Linus and doctorjohn,
Thank you both so much for your help. I know that Otterbein is highly selective for its theatre programs and that therefore, the vast majority of students' chances for acceptance into said programs are minimal.
Due to our 2007 State Thespian production's schedule (it rehearses on weekends and is doing open dress the first weekend in December and Conference in January), the Chicago Unifieds in February are probably going to be the kiddo's first chance to audition (Missouri is doing, big surprise, Urinetown. Lord, save me from yellow backdrops.). Debbie Byrne was so nice and helpful when she called yesterday, and she did say that you'll be at the Chicago auditions.
I've since had a chance to read through the forums a little bit and very much appreciate the helpful input on your audition process. I feel better about the whole thing now. My own auditions (back in the day, y'know - argh) were with ballet companies and those can be very cutthroat and ouchy, especially at the more elite levels. I was rather mom-ishly concerned about the ouch factor and about the schedules for auditions versus acceptance, financial aid, etc. The kiddo is fine with highly selective schools and their rejection rate - well, at least much more pragmatic than I am about it! - and she has her schedule of applications, FAFSA, essays, auditions, and decisions well in hand and outlined. On paper, even. Now if she'll stop obsessing about getting her 33 ACT up to a 35 we might survive the winter
Thanks again to both of you. I so appreciate your help!