Hello CC. So I need some help and some input. Brace yourselves for a story but i’ll try to be brief. I’m just a normal boy who has been doing plays and musicals since I was a child. I love it and it’s always been a place where I’m happy even when it gets stressful or extremely difficult. Last year I was a senior in high school and it wasn’t until that summer that I really realized i could do MT as a college major and career. It was always something fun on the side that I’m extremely passionate about. I wasn’t sure it was the greatest idea and had some support of my parents, but they really were very hesitant about it, so I only applied to a few schools for MT and the rest for business. Long story short, I attempted to go through the whole audition process by myself. Difficult, but not impossible. I have never taken a voice lesson just picked up a few things here and there from musical and choir directors. Have taken a few acting classes and took a month of jazz dance but had to stop because of shows interfering. Anyway, after a very long spring filled with blowing my first audition, I didn’t get into any of the schools I auditioned for. Although each audition improved greatly and I felt very confident about my final audition and was quite disappointed when they didn’t give me the “no” until the last week of April. So it was rough, but I had no idea what to expect. It was a great experience. Anyway currently I’m at a good university getting most of my gen eds out of the way plus a few other things. I like it, but I don’t love it. I know I would rather be learning about acting and MT and training. I’m about to start taking voice lessons for the first time and taking an acting class and those are the things I look forward to each week. I can’t tell if I should try and transfer and go through the audition process again or what. I know I want to, but I just don’t know if it’s a good idea. I have started finding more audition material just in case. I realize (because I want more of a conservatory) that I would probably have to start as a freshman if I was accepted anywhere. I don’t know what to do because I’m not sure how my parents would feel about it. I would have more help this year now that I have a vocal coach and acting teacher who is very willing to help. I can move decently so dance is what it is or I could look into finding ballet nearby. I just don’t want to waste my time and money(because and be a disappointment. Is it worth re-auditioning or will I regret it? Should I just rough out the four years get a degree of business and do theatre on the side? Anyway, last year, I saw how honest and helpful people are on this site and I thought it was sweet but never thought I would find myself asking for help on the internet. So thank you to anyone who actually reads this and I appreciate any words of wisdom or input.
I think you have several options:
- Is it possible to study theatre or dance at your current school? You don't necessarily have to go to an MT program to study acting, singing and dancing or participate in musicals. If your current schools offer those opportunities you might want to check that out more and see how you can get involved. That may be the most time/cost efficient thing to do.
- Certainly you can audition again but there are some things to consider.
a) many schools will require you to start an MT program as a freshman, even if you have your gen eds, and may require you to spend 4 years in their program to get your degree. Are you willing to spend that extra time and money? If not, really research programs to understand how they deal with transfer students Because you are not currently studying MT, almost every program I am aware of will make you start as a freshman.
b) are you able to put in the time, money and training required to have a different outcome at your auditions while currently attending college? What about the time and money required to attend auditions and submit applications? Just something to consider as auditioning is a somewhat expensive process. And do you have a reasonable list of schools that you will be happy attending no matter what?
- Other options:
a. Are there sources in the community where you live where you can train outside of your college? Of course there are a separate cost but perhaps there is a way to get training and participate in shows that will make you happy.
b. If after college you still want to pursue this as a profession, you may want to consider a post-grad program at someplace like Circle in the Square, AMDA or others that offer a variety of types of training of different lengths of time. These will all be at an expense - usually with not much, if any, financial aid, so something to think about.
c. There are also professional training programs during the summers - perhaps you could participate in those while still going to college? They are expensive – but could be a way to get training when not at school.
d. Does your college have a “semester away” program? You could possibly get some good training and experience by doing a semester immersed in theater and the business of theater in NY or London or elsewhere. Obviously this is expensive too, but may be a way to get some training in with your current degree.
Those are just a few suggestions. Just remember there are many, many ways to train and pursue a career in theater. Your business degree can be a great asset to you along the way. Whatever you choose to do - Good luck to you!
@vvnstar has some terrific advice regarding options. In addition, regarding points 2a & 2b how hard are you willing to WORK at the voice/dance/acting in order to have a different outcome at “audition” schools? If you are truly serious about going through the audition process again and are willing to put forth the tremendous effort necessary to make yourself a better candidate, then follow your heart and go for it. If you don’t feel that passionately about it and are not willing to make the sacrifices to make it happen, or if it is not feasible for other reasons, then you might consider looking at non-audition schools. The training and performance opportunities at those schools can be equal to - and sometimes greater than - what you can get at an audition program. As vvnstar said, definitely look at performance and training opportunities at your current school - sometimes these are “student-run” or “extra-curricular clubs”. Some of the most innovative theater in the world comes out of those types of “incubators”. If your schools doesn’t have that, then maybe transfer to another one that has such things and perhaps opens all performance auditions to any student in the school. Excellent theater training comes in all shapes and flavors. None of it happens overnight, so don’t feel like you HAVE to do ALL of it RIGHT NOW. Guys especially, can be “late bloomers” and it can take a decade or more to grow into your full skill as a performer. All the things mentioned above are worthwhile and will be helpful in attaining that goal. But the most important part is in your own heart, and KNOWING how much this means to you and what you are willing to do to get there. The rest just takes time, good teachers and being open to possibilities. And YES, a business degree could be VERY helpful. Just today I heard about a girl who is getting her business degree and THEN going to visual art school. Smart girl. Good luck.
@vvnstar and @mom4bwayboy thank you both very much for taking the time to read and respond, it really means a great deal to me. You have both offered some very great advice and have brought to mind a few options I had not really considered or thought of before. Also, thank you for helping me level my head a bit. I realize how much of a commitment of both time and money it would be and I’m not sure if I am ready for it. I definitely have a lot of deliberating and thinking to do before making a decision and acting on it. I will be doing some more looking around on campus at my school as well as nearby.It’s a big step and a big decision, but I just want to make sure I pick the right path. I hope that things work out, but no matter what I’ll be working my butt off to succeed. You both have been a huge help. Thank you again and I wish you the best.
@cojoco your predicament sounds A LOT like the issue I’m having right now. Except its only my first semester at a community college and I HATE my business classes and dread having to go to them.
I just wanted to say that you are not alone and I wish you the best in finding your way!
All good advice. An additional option is to take a leave of absence from your school next semester, or to take a year off. That way you could focus on your training and auditioning, perhaps work, and explore your options. Although many schools require you to start as a Freshman, not all do. Some make you start as a Freshman but help you get the degree done sooner. Or maybe by the time you are a Junior or Senior, you would be down to just the classes for your major, so have time to work or minor in something such as Arts Management (since you are interested in Business). Will you regret auditioning again? I doubt it, but you may regret NOT auditioning again.
@brielee its always nice to know that you’re not alone in things. Keep doing your best and I hope everything works out for you! I know its difficult, but stay strong! @shaun0203 Thank you for your thoughts. True, it may help graduate slightly early even if restarting as a freshman. If things were to work out perfectly I would really consider a minor in business or arts management for sure. I think you definitely may be right about regretting not auditioning. So we shall see what happens. Those “what ifs” in life always come back to haunt you.