<p>Hello all! After my really bad (at least I thought it was) audition at UArts last week. I'm looking into one for sure safety school for MT. Muhlenburg would be my "first choice" safety. I just don't know about my academics. So I'm looking into a school that's easy for me to get into academically. I've seen West Chester pop up in a lot of discussions, so I thought I'd inquire about it.</p>
<p>I've already been to 2 other PA state system schools, so this will be my second time transfering, to my third school. I really liked the first school I was at, but it had very little offer as far as musical theater opportunities go. The next school was a real "party" school and I left mid-semester.</p>
<p>So I've been looking at this school and it seems decent enough, I was just wondering if anyone on here has any information the can share, either through being a student there or from seeing a show or something. Thanks!</p>
<p>breakintosong, I know very little about WCU itself but I have seen one of their grads perform (and a friend knows her). She's currently in the national tour of Rent. She was in her senior year at WCU when she was cast at the end of first semester that year. WCU, in the spring, awarded her her degree, with the thought that the experiences she had in the months on tour were sufficient to complete her requirements. She is still with the tour cast and she's a very, very talented performer. This isn't much info related to the school itself but I thought I'd share it anyway. :) Best of luck to you this year.</p>
<p>My D was accepted to West Chester. It is a BA theatre program no audition. After the 1st year you can audition to be accepted into the music theatre program. I believe it to be the strongest of PA state schools for music and theatre. They soon will have the largest performing arts center on the east coast. As for easy to get into, I would say not. When visiting the school they said that you need to apply in August. I can give you more specifics if you want to PM me.</p>
<p>rglick, can you post any other info you might have on West Chester (campus environment, gyms, traffic, surrounding area, etc.)? I'm considering going there for graduate school, but not for music/ theater.</p>
<p>I have heard from a few people that their kids are very happy attending there. Large athletic facility located down a side road from campus, take a bus there. Said they have a bus system. Campus is more city like, but is self contained within about maybe 12 blocks. Large but not spread out and easy to navigate around. Could walk or take bus down the street to the town. The town and campus reminds me of a nice section of Philadelphia. This was the only state school in PA that my D would even look at. Could definitely not have a car and get around to everything you would need. I have no idea what is in the surrounding area other than the town of West Chester, this town seems to be very nice. I did read in a local paper that there was some concern for student safety since July 06, numerous attacks within blocks of campus. I would appreciate any information anyone could give me on this school, the area and the theatre program? She is definitely considering this school, but I am finding it difficult to get information.</p>
<p>My son's girlfriend went to WCU for 2 years and lived on campus. There is a sizable commuter population and "Greek Life" is a big part of on campus social activities. You need to review carefully whether the department for your program is known to be strong; her experience was that departments varied greatly. The town and students have a difficult relationship. West Chester is trying to attract more upscale businesses and visitors which causes clashes between student and town cultures. There are a number of good restaurants and pubs. Shops are pricey boutiques. My son lived 2 miles outside of downtown West Chester in an apartment along the Route 3 corridor. Apartment Buildings were overpriced for their size and some attracted a high percentage of transients who did not care for the premises. Others attempted to maintain an air of exclusivity by imposing restrictions and rules that were rigid and not particularly student friendly. My son ended up moving to Lansdale to be closer to his school and his girlfriend ended up transfering to the same school. The commute from West Chester to center city Phila can be a real bear due to traffic so don't look at proximity to Phila as a meaningful incentive.</p>
<p>It has been forever and a day since I graduated from WCU. I loved it there. It is a great state school. I was an elementary Ed. major however, I did participate in a few musicals. At that time, there was no Musical Theater program however, they had a WONDERFUL music program. </p>
<p>As for the new performing arts center. It looks absolutely wonderful. I receive mailings all the time because I contribute to the cause still.</p>
<p>Everything is pretty confined. Like they said, the football stadium etc. is a shuttle bus ride down the road however, plenty people walk if they have time between classes especially in the nice weather. </p>
<p>It is an old town but the surroundings have grown. It is a short trip to to Phila. depending on the traffic like someone else had mentioned. </p>
<p>Anyway, I loved it there and had many opportunities to perform. I also took dance classes and did the choreography for the yearly dance show. They have auditions for choreographers and then you get to select those auditionees to be in your production number. I believe they still do something like this. </p>
<p>I consider West Chester very safe and would not hesitate to send a child there for safety reasons. It is a quaint town that has had a major facelift in the last 10 years. Downtown is just a few blocks from campus so students can walk to many great shops and restaurants. Despite the upscale restaurants that have been opening in town over the last few years, there are still a number of great "student" places within walking distance. There is bus service to a nice mall in the neighboring town and the drive to Philadelphia ( not during rush hour) is less than an hour. You can also catch the train downtown ( Phila) which is quite reasonable and easy to manage.
I do know about a dozen of my daughter's high school friends that attend WCU and they like it very much.
Hope that helps at all.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, everyone; it does help. Anyone have any idea what I'd be paying for an apt. in the area? I think most of my classes would be in the evening, and I'm not sure if I'd be a grad. asst. my first year there. I wouldn't mind commuting for 30-45 minutes or so, if I didn't have to pay so much for rent.</p>
<p>Both my wife and I had to cosign. We limited our search to the Rt 3 corridor no more than 15 - 20 minutes east of down town West Chester. That gave quick access to Wesr Chester as well as Rt 202. I am not familiar with the 2 complexes you provided links for. The 1st one is probably very nice given the very high prices but the second one seems off the beaten path from West Chester and given the low cost is probably not in great shape. I think the name of the complex my son lived in was Rosewood Terrace or something like that, on Rt 3.</p>
<p>If anyone is at West Chester for MT, can you tell me about the program? I'm also thinking it would be a good "safe" school for my D, but have seen very little about it. Thanks.</p>
<p>Im a freshmen transfer student currently attending west chester as a theater student. I plan to concentrate on Musical Theater in the fall, but first as a potential MT student, you must complete 2 semesters of a group voice class. At the end of the year, the voice teacher and MT avisor meet to discuss everyone in the program and there they decide who will be offered a private voice lesson for the fall. This voice lesson also allows you to become a musicla theater student. Some thing to know as a theater student at west chester that the administrators somehow fail to tell you are, that each theater major must attend every and all strike each production of the semester. Also, each major is expected to attend a unviersity theater meeting at least twice a month. There is also a theater practicum and everyone must fulfill 6 credits of these, each credit equals 50 hours of work on a production or in the box office. From stage managing to set design, theater practicum allows each student to get involved in every aspect of the prodcution process. The theater department is very welcoming, and there are many thigns for everyone to get involved in each semester. Whether it be a play or heling sell things during productions, you get to know everyone quickly and learn the ins and outs. The theater professors are very nice and helpful and the training and productions I have seen here so far are top notch. The new performing arts center opened in February of this year with the production of Gypsy. This was the largest production West Chester has attempted and I must say, they naield every aspect of the show. The new theater itself makes you feel as if you have just entered a broadway theater. Living arrangements are good also. As a freshmen, you are limited t the dorms or off campus housing(if you're lucky enough to find somewhere). However, as a transfer or upperclassmen, you an choose the dorms or south I currently live at the village. The facilities are relaly good. There are two gyms within walking distance the complexes and each apartment comes with a furnished living room, four furnished private bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and washer and dryer. Main campus also has a similar complex called West Chester Commons, technically considered off campus housing, but is directly across from the Bull Center and the new SOM PAC where all theater classes are held. Parking is a bit fo an issue. The West Chester borough issues parking permits to eahc resident and so does the university, fi you do not have a permit while parked in West Chester, beware of a 10 dollar fine or possibly towing. Also, to be considered for a parking permit, you must have 30 credits to obtain your permit(only for on campus redsidents). this can become a pain for those living on south campus. There is a bus system, but sometimes it is incredibly late, espeically during the afternoons or nights when some classes are scheduled. THe bus also stops running at 1 AM, so if your stuck, your generally stuck. Other than the parking problems, West Chester is a great institution. The parking issue isn't much of a concern for most students and can eb worked around a number of ways. I am definetly pleased with the education I am receiving, especially the classes for my major. Each theater profressor is caring and helpful. The campus is also dry. No matter what age you are, if you are living in on campus housing, alcohol is prohibited. The university has really toned down from when it was once considered a "party school" not too long ago. West chester is a great town and a great institution.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the indepth review of the program!! I've sent in my app and transcripts and stuff and so I'm waiting to hear if I got accepted! I've been to two other PASSHE schools, the first I liked but musical theater offerings were non-existant and the second was a real party school and I couldn't stand it! </p>
<p>I have a couple of questions if you don't mind my asking:</p>
<p>About how many kids (do you estimate) major in theater and how many are in the MT concentration?</p>
<p>Do you find the production opportunities plentiful?</p>
<p>Since I'd be a transfer also, did you find that you had an easy transition into the school and with the kids in the program?</p>
<p>Thanks for being a "reporter" for those of us considering WCU!!</p>
<p>brinkjr0830: Thank you for the information. I also have a few questions if you don't mind. How long are the group voice classes. Once you are accepted into the private voice, how long are they? How many productions do they put on a year? In the voice classes are they focusing on classical or just all musical theatre. Do you feel the need to be in private lessons outside your group lessons? My D is accepted and trying to decide between schools. Are the theatre students there on weekends? She does not want to go to a school that emptys out since she will not come home often. Thank You for the information.</p>
<p>For next year, our voice instructor was allotted 20 slots for the current freshmen and transfer students going into the MT program, I can't really estimate how many are currently in the program already, but I would say 20 slots each semester, with students being there for four years, would be around 80 students? that is if everyone sticks with the MT concetration. I haven't had the opprtunity to be cast in the main stage productions as of yet. But they are very professional, at least to my knowledge. The director's really know what they want and how to get it. As for the transition, it was pretty easy for me. I live about 30 minutes away and I knew most of the theater students before I actually got accepted, but everyone is really nice and helpful. The class voice lessons last two semesters, the second being a continuation of the first. After the first semester, some students decide to drop out of the voice lessons and what not. They also try to weed through the people who really shouldn't be in the musical theatre realm. I would definitely recommend all the training you could get. The voice lessons here are good, but it doesn't hurt to have extra lessons on the side. As for private lessons, after the first two semesters of class voice lessons, the instructor and the musical theater advisor confer and they decide who they want for private lessons, those being accept into the MT concentration. Students are only guaranteed 3 semesters of private voice lessons, because they have to make room for new students and such, which is a bummer, but at least you have some training. For me, since I live 30 minutes away, I go home on the weekends. However, almost everyone stays on campus for the weekends. Hope I could help! Sorry I've replied so late!</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that each theater season, i believe has 1 musical theater production, student written and directed one act plays, at least two plays each semester, a dance show, and a chidlren's show. althought, I do believe our children's theater professor is retiring after next fall, so I'm pretty sure there will no longer be a children's show. next seasons line-up, off the top of my head, is COMPANY, nosies off, wit, student written and directed one acts.. and a couple others..We also have an AIDS benefit in the fall semester which is kind of like a variety show type deal with different acts and such. One last thing.. all students are able to participate in productions, you don't have to be a major to audition and be cast. We also have a summer theater program!</p>