<p>This site is an amazing resource for the prospective student....but I have seen very little posted from those who are beginning to wind down their college experience and venture into the stark reality of the "real" world. Once the audition process is over and our children are on their way down some path towards a career it is in all probabilty natural to stop participating here on CC. Quite candidly I don't feel as though I can contribute adequately any longer as I am too far from the realms of the audition process (3 + years out)....I am not current so to speak as say some other parent who has just gone through it. As a result I have been lurking more than contributing....if even that.</p>
<p>Does this make sense at all? I apologize for being verbose....this was not my intention. BUT here is my question: Are there enough "veterans" who linger around here that might offer guidance to those who are soon going to be embarking on the senior showcases, networking, selecting one part of the country to begin a career over another part..etc? Or perhaps some professionals that might be willing to guide us to garner knowledge to share with our young actors?</p>
<p>Guess I would like to see this site evolve full circle...so to speak. Any bites?</p>
<p>I think this is a great idea for all of us who have stuck around as our kids are already in college. Some have understandably left now that the college admissions process is long gone. However, it is a "support group" of sorts for students and parents embarking on the MT career path, as well as educational/training path. So, I hope there is some action on this important topic. Your sons are a year ahead of my D and I'm not sure who is still reading or posting who are currently juniors/seniors or beyond. And there are of course professionals in the field posting here. So.....let's roll with this topic! And if there is not a lot of expertise, well, then, there will still be a support group going through these steps, just like the college admissions steps. </p>
<p>Elsewhere on CC, there are forums for grad school, internships, career searches, etc. This is that same sort of thing...next steps. For me, I've gotta go through it first with older D, currently a junior seeking graduate school in architecture (has an element like MT because it involves portfolio reviews) and so one kid at a time for me. One year at a time for me, too, with regard to summer plans, semester plans and what not. But I would love to read what goes on here with others with older MTers, looking ahead, just as I did over four years ago when my youngest wasn't nearly looking into colleges yet but I kept reading the then MT threads (not yet its own forum, but one long multi-part thread). </p>
<p>great idea! I also feel pretty far removed from the auditioning end of things, although my D, who is a senior at PSU, is still very actively involved in the auditions at her school.
It hadn't really hit home that this was it, 4 years gone by until a few weeks ago when she went back for her last semester. I called her on the first morning of classes to wish a "great last" first day. We both got a bit choked up. She has had an absolutely amazing 4 years...has learned so much, grown so much as an actress and a woman, but...am I ready for her "real world" experience? No! I am so concerned for her. This is an incredibly tough career to make it in. I feel she is blessed by having a Penn State degree where there is a huge alumni association to help her along the way, but as far as helping her with MT jobs..she'll be on her own there. Would I trade her college degree choice for something "safer"...never. This was her chosen path, her dream and desire and we have supported that choice every day and felt great pride in watching her succeed. But...here we go again! Back into the land of the great unkown. At least with college, you felt sure they'd go somewhere, but now.......
I know my DD will probably read this and now know of her mother's anxiety and angst, but...so be it...we're parents!
Thanks for starting this thread.....whether at the beginning of this journey or toward the end, support is always appreciated!
Michele</p>
<p>my d is only a freshman bfa MT, but I too would like to see this thread evolve. I still lurk quite a bit but am between the hs senior year with the anxiety of auditioning and the later years of college like 5pants' child..... but would still find both ends of the spectrum interesting.
So I guess we need to hear from those out there in 5pants shoes........</p>
<p>Michele, it is great to "see" you! Wow, I can't believe your D is up to her final semester already. It went so fast. The thing is, in this field particularly, it is neverending. These kids are going to be auditioning and job hunting continously. It is not like once they get into college, you can breathe a sigh of relief. There are auditions IN college. Summer jobs. Internships. More auditions. After college auditions and job hunting. In this field, you are always doing it. </p>
<p>Anyway, Michele, if your D goes to NYC after graduation, I hope our girls will meet up again. My daughter really enjoys your daughter. I know there is lots of uncertainty ahead but your daughter will get something and do something. Who knows just what it will be, but I know she will be successful in whatever it is.</p>
<p>So, you are a "senior" mom on here so there are lots of ears/eyes interested in your D's adventures as she is ahead of many who participate here. Hope to hear more in the months ahead. I hope your D loves every moment of her final semester and also has some shows to enjoy with her peers of the past four years.</p>
<p>I can contribute a little here, in virtue of being "MT mom" to several seniors at various programs. Right now the hardcore emphasis at UM, for example, is on final headshot selections and selecting senior showcase material; CMU is a little ahead of that loop since their NY showcase is in March (with LA showcase in May) and UM's is in early May.</p>
<p>bdwaymom
My daughter, husband and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and spending much time talking with your daughter on Jan. 20th at the PSU audition. She is delightful, charming and I have no doubt will go far in this career choice of hers! It is a difficult path, but it is so clear that she has her head on straight and is up to the challenge. We look forward to seeing her again soon!</p>
<p>Susan,
Hey to you too! Yes, she is planning on making the move to NYC...not sure if it will be this summer, depending on what the summer will hold for her, or if it will be this fall. She will def hook back up with your D...they both enjoyed each other's company very much (as the moms did too!)
nydancemom - she did tell me she met you and your D and loves meeting all the CC folks at PSU auditions. She will be the PSU monitor this weekend in NYC, so I'm sure she'll be meeting some others Sat and Sun. You're right, she does have her head on straight and is very realistic about her abilities and what her future may hold. She has many interests and talents and will succeed in whatever she ends up doing. Just a bit scary at the onset of this.
Best of luck to your D in her exciting 4 years coming up.
Coach C - my D is also in the headshot/showcase mode. Her new headshots are being done Friday. Of course her old ones are in B&W and now color is the rage. PSU's showcase is in May, so she has a bit of time to prepare. PSU has a wonderful endowment for 2cd semester seniors where they pay for all travel expenses for auditions, so my D has been spending a good deal of time in NY starting to audition for summer stock, etc.
It is such a different world for MT kids. Senior year of HS, while everyone is getting ther acceptances, our kids are busy auditioning and then waiting. Senior year of college, while many of my D's friends outside the major are doing internships and buying business suits to go on interviews and lining up corporate jobs, she is also getting together a resume, but heading toward a much less definite path. An exciting one, though.
Keep sharing your experiences and keep those positive thoughts coming!
Michele</p>
<p>Hi Michele, my D also just got new headshots and yes, color seems to be the new norm. It seems like this process is continual and they will always be looking for the next thing, which is not quite like those who hold regular jobs. It's great that PSU pays for travel to auditions as it can get expensive. Then there is the issue of missing classes. Good luck to her and I do hope the girls meet back up.</p>
<p>Thank goodness by the 2cd semester of senior year, most of the classes are MT classes and not gen eds and at PSU, at least, they are well aware that their students will be missing some time for auditioning so it's not as much of an issue.
Travel can certainly become expensive for auditions. With NYU, most of their auditions involve a subway, but wth PSU being in the middle of PA, it is far to go anywhere, so it's very nice that she is getting some help with that expense. They will also pay for airplane trips as well, so going to MUNY or other out of state auditions is covered. I keep telling her to find a London audition! :0)</p>
<p>Ah, I finally got my username/password figured out so I could post again!</p>
<p>I have a senior MT-D who will be graduating on May 5 (YEAH!) from OCU. It has been the shortest 4 years of my life...where did the time go? She is ready, so ready to hit the 'real' world. She is attending a 3-day audition workshop/showcase event in NY during spring break sponsored by the NYC alum of OCU. She is hoping the exposure to NY casting directors and such will be a big step in the right direction.</p>
<p>She has already auditioned for Ohio Light Opera and is waitlisted for their summer season. She auditioned for Seagle Theater in NY and is awaiting those results. She is attending the UPTA auditions in Memphis in two weeks. Those auditions are for 'professional' actors...anyone who is available for more than just a summer season. Additionally, she will audition for Lyric Oklahoma and Music Theater Wichita because they hold auditions on the OCU campus or in OKC, so that is convenient.</p>
<p>Depending on what offers she gets, will determine her next step. If she gets a good summer gig, she will do it and then return to OCU for the fall semester to finish out her VP (second) degree. If she gets a good offer for something that rolls into the fall, she'll forgo returning to OCU. Since her ultimate goal is to do opera (when she is in her 30s she says), a VP degree would be beneficial but certainly not something she needs to complete right now. </p>
<p>I'm excited and nervous for her....but she is confident and ready to move on! I'm so proud of her.</p>
<p>I realize what a magnet city NY is for MT performers, but is there anyone out there in cyberland who might be able to shed light on the opportunities on the west coast? That is the direction my Ss are thinking of heading...still 1.5 years away though...so that could change.</p>
<p>S is also attending the 3-day audition workshop/showcase event in NY during spring break. I found a wonderful fare for him and I guess he shared it with others that were invited. If your daughter got the $277 RT they will be traveling together. S said the plane is going to be full of OCU MT students.</p>
<p>About the headshots - S needs new ones. I have seen lately colored ones with two pictures a full body shot and a headshot on one page. Is this the new thing?</p>
<p>What $277 RT deal are you referring to? I've made reservations for my D for $236RT out of DFW, but it would be better if she could leave from OKC for that price....</p>
<p>My D just got new HS over the holiday break....she has one B&W and one color...both from the chest up....not full length. I personally believe the color thing is a fad and standard B&W is always acceptable. In fact, for her UPTA auditions, they are specifically told to bring B&W not color.</p>
<p>Michelle, I also met your d at the PSU aditions on Jan 20th and she is lovely, we enjoyed seeing her in a musical theater class and she was so helpful during the auditions. We hope to see her again this weekend at he unifieds.</p>
<p>Have not posted in a long long time, but here's one quick parental perspective five years post CCM MT BFA. Of the 17 or so graduates in D's class on the order of half are still in the business as working actors. Some burned out, some simply did other things, some had success but still went in another direction, but of those who are still around most do make a full time living at the craft. By and large those in the working actor category tend to by New York based and earn their living as Equity actors. Cattle calls are long a thing of the past, if they were ever a real part of life, and most move from gig to gig without any real down time. From observing the experience of D's classmates and fellow grads from her general era it appears that whatever comes with getting into, through, and out of an upper tier program like CCM can most certainly be a pathway to a successful career....... but even then the business weeds out a goodly number of the graduates.</p>
<p>Hi all, I haven't posted in a while but I would be happy to answer any questions about the "hereafter" at least in nyc. My DS is a playwright and Director in NYC, he graduated from NYU Playwrights Horizon in 2005, and his roomie is a 2005 graduate of Carnegie Mellon. You can check out his website Joshuagelb.com. He is working as a paralegal temp. Hard work but great pay to keep the rent paid. His roomie finally took my advice and is now a proud equity member out on the road with " If you give a mouse a cookie" A Theaterworks production. As a young actress I got my start with this company. It's not the best pay but you do get your card and learn a lot. Ps. I met my husband.... He was the stage manager. 27 years later we are still happy, although our lives have turned to educational theater. I would be happy to answer anyones questions! Cam</p>
<p>Thank you for some heartening news camge and MTdad. Good to know that half of an MT class is working, at least, and there are other jobs that will pay the rent! Also, my D informed me that PSU's showcase is in early April, not in May, so a bit less time to be prepared, she says. Headshots are being done as I write, summer stock auditions have started rolling in and showcase material is being readied.</p>
<p>It's been ages since I posted, but I thought I'd give an update on my daughter. She graduated from college in May 2006 and is managing to support herself : ) She moved right to NYC after graduation. She did some hostessing and was in two readings of new musicals, then did a couple months of theme park shows and is currently singing on a cruise ship. She's hoping to save quite a bit of money. And of course she is very happy to miss the cold NYC winters.</p>
<p>Thank you cbs57 for sharing. The various different places the entertainment field can take one is so intriguing. Once she hears how much snow she missed this time around she will be VERY happy with her job placement!! :)</p>