On a recent visit to Muhlenberg with my D, I was surprised to find the campus as feeling very homogeneous. There were lots of kids in greek sweatshirts and athletic wear. There was a definite preppy feel to the student body that I saw in the student union and while walking around campus. Granted, all we did was glance at the performing arts center but I really thought there would be more of a artsy vibe to at least some of the students and campus. Any explanations? And, if she visits again, how can she maybe have a more theater specific experience? We’ve both read many wonderful accounts of the school and she enjoyed the interview very much. I feel that somehow maybe we “missed something”!
Sweatshirts and athletic wear are the official college wardrobe. . . If you are looking for more of the artsy vibe during the day it is mostly across the street at the performing arts center. If you hang around Seegers long enough you will see more of the student body coming in for coffee and meals. It really is a mix of premed, prelaw and theater kids. All seem to get along very well. We were just on campus Sunday for the Honors Convocation and it was well attended by a real cross section of students. For a more specific theater experience I would contact the admissions office and arrange to sit in on a theater class. Meet and maybe even interview with Charles Richter. That should give you a more accurate look at the theater program. Muhlenberg really appreciates getting to know future applicants. Best of luck to you!
I was on the campus last night to see my D perform. As it is the last week of classes there are a ton of performances going on and this is what was happening in one evening- an a capella performance, an outdoor showing of Into The Woods, a Shakespeare performance ensemble caberet riffing on 12th Night and an improv group performance.
Needless to say there were lots of theater kids around. They are a diverse group, bearded guys with man buns, manicured and blown dry beauties, and plenty of sweatshirts, kids who are indistinguishable from all the other kids.
I would not say Muhlenberg has an artsy vibe the way someplace like Skidmore or Bard might. But there are definitely artsy kids doing amazing work there. As @beenthereanddone said, the students are a mix of different interests and they all get along.
We attended the Junior Open House on the 25th and Charlie Richter gave a very in depth tour of the theater facilities and backstage. He said you can arrange that tour just by calling. There were several performances going on somany of the theater kids werebusy preparing which may have been the case when you visited. But I agree with @LeftofPisa it does not seem to be artsy per se, this is what I liked about it. The kids who spoke all said that bio majors support & attend theater performances and theater kids attend & support the other majors too. Hope that helps!
Thanks all, this definitely helps! I think we’ll need to go back for a more in-depth tour.
I may be wrong about this, but if your daughter visits again, and I hope she will, you may want to stay overnight. I believe some of the student lead theatre groups don’t begin their activities and shows til around 11pm.