<p>Hey! I've been accepted into the MT program at Univ of the Arts (in Philly) and was wondering if there were any current students/faculty/anyone who could help me with some of my questions about the school! I've been accepted to other places as well, and I'm in the process of making my decision :)</p>
<p>First... How did you like the professors? I feel like I am most influenced by teachers around me... Like, in high school, my theatre teacher was a professional actor in NYC for his youth and I've been heavily influenced by him. Did you feel like you made friends with the teachers, and respected them a lot? When I auditioned, the three people there were so nice. One of them actually knew my voice teacher personally, so we connected immediately. Really cool people :)</p>
<p>How is the city? I've heard that there is a prominent theatre community in Philly, so that's good. Did you get to audition for professional theatre productions outisde of UArts while still completing school? I've never been to Philly, but am going there in April. I love big, busy cities (like NYC), and I've heard it's a little calmer but still amazing, with all the history and such. Did you feel like it was a home-away-from-home? Like you could thrive there as an actor?</p>
<p>How did you like the curriculum? It's super conservatory-style, right? Did you feel like you got enough individual attention? What did you feel they focused most on, acting, singing, or dancing? Did your gen ed classes interfere with performing? Like, too much hw? (I doubt it, but I'm just asking to make sure haha.)</p>
<p>For graduates: Do you feel like UArts really prepared you for your professional career? Are you working in Philly now, or NYC? Did they help you with Equity points? (I guess that's more individual work.) Did you obtain an agent because of the senior showcase?</p>
<p>Any other insights into the program? Wow I asked a lot of questions... Thanks to anyone who replies! Any information would be extremely helpful!!</p>
<p>Did you happen to see this post? </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-arts-mt/334964-why-i-chose-uarts.html?highlight=michaelnkat[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-arts-mt/334964-why-i-chose-uarts.html?highlight=michaelnkat</a></p>
<p>I know it starts out in 2007, but there’s great info. MichaelNKat is a very thorough and generous poster and knows a lot regarding UArts (his daughter recently graduated). You can search by his username too for additional insight via his posts.</p>
<p>If you pm me your email address, I will pass it on to my D who is freshman at UArts. She would be happy to answer all of your questions.</p>
<p>Elizabeth247 - I will pass it on to my D too if you pm your email!
My D is a senior MT at UArts.
I can’t promise much response from her tho’ until Legally Blonde closes next Sunday - but I know she is happy to talk to you. I can give you some information but she is, of course, a better resource!
She has had a great 4 years, cast every possible semester, (excepting Freshman year as no casting allowed except a few cabarets meant for Freshmen) loves her teachers, has made wonderful friends, and found Philly very interesting. It is definitely a big, busy city. Proximity to NYC a plus. Kids can audition in NYC, Philly, New Jersey - it’s a very good location. We had to decide about her being so far away from home when she picked UArts but she has never looked back - it has been a huge experience. Just thrived on the East Coast. Has fantastic friends through MT and acting departments.
I thought it would be like a “more manageable” New York City atmosphere and that, I think, has been somewhat true. Some friends have been cast in local professional theater productions. Some theater teachers perform in NYC and Philly so definitely connected. She has not performed outside UArts. This (outside casting during school year) I believe is only ok senior year but I know one boy in her class took a leave of absence to tour in a Broadway musical then returned. She is from smaller but not small city (Portland). D has been cast in 3 main stage musicals (Nine, High Fidelity, and Chicago), and straight plays The Crucible (also main stage) and Stage Door. They have some professors directing (sooo good!) and a few directors from Philly theater community. Lots of theaters in the neighborhood. This year she is one of two double-cast “Elles” in Legally Blonde the Musical. She has a wonderful private voice teacher. Lots of individual attention - really a lot I would say. Her class was about 20 kids - more boys than girls.
Days can be very long (8 am to end of rehearsal at 11 pm). Gen ed classes have been mostly interesting and it is very conservatory style so there is more singing, acting and dancing. She can tell you a lot more about homework - it has seemed like a lot to me sometimes then can be a bit lighter for a week or two. All of Sophomore year was Meisner as far as acting classes -which I think most of the students found challenging and worthwhile. MT’s mostly do not take Dance department classes (she is this year).
Best luck and thinking in your decision and congratulations on your acceptance. It’s a wonderful school.</p>
<p>MT’s are offered many many dance class opportunities -ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and more - and - there is also a separate “Dance Department” for dance majors - school could tell you more about how all that works as I do not know. Just to clarify as my post was a bit confusing on that point.</p>