Just updating this thread to start some new conversations about Viterbo and to see if anyone out there has received acceptance into any of the Viterbo performing arts programs. D received acceptance into BFA MT class of 2024 after auditioning in NYC Unifieds. We look forward to visiting and learning more about this program. Anyone have any current opinions?
Hi @Back2B4! My D also got an offer for the 2024 MT class at Viterbo! She also auditioned at NY Unifieds. We are planning to visit the first week of April. My daughter loved the Director of the program when she met him in NY, and the program layout looks fantastic. I am scouring CC for info too! Where are you from? We are in California.
@Looney2020 We are from Southern California. Did you attend Chicago Unifieds? If yes, did you attend Viterbo’s reception? We loved the Director of the program, too!
@Back2B4, we did not attend Chicago Unifieds. We just went to LA and NY. We are in the Bay Area. There are a few strings to check out from last year, “The Class of 2023 – Sharing, venting, discussing! MT”. Go to that string and search for Viterbo. There is both a parent and a student who give some great info. One thing that concerns me is the travel - have you thought about that?
Yes, I’ve found a few strings. It seems like a lovely program. I do have concerns about the travel, there’s really no easy way in & out of there, Rochester might be closest. It will certainly be a factor.
I’m a Viterbo alum (Class of 2018)–happy to answer any questions. As my username indicates, I’m Canadian and travelled from Toronto > La Crosse to attend Viterbo. It’s easy enough to fly into Chicago or Minneapolis and get to campus. From Chicago you can grab the Amtrak, from Minneapolis you can grab a shuttle to La Crosse from the airport, and in either city you’ll generally find a friend in the department who lives in the area who will be willing to drive you back to campus if you pitch in for gas!
@CanadianMTgirl thank you! I found your earlier strings about the program so helpful! Is the shuttle provided by Viterbo, or it is run by the city of La Crosse?
I think the shuttle @CanadianMTgirl is referring to is a regional transportation one from the Mineapolis airport to La Crosse, I’m guessing it has nothing to do with the University.
@Back2B4 thanks, I assumed it was regional, but thought I’d ask since some private schools have shuttles (at least during school breaks).
@CanadianMTgirl - thanks for being willing to answer some questions! How many musicals does Viterbo produce a year? What are the theatre facilities like? Are freshman allowed to audition?
@Looney2020 @Back2B4 The shuttle is indeed regional. I believe it’s now called Groome Transportation (it’s changed names since I was a student).
When I was at school, Viterbo would do a spring and a fall musical, but occasionally there’s a third musical in a single year–this year they produced Into the Woods as the fall mainstage piece, and are producing A Grand Night for Singing and Make Me a Song in repertory. Freshman audition beginning in the fall semester (fall semester shows are cast the previous spring).
The facilities are beautiful! Viterbo has a 1200-seat mainstage theatre that is also used as a presenting house (a lot of non-eq tours and the occasional equity tour play the facility, including An American in Paris and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical this year)–it was great as a student to have the experience of playing to a house that size before heading out into the professional world. There’s also a flexible 150-seat black box theatre in the Fine Arts Centre on campus (where the performance classes take place), and downtown there’s a satellite theatre, the Weber Center for the Performing Arts, which is still brand new (opened in 2013) and is a 450-seat midsize space which the university shares with the La Crosse Community Theatre. Generally, one show a year is produced on the mainstage, one or two shows a year are produced in the black box, and one or two shows a year are produced at the Weber Centre.
The Fine Arts Center itself has undergone some renovations in the past couple of years, so the classrooms (including dance studios) are still in great shape.
@CanadianMTgirl - sounds great! We are excited to visit during spring break to check it out.
@CanadianMTgirl - do you have a recommendation for a hotel to stay at near campus or a cute part of town?
My parents always stayed at the Courtyard Marriott–it’s right next to the Weber Center for the Performing Arts, right on the Mississippi. If you want a boutique hotel with a lot of character (and an amazing restaurant), go with the Charmant on State Street.
My D also was accepted into the Viterbo BFA for Musical Theatre. We plan to visit the last week in March, which is our Spring Break here in Florida. Would love to hear from others as well. My D is not so much concerned about the travel in general as the distance from friends at other schools. Would be great to “virtually” meet some other accepted students. Is there a Facebook page?
Just found the Facebook page!
I know I am a little late in replying. My daughter is a sophomore MT major from Birmingham, AL. She has traveled to LaCrossse through Minneapolis and the LaCrosse airport. Most MT students use the LaCrosse airport to get home. There are limited daily flights, but they usually work for what is needed. Viterbo students are great to give each other rides to the airport and back to Viterbo. We have also used the GROOM shuttle service from Viterbo to Minneapolis airport. Viterbo is a gem of a university. The MT and Acting programs are phenomenal and very individualized. We found them at Chicago Unifieds in 2018! My daughter is very happy there!
I was in La Crosse, in February to see my daughter in “Failure: A Love Story.” We stayed at the Gunderson Hotel and Suites 3 nights. It is half a mile from Viterbo. Great hotel with very nice daily breakfast provided: http://www.gundersenhotel.com/
@MTMom8 - we had been planning to visit in April, but it looks like we might not have that opportunity. Can you tell me, does your daughter have a chance to spend time with kids that are not in the MT/Acting program? My daughter is very interested in the program, but also worries that the school might be too small. Thoughts?
Looney2020, My daughter has a great group of friends from various majors. She auditioned and made Platinum Edition Show Choir as a freshman and sophomore and met many students in other majors through that activity. She has also met other students through her general education classes and VSUM classes. Viterbo is small, but the opportunities are fantastic for MT/Acting. The individualized instruction is outstanding at Viterbo!