Wright State Talk!

<p>I am a student at Wright State and would LOVE to answer any questions anyone has about the program!</p>

<p>I think you are related to the very talented ElonMT09 right???? Glad to hear you are enjoying Wright State!!!</p>

<p>My D is auditioning for Wright State in mid Feb and attending the friday master class. She has already auditioned at Otterbein and CCM, and has a couple more after WSU. But with a 3 week break before the WS audition, there is plenty of time to "tune" the audition.</p>

<p>First, of the schools on her list, WS is the only one that asks for 2 contrasting monologues. She has 2, but both are more on the comedic side (emphasizing her strength), although they are contrasting comedic styles. How important do you think it is that one of her monologues be more serious?</p>

<p>I have lingering questions on the topic of monologue and song "overdoneness". As a WS insider, do you think that doing an overdone (or perhaps somewhat overdone) monologue or song, if done well, really hurts your chances? I can certainly see that case at a Bway audition, but am wondering how major a factor it would be at your school. It can take a lot of time and research to come up with an audition portfolio of good songs and monologues that someone won't say is overdone.</p>

<p>For an MT auditionee, do you think that singing ability is more of a factor than dramatic ability?</p>

<p>By the way, my D observed a couple classes during semester finals week last Nov - there was an a.m. drama class, a tap final, and an afternoon MT dance class, most of the students were juniors and were very friendly. Also the faculty! She got a very good feeling that this school would be a good fit!</p>

<p>Any opinions are welcome. I wish I knew as much as I do now a year ago...</p>

<p>I think that the most important thing with auditioning is that your daughter enjoys performing the material and connects with it in some way. There are a number of overdone songs and monologues, but they will most likely be able to base their opinion no matter what the material is.
If you are still worried about her song choices, you can tell me the material she is thinking of doing and I can give my opinion on them. But honestly, it's not a big thing to worry about- just that she feels comfortable with what she's doing.
If you have any other questions or anything I would be happy to answer them! I'll even most likely be there on the audition date! Glad that you're looking at Wright State! It's a wonderful program!</p>

<p>And yes! I am related to a very talented Elon music theatre major, but I have no idea what her username is on here. haha</p>

<p>This is the mom you've met whose daughter is Asian and is an MT sophomore at Elon (to give you a hint). I couldn't remember your sister's CC name either, I had to look it upl LOL</p>

<p>Yes! I know exactly who you are! Small world! So exciting!</p>

<p>I auditioned yesterday for WSU. It was an awesome experience because the faculty and the students werevery welcoming and were answering any questions that I had. I hope I got accepted because this is a great program=]</p>

<p>Good luck friendlyspidey34 - hoping you get a positive answer soon. My d is a junior MT there and she has gotten great training so far. And yes, it is a great program!!!</p>

<p>..how do the students accepted into MT program at WT..mingle in with the Drama majors? What are the differences?</p>

<p>The MT and straight theatre students are together alot. The acting component of the program is very strong. I believe for at least the first 2 years the MT students take the same acting classes as the Acting majors. After that I believe that the MT majors get acting classes geared towards MT. Of course the Acting majors do not have the same music and dance class requirements. Acting majors are often cast in musicals(as are dance majors) and MT majors are cast in plays as well as musicals. Perhaps musicalmoll can add to (or correct) my perceptions as I am a parent of an MTer and musicalmoll is a current student. My d is an MT and has many acting major friends.</p>

<p>friendlyspidey34- I'm glad it was a good experience! We hope to see you in the fall!</p>

<p>kristanoel- Musicalmom is exactly right. I'm a musical theater major and some of my very best friends are acting majors. The MT's and the Actors take the exact same classes up until the end of their sophomore year. This is when they are separated to focus more on their concentration- acting or musical theatre. But like musicalmom said, there are acting majors in musicals and MT's in plays! Acting majors can also take the extra dance classes if they'd like. And sometimes- if you can fit it in your schedule- MT's can take acting major classes and vice versa.
But yes, we allll hang out together outside of class. Our entire department does really- including dance majors and design tech!</p>

<p>And yes- sometimes Acting majors switch to MT or MT's switch to acting. This happens occasionally, but has to be approved by the faculty. But it's very possible!</p>

<p>Hi musicalmoll :)</p>

<p>I just got my acceptance into the BFA MT program and I was wondering if you could tell me how many kids are in the MT major and how many are in each performance class. </p>

<p>Also, do you ever get the opportunity to work on new work musicals?</p>

<p>With the juries and everything, how many kids are typically cut each year? A cut program worries me, and although it says on the website that there isn't a quota, I'm still a little concerned.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Sarahu! Congratulations! The number on accepted MT student varies a little bit each year. I don't think we really have a set number. My class has about 12 MT's, the freshmen probably have about 18. Honestly, it can range from about 10-20 and there are about 10-12 in each performance class. They're very small so the teachers are able to give lots of personal attention to each student!</p>

<p>We do get a chance to work on new musicals! Wright State was the first college to do Parade and will be one of the first to do Light In the Piazza! We also have a new student in the program that is writing his own song cycles and musicals that are being performed as well! </p>

<p>You've read correctly- there is not a "quota" of students they have to cut each year. Its main purpose is to enforce students to take their work seriously. You should have no problem if you-go to class, do you work, and actually put effort into it.
And the juries are actually very helpful. After you’re done with them, you get to have personal meetings with the entire faculty while they tell you what you need to work on and what you've improved on as well. I think this is a wonderful thing to have in a program- I know many schools where students never get a personal evaluation like this.
If you have any more questions please feel free to ask! Congrats again! Yay Wright State!</p>

<p>Thank you! I am so excited! Wright was my third choice behind Roosevelt U and Michigan (got negative responses from both) but I looooooved Wright when I visited. :)</p>

<p>And that makes me feel a lot better about the juries- haha!</p>

<p>No problem! We'll also be giving the incoming Freshmen student mentors- so if you decide to come, they'll be contacting you over the summer! But otherwise, just ask! Glad you're excited!</p>

<p>Sarahu-- Just wanted to let you know. I know 2 mt's and 1 acting major who left Wright state. Have you sat in on a class there?--- it sucks. The cutting policy does make a difference. Your classmates have the attitude (- she should get cut , not me.., I'm not helping her, cause that way, she'll get cut , not me... she was late to class, 3 x's , she should be cut at the end of the year.) The students are sooo stressed with the juries and each other, they practically have tics. Why do you think they are having to have student mentors for the incoming freshman?--Because of the stress of the school- everybody getting cut and quiting!Wright state sucks.. I know one guy they cut , and they actually did him a favor cause he has worked ever since. Wright state is actually almost in Dayton, if you look up crime city statistics, it is one of the highest crime cities in the U.S.A.(even higher than LA and NYC) and besides the mt's and acting majors - the rest of the college is very non-competitive. And once you pay your tuition, don't expect them to return a phone call or for them to follow up on anything for you , it is always " we'll get to it". Also, they do not have a "real" showcase for the MT's and Acting Majors, which means you won't get the opportunity to make connections that the other programs offer. Do yourself a favor and pick another program. It's just your life they are messing with.</p>

<p>simon<em>of</em>theatre,
Are you a current bfa student at WSU? I am sorry that you are not having or have not had a good experience there. Our own personal experience has been a very good one.</p>

<p>I would second simon<em>of</em>theatre's suggestion that you try to sit in for a day if possible - but that would be about the only similarity of opinion we seem to have. I have known students who have gone there over the last 10 or so years. A couple that I know individually, who have been out for a while have been doing quite well making a living in the business. I do know 3 students who have been cut - one developed nodules and had vocal issues; one had problems with attendance and assignments; the other was supposedly quite into "recreational pharmaceuticals". I know of a current student who was on probation, but survived and is currently a senior. I know other students in every year who are quite pleased with the program. </p>

<p>I totally support the notion of getting as much feedback as possible on any school options you have, but try not to let one negative (or one positive, for that matter) sway your decision unduly. I don't know of a single program that doesn't have someone who would say that it sucks - and that goes from "the Ivies" on down the line.</p>