Western Carolina University - Musical Theatre Program

<p>@mtmom2014 did they mention anything about Nathan? When we were there he told us he was leaving after this year. It was not set in stone and there was a movement afoot to keep him. We loved Nathan and he is the one that has been making all the strong changes :)</p>

<p>They did not mention it, but I did know that he was leaving. I think many of the changes that are propelling this program came from both Nathan and Claire Eye who will still be there next year. The dance teacher Karyn seems exceptional and she is staying, and the voice staff, which trained the kids to be so incredibly consistent (saw the show twice) are all in place. Terrance Mann, who directs their shows and comes once in a while to teach a Masterclass is also continuing. The kids mentioned that they really enjoyed working with him. I do hope they hire someone great as this school is now in my D’s top two. </p>

<p>Hi everyone! WCU’s MT program welcomes a new program head and musical director, Katya Stanislavskaya! She has already been working to take the program to the next level. </p>

<p>The MT program (along with many other Stage and Screen students and faculty) will be putting up “42nd Street” this November! Terrence Mann will be directing, with Karyn Tomczak as choreographer. The tap shoes are already out to play!</p>

<p>Dates and Times are:
Thu, Nov 13, 2014, 7:30pm Fri, Nov 14, 2014, 7:30pm
Sat, Nov 15, 2014, 7:30pm Sun, Nov 16, 2014, 3pm</p>

<p>Tickets are on sale now! <a href=“TicketReturn™ Ticketing Systems Software”>TicketReturn™ Ticketing Systems Software;

<p>While program auditions are not until the spring semester, seeing shows is extremely helpful to a college search. If time and money permit, it is always nice to visit the school and see the caliber of productions there. Here at WCU, we strive for high quality shows and professionalism. </p>

<p>If you’d like to pay us a visit, let us know and we will schedule a time for you to talk with students, faculty, or even shadow a student for the day!</p>

<p>Let us know if you have any questions we can answer for you! </p>

<p>I can definitely attest to the high caliber of productions and the BEAUTIFUL theatre!! I saw Sweeney Todd there a few years ago. Fabulous!</p>

Not much activity on this thread but in case some are interested in reviving it, my D has been accepted in the BFA MT program for the class of 2020 and we are fairly certain that she is accepting their offer! Would love to chat with any incoming students or alumni about the program…

@craz4mtsmom There was a thread getting some posts about WCU a week or so ago… might be Hidden Gems

We live in Asheville, near WCU and saw their production of Gypsy on Sunday. My daughter and i were both impressed and moved… it was a great production.

It is a beautiful campus, in my favorite part of NC…and the theatre is beautiful. Congrats… it looks like a great program… we’ll be back to see Hair next year.

Yes wondering why this up and comer school isn’t in the main list for musical theatre here.

I have always wondered that as well. It certainly is worthy of a listing above!

Agreed. I think it speaks to the “fluidity” of quality MT programs. My D has auditioned at/is auditioning at several programs (including WCU) that do not have a dedicated listing.

@grayhairedman Others have asked the question about the list. I think the list was made quite awhile ago and not changed… so it doesn’t really reflect what the top programs are just what people were talking about when the list was made.

Schools have been added to the list over the years - I know Ohio Northern, Molloy and Montclair are some that have been added more recently. You probably need to ask the admin of this forum to add schools not currently shown. Not exactly sure how to do that - maybe someone else can chime in? Unfortunately I don’t think the school threads get as much attention now that they don’t have the little dot that signified when a new post had been made. Not sure why that stopped.

Beautiful campus. Impressive program overview! Students also very well spoken and knowledgeable!

I agree, @grayhairedman. If the students demonstrated what this program produces (of course they do) it’s a top notch program! To those looking at WCU for future years, I don’t think we’re supposed to copy links-but Google “NC Promise”

Yes I have researched NC Promise. It makes out of state tuition favorably compare to in state schools in Florida. Thanks.

Bumping this thread up, has anyone who auditioned in mid February heard anything?

I auditioned on March 18th and received my decision yesterday. I have to decide within the next two weeks whether or not I will be accepting! This is super daunting seeing as I didn’t really get to know a lot about the program or the professors or the facilities and classes from the audition day… trying to do as much research as possible but having a little trouble to be honest:/

Congrats, @mtgirl135 ! I think it’s a great program, and the cost-even for out of state students, is awesome. My D was accepted and has decided to enroll in a different program, but I think she would have been very challenged and happy at WCU.

Why do you have to decide? Don’t you have until May 1?

My daughter is on the wait list, but I wouldn’t want anyone rushed into a decision like this? Did they mention a date in the letter @mtgirl135 ?

Congrats @mtgirl135. My daughter is currently in the program at WCU. When she received her acceptance letter last year she called and let them know she would need a little more time before deciding as she wanted to hear back from all of her audition schools. They were fine with it. They just like for you to keep in touch with them.