<p>My D is going to apply for the YoungArts program in musical theatre. I am wondering about the "performance" of the pieces. Does anyone know if the adjudicators are looking for a college audition type audition where the candidate stays essentially in one place? Or if they prefer a Thespians kind of audition where candidates are expected to "use the stage" and move while performing the piece?</p>
<p>Our D was an MT YoungArts Finalist this year. I can’t speak for everyone, but I know her DVD and the DVD of the one other MT finalist that I saw were both more audition style – shot whole body and not a lot of movement. Neither were very fancy recordings, but both clearly showed the kids’ performances and were very audible.</p>
<p>I have seen some on YouTube from previous years that were shot more full stage, though, with more movement (ala Thespian IE Festival) so I don’t think it’s make-or-break either way.</p>
<p>Others may have different thoughts.</p>
<p>Good luck to your D!! From what I saw this year in Miami, YoungArts was an amazing experience for everyone involved!</p>
<p>Thanks MomCares. Congrats to your D. What an experience Miami must have been for your D. We watched the live streaming and were very impressed. Would love to know which was your D. :0)</p>
<p>D loved every minute of it… except the part where she had to come home and go back to school afterwords. Big letdown!! She still talks to friends she made there several times every day.</p>
<p>One tip for filming. I’d suggest recording the piano separately and using that for the final taped performance, or in most rooms the piano will be too loud. We followed their instructions for doing a test to be sure the lighting and sound were good, but still ended up having to re-do the entire thing as BOTH the lighting and sound were terrible on her first recording. Allow yourself time for a do-over.</p>
<p>It’s also really expensive if you have to overnight the materials at the last minute. Don’t ask me how I know. ;-D</p>
<p>I know at least one other CC kid was an MT finalist (he is VERY talented), so maybe he’ll have a different perspective to add.</p>
<p>My daughter received an Honorable Mention in '07 and was a finalist in '08. She was able to apply both years because of the way her birthday fell. Miami was a wonderful experience for her as well. We used the black box theatre at her school to tape both auditions against a black curtain, and taped from about the waist/chest up basically standing in one place.</p>
<p>And, yes, it is very expensive to overnight the packet!! My DH actually had to drive to the airport himself to get it overnighted! But certainly well worth it. :)</p>
<p>Good luck to all that are auditioning!</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips! Why is it that so much of this feels last-minute-over-night-mailing-expensive? hahaha!</p>
<p>Belated congratulations to your D, AlisMom! Am I safe in assuming these kids will be BFFs, or does the endless YoungArts texting slow down once they’ve all gone off to college? Did your D end up in school with other finalists?</p>
<p>Funny thing about that overnight shipping. EVERY kid we knew who was submitting a recording sent it at the very last minute, even though most of them had done recordings far earlier. They had MONTHS to get it sent!! When it comes to teens it surely seems that if it weren’t for the last minute nothing would get done. ;-D</p>
<p>MomCares, they did correspond quite a bit and actually planned a get together. I’m sure many of them ended up at some of the same schools. My daughter did her college auditions and got into several top schools with scholarships, but opted to decline all offers and move to NYC (from Texas) when she was 19. She is currently on the national tour of Mamma Mia. She and five of her cast members actually spent the night at our house last night, which was quite fun for all.</p>
<p>Back on topic now … YoungArts is a great opportunity for our kids. It gives them a chance to see how they stack up to other kids without the bias that sometimes can get in the way. It really didn’t take that much time or money (other than the last minute shipping) in preparation. It certainly doesn’t have to be a professional job, just make sure the sound and visual quality is good.</p>
<p>Thanks again gals.</p>
<p>@AlisMom - Congratulations on your D’s tour… I’ll bet it was great having her home again for a bit! I urged D to consider a year in NY before starting school, but she decided it was now or never for college in her case.</p>
<p>In addition to seeing how you stack up to the competition, YoungArts is a great way to form and strengthen bonds with other artists. Repeatedly running into the same small group of folks over the past couple years has reinforced what a tight-knit group of amazing people these MT folk are!</p>
<p>Hi there! I think I can help you! I am 2011 YoungArts Finalist/Winner in Musical Theatre… I actually talked to the main panelist about your question… you should shoot from the torso up… they do not need to see your whole body just your face and how connected you are to the material… Also, another tip for you all… make sure your monologue and song are contrasting… show that you can be marketable… I did a very comedic, quirky song and then a very tender, sweet, loving monologue… one of the panelists made a comment to me that they loved how I could be very connected to two very different types of writing and that’s one of the reasons I stood out from many others… Also, for my DVD I used pre-recorded piano music… I was able to use my YoungArts DVD for 2 college pre-screens and got callbacks to both colleges… you will be fine! Just be you!.. and if you do get chosen as a YoungArts Finalist and are able to travel to Miami… I assure you it will change your life and give you UNBELIEVABLE connections… Hope I helped… feel free to PM me if you need more assistance :)</p>
<p>@mtdude – Great info, especially since you directly asked the panelists the question!! I think I know who you are, but whichever MT finalist you are I can say with confidence that my D LOVED spending the week in Miami with you and hopes you all have a reunion in the not-too-distant future. ;-D</p>
<p>Hope your audition season is filled with great news, and know it will be as you are all so very talented!</p>
<p>@mt dude: Thank you! Sending you a PM. :0)</p>
<p>I just noticed some dates on the YoungArts website. For those of you putting together DVD pre-screens and/or auditions, consider creating a YoungArts application DVD at the same recording session. </p>
<p>Key Dates and Fees:</p>
<p>July 1-October 14, 2011: Regular Registration fees apply / $35
October 14, 2011: Online Application closes (9 p.m. EST)
October 29, 2011: Audition/Portfolio Materials due (5 p.m. EST)</p>
<p>[Our</a> Program | YoungArts](<a href=“http://www.youngarts.org/apply]Our”>Apply to the National Arts Competition | YoungArts)</p>
<p>MomCares, thanks for the information. I am just becoming aware of this program. My D is a16 year senior (wll be 17 yrs old in November). Does anyone know if she has to be 17 yrs by the date of submission. My daughter wants to pursue MT and has visited Carnegie and desperately wants to go there. </p>
<p>Also, can anyone give me some guidelines of time requirements needed to get into the program. My D goes to an Arts Academy in addition to her regular high school and also is a fellow which provides ptovides 3 hours of musical instruction a week in addition to monthy master classes from NYC professional. She also will be auditioning for her Arts Acamedy shows. Her plate also includes a full acamedic of ap classes. I am concerned about over scheduling her but this program seems wonderful!</p>
<p>Any infor is much appreciated.</p>
<p>cda105, </p>
<p>Regarding the age and NFAA Young Arts…my daughter graduated HS early (after her junior year) and she also was already ahead for her grade due to an early K entrance. She entered YoungArts in her final year of HS (junior year) and turned 16 right around the time she submitted her DVD to YoungArts and that was fine and she actually won an award. You have to be a senior (final year of HS) to enter and that is how I recall the criteria, not the age. </p>
<p>Hope that helps (unless something has changed).</p>
<p>PS, Carnegie Mellon is a terrific MT program, but my advice is to not focus on one program and especially not on Carnegie Mellon which has about a 2% acceptance rate into the program. They take just a handful of girls. The odds are close to a lottery ticket. Your D should certainly apply there but develop a balanced list of MT schools and not put her eggs and hopes in the CMU basket.</p>
<p>I think D also said that this year several YoungArts Finalists were already college freshmen, but were under 18 when they applied so they still qualified. It’s worth reading their FAQs to clarify requirements. I know some kids can apply two years in a row, and you can also audition in multiple disciplines (e.g. Pop vocals and MT).</p>
<p>It is a fantastic opportunity. This years’ finalists not only went to Miami, but several also went to NYC (gold or silver winners), Washington DC (Presidential scholars) plus some had a chance to be on HBO Masterclass with Patti Lupone (NYC) and Bobbi McFerrin (Germany). plus there seem to be continuing benefits to being a YoungArts alum.</p>
<p>Wrt to CMU, I think D is friends with 2 of only 4 MT girls attending this year (she knows others who were accepted but chose other schools), so Soozievt is right that you shouldn’t put too many eggs in that basket.</p>
<p>MomCares, that is correct. You can be 18 and apply for YoungArts and already be in college. But you have to at least be in your final year of high school. So, while my D applied to YoungArts in her final year of HS at age 16, she COULD have participated in both her freshmen and sophomore years of college (ages 17 and 18) but chose not to as she was “done” with anything relating to high school, LOL. But some kids did participate for a second year after the already entered college and you can do so, as long as you are not over 18 years of age.</p>
<p>Thanks, Soozievt. Nice to see that my memory isn’t COMPLETELY shot by the stress of trying to get D off to college! ;-)</p>
<p>Something else I’d meant to mention. Give some good thought to which song to submit, as in D’s case she felt a bit stuck having to use the same song in Miami, when she felt it wasn’t the strongest character choice for the final round of competition.</p>