<p>Curious if anyone has auditioned here. The 'Big List' indicates no audition is required - but I know that is wrong and it is audition in. S has his in 2 weeks. I've heard it's difficult to get in - but that is from Female Soprano's - so I don't know if that applies to a Male Bass/Baritone. </p>
<p>Also, would love any input on their program in general. I've heard it is good - especially being so close to NYC. They go in all the time, have guests, and the Seniors do a show Off Broadway. The program is only about 3 or 4 years old I think - so not alot of into out there about it.</p>
<p>I would love to support my S in his dream - but don't want to go bankrupt doing it. WCSU would give us in-state rates, plus I would probably encourage him to live at home Jr and Sr year (or at least off campus). We are close enough to commute - but I want him to have the college experience his first 2 years. </p>
<p>PLUS - it is close enough that I could go to all performances :)</p>
<p>LOL! Love the last line. That is one of the reasons I am so glad S is going to school in Boston - so I can see him in his performances!</p>
<p>But to your request - I personally haven’t heard anything about Western CT State for theatre. As you said, it’s a new program, and no graduates yet? Since you’re so close, will you go and take a tour, talk to faculty? You may be looking to us for info, but you may end up being the one to give us details!!</p>
<p>If the school of theatre has a Facebook page maybe you can find out info there, too.</p>
<p>Thanks Marbleheader. We did go to the MT Open House. The program sounds good and the kids seem great. They just hired a new MT Director - and he seems really good. S went to see Next to Normal performed by the seniors at the end of last year (I guess they were the first graduating class) - and thought they did a wonderful job. The facilities are very old - but they are currently building an entire new center for The School of Visual and Performing Arts. It’s supposed to be done by March 2014 with the program moving into it Fall of 2014 - so he would have 3 years use of that. </p>
<p>I will let everyone know after auditions and as we find out more.</p>
<p>A friend’s daughter was in the Westconn musical theater program for two years starting fall 2010. She enjoyed it and felt she got very good training (and participated in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival), but transferred to Pace because she wanted a better program and the NYC experience. I saw several of her shows at Westconn and was quite impressed with their quality. The department is small and the theater kids are a close-knit group. Because my friend went to all the shows, she was on a first name basis with all the kids in the program and all the profs, which was lovely. On the other hand, her daughter found that aspect a little claustrophobic. I would note that the college is not academically strong, so if your son is interested in challenging classes outside of the MT department, he won’t find them there. It’s also a suitcase school to a large degree–even while being in shows, my friend’s daughter was still able to come home many weekends (mainly to see her boyfriend), and I think that was very typical. So I’m not sure how much of the “college experience” is to be found there. As for the location–well, there’s not much to say about Danbury, which I’m sure you know. Hope that helps a little.</p>