ANY college for acting so I applied to a whopping 18. But, even for theatre, thats a LOT! which meant a lot of time and money and stress for deadlines. I regret applying to that many, esp since I ended up getting into 13, so although its good to apply to many schools, just dont do THAT many lol!
My suggestion: start EARLY! I was so busy trying to get all those applications in that Id forget about scheduling auditions. Some of them allow you to schedule them before you actually submit the app, but others will NOT allow you to unless you have completed it and sent in the payment (I dont remember which ones required what). Its complicated to find out all the deadlines and requirements because they are all on different pages and applying to the theatre part is its own monster in and of itself!
I scheduled about 2 auditions a day, and I did all of them through the unifieds in LA and San Francisco except UCLA and USC. However, because of my late scheduling
well, lets just say the theatre people snatched the dates up like hungry little kids gobbling down cookies! I was almost going to have to fly to NY for either Juilliard or NYU, esp since I didnt want to send in a tape for NYU. Fortunately, through an enormous amount of stress and constant calling and emailing but mostly LUCK, I managed to pick up a date for both but DONT DO WHAT I DID! Also, I had to switch between the two cities. I drove to San Fran w/ my M, then flew back to LA for a morning audition (she drove back by car), then two days later I flew back to San Fran (again, she drove up), then did more auditions, then drove back down for more. Wow! That was hectic! Just remember: the early bird gets the worm! And people had given me this advice before I started and I listened, but youll be surprised how tough it gets w/ high school plays/rehearsals, activities, homewk, projects, etc, etc.
In terms of managing, Id suggest making a chart/schedule. On mine, I put the date, time, address, requirements of the monologues (diff schools have diff requirements), if I needed to bring a check/money, etc. This helps a LOT! Also, it helps to be in the same hotel as the unified auditions are held or at least really close by. Have tons of resumes/headshots ready to go. Also, if your daughter has time, she can do walk-ins (for select schools only). I think in one day in San Fran I did 2 scheduled auditions and 3 walk-ins, and I later found out I got into all of them, so theyre not a waste of time they do accept walk-in people into the school! Your d can choose to do more if she likes, but theres no pressure if she doesnt feel up to it.
In the end, I was accepted to: NYU, Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts, Boston U, UCLA, Southern Methodist U, Evansville (walk-in), USC, U Michigan, Otterbein (walk-in), UCSB (non-audition), UCSD (non-audition), U of Utah, and the NY School for Film and Television. I got a callback from Juilliard and was on the waiting list for DePaul. After much MUCH research and emails and more research, I decided to choose Rutgers: MGSA!!! There are many, many reasons I chose it, but a large part because of the rep and training and prestige. Theyve already made a name for themselves in the acting industry and theyre shooting up. Most people I asked told me that I should choose it. However, it is also a good fit for me, for what I personally want and need. Your d MUST choose one that is a good fit for HER not anyone else but herself! Also, Im not sure if your d is in musical theatre or straight, but I applied for straight theatre (Rutgers and some of the others dont have musical theatre)
Keep looking up on college confidential (there are HUNDREDS of posts and links just waiting to be read), and tell her to research as well. You guys can copy and paste the articles/posts you find interesting or important and share w/ each other. And tell her to get started ASAP on picking which ones to choose to apply to and to START NOW!
Hope this helps,
FollowYourDreams</p>
<p>Wow, thank you for taking the time to let us know about your experience. My D fortunately is motivated and is working on her essays and applications now. She has her list of 14 schools, but we don't plan to apply to all of them. She would prefer MT, but would also be very happy with straight acting and for some schools,(the more competetive MT schools) she will just be auditioning for straight acting. I'm very impressed that you were able to navigate the process without a lot of help from parents or your school! That's amazing! We do have our spreadsheets going and are trying to keep a positive attitude about the whole experience. I do know it will be an adventure! Thanks again for the tips!</p>
<p>This is my first post!!</p>
<p>So I've been in theatre for about 7 years now and when I was looking at colleges I came to the conclusion that I didn't want to persue acting. After being at small college in southern california for a year now, and going through every possible major, I've decided that acting is something I cant live without. But here comes the problem. I want to transfer into a BFA program but am stressing over which ones accept transfer students and if I am at a disadvantage by transfering. I was just wondering if anyone can give me any advise or help. I've heard that it takes three years to complete a BFA program, so if I came into the program as a freshman then I'd have only 3 years left of school. But is that usually the case. </p>
<p>And... loyola marymount LA has been interested in me for theatre for a little while now. But I havent heard much about them on the board. so how good is their program. </p>
<p>Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>
[quote]
I want to transfer into a BFA program but am stressing over which ones accept transfer students and if I am at a disadvantage by transfering.
[/quote]
You'll need to contact the schools you're interested in because it varies. In general, the conservatories consider transfers equally with kids coming straight out of h/s.
[quote]
I've heard that it takes three years to complete a BFA program, so if I came into the program as a freshman then I'd have only 3 years left of school. But is that usually the case.
[/quote]
No. In most, you'll start as a freshman in the program and do all four years although your general studies courses will transfer.</p>