Theater/Drama Colleges "Part 9" - Page 14

babar · 10-15-2006, 09:46 AM

miahana, I can't speak for anyone other than myself, but I felt that selecting monologues was a major hurdle. It may be that students in PA high schools or those who attend premier summer programs get help with this, but most kids are on their own. My kid's acting teacher suggested he think of actors who were physically his type and look through plays they were in. So he thought of a couple of young actors and googled them and found a play he liked and ordered it online and went with it. Then he still had to find a contrasting one. Shakespeare was comparatively easy - there are finite roles for young people there. We live near NYC so he actually searched theatre bookstores - and he went to http://www.dramatists.com and browsed there - But do look at all the lists that exist even here at CC - there are monologues that worked listed - search monologues and see what you get. Good luck!

seashells29 - In straight acting the ratio still favors boys according to the statistics that doctorjohn gave. In addition, there are more parts written for males since more males have written plays, and many programs accept more males than females for this reason. The program where my son is did not - there are slightly more females - but anyway, my point is that there were still a lot of guys at the auditions and to think that being male is a free pass to any program is delusional. Having said that, I do think there's a program for everyone who wants one, so cast a wide net and go for it, whatever your sex!

raphael · 10-15-2006, 12:46 PM

Thanks so much for that list. We're trying to compile possible places, and so far have come up with 9! Is that too much?

Many ivies are on this list, but not exclusively. My son wanted safety too, of course. I've heard Pace's program is growing. Is this true?

Final question: We're in the NYC area, and almost all of the auditions take place during one weekend (February 2-4). Does anyone have advice as far a how many to schedule for one day? We were thinking of two max. Is this reasonable?
Thanks again for the advice
Raphael

raphael · 10-15-2006, 12:50 PM

Babar,
Which schools would you put on your list? Which school did your child end up going to and why is it the right fit for him/her? I'd love to hear your opinion on this,
Raphael

babar · 10-15-2006, 01:47 PM

Last year around the NY Unified, we scheduled a total of 8 auditions over 4 days - 2 per day. Only 2 were technically in the Unified group, but other schools coordinate and hold auditions around town before, during, and after the Unified weekend. My son was not happy about missing school, primarily because he didn't want to miss rehearsals for his school play and I had to miss work, which was stressful, too, but I wanted to be around for support. We were in the city Thursday through Sunday, and we actually got a hotel room since the auditions were pretty early and we wanted to be relaxed and rested. At night we got discount tickets to plays to take his mind off the auditions...His list would not be appropriate for everyone and does not mean that these are the best schools. He auditioned at SUNY Purchase and Fordham on campus, both earlier than the Unified weekend. During the Unified time frame, he auditioned for CMU, Rutgers, NCSA, USC, UArts, Emerson, and NYU. Only Emerson and UArts were "Unifieds" in the AMA building; the others were scattered in studios around town. He had an audition scheduled for DePaul but cancelled it because he decided he didn't want to deal with the cut policy there. He also applied to three nonaudition BA colleges with theatre majors. He really liked Drew in NJ - the others I liked!!! So a total of 9 auditions with a total of 12 schools applied to. I feel like I shouldn't be revealing where my kid is because it's a small world and he's entitled to some privacy. Even though I would love to know where Fishbowl goes to school because I admire her, I respect her anonymity. But PM me and we can talk about it. I have heard good things about Pace. I have no idea why we didn't pursue that school - I loved Sarah Lawrence but my kid didn't...I was surprised by the end results - There was one case where he felt his audition was amazing but he didn't get in and one place where he felt his audition was horrible and he did...I think that the audition counts but I can say from experience that it doesn't count for everything...

miahana · 10-15-2006, 08:39 PM

Thanks for the advice Babar.
Another question I have: Do you all think applying for EARLY ACTION to your #1 choice is a good idea or a bad idea? FYI: EARLY ACTION is non-binding but you do have to audition early and you also find out early if you are accepted(mid December). EARLY DECISION is binding and my D is not interested in that. We probably still want her to go thru some other auditions at the February unifieds so that we can evaluate financial aid packages unless she gets in to her #1 and gets a good financial aid package. She might be eligible for some honors scholarships, we'll see... Does anyone out there have any experience with early action? On the upside, it would take a lot of stress out of the whole process. On the other hand, she will have less time to prepare for the early audition. Not sure what to think. Thanks

alwaysamom · 10-15-2006, 09:18 PM

miahana, sorry, I just replied to you but somehow it appears I've done it by PM. Not sure how I managed that but I won't repeat my long answer here. Check your PMs.

miahana · 10-17-2006, 03:36 PM

Thanks Alwaysamom for the info on early action versus routine audition times. My D has decided she wants to go for it. I hope it worksout OK. I'll let you all know after she's done. I just found out about a good source for listings of theatre arts programs that may come in handy for others. It is titled The Directory of Theatre Training Programs. I wish I had known about this book when my D was a junior. Here's the link:

http://theatredirectories.com/training.html The website describes it as follows:An in depth Directory of Theatre Training Programs, 10th Ed.
2005-2007

ISBN 0-933919-61-1 $39.50

The only resource of its kind. Profiles admissions, tuition, faculty, curriculum, facilities, productions and philosophy of training at 475 programs in the US, Canada and abroad: Colleges, Universities, Conservatories, Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees. Includes Combined Auditions information

WallyWorld · 10-17-2006, 10:32 PM

alwaysamom,

I think that is a good question and I would really like to hear your thoughts on the subject. Thanks for being respectful that it is long but I am guessing that some members would like to see it anyway.

miahana · 10-23-2006, 01:27 AM

Dear wallyworld, Here is the message from alwaysamom that you were looking for. Miahana--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't see any disadvantage to applying EA, if the applicant is ready. If you're just asking today about EA for THIS year, then you're pretty late to be able to prepare adequately. When would she have to audition?

My D applied E.D. four years ago because she had identified her number one choice, and because they offered E.D. She had to audition on Nov. 4 and started preparing for it the previous June, reading plays, choosing appropriate monologues, working with her drama teachers and coach.

If your D has yet to start the audition material process, I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable with the amount of time available. Most kids who are applying and auditioning for the rolling admissions schools, or EA programs that we know (and have known over the years) are pretty much ready at this point for their auditions. Flights and hotels are booked, audition times are arranged, etc., and they're working on minor things like what to wear.

I think it would depend on when she'd have to audition and where she is in her monologue prep that would determine a good answer to your question. Best of luck.

alwaysamom · 10-23-2006, 08:28 PM

Miahana, thank you for copying that for Wally. I was in NYC visiting my D and and then busy at a conference this weekend so hadn't seen Wally's request.

miahana · 10-23-2006, 11:57 PM

alwaysamom-- glad to do it. Are there other threads on drama programs currently? If so, how does one find them? Also what are pearls of wisdom re: pitfalls to avoid, or things to make sure you do, for this whole application, audition process?

PJmom · 10-24-2006, 04:46 PM

I was wondering if anyone has any information on the musical theater program at the University of Oklahoma? Has anyone auditioned there and if so how did the audition process go?

NotMamaRose · 10-26-2006, 01:05 PM

A very nice person who posts on the musical theater forum has a D there. Check out that thread ... I think she posts under mtmommy.

briansteffy · 10-26-2006, 04:18 PM

What should I be critically evaluating as I look at small LAC theatre-acting (BA) programs - i.e., Sewanee, Beloit, Muhlenberg, Frankin & Marshall, Hampden-Sydney. For example, it seems to me that a number of them are loaded with existing Literature courses. Some specify their approach in teaching acting, while others do not. Some have very few full-time faculty or even actors in residence. I've asked a similar question befors; just trying again

galwaymum · 10-28-2006, 12:20 PM

Does anyone have any information about the new dramaturgy
program at Carnegie Mellon?