Theatre/Drama Colleges Part 8 - Page 8

valerie · 08-15-2005, 02:17 PM

Hi LA

Good to hear from you!. My S has a very good friend who will be returning to U of Redlands this year too. He just loves the place. Sounds like you're well planted on the West coast - kids and all!! Of course when the acceptances start coming in that will be another matter!!! U of Cal at Fullerton is a really good school for Theatre/Mt so is Irvine.

It's beautiful at Idyllwild, tucked back into the forest - Beautiful music in its outdoor orchestra pavilion. Lots of new construction in the area too. Check out the Library on the campus if you can -it is really something.

You are lucky to be so close to Idyllwild for its well known summer arts and music performances and showings. Originally, a summer festival and artistic/music branch of USC for years - its foundation has really grown into something really special all year round.

I have a sister too who lives in PA with her family and once she got settled there 30+ yrs ago she is all East coast and so are her children. Amazing how that happens! All her children went to top Universities there. Georgetown, Princeton etc.. One thought she would love University of Chicago but ended up transferring after her first year to NYU. Only the younger one went to Marquette U. in Milwaukee. But once she got her degree she is now at U. of Virginia working on her Masters. All intend to settle there too for their future families. It's in their blood!!!!

Me, I have traveled a lot and have lived in and out of the country. I have loved lots of areas and have had great experiences too! My S though, really loves the LA and Southern California area. Being in Theatre, it looks like that area his going to be his home base for years.

After you have gone to the Idyllwild musical festival – write and let me know how you enjoyed it.

Valerie

Jourdiesmom · 08-17-2005, 12:03 PM

Can you please explain to me when we should begin this process?

My daughter is a sophomore in High school this year (2005-2006) and has been active in Theatre Arts since her seventh grade year of Jr. High school. She is in the Drama club and last year earned enough points to become a Thespian.

In reading the threads 1-7, I have gathered a wealth of knowledge but am unclear on what to do when.

Please help as I do not want to miss any opportunities for being clueless.

doctorjohn · 08-17-2005, 12:51 PM

Jourdiesmom:

I'll let the other posters talk to you about the early steps in the process, but I can tell you, as far as the unified auditions are concerned, you don't need to worry about scheduling those until the fall of your daughter's senior year. Of course, she's certainly welcome to research the schools who participate in the unified auditions, and any of us would welcome her visit to one of our campuses. Here's the link to the colleges which participate directly:

http://www.otterbein.edu/dept/thr/unified.htm

This should help get you started.

Best wishes.

notarebel · 08-17-2005, 05:09 PM

jourdiesmom - the best thing you can do in 10th grade is see if you can get her into a performing arts high school if there is one near you. the next best thing is to find a summer program that emphasizes TRAINING to see if she likes it. imho lots of kids love hs theatre but dont have a good idea of what real actor training involves and many end up wasting a year of college when they realize what it is like, so it is best to get a taste before they commit to it in college. it is def not all fun and games! haha other than that just learn as much about the different schools and programs as you can so you can help her pick about 8-10 good ones to audition for senior year. also, at the unifieds, there are a lot of other schools that hold auditions at the same time as the official unified schools. there is a list of them on the second page of this link. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/...2&page=1&pp=20

Jourdiesmom · 08-17-2005, 07:23 PM

Thank you, for the responses Dr. John and notarebel.

I will begin to look into the summer programs in Houston, Tx as that is where we are residents. My daughter is sure that this is what she wants to do, but the extra exposure can not hurt. Do you know of any places where I can start the search?

DRjohn thank you for the additional information on the unifieds this will be a watch site for me in the years to come.

Kellster · 08-18-2005, 09:38 AM

Hi. I have decided that I want to audition for some BFA programs where you can still take some decent academics and have a question. I can't sing at all and honestly don't even like most musicals. I mean I am awful to the extent that I could become famous doing a joke audition for American Idol. Some of the schools require singing as part of the audition and make you take some singing classes. Should I completely write those schools off? I would hate to come in and rock on two monologues and have to follow it up by putting my tone deafness on display.

Mary Anna · 08-18-2005, 03:51 PM

Not to worry! I am an acting coach in Dallas and I know that at the SMU audition students are ask to sing acapella, and it is ONLY to find out about your vocal ability. It has absolutely no bearing on whether they accept you into the BFA acting rogram. SMU does do a musical every year and they just need to get an idea how many singers they have in the department.

Kellster · 08-21-2005, 10:37 AM

Thank you Mary Anna. Do you know how much singing counts for the Evansville audition? Here is where I am applying in preferred order …

Brown
Tisch Atlantic Studio
Vassar
Tisch Stella Adler Studio
UCLA
Evansville
SMU
Cal State Fullerton with plans to transfer

Comments?

Mary Anna · 08-21-2005, 02:15 PM

WEll, I'll do my best.
Evansville, I had a student get in and she was asked to sing and she sings pretty well.
SMu, I already told you.
UCLA, Tisch and UCSF both offer a musical theatre audition, so if you audition for straight theatre they won't ask you to sing, only of you audition for MT.
The rest, I don't know. YOu will have to ask them directly

xxx,M.A.

Mary Anna · 08-21-2005, 03:44 PM

BTW, if you get into Tisch, they will place you in a studio. You don't really get to apply to a specific studio like Adler or Atlantic, although thye might aske you a bout where you feel you best fit in. I have a student starting at Atlantic. He is thrilled and looking forward to it.

knoxcounty · 08-21-2005, 03:48 PM

I am a bit on the poor side, and probably will not be able to travel to audition for NYU's or CMU's Acting programs. They both, however mention on their website that a video audition is acceptable. This seems too easy. Have any of you ever heard of someone being accepted to either program with a video audition?

Kellster · 08-21-2005, 04:38 PM

Mary Anna, I haven't applied yet, but I have heard you get to designate your top two studio choices. I hope so because those are the only two I'm interested in. I have been reading up on the different training styles and have some definite preferences. Like if I only get in SMU and Tisch and Tisch puts me in one of the other studios, I would go to SMU. If I only get in Fullerton and one of the other Tisch studios, I would have to think about it but there would be a good chance I would spend a year at Fullerton and try again.

Mary Anna · 08-22-2005, 10:31 AM

If you feel that strongly about your studio assignment at Tisch, be sure you make that clear during interview. And be ready to state specific resons why (you probably already have that in your head)
Best of luck to you!

caromom · 08-22-2005, 11:28 AM

Tisch will ask you at your audition for both your first and second choice of studio and your reasons why. (At least that is what they did last year) In my daughter's opinion it seemed important that your first and second choices had some similarities in their content and style and were not at opposite ends of the spectrum.

pumpkinpie102789 · 08-23-2005, 12:16 AM

does anyone know of colleges in Tennessee