<p>For anybody currently in the MT program or anywhere in SMTD really, what was it about Michigan that brought you here? Was it the environment, the people, the program, a little of everything? Especially for anyone who is OOS and middle class like myself, what made Michigan worth it to invest that kind of money in?</p>
<p>UofM is a terrific school. They have an excellent reputation, staff and many graduates end up in performance careers. There are several examples but recently, Gavin Creel at UofM in Music Man ('98? ish) and he was in the revival of Hair and won a tony in 2009.
UofM is often considered ‘overrated’ in many ways (not just MT). They are elitist. The problem with that title is they ARE elite. They are expensive (especially for out-of-state) but they deliver exception instruction and education. They are very like minded (think Berkley). Go some where else if you are conservative. Recently, (2003-09) there selection process has been slightly lacking and the students are somewhat less successful. Meaning only about half go on to Broadway. However, dont count them out this is merely a soft patch. UofM NEVER underperforms for long in any department. It is different, but analogist to the UofM football team. </p>
<p>Could you find a better ‘value’? Probably. Is UofM money well spent? Only if your child is prepared, dedicated and talented enough to grow to be the ‘leaders and best’. I would counsel you to really look hard at your child-and with brutal honesty-evaluate the talent and most importantly the commitment in their soul. If it is there, spend the money.</p>
<p>bgri5th - While I agree with some of your points above - I am wondering how you came up with the conclusion that the selection process from 2003 to 2009 was “somewhat less successful?” And where are you getting your statistics that “only half go on to Broadway” - ? I also don’t understand why you only include Broadway - and not Broadway tours and other professional theatre employment as evidence of being “successful”? There is not a cumulative list of who is on Broadway (even the alumni list on the UM website is not updated) at any given time - where are you getting your information? As the parent of a child who was accepted in one of those years you mention (and who could be considered “successful”), I am confused. So, the audition process became more selective again in 2010? How? And why? Thanks in advance for clarifying!</p>
<p>bgri5th, I also wonder where you are getting your information. It is not good to present something as fact that may indeed be an opinion unless you can back it up. I don’t know your background as you only have one other post on CC that indicates that your child is an applicant to MT programs in the current cycle. How do you have the kind of information you are suggesting about U of Michigan?</p>
<p>How in the world do you come up with that UM was less selective from 2003 to 2009 for Musical Theater? It was and still is extremely competitive. I know many who entered UM during those years who are highly talented and have been successful post graduation. I know many very talented candidates who got into many other BFA programs and were rejected at UM. My own kid (whose talent I cannot quantify as I am simply her mom), got into a number of highly regarded BFA in MT programs and UM was her only full out rejection. That was in 2005. </p>
<p>Also, I do not know any well regarded MT program, including UM, that measures “success” as being on Broadway only. These programs are trying to nurture and prepare professionals to work in professional theaters and the field at large. Most would consider a graduate of a BFA program who is on a national tour, off Broadway theater, major regional theater, a film, a TV show, a recording artist, a composer, to be successful in their post graduate lives. Not only that, to measure “success” within the first couple of years of graduating is very limiting. Many do not go to Broadway ever, but even when they do get cast on Broadway, it may be several years past graduation after working professionally in other theater. I don’t measure MT success by who is on Broadway. But even if you do, I know a number of UM grads from recent years who have gotten Bdway credits. In any case, I don’t see how you came up with your unsubstantiated “fact” that admissions to the BFA in MT program at UM during 2003-2009 was less selective or that those graduates are less successful. Not only that, how do you measure the success of a graduate from 2009 with a graduate from 2002 who are at different points in their careers? Performing on Broadway is certainly not how I measure the success of a program’s graduates either. Take Pasek and Paul who graduated in 2007. Their original musical won a Richard Rogers Award and is about to be produced Off Broadway and directed by Joe Mantello! They are hugely successful at a young age. Just one example of success from graduates during the time period you mention who are not performing on Broadway.</p>
<p>well said MTMama and soozievt!</p>
<p>“UofM is often considered ‘overrated’ in many ways (not just MT).”</p>
<p>Please enlighten us in what areas Michigan is overrated? Sounds like sour grapes to me.</p>
<p>I’m sorry for the slow responses everyone. I have not been monitoring this blog and I regret that my comment is seen as too harsh.
Please allow me to respond. I meant no offense and these are not fact but my opinion, so take it for what its worth. However, because of my exposure to the University in general and its MT program specifically, it is not without knowledge.
First let me stress I did say many positive things about UofM. Most people don’t seem to take exception to those points so I will leave them be.
It seems that my comment “somewhat less successful” is the one that many of you take exception to so let me start there.
My opinion is a reflection of my comparison of the students over the last couple of decades. I have known many of the MT’s personally, worked with several professionally, and I believe I have seen all of them perform, most several times. They are incredible people with extraordinary talent. I was trying to contrast my earlier ‘Gavin Creel’ comment. The originally blogger is looking for economic justification for the very high expense of UofM’s tuition and asking is it worth it. I am trying to say that it’s terrific but not everyone at Michigan is going to be working on Broadway and winning tony awards.
I did not say they have been less selective, to my knowledge they have not changed their selection process for many years with the exception of adding the pre-screening video before the audition. What I actually said was: " there ‘selection’ process has been slightly lacking and the students are somewhat less successful. Meaning only about half go on to Broadway."…and yes in this narrow blog I was defining ‘success’ as working on Broadway as I stated. I realize that is not the ultimate definition of success, but I was trying to relate to the original question. (i.e. Generally, Broadway pays more, and working on Broadway also tends to open other opportunities). I didn’t count them, it is only my estimate and according to Soozeit the actual numbers are not available.
Additionally, recently there seems to have been more MT’s grads that haven’t worked on stage and are struggling. They seem to be from the span I mentioned and this is a new economic risk that people are taking when investing in UofM. There can be many reasons for this including the general economy. I was trying to illustrate that for some people it has not been a worthwhile investment.
Again I meant no offense and I am sorry that it was taken so negatively.</p>
<p>All students/parents, when assessing a program, should keep in mind that many times grads CHOOSE other highly successful paths NOT b/c of lack of success in Broadway musicals but because their own passions have shifted. Three examples off the top of my head for UMich MT: There is a 2008 grad working very successfully in casting, which he began doing upon graduation; there is a 2007 grad receiving his MFA in acting this year from a top MFA program who has already achieved notable success at 2 major regional theatres; there is another 2007 grad who quickly decided to devote his energy to his work as a recording artist (always a passion of his). I’m sure there are other examples; those are the ones I know quickly. </p>
<p>Overall, the students from the classes of 2007 (admitted in 2003) to 2011 have quite a large number of grads working in both ensembles & principle roles on Broadway and in tours. Do all the students succeed? No - but that is true of every program.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Soooooo true!
And one can’t measure success solely in their first couple years after graduation necessarily either.</p>