<p>MTCoachNYC- I sent you a PM as well :)</p>
<p>But publicly, there’s not a lot I feel like I need to say after bwayboggieboy (haha I just don’t wanna use your name, D!) wrote that passionate post. I agree with every word 100%, and think that those are all major points that make CCU what it is.</p>
<p>The main thing that I always tell people is that Coastal is unique. That’s not to say that every program out there doesn’t have their best selling points, their strengths and weakenesses, the little things that make them different- but I couldn’t name one school that REALLY has a program similar to CCU’s. Coastal is not for everyone, and I think that as great of a reputation as we have for being nice/welcoming/etc. at our audition days and during visits, we make it pretty clear that we KNOW Coastal isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. You have to love a school just as much as they love you, and we tell perspective students what makes our program different, knowing they may end up wanting to go somewhere else- and that’s fine. There’s no “hard sell”, choosing a program is a mutual agreement.</p>
<p>Here are some quick things that I would elaborate on about CCU (what makes it so unique) for you to tell your students, MTCoachNYC:</p>
<p>-Personalized attention: The last post sums that up pretty accurately. Class sizes are small, and stay small. We have no studio classes over 16, and most of the time they range from 10-12 people. Although the incoming freshman class of 2017 is larger (probably 12 MT, 8 Acting, 3 or 4 PT) than we have had in the past, that is still a much smaller number than you will see at a lot of the schools. </p>
<p>-The faculty. In general. Everything about them. My freshmen year one of our professors said “If every teacher doesn’t know your name by the end of December, whether you have a class with them or not, you are doing something wrong”. They WANT to get to know you, and they become just as much of a family to you as the rest of the students do. Although they have no problem lighting a fire under our ass when we need it, they truly always have our best interests in mind.</p>
<p>-The Acting training! All 8 semesters at CCU you will be in an acting class. You act in your singing, you act in your dancing. If you have to categorize us, we are an “acting first” school, and that reputation is growing in the industry.</p>
<p>-Although our BFA program is only about 3 years old, the students work. We have a current alum from the BA program on Broadway in “Spiderman”, and many of last year’s alum from the first BFA class are already doing amazing things and have NYC agents. You can look at that first post and see that the faulty does encourage our current students to work during the summer- and they do. Everywhere. In all arena’s. </p>
<p>-We bring in great people for workshops and master classes! All schools do this, I know, but it’s something not to be left out. About ¾ of our department wide “Common Hours” on Fridays this semester had a guest artist come and speak or teach. That’s a ton! This includes Dave Clemmons and Ben Vereen this year. Opportunities to participate in these are given to all of our students- and preference is not given based on degree (BA vs. BFA Acting vs. BFA MT, whatever) but on who has worked hard and deserves to be included- many times people who aren’t cast in shows land in these because it gives them experiences elsewhere.</p>
<p>-Cross pollination. Acting students take classes with Musical Theatre students and vice versa. Acting classes are not separated (except the Acting 2 Studio split from Musical Theatre Scene Study second semester sophomore year). Acting majors can take dance classes and voice lessons if they have room in their schedule, and musical theatre majors can take classes like Suzuki/Directing 2/Physical Theatre/etc. that are acting major requirements, but not musical theatre requirements. Musical Theatre majors are consistently cast in straight plays, and acting majors can audition for and have been cast in musicals if the part is right.</p>
<p>-You will be busy if you want to be. Enough said. There are SO many performance opportunities, not just our varied 6 mainstage show season. This department is all about taking initiative, taking charge, and being rewarded for it. You have to learn to be in charge of yourself, your schedule, and your “business” to work in the industry. You can’t just go to class and get cast- work ethic is a requirement and a skill that is learned.</p>
<p>-We are a department full of originals! As the above post said, no two people in this department are alike, although type is relative. Unique performers who might not be the most polished or perfectly “trained”, but are interested in becoming strong theatre ARTISTS and actors. Generous people who want to form an ensemble and learn. Although talent is important- it can be taught. Drive, ambition, and kindness are inherent.</p>
See you soon.</p>