Theater/Drama Colleges Part 4

xiggi · November 3, 2008, 7:05pm

Theatre/Drama Colleges Part 4

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 01:33 pm: Edit *

Okay. Now I'm faced with a major decision. The idiots in my school's administration have expanded their already oppressive residence life rules to the point that they now essentially constitute the entire student body being "grounded" for the entire academic year. Me and several of my friends, all student leaders, are seriously considering withdrawing in protest and returning to our regular high schools. I've found this summer that I can get similar training through adult studio classes and private voice and speech lessons. I've also been extended an offer to join the local Shakespeare company, so I don't think I'll suffer too badly in my growth as an actress. What concerns me more is how withdrawing from what is viewed as a semi-prestigious school might look on my college applications and how it might effect academic scholarship opportunities. I'm also wondering what the best way to approach this subject will be in audition and scholarship interviews. If doctorjohn, the admissions reps in hiding, or any of you moms can provide some insight or have any advice, I'd appreciate it. I have a week to make my decision.

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 06:21 am: Edit *

Thesbo:

I can't speak for other schools, but I know that for us, it's all about the audition. Getting into arts programs--whether theatre, music or dance--may be among the most democratic processes in existence. In the performing arts, there are no privileged admissions based on who your family is, or how much money they have, or where your parents went to college, or where you went to high school. Admission isn't based on your great SAT scores, grades, extra-curriculars, and college essays (although those are helpful). It isn't even about what you've done in the past. It's all about what we see right now in the four minutes you have onstage.

While you're auditioning, we will look at your resume, and probably attribute your good work in part to the training you received. In the interview, I might ask you why you left "Prestigious Performing Arts High School". But it's more a matter of curiosity than a decision-making question. If you told me the truth--without the dramatic embellishment--that after some years in a residential high school devoted to the performing arts, you were feeling more than slightly imprisoned, and you wanted the freedom and diversity that you could find in your public high school, I would probably think you were pretty smart.

It's not unlike searching for a new job, Thesbo. Employers interview all the time, and one of the questions they always ask is why the prospective employee wants to leave her current position. If the prospect says that she has learned as much as she can in her job, and she's looking for new challenges, the employer is likely to take a chance on that prospect. But if the prospect says that she hates her current boss, that he's just stupid, and so is the whole organization, the employer isn't going to take a chance. Why not? Because most of us have learned through painful experience that people bring their negativity with them. If the prospect thinks those things about her current boss, she's going to think them about me. Doesn't matter that I'm a nicer guy than her current boss, even if that's the truth. The prospect will find some way to recreate her current psychological environment, where she's the victim and I'm the persecutor, in my business. And I can't afford that. Been there.

So, yes, it does matter how you frame what you say about why you left. But in this case, not nearly as much as the audition. If you and the others are pretty sure that you can be as well-prepared for the auditions next January by working with local professionals as you would be if you stayed in school and worked with the faculty, then leaving is certainly an option. It doesn't matter how it looks. To paraphrase the 1994 Clinton campaign, "It's the audition, stupid."

But if you're not so sure that you can be as well prepared for auditions, then I worry that you're shooting yourself in the foot. If the faculty at Prestigious are the best available, do you really want to throw away what they can do to help you get ready? I guess I'm encouraging you to be selfish in a different kind of way, Thesbo. What's more important to you, dating or acting? Of course you want both. We all want a life. And if you can get both by leaving, then do it. But if you can't, then you have to make a choice.

But before you make the leap, I need to ask if you think you've exhausted your political options. Yes, you can walk out. You could also sit in (although I wouldn't recommend it). But have the six of you thought of asking for a collective meeting with the administration to see if you can get them to bend? If you do that, you have to be prepared to leave school. But you're thinking about doing that anyway. Why just walk away in a huff, which is a fairly meaningless gesture, when you can use the fact that you're prepared to leave, and so are others, as a collective bargaining tool? Does one of you have a supportive parent who's an attorney, who would be willing to help you with this?

My suspicion is that the "idiots in the administration" made the decision they did in order to protect the school from being sued, and they probably were advised by legal counsel that they had to do it this way. So one good attorney deserves another. I happen to be one of the few people who think lawyers do some good in the world. Not necessarily when they fight to win at all costs, but when they fight to find the best solution to a problem, through negotiation. So find an attorney who can help you guys negotiate a middle ground, where you can get at least some of what you want, the administration can get at least some of what it wants, and everyone can go on with the work of making theatre.

And if you want some help with this, call me.

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 12:10 pm: Edit *

Thanks, Doctorjohn!
Right now, there are 28 seniors and a good number of their parents involved in this and the number is growing as word spreads. I didnt realize it, but the residence people have gone too far in the past and a mass outcry to the president of the school did cause them to back down. A couple of the involved parents are lawyers and they are trying to find out if there is any real legal reason for the new rules. More likely than not, its just a couple of the RL people overreacting to a small number of rebellious students who caused some trouble at the end of last year. Theyve been known to do that. They were literally employees at the states youth correctional facility before they got their current jobs and they still act like prison guards. The result is that a student body made up of artistically and often academically gifted students, most of whom have absolutely no prior disciplinary records, have sometimes found themselves being treated like criminals as a matter of course. Actually, this treatment has caused a lot of rebellion that wouldnt have otherwise occurred. Another side effect has been that a lot of students who have been recruited for the school have turned it down because of the overly restrictive rules. This is a matter of In Loco Parentis truly becoming Loco Parents and a lot of the actual parents seem to agree. My mom's comment is that "There was a war with the stupid people and the stupid people won." LOL There is a petition being circulated which will be signed by both students and their parents. Hopefully the administration will see the light when faced with a large portion of the senior class, many of whom are bound for prestigious colleges, withdrawing. At any rate, Id like to return, but Im not going to spend my senior year of high school in lockdown for anything short of them bringing Stanislavski back to life and somehow getting him to teach there.

If they dont back down, I think Ill be okay. The person Ive been working with this summer is a Ph.D. candidate with an MFA from SMU. We have good chemistry and I think I can trust her to get me ready for auditions. Some of the question here becomes whether or not Id benefit more from performing with adult companies as the designated ingénue and getting most of my training in private and through adult workshops or receiving more true conservatory model training where Ill likely be more stretched. Right now, the roles on the table are Bianca in Taming of the Shrew and Renee/Tracy in Vampire Lesbians of Sodom. I actually havent gotten around to reading that play yet, but Ive heard its a riot. Some of the people from the scene study class I took are planning to put it on this fall and would like to cast me for it. Of course, another factor is that performing a lot at night outside of school will make keeping my grades up a challenge. Mom has always thought the administration at my school are idiots and has never understood why I wanted to subject myself to them to begin with. So, she's willing to let me do this as long as I keep my grades up. As far as the dating versus acting choice, I do have a new boyfriend, but the poor guy is probably going to feel neglected no matter which option I choose! He'll probably dump me by November. LOL

Hopefully your thoughtful responses to the personal problems I keep spewing on this board will give others some valuable insight into the admissions process. Thanks again!

*By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 12:33 pm: Edit *

Thesbohemian, while Doctorjohn gives excellent advice, I would simply add that some arts programs do, indeed, consider your academic stats just as important as your audition. So, I suppose it depends on which schools you're interested in applying to this fall. I'm not familiar with which ones you're looking at, but I imagine that you know how each makes its admissions decisions. If, as you say, you're also interested in a merit scholarship for academics, then this becomes an even more relevant discussion. I would think that as long as your switch to another high school would include your being able to continue a rigorous curriculum academically, and that you maintain your high grades, then I doubt it would pose a problem in the admissions process. Although my daughter attended an arts h/s, most of her classmates at Tisch did not, so it will not work against you for one year. If you feel that you have the wherewithal to prepare for your auditions adequately without the resources available at your school, then you should be fine. Good luck!

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 02:25 pm: Edit *

Alwaysamom: Agreed. Completely.

Good luck,Thesbo. For the sake of your fellow students, who likely don't have the same access you do to good help outside the school, I hope the administration does back down.

*By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 11:41 pm: Edit *

My daughter has to audition for her college theatre program for fall plays on the first day of classes in late August. She is a sophomore. She just got the letter about auditions and one of her monologues is supposed to be a one-minute "serio-comic" monologue. Does anyone have any suggestions for possible monologues that fit this? From what we can tell, this is a comedic monologue with serious overtones or theme, or the other way around. She wants to do something from a modern play. (I suggested Shakespeare but she said no.)

*By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 10:33 pm: Edit *

Bookiemom--There has been lots of discussion on the musical theatre threads (there are 22) about choosing monologues. You can do a message search to find them. The overall opinion is reading lots of plays and finding monologues that work for the individual; it's impossible to tell someone else (esp. someone one doesn't know) what would make a good monologue for that person. It is impossible to read dozens and dozens of plays, though, without any direction at all. Hopefully, your daughter has enough guidance from her freshman year to know how to find the right type of plays to read. What my d found useful last year (freshman high school) when she had to have two "perfect" monologues, one comic and one serious, for the contemporary one was to search books of monologues FROM VERY RECENT PLAYS. When she found an exciting monologue, she then read the play to see if the character was a fit and because a knowledge of the play is mandatory. This is a backward approach, but it worked well for her because it allowed her to find a delicious monologue that captivated her right off and it allowed her to not have to read too many plays that were totally wrong for her (she did do some of that until she found a better approach). Just so nobody gets excited, I'm not talking about monologue books of monologues written just for auditions, but monologues from genuine plays.

*By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Tuesday, August 03, 2004 - 12:44 pm: Edit *

Thanks, MT Mommy. I also follow the MT thread, so I have already read all that info about choosing monologues. My D doesn't have any difficulty with that in general, it was specifically the serio-comic angle that was a little difficult to grasp. Your idea is a good one--thanks.

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 09:41 am: Edit *

Yay! In the war with the stupid people, the smart people finally won a battle. Power to the people! Power to the oppressed! Power to the rational! URRAH!!! So, Im going back to pris ... school in a few days. Ill be descending into total AP Hell this fall, so I doubt Ill have much time for internet musings. I just wanted to thank everybody on this list for being SO much help in getting my college choices expanded. This time last year, Id never even heard of half the schools on my list! Anyway, heres my list as it stands right now:

Reaches (Unified auditions)
The Juilliard School
North Carolina School of the Arts

Supposed Matches (On-campus auditions)
Southern Methodist University
Florida State University

Supposed Matches (Unified auditions)
University of Evansville
University of Miami

Safeties (On-campus auditions for small theatre scholarships with big bucks for academics)
Catawba College
College of Charleston

This summer, various people have convinced me that if I get accepted at either of my reaches, Id be crazy not to go and my grandparents have said theyll pay for Juilliard if lightning so strikes. Theyre also working on getting my mom to open up my college trust for out-of-state schools if I fall in love with a place on a visit and only get a partial scholarship. Well see how THAT goes ...

Interestingly, Ive found this summer that I changed at school a lot more than I thought and Ive become more comfortable around semi-sane artsy people than my old normal friends. Ive actually come to miss the madness. Maybe I'd like a pure conservatory. Ack! Im a cheerleader gone drama geek! Cap me, PLEASE!!!

Thanks again to everyone for all the help! Theres a lot of good information on this thread and it should be kept going. Let me know if you want me to do links to new chapters. I'm no HTML guru like Shauna, but I can make 'em work. The next eight months are gonna be ... ummm ... interesting.

*By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 12:48 pm: Edit *

Thesbohemian--Not to be a pain here, but my daughter and I are trying to figure out this issue for herself (she's a junior): how did you go about figuring out which schools were matches for you? It seems to me like it's so impossible to tell with an audition whether a school is a match or not. Thanks for any insight into this dilemma. . . .

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 02:39 pm: Edit *

Thesbohemian, such good news! So glad that things worked out at your school AND that you have your list completed. That's a huge step--I'll be relieved when my son has his list finalized. You have at least two schools on your list that he will include on his. You're right--the next eight months will be "interesting". I'm hoping that they will be also be fun, exciting, and ... kind!

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 03:53 pm: Edit *

Mtmommy,
No pain at all! I'm through with work and just hanging out this week doing as much of nothing as possible.

It really is kind of hard to tell about any of this for sure because it really depends on who else is out there auditioning for which schools on a given year. There's always the "karma in the stars" factor during auditions, too. I went about ranking them and my chances for admission based on where previous graduates of my school have been accepted along with what I've been told by my teachers and some other theatre professionals.

Most years, the best two or three senior actors from my school have ended up going to places like Juilliard, CMU, NCSA, or SUNY Purchase. The next "tier" of between three and five have gone to places like SMU, FSU, Otterbein, DePaul, Rutgers, Boston University, Emerson, and Hart. We don't actually have anybody that I know of at Miami or Evansville but, from what I've been able to gather, they're roughly in the same "league" as the others admissions-wise. Then, there are always a couple of people who resort to "safeties" like CoC, Shorter or various BA programs along with some who decide to not major in theatre at all. We don't actually have anybody at Catawba, but it's on my list by recommendation of an alum who was the person who first dragged me by the hair to acting classes after seeing me portray Mary Magdalene in a church youth group skit. She's an MT grad who now has kids and teaches dance part-time, but some of her friends from college are regularly working actors in NY and LA.

Of course this is all for straight theatre and I'm not sure how they stack up for MT. It's probably fairly similar, though. Hope this helps!

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 03:53 pm: Edit *

Catherdingmom,
Thanks! Which two? Let me know if I can be any help. BTW, I'm thinking about investing in an inflatable punching clown, myself ... There'll be no kindness in his world!

*By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 - 04:10 pm: Edit *

Thesbohemian--Thanks for the info on your process. This is very helpful. My daughter is working on a list of schools and expects to have a couple of straight theatre schools in there, as well, but ones where she can also study voice and dance as well. I wish I could see a list somewhere of rankings of theatre departments because I really don't have too much of a clue. For example, I never would have guessed that SUNY Purchase would be considered more of a reach than Boston U. My daughter can't use your exact process, though, because we're in California--and California people think so differently about college than the rest of the country. Most people don't really notice there are schools outside of CA LOL. I think it's because our public universities are such a bargain. Most of the drama/MT kids ahead of her have gone to UCLA, USC (not that SC is a bargain!), Fullerton, and San Francisco.

I hope things work out great for you this year. You sound like you really know where you're going (metaphorically speaking), and I believe that's a lot more than 50% of the getting there.

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 12:38 pm: Edit *

Thesbohemian, my son also is thinking about Catawba. We have not visited there yet but plan to visit in the fall. Like you, we don't really know a lot about it, but I spoke with someone in the theatre department who was very friendly and helpful. The location is also good for us.

He also plans to audition for NCSA. Of course, he realizes that the odds of getting in are slim, but if he doesn't apply, he has absolutely no chance of getting in.

As far as the rest of the schools he'll apply to, we'll just have to see what he comes up with!

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 11:01 am: Edit *

Mtmommy,
Thanks! Yeah. If I were in CA, Id be looking there, too. As good a bargain as some of those schools are in-state, theyre WAY expensive for those of us from the outside and I read Herr Terminator wants to raise them up even more. Also, Purchase is da shizzle as far as their acting program goes. Fairly inexpensive, too. I scratched them off my reach list mainly because theyre reputed for having an ugly, depressing-looking campus (pics seem to confirm this) where they often triple freshmen in dorms. The student body has a rep for being very politically active in a way, way, WAY left-of-center kind of way, too. Doesnt seem like a good fit for a semi-conservative redneck chick like me. No full rides, either. Itll probably be a great fit for the guy we have going this year, though. I love him, but hes a total freak of nature ... not that theres anything WRONG with that ...

As far as rankings go, the only book Ive seen is The Performing Arts Majors College Guide, 3rd ed. which is six years old and very suspect, IMHO. For instance, NCSA and CMU are listed as Other Noteworthy Undergraduate Programs while Indiana University, Evansville, and Utah are on the Most Highly Recommended list. They dont even have Otterbein or Hart on their radar. Go figure ... The only other rankings Ive seen are on The Princeton Review and those seem to be based on some kind of questionnaire as to how popular theatre groups are on campus.

Catherdingmom,
Good luck with the search! I found the people at Catawba very nice when I talked to them, too. I initially called the financial aid people to ask some specific questions about scholarship opportunities. They talked to me for a long time and insisted on transferring me to somebody in the theatre department. I ended up being on the phone for like an hour and really enjoyed it. Very warm and hospitable. Almost makes me feel guilty that theyre on my safety list. The woman who turned me on to them says she turned down a couple of more prestigious schools after her campus visit when she totally fell in love with the place. She says the faculty has mostly changed over since she was there, but the head of the BFA Performance track is the same and shes awesome.

Sheesh. I really oughtta be packing. Where to start ... LOL

*By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 11:50 am: Edit *

Mtmommy, there are many unofficial ranked lists of drama schools but no official one that I'm aware of. The arts h/s that two of my daughters attended has compiled their own over the years, out of necessity and experience. We looked at it when my D knew that's what she wanted to continue in college, and then expanded it a bit and looked at several different programs. Here's the list they start with, for what it's worth. The top group are deemed the best for what most students at this particular school are looking for; the second group are also excellent.

NYU
UMichigan
Juilliard
Carnegie Mellon
Northwestern
Tufts
Brandeis
Boston U
Columbia

UCLA
USC
Florida State
Emerson
Ithaca
Syracuse
Penn State
University of the Arts
Adelphi
Bucknell

*By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 12:57 pm: Edit *

Thanks, Thesbohemian and Alwaysamom! Alwaysamom, most of those schools my D has either put on her list or decided against (needs voice and dance opportunities, as well as available musicals either on or off campus), but there are a few I don't think she's researched, although Penn is on her list to investigate. Southern Methodist University's theatre looks good to her. It's not on any of the lists at your D's school?

Does anyone know anything abouat the theatre department (non-audition) at Arizona State University?

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 02:56 pm: Edit *

I notice that some colleges request headshots for prospective theatre students, and some just ask for a 2x2 photo. My son does not have a headshot, and no photographer in our area specializes in that kind of photography. Also since this would just be for use for college auditions, I don't want to spend big bucks for something that will be outdated by the time he graduates. He will have his senior photos made in a few weeks, and he will have options on how they are made. I've come across conflicting advice on headshots--black and white vs. color, close-up on just the head vs. more upper body. This is probably just a small detail that doesn't matter very much, but with the idea that a lot of small details can add up to impact favorably or negatively, I'd like it to be close to what is expected. Any suggestions?

*By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 03:59 pm: Edit *

Catherdingmom, the first thing I'd do is check with the specific colleges and confirm that they want an actual headshot. Many who say headshot are happy to just receive a photograph. If they confirm that it's a professional type headshot they want, I'm sure you could find a photographer to take them for you. Any photographer should be able to do that. Just explain what it is you need it for, sometimes they call them modelling shots. Most headshots I've seen are upper body and head shots. These seem to be the most common these days. Getting 'real' headshots done by a photographer who specializes in them can cost hundreds of dollars. When one of my daughters needed some done for auditions and for colleges, I chose a regular old photographer who had come recommended for something other than headshots. I explained what I wanted and he said he could do it with no problem. He took about 20 shots and we chose from the proofs which we wanted. They were black and white, which I believe is what is most common. Make sure you son is relaxed, dressed in something simple, and solid colors, usually black or white. Have a variety of poses done, open mouth smile, closed mouth smile, no smile, etc. Some with glasses if he wears them. Good luck!

xiggi · November 3, 2008, 7:10pm

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Sunday, August 08, 2004 - 01:27 pm: Edit *

Alwaysamom, thanks! My son is attending a Shakespeare camp, and we went to see their showcase yesterday. Such an amazing group of talented performers! If this is representative of the pool of talent across the country, the decision of who gets in a college's theatre program is very, very difficult. Maybe the small details are even more important than I thought.

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Sunday, August 08, 2004 - 01:37 pm: Edit *

Thesbohemian, have FUN in this senior year! When you have time (yeah, right!), let us know how the year is going. I'm expecting to hear about some pretty exciting Adventures of Thesbohemian this year!

*By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Sunday, August 08, 2004 - 04:56 pm: Edit *

Catherdingmom: for my D's college auditions, I took her 8 X 10 senior portrait photograph and made high-quality color photocopies. This served just fine as a headshot for college level auditions. It was an upper body and head pose in a casual outdoor setting.

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 07:47 pm: Edit *

Just to let everyone know, the Unified audition information has been updated for 2005. Here's the link:

<a href="http://www.otterbein.edu/dept/thr/unified.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.otterbein.edu/dept/thr/unified.htm</a>

Hope to see many of you there!

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 09:20 pm: Edit *

Thanks, Bookiemom. I take it that your D will be off to college in the next few weeks. My congratulations and best wishes to all the parents and theatre kids who have shared your experience here and on the musical theatre thread. The information and experience you share will make the path a little clearer for this year's seniors. (And yes, we certainly need all the clarity we can get! LOL!)

*By Valerie (Valerie) on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 11:30 pm: Edit *

Henpecking In

will report mroe in few days if not sooner

Valerie

*By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 10:08 pm: Edit *

Thesbohemian--If you're out there anywhere, would you be so kind to help us out on the #23 MT thread? We need somebody to start up #24 and put the links in. Puh-lease?

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 09:13 am: Edit *

Mtmommy, "Soytenly!"

So, Catherdingmom wanted the continuing adventures of Thesbo I was just reading the MT thread and thought it ironic that types were being discussed. My first day back at school, I got pulled aside, yelled at, and banned from working out in the gym except for yoga and light lifecycle work until I smooth back out. Apparently, I got too muscular for my teachers tastes. I couldnt afford the Pilates he wanted me taking over the summer and just got happy with weights and aerobics classes. I need Rosalind, not a ****** action star! So, now we have both a fat list AND a too cut list. So, kiddies, the lesson for the week seems to be that if youre a type, dont make any changes in your appearance without checking with the people wholl be casting you first.

As far as headshots, it cant hurt to have some good ones. If you live anywhere near a professional theatre, give them a call and find out where the actors get theirs done. Also, back to the first point, once you have some good ones, dont change your appearance before the auditions.

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 11:45 am: Edit *

Hmmm....Thesbo, too cut, huh? That really aggravated me, and I wrote two different posts, and deleted them both because as a responsible adult (which I am most of the time), I shouldn't put more of a negative spin on this. Just suffice it to say that IMHO Shakespeare himself could have coped splendidly with a "more cut" Rosalind. (Come to think of it--he probably did! lol) Assuming you didn't pump up like the Governator, I would say the man overreacted. Just keep in mind, when you're onstage accepting your Oscar or your Tony, you do not have to name him in your list of people to be thanked.
OTOH, I'm just thinking that having a concrete reason NOT to work out in the gym doesn't sound half bad to me.

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 01:38 pm: Edit *

LOL@"Governator." Seems like everybody around here is "too" something. In his defense, he's actually right. I've always had scrawny little arms and shoulders and tried to do something about it. Now I have scrawny little arms and shoulders with a prominent Cephalic vein and striated triceps! As far as being called "too" whatever, it's really just something actors are going to have to get used to. Supposedly, everybody in the real world is always being told they're "too" something. Too tall ... Too short ... Too skinny ... Too fat ... Too pretty ... blah, blah, blah. Just gotta grow a thick skin. I assume it's the same in hardcore college programs. At least it's not like last year when I got accused of having an eating disorder. If you'd ever seen me eat, you'd know just how funny that idea is. If I ever get lucky enough to give an acceptance speech, I'll definitely mention him, though. I wouldn't have had a prayer of getting accepted into over half the colleges on my list without the training I got last year and, voila, this year the bar has been raised. Hope my legs don't get any more cut trying to jump it ... Remember, most Marines love their drill sergeant when they look back on their training. He's so gonna kill me if he ever runs across this thread!

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 09:08 pm: Edit *

Thesbo:

Along with catherdingmom, I think it's great that you buffed up over the summer. But if you'll accept my two cents, I don't think the lesson is that you have to check with casting directors before you change your look. You have the right to do anything you want with your look, except in one instance: if you've been cast in a role. The director has the right to expect to see the same actor at the first rehearsal that she saw at auditions. The lesson is, if you've been cast in a role, and you want to change your look, gain weight, get a tan, cut your hair or change its color, ask the director and the costume designer beforehand. S'allright?

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 09:01 am: Edit *

Comprendo. Apparently not the case around here. I LOVE the role, though. How often do you see Rosalind in auditions? "Love is merely a madness ..." Too bad most of my schools only want to see contemporary.

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 03:25 pm: Edit *

Thesbo:

I don't see Rosalind that often, mores the pity. It's a great role. If I were you, I'd prepare something from it for auditions. Even if you don't use it up front, you have it if they ask for a classical piece--and many schools will. In fact, I recommend that actors have four to six monologues prepared. I can't tell you how many times we've ending up taking someone on the basis of a monologue they didn't lead with.

*By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 05:17 pm: Edit *

Thesbo--Thanks so much for starting up that new MT thread! Your skills are much appreciated.

*By Notarebel (Notarebel) on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 05:27 pm: Edit *

OH MOY GOWAD!!! WAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!!!! Thesbo - I thought that was you on the MT thread but I wasnt sure until now. Good job on the incognito thang. Guess who just got a new nickname??? ROFLMAO You know dang well you wont go to those safeties so get them off your list! Poor little miss Michelle Pfeiffer lookalike on the too cut list. Awwwww! Those of us on the too short list send our condolences. LOVE YA SWEETIE!!! k

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 10:32 pm: Edit *

Hi, honeeeeeey! Shhhhhhhh! Why doncha tell us YOUR choices, Miss Carnegie-Mellonhead? Michelle Pfeiffer? Pu-leez! Love ya blind, m'sweet! MUAH!!!

*By Notarebel (Notarebel) on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 05:41 pm: Edit *

Why certainly Dahling. I am applying to Carnegie-Mellon, DePaul, Boston U, NYU, Rutgers, Roosevelt and Emerson. All the talk on this board about Minnesota and Michigan also has me interested. I also want to do as many walk in auditions as possible in Chicago including any British schools that are there. If I dont get accepted anywhere after all this training I will take it as a sign from the theatre gods and either slash my wrists or major in something else at a local state university that would identify us both and get me strangled by you and you, in turn, by our esteemed drama faculty if the nazi administration doesnt get you first. Now we share the danger my scrumptious blue eyed chickadee. Muahahahahaaaaaaaa! Any comments?

P.S. Everyone on this board should join our whole studio, teachers and just about everybody in our school in putting a mojo on thesbo's mom until she agrees to open up her college trust fund to let her go where she wants. Da girl is da bomb!

*By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 01:14 pm: Edit *

In all your research on theatre schools, do you have names of schools that offer a semester or year in London? I know I've seen this in the past, but now can't remember which schools.

*By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 07:10 pm: Edit *

Mtmommy, Tisch has some wonderful study abroad opportunities.

Fall/Spring</a> Study Abroad: Tisch School of the Arts at NYU

*By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 07:40 pm: Edit *

Alwaysamom--That figures. Dad's only input in this college decision process is that D can't move to NYC as a freshman lol.

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 09:47 pm: Edit *

Mtmommy,
Two of the schools on my list have semesters in England. At FSU, its part of the standard curriculum progression and takes place first semester of the junior year. It is also encouraged at Evansville at their Harlaxton Campus, though I dont have any details on how it relates to theatre students. I think its mainly just a cool place to go to get remaining general education requirements out of the way during the junior year.

Speaking of GE requirements, one of our seniors from last year wholl be going to CMU in a few days just posted her schedule on her Live Journal. I so envy her. She actually gets five hours off during the day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday! Shes still wall-to-wall on Tuesdays and Thursdays, though. Its motivation. She got a lot of her GE crap out of the way through AP like I'm trying to do. Oh, well ... Back to work so I can do the same next year wherever I end up!

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 09:49 pm: Edit *

Notarebel,
Dont put a mojo on my mom! Shes coming around. Probably wont change my list much, except that I'll probably change a couple of choices away from the tiny schools and itll free me up to do more walk-ins at the unifieds. Thanks for the thought, though, Hon. MUAH!

*By Wct (Wct) on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 12:55 pm: Edit *

Thesbohemian-

It is beneficial to get good grades on your AP exams and/or take some college classes for transfer. My S is at CMU and as an actor he was able to free up some time because a couple of classes he took at our local junior college transfered. Unlike the MT's, actors have to take an elective every semester. The unit total actors are expected to take is unbelieveble, (the average is 54 units per semester) so anything you can do to free up some time is very helpful.

*By Dcmom3 (Dcmom3) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 05:42 pm: Edit *

Mtmommy,
Boston U's BFA theater program has a semester in London during the junior year.

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 06:16 pm: Edit *

Wct,
Yes m'am. Her schedule is fairly tight even with all the AP credit. Besides her theatre classes, she has a history class and some kind of computer lab. Then, she has a production class from like 6:20 10:20 every night. Still, Id so kill to have that five hours off in the afternoon right now. Instead, I get five hours of sleep most nights. Can you say evil, mean, burnt-out caffeine junky by December? Better now than later, I guess. Therell be a little more time the second part of the year. No more tests or papers due this week, though! at last ...

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 01:16 pm: Edit *

The schools I'm planning to audition for call for a song as part of the audition. Miami even wants two contrasting songs. Exactly what are they looking for with this? Real singing ability for possible MT casting? Versatility? Personality? Do the selections necessarily need to be from the MT repetoire? I guess my teachers will probably suggest a few once we get into college audition mode, but singing is really not my strength. Any singing role I should be cast in should be like the karaoke Cameron Diaz did in "My Best Friend's Wedding." I'm not THAT bad, but can be worse if need be. I'm actually fairly good at country music. I can see the Juilliard audition now ... "Hello. My name is Thesbo Thesbohemian and I will be performing Bride from "Blood Wedding," Cindy from "Domestic Tranquility," Rosalind from "As You Like It," and "LESSON IN LEAVIN'" by Jo Dee Messina.

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 02:22 pm: Edit *

Thesbo, the really good thing about "Lesson in Leavin" is that I guarantee nobody else will be doing it! Now I have something to laugh about as I go about my chores. And I need that! I just discovered that last year's calendar must have gone out in the recycling bin. You know the calendar I'm talking about--every family has one. The one that has where everybody was supposed to be, what they were supposed to be doing and at what time. So when my S is trying to figure out how many extracurricular hours he has (and I think there were about a billion), it's going to have to be purely a guesstimate.

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 10:09 am: Edit *

Catherdingmom,
LOL I learned that one last summer when my boyfriend took me some place I really wasn't supposed to be. Biker women go totally bonkers over it after a few drinks. I'm thinking my contrasting selection should be "I've Got Friends in Low Places" or "Freebird." Maybe some of the auditors will have a little "red around the collar."

They make us log our EC time here, so getting it for last year is easy. My 9th and 10th grade time was a little harder to figure and is also a guestimate. It's weird how much time I spent on other things besides drama back then. Those bus rides to away games really add up! Seems like a totally different life, now.

Yay! I don't know what was said, but the drama faculty had a phone conference with the mom and she's agreed to show me the money if I get accepted somewhere good and don't get a full ride. I guess pressure from the grandparents and my uncle added up, too. Woot! I'm still tied down to applying to "matches" where one is at least a possibility, though. Makes sense, I guess. You can really only audition at so many places and it's a way to screen them.

*By Notarebel (Notarebel) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 12:52 pm: Edit *

Thesbo -- Ooooooo I'm gonna tell! You sing great sweety - for an alto that is. (muahahaha) do a jazz song and stay out of your upper register and head voice ... and QUIT DATING OLDER GUYS WHO GO TO BIKER BARS! Ainchu got no sense gullfreeund? Cool about your mom. Now i can lift the mojo. :-P

*By Wct (Wct) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 12:59 pm: Edit *

Thesbohemian-

I would suggest no pop tunes or country at your auditions. Find a MT song that is in your register. One that is easy to sing but shows off the quality of your voice. My S was asked in several of his acting auditions to sing. Good thing he was prepared.

*By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 02:28 pm: Edit *

Thesbohemian, I have to echo Wct's advice here. The auditors will definitely want to see a MT song if they request that you sing, not pop or country. It's also a good idea to have more than the required number of monologues prepared. They often will ask if you have another that you could do. And, as always, be familiar with the entire play and be prepared to discuss.

Just returned from taking D back to NYU. We had a delightful week in the city moving her back and happily got out of town before the Republicans descended. ;)

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 05:21 pm: Edit *

Wct and Alwaysamom,
Thanks. I have monologues out the yin-yang, but no MT songs that wouldn't have to be way overdone. Do you by chance know of any easy songs from semi-obscure musicals that are written for a young leading lady type who happens to be a non-belting alto? Is it okay to just sing soprano songs in a lower key?

Notarebel,
YOU really ought to fit some MT auditions into your schedule little Miss Better-than-most-of-the-voice-majors-mezzo-soprano-belter with God only knows how many years of ballet training before you switched to acting. You can even read music and play instruments.

What? Am I supposed to focus my romantic attentions on the approximately fifteen non-gross straight boys in our entire school? Pu-leeze! That's part of what worries me about some of these pure conservatories. More of the same? Starbucks after dinner, m'sweet?

*By Wct (Wct) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 07:18 pm: Edit *

Thesbohemian-

Without the opportunity to hear you sing, it would be hard to give advice about MT tunes that fit you.

You may want to look at MT songs for character roles.

Sometimes I check out tunes at Amazon or the MTI, (Musical Theater International) web site. You won't get to hear the whole tune but you hear enough to tell if you have an interest in it or not.

The best bet is to get together with a voice teacher or an accompanist and spend an hour or so looking through material.

Good luck.

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 07:26 am: Edit *

We're in danger of this thread slipping into the archives, so as the kids are wont to say, "Bump."

I do have a question. Thesbo & Notarebel, what do the teachers at your school recommend as an approach to choosing monologues? Do they pick ones out for you? Or do they send you looking? and if so, what kind of guidelines do they give you?

*By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 09:19 am: Edit *

There's an interesting discussion in the parents' forum about classes, class size, who's teaching, etc. I thought I'd copy my reply here, and in the MT thread since there may be some who would be interested in this information, too.

NYU

Studio classes:
Movement -- 17
Performance Technique -- 17
Repetition -- 17
Script Analysis -- 17
Voice -- 17
Speech -- 17

All are taught by faculty at Atlantic Theatre Co. They are all experts in their respective fields, individuals such as dancer Renee Redding-Jones, Broadway actor and founding member of Atlantic Mary McCann, actor Cynthia Silver, actor/director/writer Anya Safir, professional voice and speech advisor and teacher David Wells. Almost all are also full NYU profs at Tisch and all have BFA, most have MFA.

Intro to theatre studies -- lecture of perhaps 80, seminar of perhaps 20. Full prof.

Intro to theatrical production -- same as theatre studies. Full prof.

Honors seminar taught by actress/playwright Anna Deveare Smith (if any of you are West Wing fans you'll know who this is). -- 20

Writing the Essay (required of every NYU freshman)
lecture -- 80
recitation -- 15
Taught by the dean of Tisch.

xiggi · November 3, 2008, 7:11pm

*By Ken80 (Ken80) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 11:32 am: Edit *

Alwaysamom - what year is your S/D in at ATC?

Our D starts there next week.

*By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 05:35 pm: Edit *

Ken80, my D will be a sophomore this year.

*By Ken80 (Ken80) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 07:26 pm: Edit *

We keep getting excited reports via cell phone - today they did theater games led by someone from "Avenue Q" - it takes away a lot of the sting of the empty house to hear her so happy.

*By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 07:56 pm: Edit *

She'll love it, Ken. The visiting artist thing happens ALL the time, often informally. I've told this story here before but I'll repeat it for you. Last year one of my D's studio teachers told the class that a friend of his was going to be dropping by to speak to them. He said, 'she's been a working actress on stage, film, and tv for many years, but I doubt if many of you will know her'. Everyone said 'who is it?' And he said, ' have any of you ever heard of Jennifer Grey?' The entire 17 kids in the class screamed in unison ' oh my god, Baby from Dirty Dancing!' He was amazed that they knew who she was! The kids at Tisch get so many wonderful opportunities like this, in addition to being in such close proximity of the best variety of theatre in the world. It's not in too many places where you have guest lecturers like Kevin Spacey, Spike Lee, Edie Falco, William H. Macy, John Cameron Mitchell, etc. etc. The quality and experience of the faculty is pretty amazing, too. If you haven't already done so, take a look at their bio page sometime. Best of luck to your daughter this year.

*By Notarebel (Notarebel) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 10:20 pm: Edit *

Hi Doctorjohn -- They assign us monologues but they are designed to be big stretches for class and would not be good for auditions. We review plays all the time and are supposed to be on the lookout for pieces we would like to try. the main thing is to find things yuou could realistically be cast as that fit the age range and types you can realistically play and that is different for everybody. For example, i look my age and can handle roles from 15 stretching to 21. Thesbo is tall and uber hot (AND uber talented even though she still doesnt believe it) with a rich, silky voice and is convincing in lots of roles up to mid 20s. We have a boy who is big and burly with a bass voice who can pull off characters into their 30s. A girl from here who got into NCSA last year had some monologues for women in their 30s that she used in her auditions, so age isn't always exact science. I think people need to work on this with somebody who will be brutally honest about what they can and can't get away with at whatever place they are in their growth.

I have gotten alot of my monologues from reading obscure and Off-Broadway plays that did not have a part that would work for me but I felt akin to the playwright's style. When I find one like that, I skim other works by the same person to see if I can find a suitable character. If you keep looking that way, over time you will have a bunch to choose from and some will really say something to you. Something I have not seen here is that not only do you need to be super familiar with the whole play, but you need to be familiar with the playwright and his or her other works as well. We always get quizzed on that. We also have monologue night once a month where we do pieces we choose and the teachers keep notes on which ones we did well. I think once we get around to prepping for auditions they will help us pick from what we have.

How do you suggest going about choosing them? Your posts are always so well thought out and informative. Happy late anniversary! :-)

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 09:10 pm: Edit *

The reason I asked, Notareb, is that I suspected that you and your teachers would have a solid process. You're doing exactly the right thing. For absolute beginners, go and get one of the monologue books, read through it completely and find a piece where the words feel good in your mouth and get your blood racing. Don't do that piece. Why not? Because all of those pieces are overdone, and some of them have been cut to ribbons. But do go and find plays by that playwright and read, read, read until you find something you really like that works.

What you're saying about age is also correct. Calendar age and stage age are two different things. Some 17-year-olds can play 30-somethings. Some 17-year-olds shouldn't do roles written for anyone over 16. And your advice is good: work with someone who can be brutally honest about what you can and can't do. They be teachin' you good at them thar place down south.

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 10:21 am: Edit *

Doctorjohn, O Bringer of Light! Could you shed some light for me on the different emphases schools may have? My son has had two very different directors this summer. One director was very specific and very detailed on how my son's role was to be played--to the point of giving him exact inflections and gestures to be used. The other director gave him the freedom to develop the role as he chose, encouraging him to trust his instincts and take risks. While there is something to be learned in both methods, my son believes he can gain more by having the freedom to explore a role and take risks. I'm wondering what he can expect from the different schools. Do some schools tend to teach from a "this is how you do it" emphasis? Do others tend to teach more about developing your own method of approaching the role? If so, how can a prospective student find out which emphasis the program uses?

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 09:42 pm: Edit *

Catherdingmom:

Yes, well, some directors are like that. Not a style I like. But there are some professional directors who work that way, and there is something to be learned from them. Think of it as choreography, and it begins to make more sense. If you do the inflections and gestures with the attitude that you're being robbed of your freedom, the result will be ugly. If you do it with the attitude that you want to discover the truth inside the form, the result can be beautiful.

Nevertheless, if your son prefers the second approach, then that's the kind of program he needs to be in. How can he find out beforehand?

He can read the department's mission statement and recruiting brochure, and read between the lines. He can ask questions of department leadership. He can visit classes and watch. But finally the very best way is to talk to current students. "What are the teachers like?" "Do they tell you what to do?" or "Do they encourage you to trust your instincts and take risks?" "How supportive are they?" "How honest are they?" etc. etc. etc. Overnight visits where he can stay in a dorm are the most revealing of all.

Of course not all teachers are the same in any department. But for your son to be happy, most of the teachers in a given department ought to be like his second director, not his first.

*By Over30 (Over30) on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 10:45 pm: Edit *

May I butt in here with a related question? Do any of you have any recommendations for someone interested in the tech crew/directing side of theatre? No interest in acting. Thanks

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 11:00 pm: Edit *

Dawkterjohn,
Th' voyce 'n' spaych taycher is teh wun dat geeuts da maydal 'round hair. Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Notarebel,
You forgot to mention your own hotness, hon. Thanks. I needed that. Notes, notes, notes, notes, notes ... I'm the worst actor in the world! You're so getting a big hug in the morning. Oh my, how I need this long weekend off.

*By Wct (Wct) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 01:20 am: Edit *

Catherdingmom-

I have to agree with Doctorjohn. If a student/actor/performer is not allowed to take risks in class or in a role there is not much opportunity for growth.

There are programs out there that want students to take risks. My S is in a program like that, (CMU) and I suspect that where Doctorjohn is, (Otterbein) that is the case too.

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 06:10 am: Edit *

Over30: Many schools which offer BFA degrees in Acting and Musical Theatre also offer BFA degrees in Design/Tech and BA degrees in Theatre (for directors). A good place to start would be the unified auditions group:

<a href="http://www.otterbein.edu/dept/thr/unified.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.otterbein.edu/dept/thr/unified.htm</a>

For a comprehensive list of schools, I recommend the latest Directory of Theatre Training Programs:

[dorsettheatrefestival.com[/url</a>]

When you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

*By Dramamama (Dramamama) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 06:53 am: Edit *

Over30,

University of the Arts in Philadephia just began their first freshman class in a program for tech.
I don't know much about it but I may soon as my daughter's roommate is in the program.

*By Over30 (Over30) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 08:53 am: Edit *

Thanks. This is for a friend of my son. My boys are math/science types and I had no idea where to tell her to start.

*By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 09:46 am: Edit *

Over30, Tisch has a tech program which from all accounts is a good one. Here's their website:

<a href="http://www.nyu.edu/tisch/drama/program/primarytech.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.nyu.edu/tisch/drama/program/primarytech.html](<a href="http://dorsettheatrefestival.com%5Ddorsettheatrefestival.com%5B/url">http://dorsettheatrefestival.com)</a>

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 11:09 am: Edit *

Thanks, Doctorjohn. As mentioned in the MT thread, you are an invaluable resource to us. Not many kids in our area pursue an education in theatre. Consequently, we have had to stumble and bumble our way to find the best way to proceed. My son will be auditioning for your school because he is very interested in the program. (The internship is a huge plus for him.) The reason he looked into it, however, was at his mom's request. I thought that anyone who would take the trouble to help out total strangers would put even more effort to promoting the quality of the school's program.

Yes, I can see the importance of talking with current students. The one time he did that at length he found that theatre program was not as strong as he would have wished--although he loved the college. It's off the list of possibilities now.

I've been wondering about an earlier discussion about different types of actors that schools look for. I realize that most schools have only so many slots for each type. My son is considered a character actor. He loves the roles and excels in them. However, when he walks into audition rooms, I don't know if "character actor" is the label that will immediately come to mind of those auditioning him. (For example, from what Thesbo and Notarebel say, I'm assuming when Thesbo walks in, she will automatically be labelled "ingenue".) Of course, he will have character actor monologues and a resume listing his character actor roles, but will the fact that he doesn't look like one hurt his chances? (From a mom's point of view, he looks sort of like a cross between a young Al Pacino and Adrien Brody.)

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 11:30 am: Edit *

Wct, thanks! One other thing I would love to have your perspective on--I understand that CMU as well as some other schools have a policy that students are not cast in any shows until sophmore (or junior?) year. I understand the reasoning behind this, but I'm wondering how my son would adjust to it. He is constantly either in a show or looking for his next opportunity. It's how he has fun and how he recharges his batteries. I'm sure that is true for the great majority of theatre students as well. I know that freshman year is extremely busy anyway, but was it a tough adjustment for your son to suddenly not have the opportunity to be take part in the shows?

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 02:55 pm: Edit *

Thesbo and Notarebel, there are times when I have wished my son could go to a performing arts high school such as yours. However, I feel as though I'm getting the some of the inside scoop through your posts. Just wanted you to know that we find them so helpful. There's Doctorjohn who can give us one point of view, the parents who have been through this before and are willing to share advice, and then you add a valued third perspective.

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 06:04 pm: Edit *

Catherdingmom,
Glad to be of whatever help I can. I just hope some of my whiny posts don't discourage somebody from coming to an art school if they have the chance. We give up a lot and sometimes have to put up with unfair situations created by the petty whims of so-called "adults" in administrative positions, but it really is worth the trade-off and I couldn't be more glad I came. Now I'm home for the weekend and will do the unthinkable ... Watch my old high school's football team thrash its opponent. How quaint! Midnight curfew, too. Woot! Mom is scared I'm gonna end up waiting tables, but I'm really gonna be an NFL cheerleader to pay the bills after college. I wonder what that pays. Hmmmmmm

*By Wct (Wct) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 09:41 pm: Edit *

Catherdingmom-

It is true that you normally don't hit main stage at CMU until your junior or senior year.
Last year when we visited, there were a few sophomores in the main stage Shakespeare play as "bit" players.

My S has always felt that performing in class was enough for him, (even though he was constantly performing in shows at the performing arts high school where he attended before college). You perform a lot in class at CMU. He feels he is at CMU for the training, and that is what is important to him.

That being said, he did have performing opportunities during the last school year. He had the lead in a student directed film. He performed in a full length play with some fellow first year students to raise money for last years senior class' leagues,(the showcase on the west and east coasts). This was organized, produced, directed, etc. by these students and it was very successful. This past summer my S performed in a play with a summer repertory group where he was able to put everything he learned this past year at CMU into practice.

The adjustment to not hitting main stage for a couple years depends on the person. Conservatory training keeps you very busy and you are constantly challenged. For some that is enough. Others find ways to keep performing, if time permits and the opportunity presents itself.

*By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 04:02 am: Edit *

Wct, it is reassuring to know there are performance opportunities out there--especially if one is resourceful enough. Your son must have had a wonderful year! I wish all these kids could go to a school of CMU's caliber. I did read on the MT thread that two boys attending CMU's summer pre-college program were offered places in the acting program. That moves it from a reach-reach school to a "how high can you jump?" category for my son. OTOH, since all the audition schools are reach schools, you have to think not of probabilities but of possibilities, no matter how small. There was a man in our area who won hundreds of thousands of dollars in the lottery--twice. He owned the gas station where I would buy gas sometimes. When he was asked for advice about winning the lottery, he said,"I bought the ticket. It's that simple. You can't win if you don't buy the ticket."

Here's to all the kids out there who will be "buying tickets" this year!

*By Notarebel (Notarebel) on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 02:37 pm: Edit *

I know this is about college and not art school, but after reading all of Thesbo's old posts I feel like I should add to what she said. Most of the kids at our school were not perfect little popular athletic honor student cheerchicks like thesbo at their old schools. As a matter of fact, lots of us were total outcasts or so caught up in working on our art that we didn't have time for anything else and feel like we didn't give up much of anything at all to come to school. For lots of us, it is the only place we have felt like we belonged in our whole lives. Another huge advantage besides the fact that most of us get better training than we could otherwise is that everything we need is all in one place and set up so there won't be any conflicts. Also, the academics are lots bette than at my old school. I think I appreciate this more than most people because I first came to school for dance my freshman year and got injured so I had to drop out and spend my sophomore year at home. That was the worst year of my life and I feel SO lucky to be back in acting. While thesbo is out having a blast going to football games and lord knows where else with her hot boyfriend, most of the rest of us are sitting around bored out of our minds for a long weekend and can't wait to get back to school to be with our friends. You know I love you Thessy, but I sometimes feel like you don't appreciate just how lucky you are. Sorry. I had to say it. <3

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 11:16 am: Edit *

Notaredne ... I mean rebel,
I feel ya and most of what you say is true, but "perfect little popular athletic honor student cheerchick?" You know how hard I work and what I've been through better than that. As far as lucky, let's remember who got accepted back to school in THREE different disciplines. Lots of us would kill to have been born with that kind of talent and parents who would indulge us to develop it. I had no such background and felt lucky to get in as an alternate in one. Work, work, work, ya know? See ya tonight, hon. I promise not to kill.

Sorry 'bout that, folks. I think I'll just stick to cold facts from now on if I post at all. Should make the person who sent me those anonymous off-list nastygrams very happy.

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