Western Carolina University - Musical Theatre Program

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am trying to make Western Carolina U have a larger online presence. We are a very new program. Next year marks our 10 year anniversary. Our audition numbers and our class numbers have grown significantly in the past 4 years. I am currently a Junior MT here. </p>

<p>I could type out lists and lists of the WONDERFUL THINGS here at the school. But I wanted to save that and see if anyone had any questions about the school, the program, etc. I find that it helps hearing it from a student rather than (HEAR SAY). </p>

<p>Terrence Mann still comes in annually to teach masterclasses as well direct a show. Since I have been here at WCU he has directed A Grand Night for Singing, Kiss Me Kate last year and is currently directing Sweeney Todd this year. </p>

<p>If anyone has any questions on the program please ask. You can find more info and media on our website.</p>

<p>Western</a> Carolina University - School of Stage & Screen</p>

<p>I would add “and very affordable with an OOS list price of less than $24,000 per year.”</p>

<p>^^Yes, I noticed that as well! We may need to give that school a look-see. The bad thing from our West Coast perspective is that they only have 2 audition dates, one of which is the weekend we’re traveling to Chicago for Unifieds and we already have an audition for that day. But we’ll at least consider it!</p>

<p>How’s the dance program for MT students?</p>

<p>I aspire to be a choreographer once I graduate from WCU. We recently hired a new director of the dance program who was a Rockette for several years and has a great amount of credits. Since then our dance program has grown significantly. There is no major but there is a minor and MT students are able to take any of the classes. I also teach class in our facilities as well but obviously not for credit or anything. We offer two levels of each Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Modern. Then we have Dance Appreciation, Musical Theatre Styles, Choreography, Dance Anatomy, and you also receive course credit for participating in our Dance Showcase that happens about every year.</p>

<p>Keep the questions coming!</p>

<p>We live in nc and my daughter is applying for MT BFA’s and acting BFA’s. We visited WCU for the college tour/fair but it did not give her a feel for the BFA program. We then found out Terrance mann is hardly there. She felt the school was too conservative and far away from everything…How many BFA students do they take each year and how different are these kids from the liberal arts kids? Do you feel isolated???</p>

<p>Its very unfortunate that we don’t offer program tours since it is a liberal arts school. The school is actually not as conservative as you think. We have a ton of support from fellow non majors with our shows. But it is great to have some NON MAJORS to befriend. Being around nothing but mt students can be a bit much. We take about 15 students a year. We are very different from the liberal arts kids in scheduling, but I have a ton of non major friends and I enjoy spending time with them especially since I am with Majors all the time in rehearsals and major related courses.</p>

<p>I definitely do not feel isolated. I think having a conservatory feel training with a liberal arts based school is the perfect combination. You get the college experience, which so far has been fantastic. </p>

<p>Let me know if you have anymore questions!</p>

<p>OH and about Terrence. He is actually here more than you think. Terry is still working in NYC. He comes when he is directing a show here and also to teach. But its great to have him come back and forth because he tells us his stories and whats going on. He is currently here at the moment and will be back in November for tech. Then again in the Spring for a huge event for the new chancellor. Donors from the state will be there especially the board for all the colleges in NC as well. Terry will be directing and performing with us.</p>

<p>wcusas - I know some of your faculty and have been to your lovely campus. I appreciate your enthusiasm - however, a program that is a decade old no longer qualifies a “new”. Also, Karyn Tomczak (the dance teacher you described ) has been working there for several years - she is not a new hire. So, while you should be proud of your program and the good work they do - let’s keep the rhetoric straight. I am glad you keep a reasonable perspective on Terrance Mann and his wife’s involvement - previous writers sometime sometimes left the impression that he regularly taught actual courses.</p>

<p>mtdog71 - Thank you for your comment. I believe that our program is still growing compared to other programs out there who are more established and already have “the name” in order to have hundreds of students audition for the following year. Karyn Tomczak was hired when I came here my freshmen year. She has only been here for 2 years. This being her third. Terr(E)nce Mann and Charlotte’s involvement at this point is a lot more than we can ask for since they still work in NY. However, Terry has been in an immense amount of my classes, and is scheduled to be helping a lot with some major courses once Sweeney is done. Right now as a student auditions at numerous conventions such as SETC and professional summer theaters. Having Terry as a director, sometimes featured guest in a show, and under Acting training looks fantastic on a resume.</p>

<p>Hey Everyone! Just so everyone knows Auditions for the program are February 4th and March 24th. The Application can be found posted on our Facebook page. [Stage</a> & Screen at WCU - School - Cullowhee, NC | Facebook](<a href=“Facebook”>Eden Gale) If you have anymore questions, please let me know!</p>

<p>I have a few questions: </p>

<p>How many days of dance do you take per week? How advanced is are the dance classes?
What type of acting training do you receive?
Do you have voice all 4 years?
Do you have any “business of the Business” classes?</p>

<p>I would be really interested to know what the typical schedule is like for MT students. There’s a great thread here on CC that would be really helpful if you or someone from WCU posted in called,
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1067706-freshman-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1067706-freshman-experience.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Hey —
I am a student at WCU! I am junior MT Major.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>You can take as many dance classes as you want that fit in your schedule and that are offered that semester. You are allowed to place out of the lower level dance classes. However taking a basic ballet class here and there is recommended. It works on your posture and technique that are the key to the advanced classes. I was a competition dancer and I have NOT slowed down since I got here. The dance classes are as rigorous as you make them. There are always companies and teachers coming to take masterclasses as well - Ailey II, Koresh, Parsons Dance, Flamenco Vivo, and more. </p></li>
<li><p>There are 4 levels of Acting. MT students are required to take up to the 3rd level. You must have certain requirements and skills shown to the Faculty to be able to take Acting 4 with the Acting Majors. It is something that we all work up to and it makes us stronger. I am currently in Acting 4. The training is rigorous - The faculty stresses “NOT ACTING” and connecting what you have experienced to the character you are playing. We play a lot with taking monologues and scenes off the stage and in the environment around us. For example, taking a dramatic monologue and the acting professor takes you into the rough rapids of the lake (with people watching over you of course), and STOP Acting! Its magnificent.</p></li>
<li><p>You are in voice lessons every semester with professionals from Opera companies in Asheville, etc. I have had the same professor every semester since my Freshman year. She is brilliant and I have grown leaps and bounds. They are trying to let you become a healthier vocalist. Stop SCREAMING and create a sound from a loose and unstressed or tensed place in the body. </p></li>
<li><p>We have Introduction to Professions, Musical Theatre Topics, and Professional Development which is all about the business and all different aspects. We also have our visiting directors talk about their careers and how they made it. Terrence Mann our endowed Chair of the MT Dept is always here teaching and talking about the business. All faculty is available for questions - with an open door policy!</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Let me know if you have any more questions! I will definitely try and put together a “Day in the Life of an MT at WCU.” Let’s see what I can do. </p>

<p>Hope this all helped!</p>

<p>@wcusas - thanks for some great information on a program that has not been covered much on CC! Your input is really helpful.</p>

<p>No problem. Always willing to help. We are opening our production of MUSIC IS this weekend. And its getting some recognition on Playbill.com! Check it out if you want. Its TWO Pages!!</p>

<p>[Music</a> Is, the “Lost” Broadway Musical by Richard Adler, Will Holt and George Abbott, Reconstructed for Concert - Playbill.com](<a href=“http://www.playbill.com/news/article/159200-Music-Is-the-quotLostquot-Broadway-Musical-by-Richard-Adler-Will-Holt-and-George-Abbott-Reconstructed-for-Concert/pg1]Music”>http://www.playbill.com/news/article/159200-Music-Is-the-quotLostquot-Broadway-Musical-by-Richard-Adler-Will-Holt-and-George-Abbott-Reconstructed-for-Concert/pg1)</p>

<p>Hey, I just want to let people know something important. When you audition here, if you are accepted, they will ask you to commit to the program within 2 weeks. (You don’t have to send any money, but for us it is an issue of integrity). </p>

<p>They give you the option of asking for more time, but when D wrote and said that she would not be able to let them know before receiving her financial aid info and comparing offers from other schools, they replied that if she couldn’t commit before February 25 she would be removed from consideration and would have to re-audition.</p>

<p>I want to be clear that this in no way affects her academic admission, where she still has until May 1 to accept of decline admission. It’s just the MT department wanting to solidify their class early.</p>

<p>Sadly, I believe she will probably have to let this one go. There is no way she will commit to any program, no matter how great it is, before she has a chance to compare all of her option.</p>

<p>This will affect other students as well! No way would I have my daughter commit to a program that early until she gets her other offers. What are they nuts?</p>

<p>I’m thinking they can’t legally do this…my understanding was that May 1 was the date any school could hold you to a decision…sounds shady to me… and unreasonable!</p>

<p>I believe the UNIVERSITY can’t ask you for a deposit prior to May 1, but an auditioned department is different. They aren’t saying you can’t come to the school, they’re just saying you aren’t guaranteed a place in the department without auditioning again. </p>

<p>I agree that it is very, very bad policy, but I don’t think it’s actually illegal. Perhaps Soozievt can jump in with some good information.</p>

<p>Our beloved Soozie has addressed this issue with regards to Point Park…</p>

<p>Here is the link, go to post 145 to read the thread - <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/point-park-university-mt/98521-point-park-10.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/point-park-university-mt/98521-point-park-10.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Or I’ve coped over her reply here:</p>

<p>First, congratulations on your daughter’s acceptance to Point Park (the university itself). To tell ya the truth, this topic comes up every year on CCs in relation to Point Park.</p>

<p>I know others who have received that same letter from PP, but this school is VERY unusual this way and NO, it is NOT typical at all and it really is against the “rules” and I find it very annoying. As a point of reference, NONE of my D’s 8 BFA schools (nor many others) did this. In fact, Point Park is really going against the rules set by The National Association for College Admissions Counseling in the Students’ Rights and Responsibilities. You will see the following:</p>

<p>Quote:
You have the right to wait until May 1 (which actually is the National Reply Date) to respond to an offer of admission and/or financial aid. Colleges that request commitments to offers of admission and/or financial assistance prior to May 1 must clearly offer you the opportunity to request (in writing) an extension until May 1. They must grant you this extension and your request may not jeopardize your status for admission and/or financial aid.
<a href=“http://www.nacacnet.org/NR/rdonlyres...entsRtsNEW.pdf[/url]”>http://www.nacacnet.org/NR/rdonlyres...entsRtsNEW.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If it were me, I would ask Point Park to have until May 1 to put down the deposit and I would reference the policy according to the NACAC. Actually, I have heard from students/parents that the letter states “strongly recommend” which is how they must be getting out of compliance by not saying it is “required.” Ask them what effect it has to wait to put down a deposit by May 1 which is the National Reply Date according to the NACAC. I suppose you could give the deposit if it is refundable but it is wrong and they may not require you to do this. Other schools do NOT (so no, you will not be laying out this money for all your schools, don’t worry!!) You could follow the NACAC procedures and ask for the extension to commit to enroll, along with the deposit (which IS the commitment, basically, to enroll) until May 1. This is the procedure colleges are to follow and most do. I know Point Park is a fine school (I mean I even recommend it to my advisees) but this is one thing that I don’t personally like about Point Park. There is no reason to hold your money until May 1. May 1 is the date you must commit to enroll and give deposits. They can’t require you to do so sooner. Ask for this in writing. Point to the NACAC and ask for the extension and ask what the difference is if you send a deposit by the National Reply date which is your right to do, and what the purpose is to send it now and if you can have this extension, would it makes any difference. It should not. Again, you won’t run into this with too many schools. I never have with two daughters and 16 schools between them or with my clients except in rare occasions and Point Park is the one I remember most as doing this.</p>

<p>I don’t disagree at all with.any of that. My point was that there is a SLIGHT difference in that they are not asking for a deposit. There is no money changing hands. It is just a form you fill out indicating your intent to pursue a BFA in MT at the school. I imagine that legally, it isn’t even binding. In theory there would be no penalty for filling it out and returning it, then later rescinding it. I just personally wouldn’t do it.</p>