<p>Hi everyone!</p>
<p>I auditioned for Utah as a walk-in when I was in Chicago Unifieds.
I got an acceptance letter today. But I don't know much about their program.</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about their program? I know it's quite new. But if you could provide any information about their program, that would be great!</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Hey there!</p>
<p>I auditioned on campus February 25th and before then had been in contact with some current students. I’m gonna go ahead and share what one student shared with me and then add some of my personal observations/experiences from visiting the campus/auditioning. This post may not be super cohesive, but I’m just trying to get out all of the information I have (:</p>
<p>"I feel like I’m growing A LOT. The ballet department here is top in the nation so my techniqe has come a really long way. Dave (the head of the program/one of the department voice teachers) is GREAT i’ve known him for years and I can honestly say he saved my voice. And the ATP (actor training program) faculty here are remarkable and very caring. </p>
<p>As far as performance opportunities go there are 2 musicals a year, one main stage (this year HAIR) and a black box (this year WILD PARTY) as well as 5 or 6 straight plays. But beyond that we are attatched to PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY which is a well known reigonal theatre that is located on the campus. We get to audition for them and work as interns on some of their shows which is great for building equity points before graduation. There are also TONS of professional and semi professional theatre around to audtion for."</p>
<p>My personal experience at the school was absolutely wonderful. I met about 6 of the current MT students and each one was kind and friendly. The staff were all extremely warm and welcoming.</p>
<p>The audition felt very much like a workshop. We did our monologues and songs in a classroom and in front of the rest of the auditionees. We were given adjustments and asked to re-do certain parts of our monologues. It was really interesting and educational. I felt like I learned SO much in those couple of hours. If I can learn that much from an audition, I can only imagine what I’d learn by actually studying there.</p>
<p>As the student said, there is a profession, regional theatre right on the campus. One sophomore has been cast in every show she has auditioned for there and will be eligible for her equity card very soon. There are also other professional performing opportunities all over the city. Two of the freshman are currently in the US Premier of “Zorro the Musical” at a theatre about 20 minutes away from campus. </p>
<p>The program is also great about bringing in professionals to teach masterclasses. Jeff Whiting (director/Broadway choreographer), Jason Robert Brown and Sondheim are a few of the recent masterclass teachers.</p>
<p>They really strive to create triple threats. The ballet department is extremely well known as one of the top dance programs in the country. The dance department works hand-in-hand with the MT department, giving fantastic training to the musical theatre majors. As far as voice is concerned, you study voice all four years with a teacher who is the same voice type as yourself. You’re allowed to switch to a new teacher after your sophomore year, but they prefer that you stay with your same teacher all four years.</p>
<p>There are some juries. I can’t remember if it’s at the end of each semester or at the end of each year. Basically they just want to see that you are working hard and improving. The good thing about these juries is that you have to prepare a certain amount of songs (varies from year to year) for them. You work on these all year with your voice teacher. By the end of your time in the program you’ll end up with 30-something songs in your book that you can nail.</p>
<p>You’re right about it being a new program. As of now, there are only freshman and sophomore MT BFAs (40 students altogether.) But it is a great program that I have no doubt will quickly become well known. </p>
<p>If you have any more questions, I can do my best to answer them. I can also ask the friends I made up there for answers to any questions I may not be able to answer on my own.</p>
<p>(:</p>
<p>My D was impressed with this school when she auditioned for them in Chicago. They worked with her on her pieces as described as above and they gave her notes that she had “heard before” from her voice teacher and vocal coach. :0) This helped confirm that they knew what they were doing. </p>
<p>One thing that I was curious about was how conservative they would be due to being in SLC. They did HAIR recently so they may be the rebels in their city, especially compared to BYU. I think that’s a plus - just my opinion.</p>
<p>Also, if you live in the West you might be eligible for the Western Tuition Exchange. It may be too late to apply for that, but I’m sure. We contacted them about that several months ago and Faye Barron said that money goes quickly.</p>
<p>*not sure.</p>
<p>kk - my D had a similar experience with Utah in Chicago. Pleasant, constructive, consistent with earlier feedback about her. They did comment on the quality of their dance program. 
</p>
<p>And thanks JC for the insight into the school. This is very interesting: <em>You’re right about it being a new program. As of now, there are only freshman and sophomore MT BFAs (40 students altogether.) But it is a great program that I have no doubt will quickly become well known.</em> </p>
<p>I didn’t know they’re so new. They’re finishing their second year? What do we know about the heads of the program?</p>
<p>I do know there’s quit a bit of Film and TV work in SLC, but I’m less familiar with the local Theatre scene.</p>
<p>Hello all. I do not have a lot of specifics, but I live in Utah, so I have a bit of insight.</p>
<p>From my understanding the Univ. of Utah was quite strong in Musical Theatre in the 80’s and then had a change of direction. They have a very strong dance program and have continued to have a theatre program, but the BFA in MT is new. The little I have heard about the directors of the program have been positive.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for everyone’s information! It was really helpful! :)</p>
<p>I got accepted into Point Park today, and I’m just deciding between Point Park and Utah!</p>
<p>Help please?</p>
<p>And does anyone have any information about the Senior showcase at Utah? Is there one?</p>
<p>kindagirl . . . If it’s down to two then visiting each will give you the best idea. Best wishes.</p>
<p>kindagirl,
There is no senior class yet at Utah, so no showcase. We will be visiting and asking if one is planned for the future.</p>
<p>Utah has had Musical Theater as part of its Actors Training Program - which is a BFA. They have always done musicals but this freshman class of 2012 will be the first entering BFA Musical Theater class where the degree will actually be a BFA in Musical Theater and there are now enough classes and credits, though there may be some existing students who are transferring over that program and will graduate ahead of this group.</p>
<p>The head of the program is David Schmidt. My son met him in LA and was quite impressed. He seems very accessible and open to any specific questions students might have. Those interested should contact him directly.</p>
<p>This school is part of the Western States Tuition Exchange but the status is treated as a scholarship and not automatic as with other schools. Incoming freshman have to apply separate from the admissions process with a different application and an essay: everything is laid out on the website and is quite specific.</p>
<p>This school has a rich outdoor culture - and some of the dorms are what comprised the Winter Olympic Village where athletes were housed. This is a state supported school, there is of course a heavy Mormon population as evidenced by the male/ female breakdown of undergrads (I won’t tell, but hold on to your socks girls!)…but the campus is a campus much like any other…</p>
<p>Thank you everyone - again!</p>
<p>I personally met David at Chicago too and yes, santafedad, I agree with you!</p>
<p>Thank you, once again for everyone’s information!</p>
<p>Hope everything is going well for you all!</p>
<p>I just looked up some numbers at a Latter Day Saints college enrollment site and worked with the posted numbers attending University of Utah on College Board. Including graduate students, about 17% of the student population at University of Utah attend the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormon). The population is actually very heterogeneous, contrary to what many folks living outside of Utah surmise. Students wanting to attend a stronger, homogenous Mormon community usually choose to go to Brigham Young University in Provo. Salt Lake is a beautiful city and the surrounding countryside is, of course, breathtaking! In researching colleges for my daughter last year, I was very impressed with the thoughtful MT curriculum they have put together. They also have one of the few and very strong programs in Theatre Design, which speaks to a well rounded theatre community.</p>
<p>Just wanted to respond about the showcase. There is a showcase at the end of senior year, although it is by audition and not everybody gets to go. You audition at the end of your junior year, and if you are chosen for showcase, much of senior year is spent preparing for it.</p>
<p>We just got back from a campus visit to the University of Utah so I thought that I would share my impressions. First of all Salt Lake City is a beautiful city. The backdrop of the lake in one direction and the mountains in the other is very pretty. The airport is user friendly, and the campus is a 15 minute drive from the airport. There is great public transportation in town which is free to all students. They expect to complete a trolley line to the airport (which is caught right on campus) in the next year.</p>
<p>The school is pretty big- around 30,000 students. The dorms are really nice. They are all pairs of double rooms which share a private bath, and have nice common ground around them. They are about a 10 minute walk from the rest of campus, but there is a shuttle that you can take. There are some campus apartments for upperclassmen, but most students live off campus after freshman year. The surrounding neighborhoods are clean and safe. There seems to be alot of diversity on campus.</p>
<p>We spent time with Faye Barron, the theater department administrator, and didn’t meet with David Schmidt. Faye was great, and went over the 4 year plan for MT and the gen eds for the university. The program is quite intense, and double majoring would not be possible. There seems to be a good mix of acting, voice (with privates all 4 years), and alot of dance. There are 2 dance classes required every semester, all 4 years (the U of U has a nationally ranked Ballet BFA so experienced dancers would have plenty of challenge). There are juries, but nobody is forced out (they do get the usual small number of kids who drop voluntarily). They take around 20 students per year, so a large-ish program.</p>
<p>Pioneer Theater, a professional equity theater is located right on campus. The kids can audition for their shows and are often cast. This is paid and earns equity points, but can delay graduation since rehearsals cause those cast to miss classes. The department seems to be very supportive if this is what the kids want to do. I think there are other theaters in town that you can audition for also. </p>
<p>The department does 2 musicals a year right now, and there is a student run musical rehearsing now, but this may expand as the department grows. They also do 3-5 plays a year which the MT students can audition for (there is an acting bfa there also). The shows for next year are going to be Sweeney Todd and Spring Awakening. The freshmen can audition for shows starting in the spring of freshman year. We talked to a sophomore, who loves the program. She says that the faculty are very nurturing. They are in a “biz of the biz” class now, and are learning about how to get housing, get a job, find an agent, etc, in cities like NYC and Chicago. They do bring in guest artists from NYC for master classes (had Sondheim and JRB).</p>
<p>So, what are the downsides? The program is new, so no alumni network yet. The facilities are not wonderful. Their main stage theater seats only 125 right now, with 90 in the black box. There are other spaces on campus which they might use in the future. And don’t make the mistake that I did- merit scholarships and Western Undergraduate Exchange are not automatic, as at other schools. You have to apply separately, and the deadline is February 1, before Unifieds. </p>
<p>Let me know if I can answer any other questions.</p>
<p>Im a freshman in the musical theater program at the U, and since I know high school seniors should be hearing their results from Unifieds soon I thought Id post some of my thoughts so far. </p>
<p>This program is pretty small. Only 22 students were selected for our class, and as always that number shrinks a little by the end of the first year. Ive heard a lot about freshmen getting lost in a class of fifty and teachers playing favorites, but that hasnt been a problem for us - several freshmen have been in plays and musicals, and the teachers are INCREDIBLY helpful and reachable. </p>
<p>The teachers are incredible and the acting classes are the strongest Ive ever had. You receive one private voice lesson each week for 45 minutes and are placed with a different coach depending on your voice. Although some test out, most people start dance back at the basics with Ballet I and Jazz I, which focuses on technique and flexibility. These are through the Us highly regarded dance program, although there are plans to have dance classes next year that are tailored for the musical theater students. Personally Ill continue to take jazz through the dance department as I think its been an excellent class to solidify basic technique in. </p>
<p>There are also quite a lot of performance opportunities off campus. The academic counselors name is Faye Barron and she sends out lots of emails keeping you updated on auditions that are happening around Utah. There are a few theaters in SLC that have a great relationship with the theater department, and several students have been casted in their shows. There are students in my class doing student films, performing at the mall during the holidays, and working at the amusement park Lagoon over the summer. </p>
<p>Since this is a university and not a conservatory program it is possible to choose a minor as well (and if anyone tells you otherwise theyre mistaken). Ive heard of a couple of people double majoring but you would probably have to stay for a summer semester or two. The U is a good school for the college experience and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved on campus and take other classes that interest you. </p>
<p>As you know, the program is very young. Next year is the first year there will be a senior class, and David Schmidt (who you probably met at Unifieds) has chosen Denny Berry as the new head of department, who has had an amazing amount of experience choreographing on Broadway (she was the assistant choreographer on the original Phantom!!) She teaches three classes as of now and is reworking the curriculum for next year. </p>
<p>You have juries at the end of every semester where you will perform three songs that you have been working on with your vocal coach. You will start with golden age pieces and italian opera, and move towards more contemporary pieces during your junior and senior years. At the end of each year you have a sit-down with your teachers and track your progress. There is also a showcase in New York during your senior year, although I’ve heard you must audition and be selected to go. </p>
<p>Sometimes we do feel like guinea pigs with the program being so new. We know there are a lot of changes coming next year and at the moment were pretty in the dark about them, but Im very confident that the changes coming will be nothing but beneficial to us and to next years freshman class. In exchange for the newness of the program we get an experience that’s very personalized from the time we are freshmen, which is pretty rare and remarkable. </p>
<p>If you have any questions about the program, Unifieds or anything else please dont hesitate to ask!</p>
<p>Thanks for your feedback, whenwewereyoung! My D did a walk in with the U in Chicago and was impressed and got a good feel for the program. They seemed to have liked her (who really knows?!) and had her do another song from her book. They were very complimentary to my D and as a result, we came home and she applied to the school just in case. We shall have to wait and see :)</p>
<p>whenuwereyoung - I’ve heard The U has more of a commuter-campus feel to it with a great many students still living at home in the SLC area. What’s the campus life like especially on the weekend?</p>
<p>Walker1194: That’s great! I know exactly what you mean. Best of luck to her! </p>
<p>txtxyeha: I’ve had an awesome time with the nightlife on the weekends. The U does have a lot of students that commute, but I recommend staying in the freshman dorms. You’ll meet a lot of people outside of the theater program in the dorms and at the HC (which is the main building and cafeteria). Just don’t be shy - sit with strangers and knock on dorm room doors, especially at the beginning of the year. If you look for them, you can usually find house parties on weekends. </p>
<p>Of the freshman dorms, Chapel Glen is definitely the most fun. If you need peace and quiet I don’t recommend it. Sage Point is a bit more relaxed. I don’t recommend Gateway Heights, which is usually dead. </p>
<p>The greek life is small but strong. Even if you don’t go greek there are a lot of parties that are open to all girls (sexist but true) that are really fun.</p>
<p>Once a month or two the school puts on Crimson Nights, which is a big party for all the U students. They may be school sponsored but they’re insane and a lot of fun. There are activities at the Heritage Center that aren’t very crowded but you’ll have a good time if you bring a few friends. It’s not my style but football games are a huge deal in the fall; the whole school goes out and tailgating is a big thing. </p>
<p>There are a couple of 18+ clubs around. Since it’s Salt Lake City sometimes you get a weird scene, but I’ve always had a lot of fun. There are some really good concerts around the city too, and for some reason tickets in SLC are dirt cheap. There’s a place called Grey Whale CD Exchange across the street from campus that sells tickets to a ton of concerts in the city. </p>
<p>I’m not sure what things will be like as a sophomore but as a freshman I’ve had a great time with the nightlife and made some really good friends. Like most colleges you have to be proactive, but if you search a little it’s not hard to find.</p>