<p>My Son is a Theatre Performance Major working towards his BFA. He is three semesters in and and is very unhappy at the university of choice - for many reasons I could list, but I think for the most part he feels lost and really needs mentoring. We believe he has talent and a brillient mind. He aces academics and has an enormous passion for acting. When I talk to him about transferring schools - he thinks it is too late and if he quits this program maybe he should quit acting. Is there anyone out there who would have suggestions for him? I think he should take a semester off and research other BFA programs and transfer. Even if he looses a year. Any thoughts on shcools that offer that mentoring mentality?</p>
<p>Theatremom,
I don't know so much about "mentoring," but it sounds like he might do better with the personal attention he would get in a conservatory. I know that Juilliard has a formal mentoring system and a good number of their students are transfers and older actors - some of whom already have degrees. Unfortunately, it is too late for him to apply there this year and getting accepted there is like lightning striking twice in the same place. It seems like I have heard that Carnegie Mellon accepts transfers but I think it's too late to apply there this year, too. I also know that NCSA, SUNY Purchase, Webster, and CCM Drama accept transfers and the programs are small enough that students get lots of personal attention ... even if they don't want it ... LOL He still has time to apply to all of those. Maybe he should do some applications real quick-like and go to auditions at one of the Unified sites. He could do some walk-ins, too. Another idea would be to finish up in a decent BA program and plan to get a Masters in Acting later if he is really unhappy where he is. If he goes to a BFA school where they have a large liberal arts requirement, he could graduate quasi-on-time if he did summer school. To do that, you don't even have to get your degree in Theatre. I guess, in a way, I'm lucky that I knew I was in the wrong place for me very early on and got out after a semester.</p>
<p>I am heart broken to read about your son.
I have come to know from your posts how knowledgable and supportive you are. I would love nothng more than to be of some help to you. </p>
<p>Please contact me privately and I will do anything I can to help.</p>
<p>My best,
xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>Mary Anna.....I think theatremom who posted on this thread is a brand new poster and NOT theatermom (note spelling) who posts regularly on the MT forum and has a daughter who is a soph in the BFA in MT program at UM. This person is new and has a son in ACTING. (unless you know this mom too but you mention knowing her from posts and this is her FIRST post)</p>
<p>Theatremom: Write to me directly with more details (which should not be posted here), and I'll see what I can do.</p>
<p>I think you must be right about the posters, Susan. Thanks.</p>
<p>I remain more than willing to help and John will be a great help to you too. Just get in touch with us privately. </p>
<p>best to you,
xxx
Mary Anna</p>
<p>Theatremom:</p>
<p>Another option is CSU Fullerton, as we don't audition into our programs until the end of the sophomore year. This is exactly for this kind of a situation: remaining accessible to transfer students!</p>
<p>Also, starting next fall (hopefully, crossing our fingers!!!) we will be offering the BFA in Acting (as well as the current BFA in Musical Theatre).</p>
<p>The CSU website says: "The majority of transfer students enter as upper-division transfers. Upper-division transfers must complete at least 60 semester or 90 quarter units before transfer. </p>
<p>"A small number of transfers will enter as lower-division transfers. If, at the time you will enter the CSU, you have completed 59 or fewer semester or 89 or fewer quarter units you are a lower-division transfer. Many CSU campuses do not accept lower-division transfers, so be sure to check with the campus if you are considering transfer as a lower-division student."</p>
<p>I know we have transfers with only one year of college coming in, so I don't believe that this is a problem at CSUF.</p>
<p>I must say I am interested in/concerned about your comment about S wanting to quit acting because of this bad experience. I, too, had a rough experience at one school and thus wanted to quit. But if acting is what he wants to do with his life, he will work with many jerks (as well as wonderful people), have many disappointments in rejection, and doesn't NEED A DEGREE. He is going to school for the training it will offer him. So the training at his current school isn't the fit for him...it shouldn't be taken as a personal failure (just "use it" in his acting, and remember who not to credit in his bio when he gets his first big role). You are right to encourage him to move on and forward. God bless you for your strength and love in helping your S through this tough time.</p>
<p>Best wishes,
eve</p>
<p>I am so greatful for all your replies. I must say I was feeling very helpless and now I can share your suggestions with my S and hopefully lift his spirits and help to give him some direction. I will also turn him onto the forum. What a blessing.</p>
<p>I just auditioned on the 14th for CCM's dramatic performance BFA. It was a great experience. Are there any other comparable programs that I should be auditioning for?</p>
<p>-julieann</p>
<p>Well, goodness. There are so many excellent programs. Can you give me more perameters? What part of the country, conservatory, BFA, $$$, etc...</p>
<p>Or I could just suggest the most highly regarded acting schools.</p>
<p>let me know,
xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>The generosity and willingness to help by you professionals to a complete stranger is inspiring. </p>
<p>As a former professional athlete I am in a position to remind us that we cannot forget that what these kids are pursuing is not always easy and frequently does not work out. I like to say that it qualifies as high effort, high risk for the opportunity of high reward. The odds are against them. We do not support them because we hope it will make them rich or famous, rather we love them and can see whats in their heart. But, sometimes thats not enough. </p>
<p>As an accomplished drama director said to me, some kids make it and most of them dont. Prof H (as usual) raises some great questions that hit me right off. If I let my set backs control my destiny I would probably be in a penitentiary right now. It might not be a bad idea to let S work out his own situation. If one bad experience does not show his resolve and he is ready to throw in the towel, that should be a reality check. Remember, it takes heat and pressure to turn metal into steel. </p>
<p>While this forum has offered impressive resources to help work out this problem what you can do in return is this. What do you think went wrong in the process? Questions he should have asked, research he should have done but didnt, snow job the school gave that he did not see through and so on. Best wishes to you.</p>
<p>after 40 years in the business, don't over think it Wally. It's all about the audition</p>
<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>None of that really matters. I just want to get into a BFA program that will challenge me. I'm up to conservatories or a university setting. </p>
<p>Here's what I'm applying to so far
Knox(Safety, and my mom thinks I'll be safe there.)
Columbia College Chicago
University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music
Marymount Manhattan</p>
<p>Ideas? </p>
<p>You're help is really needed because application deadlines loom in the distance!</p>
<p>I don't often check this thread, but thanks Mary Anna for the empathy, which as Susan has pointed out, this TheatERmom doesn't need at the moment but will welcome at any time in the future when and if I do!! Fortunately, my D could not be happier than she is right now at UM. Thanks to Susan also for the "correction" ;) .</p>
<p>My empathy is offered to CC's new TheatREmom. I think you've gotten lots of good advice here and the pros on board will offer even more, I'm sure. Hang in there and keep rminding yourself that this path that our children have chosen is NEVER a straight one. Difficult as that is, it is the twists and turns and the travels off the beaten path that make this life such a rich one.</p>
<p>Welcome to the forum!!</p>
<p>Check out the following excellent drama programs:</p>
<p>DePaul
SMU
USC
Evansville
Utah
SUNY Purchase
Boston</p>
<p>Don't know about deadlines.
Good luck to you
xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>Theatremom: What school does your son attend? What in particular is making him unhappy? Could it just be a case of sophomore slump or, is he at a program that does not allow students to audition or be in a production until the junior year and he is missing the experience of being onstage? I have a son in his second year as well and I think he is burning out a little but he hasn't expressed to me exactly what the problem is. He has just said that the program he is in tries to almost discourage you from pursuing acting as a way of weeding out the ones that aren't really dedicated. It is a life full of rejection, disappointment and occasional triump if they're lucky - not for the faint of heart that's for sure!</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about the acting programs at Viterbro or SUU (Southern Utah University)?</p>
<p>hey everyone, I know i have asked before but I didn't really get an answer I was wondering if anyone knew what the acceptance rate at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theater was?? Thanks so much
grace</p>
<p>I don't see the post anymore, but a few days ago someone asked about Evansville's program. My older son's best friend graduated from its theatre program last year and is currently in grad school. He made the comment to my younger son (who goes to a conservatory) that he valued his time at Evansville, really learned a lot, had some good performance time, but that mainly the program prepared you for grad school, as opposed to a conservatory that was more geared towards preparing you to enter the field after undergraduate school. So, yes, in his opinion Evansville's program mainly prepares you for grad school -but, again, he valued his time there and did not regret his decision.</p>
<p>Thanks for the Evansville info. Your reply is exactly what my son was thinking, great program but only if you were sure to be going to grad school. He was just accepted at CCM, which was his #1, so I guess we'll never know. I'm just glad its almost over. He's auditioning at Julliard in a couple of weeks but all the presure is off.</p>