College Discussion - View Single Post

soozievt · 12-11-2005, 10:21 PM

Chris, I want to ASSURE you that it does not matter that you did not do a summer program affiliated with a particular college program. My daughter did not do a summer program at a college, and neither did ANY of her theater friends who now attend many of the top MT BFA programs, including your fave, NYU. Yes, for those who did go to these, it is only natural that if faculty met you and worked with you and LIKED you, then it bodes well as all is not entirely on a ten minute audition as they know more about you. It is like casting a show. If you have already worked at a particular theater, you have a bit of an "edge" over someone who showed up for the first time to audition for a show. Newbies are cast all the time but more rides on their audition and than those from the past, have more to go on. But that is not the same as saying, "If I go to the summer program at Podunk University, that will help me get in there." It is not a given. But sure, if you stand out when working with people, they can't erase that from their minds when you come to audition again. They know more about you.

My daughter NEVER looked into pre college programs. The idea never came up.

Yes, my daughter did go to a summer theater camp, but never for any edge or anything to do with college. She picked it at age nine and just kept going cause she loved it so much.

As I have written on this forum many times, there is no one ANSWER as to what you must do to get into these programs. Rather than pick things to get into a college, I see another path. I say do what you love. Train at what you love, Gain skills, gain experiences. Achieve. The rest will follow. In the case of MT, that means get training in voice, acting and dance. Gain stage experiences in productions of any level you can find. Classes, lessons, workshops, youth productions, school productions, community theater, regional theater, and summer intensives. Any combination will do. The bottom line is training, plus production experiences. How you get this can differ widely. Use whatever resources at your disposal. We don't have youth theaters here but my D tried out for adult shows. We don't have drama classes at school. We have schools shows. We travel to lessons and a dance studio. Try to make use of whatever resources you can. Sometimes, you can create your own opportunities. My D started her own student run musicals that she created. She started a summer program she directed in MT for youth. Just stay involved, train, immerse yourself in whatever way you can. It doesn't matter where you do it. Just do it. Like I said, I know lots of kids in MT college programs and all did a bunch of stuff but none did pre college programs. Don't sweat this part. Yes, when my D started CAP, she remarked how many kids in her program had gone there for the summer, but hey, good for them, that's truly great. But ya know, she and a whole lot of others there did not and they got in too. Don't forget that! Believe in yourself. I know this is a nervewracking time. These programs are very selective and competitive. Don't pin your hopes on any ONE college program. Like many. You can be happy at many different ones. If you have what it takes, at least one will likely come through. Keep the faith....

Susan

PS, and one more thing, Chris....you can see I'm on a roll, LOL.....please know that it is not about fairness. Make do with the resources you have. Be the BEST YOU CAN BE. I have a daughter who chose public school over a specialized ski academy in our town (though even if she had wanted the academy, I could not have afforded it). In her sport, to be at the top, most do go to ski academies. But ya know, she trained in the weekend program, plus was on her high school varsity team. She did the best at her level without an academy. Even so, while she'll never do the Olympics or anything remotely like it because you really do need to have done the academy route for that, she has still achieved a lot and now is on a Div. 1 varsity ski team, NOT as a recruit, at an Ivy League School (coming from a rural public high school) and most of her teammates ARE from ski academies and from other elite prep schools with ski programs. She made the team and in fact, was chosen to be on their squad for the National Collegiate Ski Championships. She made due with what she had for training and has fared just fine. She came from a no name school and top colleges still wanted her. Just do what you can, with what you can, be the very best you can be. I'm telling you, the rest does follow. It is not so much What you have but making due with what you have. Achieve. Go for your goals. Don't compare with who has what or went where. Same with BFA programs. Look at all the kids in those coming out of Performing Arts High Schools. So, yeah. Cool. It's great. But ya know, I know lots, including my D, who never could go to those. So what, they are all still in MT college programs, many from my rural state even. I hope this helps some.

12-11-2005, 10:21 PM	#42
soozievt CC College Counselor/Musical Theater Counselor Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 11,211	Chris, I want to ASSURE you that it does not matter that you did not do a summer program affiliated with a particular college program. My daughter did not do a summer program at a college, and neither did ANY of her theater friends who now attend many of the top MT BFA programs, including your fave, NYU. Yes, for those who did go to these, it is only natural that if faculty met you and worked with you and LIKED you, then it bodes well as all is not entirely on a ten minute audition as they know more about you. It is like casting a show. If you have already worked at a particular theater, you have a bit of an "edge" over someone who showed up for the first time to audition for a show. Newbies are cast all the time but more rides on their audition and than those from the past, have more to go on. But that is not the same as saying, "If I go to the summer program at Podunk University, that will help me get in there." It is not a given. But sure, if you stand out when working with people, they can't erase that from their minds when you come to audition again. They know more about you. My daughter NEVER looked into pre college programs. The idea never came up. Yes, my daughter did go to a summer theater camp, but never for any edge or anything to do with college. She picked it at age nine and just kept going cause she loved it so much. As I have written on this forum many times, there is no one ANSWER as to what you must do to get into these programs. Rather than pick things to get into a college, I see another path. I say do what you love. Train at what you love, Gain skills, gain experiences. Achieve. The rest will follow. In the case of MT, that means get training in voice, acting and dance. Gain stage experiences in productions of any level you can find. Classes, lessons, workshops, youth productions, school productions, community theater, regional theater, and summer intensives. Any combination will do. The bottom line is training, plus production experiences. How you get this can differ widely. Use whatever resources at your disposal. We don't have youth theaters here but my D tried out for adult shows. We don't have drama classes at school. We have schools shows. We travel to lessons and a dance studio. Try to make use of whatever resources you can. Sometimes, you can create your own opportunities. My D started her own student run musicals that she created. She started a summer program she directed in MT for youth. Just stay involved, train, immerse yourself in whatever way you can. It doesn't matter where you do it. Just do it. Like I said, I know lots of kids in MT college programs and all did a bunch of stuff but none did pre college programs. Don't sweat this part. Yes, when my D started CAP, she remarked how many kids in her program had gone there for the summer, but hey, good for them, that's truly great. But ya know, she and a whole lot of others there did not and they got in too. Don't forget that! Believe in yourself. I know this is a nervewracking time. These programs are very selective and competitive. Don't pin your hopes on any ONE college program. Like many. You can be happy at many different ones. If you have what it takes, at least one will likely come through. Keep the faith.... Susan PS, and one more thing, Chris....you can see I'm on a roll, LOL.....please know that it is not about fairness. Make do with the resources you have. Be the BEST YOU CAN BE. I have a daughter who chose public school over a specialized ski academy in our town (though even if she had wanted the academy, I could not have afforded it). In her sport, to be at the top, most do go to ski academies. But ya know, she trained in the weekend program, plus was on her high school varsity team. She did the best at her level without an academy. Even so, while she'll never do the Olympics or anything remotely like it because you really do need to have done the academy route for that, she has still achieved a lot and now is on a Div. 1 varsity ski team, NOT as a recruit, at an Ivy League School (coming from a rural public high school) and most of her teammates ARE from ski academies and from other elite prep schools with ski programs. She made the team and in fact, was chosen to be on their squad for the National Collegiate Ski Championships. She made due with what she had for training and has fared just fine. She came from a no name school and top colleges still wanted her. Just do what you can, with what you can, be the very best you can be. I'm telling you, the rest does follow. It is not so much What you have but making due with what you have. Achieve. Go for your goals. Don't compare with who has what or went where. Same with BFA programs. Look at all the kids in those coming out of Performing Arts High Schools. So, yeah. Cool. It's great. But ya know, I know lots, including my D, who never could go to those. So what, they are all still in MT college programs, many from my rural state even. I hope this helps some. Last edited by soozievt; 12-11-2005 at 10:31 PM.