<p>Keep in mind that even if you have a senior showcase, a lot of people in the showcase do not end up with agent offers. Obviously some do. But one can’t rely on their senior showcase as getting them eventual work. The showcase gives a “chance” at finding agent representation by graduation.</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that more established BFA in MT programs may get more agents to attend their showcases than newer programs. There are so many showcases that agents can’t attend them all. So, if you are investigating a school, find out what percentage of the kids in the showcase actually signed with an agent, before putting TOO much stock in the showcase as a selection factor of which college to attend. It may end up being a minor thing in the scheme of the four years.</p>
<p>I know kids who attended very well regarded theater programs and did their showcase and are very talented individuals, who did not land an agent by graduation from the showcase. However, they got great training/education at their college theater/MT programs. I also know some highly talented graduates from some of the so called “top” MT programs who did sign with agents from their senior showcases, and have yet to be cast a year or two or three later.</p>
<p>Totally agree with everything MnK and Soozie said above^^^^^… While Penn State does have a senior showcase, that was not a criteria for my daughter when she was choosing programs.</p>
<p>Thank You for all your great responses.
I will be sure that my son reads this thread so that he understands the process with more clarity. His list is huge with many “Top” schools and I am trying to get him interested in more of a variety of options, including one in our state. It does have a very good success rate at their showcase, but doesn’t necessarily have the reputation or prestige of the more popular top choices. We will keep all of your great suggestions in mind.</p>
<p>I agree that the senior showcase should not be a must-have when selecting a college. Fit is the most important factor for each individual, and a having a showcase is just an added bonus.</p>
<p>That being said, as I sit here right now, my D is in an audition for a film role at one of the major studios as a result of her showcase this week. Maybe it’s beginner’s luck, but it illustrates that the showcase can definitely make some great connections for someone starting out!</p>
<p>… And yes, It is very difficult to concentrate right now!!! I wonder how it’s going? …</p>
<p>mizlyn…good luck to your daughter! Agree that a showcase can be helpful when it goes well for the student and it leads to more. In other words, a showcase can’t hurt! It can help! It just may not lead to anything for some and also there will be those who find representation or work another way. A realistic perspective is good to maintain.</p>
<p>Also, I think those who are just looking into college don’t always realize that it is not all about what job or casting you get right after graduation. You might get something good right away and then again not for a while, or you might not be cast right away but will be later on. The sign of how successful you’ll be isn’t all about what happens right after you graduate. </p>
<p>In any case, your D has bites off the bat and that is a very positive sign…good for her!! There likely will be many auditions. After a while, auditions become the norm and you don’t think too much about it each time (unlike college auditions!). But hey, ya never know, she could be cast at her first audition! It happens!</p>
<p>Thanks, Soozie. We are all too aware of the long and unpredictable road ahead for a young actor, but no matter what the outcome, this kind of good luck makes for a hopeful start. We’ll see…</p>
<p>Agree! If she has bites at showcase…offers for agent representation…and/or is brought into some casting auditions…it is a very positive sign, even if not cast right away. So, YAY I say!</p>
<p>Just wanted to say there are so very many other factors that you should concern yourself with before thinking about weather a program has a showcase. The value of a showcase is quite limited. It is a one shot moment intended to impress agents and casting agents. Many schools have agents, writers, producers, etc. visit their schools annually - this far more effective in establishing better professional relations. A showcase is not a bad thing - and a lot of schools do both. Yes, there are many cases where showcases have had good results - my opinion, often those are for students or programs that would have done well in the city in any case.</p>
<p>^^^Temple U offers a class that regularly stages mock auditons where agents, casting directors etc. are invited to watch and many students have been offered work and representation through this process. D was just talking about this today as we drove back from Philly. It’s nice because it offers a chance to hone audition skills while also making valuable contacts within the theatre world.</p>
<p>Baldwin Wallace – post #14
Ball State – post #14
BOCO – post #6
Carnegie Mellon – post #7, #10
Coastal Carolina U (starting 2012) – post #8
Montclaire – post #6
Northwestern U (by audition) – post #16
NYU/ Tisch (open and auditioned) – post #20
Ohio Northern – post #14
Oklahoma City U (by audition) – post #31
Otterbein – post #14
Penn State – post #22
Point Park (by audition) – post #11, #17
Syracuse – post #6, #9
UArts – post #4
U California Irvine - - post #12
UMich – post #6
UW Stevens’ Point – post #24
Webster – post #13</p>
<p>Looking at the sheer number of NYC showcases, and assuming they all happen toward the end of the school year, it’s easy to imagine that not all are equally well attended, as has been mentioned throughout this thread.</p>
<p>Baldwin Wallace – post #14
Ball State – post #14
BOCO – post #6
Carnegie Mellon – post #7, #10
Coastal Carolina U (starting 2012) – post #8
Montclaire – post #6
Northwestern U (by audition) – post #16
NYU/ Tisch (open and auditioned) – post #20
Ohio Northern – post #14
Oklahoma City U (by audition) – post #31
Otterbein – post #14
Penn State – post #22
Point Park (by audition) – post #11, #17
Sam Houston State U - post #33
Syracuse – post #6, #9
Texas State U - post #34
UArts – post #4
U California Irvine - - post #12
UMich – post #6
UW Stevens’ Point – post #24
Webster – post #13</p>
<p>Baldwin Wallace – post #14
Ball State – post #14
BOCO – post #6
Carnegie Mellon – post #7, #10
CCM - post #35
Coastal Carolina U (starting 2012) – post #8
Florida State U - post #36
Montclaire – post #6
Northwestern U (by audition) – post #16
NYU/ Tisch (open and auditioned) – post #20
Ohio Northern – post #14
Oklahoma City U (by audition) – post #31
Otterbein – post #14
Penn State – post #22
Point Park (by audition) – post #11, #17
Sam Houston State U - post #33
Syracuse – post #6, #9
Texas State U - post #34
UArts – post #4
U California Irvine - - post #12
UMich – post #6
UW Stevens’ Point – post #24
Webster – post #13</p>
<p>As far as the timing goes, the showcases that NYU/Tisch/CAP21 has done in the past occurred both in Jan. and in late spring as some students did the showcase semester in the fall and some did it in the spring semester. For example, CAP21 just had it’s fall semester group’s showcase last week. In the past, NYU/Tisch (all of Tisch, not CAP21) had an audition based MT showcase and that’s the one my D did and that had been in March and so was before many other showcases that are often in April and May.</p>
<p>Webster does NYC in March and LA in May. This last spring when we visited, we were told they were considering adding Chicago too…</p>
<p>I have a feeling the value of the showcase is different for different people…in the end, the jobs come from auditions. If you get an agent or a closer look by someone in casting,due to a showcase, which leads to being cast, then its a great thing. If your connection to getting an audition is your Dad’s third cousin’s daughter, and it leads to being cast, then the showcase may or may not be as valuable…it would be fun to hear from veterans about their kids showcase experience and results the way we heard about SuzieVT’s daughter!</p>
<p>Wright State has a Senior Showcase in NYC and any Senior Acting/MT major can participate. Seniors also attend industry workshops while they are there for the Showcase.</p>