Top Theater Schools, not Musical Theater?

<p>She is! It was a great fit. She's in her junior year, which is hard to believe!!</p>

<p>I bet you are proud of her! Did you guys know anyone who did a cut program? Did they get cut?</p>

<p>flhope: I went to the two year program at The NY Conservatory For Dramatic Arts and I loved it! It was challenging and wonderful and I am a professional actor now in all three actors unions. I studied the Meisner technique there and had an incredible teacher named John Tyrell who studied under Sandy Meisner himself. What a gifted teacher! I recommend it! Good luck :)</p>

<p>A little late but this popped up-- yes I know someone who was cut at Emerson, and I think it was a blow that will last. I don’t know this person well but my sense is of a conscientious soul who might have blossomed in a warmer atmosphere. I really think a college is obligated to educate the students it accepts, as long as they are working hard themselves.</p>

<p>I would have to weigh very carefully how to handle my D applying to a school where we know there’s a cut. Already she does not want to go to DePaul. She’s not thrilled with Emerson, either (loves Boston but wants more of a “college”). But where except here can you get this kind of information? It isn’t like they plaster it on the websites: “We cut”!</p>

<p>The program director at Adelphi made a point of explaining his feelings about the general issue of “making it through” their program. He said they take a personal interest in all of their students, and if someone truly was struggling or seemed not invested any more, they would do some problem solving, try to find supportive solutions, but if nothing works he said that they could be asked to leave. As has been said above, this is a much more understandable approach - a “learning experience.” There will be kids who do need to leave these programs for real reasons.</p>

<p>I’m feeling pretty strongly that an educational setting should have the education be its top priority; there will always be people who thrive on competition, or for whom a more cutthroat atmosphere either doesn’t seem bad or maybe even stimulates them. But for my D, anyway, college needs to be a place where she is nurtured, while preparing her for (not simulating) the challenges of the world beyond.</p>

<p>Thanks for the heads up, people. I don’t know what we’d to without CC.</p>

<p>My son started out at Indiana University. The Theatre stuff was great - he tried out for 4 mainstage plays and had call backs for 3 – the two musicals and one drama. He made the cast of the drama. Indiana’s Master’s program kids audition for the same shows as the underclassmen, so he did pretty well. He also was asked to act for a senior seminar and made the cast of the Cardboard Theatre Troupe.</p>

<p>However, he hated, just hated the campus population. He’s from the East Coast and he was surprised at the amount of prejudice and segregation there was. He wanted to come home spring term, and I made him stick it out (mistake). He basically stayed in his room from spring break until the end, only leaving for rehearsals. </p>

<p>Also, many of his classes were taught by Master’s degree candidates. He really had a hard time accepting someone who had the same or less of an acting resume as an expert on their subject.</p>

<p>Now he’s at Towson University and LOVING it! Most of his teachers are retired from the theatre, or active in the DC/Baltimore theatre scene and he feels he is getting a great education from people who have experienced the life. And being on the East Coast there is less name calling and blatant racism. </p>

<p>HOWEVER he has a friend who is a girl who entered IU at he same time, and she thrived! She did not find the girls were prejudiced, and she enjoyed the campus life. As far as he knows, she is still there. </p>

<p>So it just goes to show you, you can audition everywhere and go where you think is the best and still pick somewhere you don’t fit, so ease up and enjoy this ride!</p>

<p>EmmyBet and Gwen Fairfax, if you are interested, there are several threads over on the MT forum that extensively discussed in depth the issue of cut programs including schools that do, schools that don’t, the different types of “cut systems” that exist and various views of whether cuts have a proper role in a college or university program. Just do a word search on the MT forum for cut, cuts or cut programs or for juries and the threads will pop up.</p>

<p>There are plenty of debates on this forum as well for anyone who has not decided how they feel on the subject.</p>

<p>Yes, thank you for mentioning it - I’ve read through many of those discussions and don’t want to start up that subject! </p>

<p>I think one thing about being a “theater kid” is that they get a taste of the experience of competition, about being chosen or not chosen, of dealing with these feelings over and over again. I think I’m already getting used to it, too - hopefully we’ll be in a healthy place when the college decisions come out.</p>

<p>The stories above are a reminder that the story doesn’t end when they move into school. Having an older child in college, plus numerous nieces, nephews, children of friends, plus remembering my own experience, and that of my friends and peers (just like everyone), I’m prepared that no amount of research or planning can prevent disappointment. I admire anyone who has the strength to transfer or take time off. We’ll just try to find out what we can, and trust her gut, and be ready to making a change if needed.</p>

<p>There are so many variables, and these are still young kids.</p>

<p>The ‘college’ decision is certainly a stressful one, as I look back over the past three years of not reading CC. There are wonderful choices out there! Our son, who just graduated with a BA Acting degree from Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (Glasgow, Scotland) commented to a promising high school actor the other day that “no matter what theatre program a student enters, it will be right one for them.” Families have to take into consideration their $$$$, region of the country their willing to send their child, ‘feel’ of the college, and many other factors. Our S learned so much about himself, gained a healthy respect for the business, attended some amazing master classes, interacted and learned to work with so many different directors and older peers, as well as discovered other talents he wasn’t ‘tuned into’. Go with your gut and trusted resources!</p>

<p>Thank you, thank you! Your comments should be copied into a dozen other threads!</p>

<p>Information about RSAMD auditions can be found on their site:
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<p>New two years ago was the Las Vegas National Performing Arts Auditions for seniors (adding Juniors for 2010 who wished to audition for many schools at once in one site as poart of their college application process. The program hosted 17 - 20 colleges it’s first and second years each! The program is first-come, first- served. The 2010 - 11 school year auditions will be the weekend of December 3 & 4, 2010. The program is FREE! to students. All information (past college participants, auditions guidelines, etc) and registration is online at Clark County School District - Las Vegas National Performing Arts Auditions. [Las</a> Vegas National Performing Arts Auditions - Clark County School District](<a href=“http://www.ccsd.net/lvnpaa]Las”>http://www.ccsd.net/lvnpaa). You can submit your application, resume and headshots all online. It is held at the Las Vegas Academy of International, Performing & Visual Arts (the arts public magnet high school in Las Vegas). It is specifically planned for the fall of senior year to allow seniors to explore many college choices (schools you have on your radar and those you may not have heard of but may like to recruit you). It is also a way of getting the most “bang” for your buck in a tough economy. Juniors can get an early start on getting on colleges radars. Airline and hotel rates are realllllly cheap right now. Families should be able to economize, share with other families and if you plan right really get by on alow budget to come). This is NOT a unified event BUT another way for you to look into and audition for colleges in the early part of your senior year. Questions - you can email me at <a href="mailto:jsdiamond@ineteract.ccsd.net">jsdiamond@ineteract.ccsd.net</a>.</p>