<p>Does anyone have any experience with AMDA or know of anyone who will comment on their program? My d has heard both good and bad.</p>
<p>I don't really think anyone will ask for all of them, Thesbo. But imagine how confident you'll feel if you're on top of all of them! And as for the rest, you're welcome. My teachers were generous with me. You'll do the same for someone else someday. That's how the universe works.</p>
<p>wlmarboh -- alwaysamom said in part 5 of the old thread that "I can tell you from what I hear from friends and family members who are in the business side of theatre in the city, that AADA and AMDA are not very well respected in the theatre community." I don't know anything about them except that.</p>
<p>everybody -- Don't trip out because thesbo has six monologues. I am auditioning for eight schools and will only use four. That is what most of us have and should be more than enough. She is just freaky - and wonderful - that way. I looked at the old threads and remembered that some people yelled at their kids when they saw she sent in most of her applications and set up her auditions in October. "A Monica in a World of Phoebes and Joeys ..." Mwahahaha!</p>
<p>Have any seniors already done acting auditions? Any stories? This and the MT thread are like reality TV exept I will be going through it all next year. :D</p>
<p>Kellster - None for me til next month. I think Thesbo has one this week. I got a flu shot and start daily doses of garlic, echinacea with goldenseal and vitamin c next week. If anybody with a cold comes near me they DIE! CAn somebody please fast forward to April? AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHGGGGG!!!!!!!!!! Reality TV? HA! Fear Factor and American Idol rolled into one with best friends biting each others heads off all around. You have SO much to look forward to ...</p>
<p>Where did everybody on this thread go? i am all out of questions. sorry to sound so frantic above. gotta stay healthy for the coming onslaught. hehehe</p>
<p>Hey, I'm new to this board so not as much "in-the-know" I was wondering if someone could list some of the universities with the best programs for theater. Thanx.</p>
<p>Kimdirect</p>
<p>Go back to Pg 1 and you will find links to answer many of your questions.
Good luck!</p>
<p>kimdirect - the best schools are the ones that are right for YOU. it could be said that the top 5 most PRESTIGIOUS bfa schools are arguably the royal academy of dramatic art, juilliard, carnegie mellon, north carolina school of the arts and nyu/tisch. after that, there are probably 20 others you could argue into the top 10 or even the top 5. the first thing you should do is figure out if you want to get a bfa or a ba degree. if you look at the mt thread you will find a link to a FAQ. there is a section there that talks about both types of degrees and there is a little test you can take to get an idea about which is best for you. after you do that, read this whole thread from beginning to end and yuou will get some ideas about schools that might be good for you. you should become an expert! haha! then look at the schools websites and get their brochures. after that you should try to visit as many as you can. doctorjohn and others have given lots of awesome advice here. </p>
<p>is valerie - the person who started this thread - still reading? if you are you did a good thing. a lot of people will benefit from it. :) how is your son doing at ucla?</p>
<p>kimdirect:</p>
<p>Another resource you should check out is the current Directory of Theatre Training Programs. I've recommended it many times. It provides a thorough listing, by state, of the colleges in the US (and some in Canada) which have theatre programs. Here's the link:</p>
<p>Write back when you have specific questions.</p>
<p>Doctor John,</p>
<p>You certainly seem to offer a plethora of information and I am sure everyone on this site thanks you for that! My daughter sings has an interest in classical voice and musical theatre. She has opted to apply to schools with a major in vocal performance rather than musical theatre. Any opinion on that?</p>
<p>Also, she had a second callback for the lead in a broadway show yesterday. If she does proceed, I am sure there will be no dissuading her as far as going to Broadway or on the national tour (she's a young 17 frankly, so that's scary). Am I correct in thinking the some of the conservatories might view this as negative later on if she defers her education? I sense some snobbery in the classical voice world via musical theatre.</p>
<p>Everyone else's input is sincerely appreciated. Thanks again!</p>
<p>DivaMommy:</p>
<p>If a student has talent in classical voice, and an interest in opera, then a vocal performance degree is definitely the right route. Audra McDonald, who has won four Tony Awards (Carrie in CAROUSEL, Sarah in RAGTIME, Sharon in MASTER CLASS, and Ruth in RAISIN IN THE SUN) is a graduate of Juilliard Conservatory. Kristin Chenoweth did an undergraduate MT degree and a graduate Opera degree at Oklahoma City. No question in my mind that classical voice training has made a significant difference in their careers. Both have been able to do concert tours as well as plays.</p>
<p>As for going on national tour or into a Broadway show, it's fine experience. Should your d have that opportunity, the veteran actors will take her under their wings. I suppose it's possible that some music schools would look down on it; you're right about the snobbery factor. But I think most voice faculty would see the professional credit as evidence of talent and fortitude. Our graduates tell us that learning to take care of their voices is one of the great lessons of long-running shows. And most schools also appreciate students who come to the training with a mature understanding of what it requires.</p>
<p>The greater danger is that your d will think that a single Broadway or tour credit means that (1) her career is launched, and (2) she doesn't need training. Except in rare cases, those assumptions are wrong. If she's cast, it will be because she's perfect for the role right now. But that's one role in one play at one moment in her life. It's not likely to happen again a year from now. And lacking training, she likely won't know how to prepare for roles which are not perfect for her.</p>
<p>That doesn't mean she shouldn't do the show, if it's offered. But I would recommend that she plan on taking auditions for schools a year from now, so that she can begin training in the fall of 2006. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>DivaMommy,
I suggest you post this on the Musical Theatre thread. You are bound to receive many thoughtful replies from the folks who regularly post there.</p>
<p>Doctor John and Monkey,</p>
<p>Thank you both! I am going paste my inquiry to the Musical Theatre thread, although I do feel that Doctor John gave me excellent information.</p>
<p>Doctorjohn</p>
<p>What great advice to divamommy. I bet there are quite a few of the posters here who have the potential to be in the same situation. </p>
<p>Thank goodness mine was not in that predicament. How would you hold them back but I would be so nervous about (1) being unprepared for the rigors of the role, (2) being so young, and (3) being stranded when the role ended.</p>
<p>Even worse, would be having to tell my child that they had to give up a role of a lifetime. Good luck, Divamommy hope all goes well for you.</p>
<p>Here's a link to the MT</a> FAQ my luvah, Notarebel, mentioned above. Here's another to the Educational</a> Theatre Association's BA vs.BFA Choices page Doctorjohn provided on the MT thread.</p>
<p>i AM NEW TO THIS SITE SO i WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION. MY D WANTS TO GET A BFA IN STAGE MANAGEMENT. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ADVICE? i KNOW sYRACUSE AND EMERSON HAVE PROGRAMS.</p>
<p>Techmom:</p>
<p>She should also look at CCM (U of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music) and Webster. There are more out there, I'm sure. I recommend that you spend a few dollars on the Directory of Theatre Training Programs (they really ought to start paying me a commission for this...) from Dorset Theatre Festival in Vermont. It's the most comprehensive listing of Theatre programs in print. The index in the back indicates which schools offer degrees in stage management, and the individual listings give good detail. Here's the link:</p>
<p>Good hunting!</p>
<p>Techmom...</p>
<p>I would invite you to add Carnegie Mellon's School of Drama to your D's search.</p>
<p>You can find general information at:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cmu.edu/cfa/drama/%5B/url%5D">http://www.cmu.edu/cfa/drama/</a></p>
<p>the "option" is in Production Technology & Management. Here is the contact info they list:</p>
<p>David Boevers - Assistant Professor of PTM </p>
<p>School of Drama
Purnell Center for the Arts
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213</p>
<p>Voice: (412) 268-2146
Fax: (412) 621-0281
e-mail: <a href="mailto:db4r@andrew.cmu.edu">db4r@andrew.cmu.edu</a></p>
<p>My main interest is in lighting design & stage production. Am I in the right forum? All discussions seem to be about acting - the best colleges for acting or the best plan for an acting career. Anyone else looking into lighting design?</p>