MattSingsAlot

CMU’s musical theatre training is received through the acting department. The acting department at CMU is the finest undergraduate training available, so CMU is known as the “acting” school of the Musical Theatre Programs. Equally as selective as CCM, CMU is also a very intensive program, as the MT students share the same curriculum as the acting majors, and on top of that receive training in dance and voice. At the end of senior year, CMU students perform showcases in both New York and Los Angeles, receiving exposure to both the Theatre industry, as well as Television and Film. Considered a double-major, there is no time for non-department electives. Graduates of the program include Patrick Wilson, Emily Skinner, Billy Porter, Megan Hilty, Telly Leung, in addition to those that left the school to work and never graduated (Sutton Foster, Tyler Hanes, etc).

Like CCM, CMU is not for everyone. It is a very rigorous and sometimes heart-breaking program, but going through that heart-break and dealing with the stress you will encounter will keep you from avoiding surprises in the business. A disadvantage is that the voice teachers are through the musical theatre department, and are “musical theatre” singers, therefore sometimes students of the program are not satisfied with the vocal training they receive.

hayhayden

You say a disadvantage of the program is that the voice teachers are through the musical theatre program (as opposed to a voice program, I assume) and the voice teachers are therefore "musical theatre singers." If you were to investigate this claim, you would find that all three voice teachers in the School of Drama received at least one of their degrees in Vocal Performance (2 of the 3 teachers from Carnegie Mellon) and NOT in Musical Theatre as you implied. The students DO get a foundation in classical vocal technique.

MattSingsAlot

Did I say I know that from firsthand knowledge? No. I said that I have been told that by students I know in the program. I can't attend all these schools, I can only ask questions of my friends who attend them.

NotMamaRose

Matt, I am interested in what you say about the "heart breaking" aspects of CMU's program, and what those might be, as well as how you know about them! I guess what I am asking is for you to clarify your remarks with some hard and fast information, as well as reference to where you got that info! I ask this because, frankly, what you state in "Matt's Guides" could apply to almost any selective program at any selective college. I have heard the same thing said about the engineering program at the college where I work! It would be more useful to those of us here who are parents of MT kids who will soon be applying to college if you provide "support" for your statements by telling us who told you this, where you heard it, whether you know students in the program, etc.
Thanks so much. You add a lot to this list and we are glad you are here. Congrats, too, on your recent admission to CCM.
L

MattSingsAlot

These "top tier" schools all do their best to give students a real world simulation of the working environment in the Musical Theatre world. Sometimes that means not getting a part you got a bajillion callbacks for and sometimes that means being told you're too short, too heavy, too this or that for a part and sometimes that can hit you like a freight train. I should have put that on nearly all of these schools, but I spoke with someone who transferred out of CMU, and she told me it was a wonderful school but that in order to survive the school you need to be emotionally very strong, and she just wasn't prepared for that.

NotMamaRose

So the "heart breaking" aspect of CMU is that sometimes student actors don't get parts they want? Wouldn't you say that holds for any actor auditioning anywhere?
I, for one, would like to hear what your friend meant when she said one had to be a "very strong person" to survive at CMU. I am seriously interested and hope you can give us more information. What did she mean? Can you tell us? Once again, I would posit that any MT student in almost any program has to be a strong person, because disappointments (for most kids) are going to be more abundant than are successes. That holds true for everything from admissions to the colleges themselves to being cast in a production to being chosen to do something special in class.
More details, please, Matt.

MattSingsAlot

They have a reputation for being rather harsh with their criticism, as they only have four years with you and they want to push you to become the best you possibly can. I can take anything, so I investigated this program very closely and was VERY impressed. She just felt like her critiques were sometimes personal attacks, and she took them very personally. Now that could just be her personality, that's why I highly recommend the program, because every program varies and a student has to pick the program that best suits them!

soozievt

Just points out further why it is imperative to talk to SEVERAL CURRENT students because each person brings their personal persepctive to a situation or college. When someone is not happy at a program, that doesn't follow that YOU may not be. Your experience may be very different. I understand it was not working well for that girl. I know a girl who attends CMU who loves it. This same thing could be said almost anywhere. I know kids who have left CCM and CAP21 part way through freshman year even. I know someone who is at Emerson who is leaving after one year. And so it goes. These programs are not for everyone. As well, some programs don't fit each person. That is why I am SO glad my D talked to SEVERAL people in each program, and didn't put too much weight on what any ONE person said about it. And that is even with kids who actually ATTEND and not ones who simply APPLIED.

soozievt

I will add that what I hear first hand at Tisch and CCM and other schools is that they are also very critical of students' work and push them further. You could be outstanding before you get to college back in your home community but once you get to these intense programs, they push you and challenge you and it is intense. You have to be able to see the value in that. It is not for everyone. It is not unique to CMU either.

MattSingsAlot

YES. And be sure to take everything you hear from anyone with a grain of salt. When they tell you something, take the parts what would apply to you into consideration!

cmujohanna's mom

It's interesting to read comments evaluating CMU's MT program from someone who has never attended CMU! As the mother of a senior MT at CMU I feel compelled to respond.

My daughter has absolutely loved her training at CMU. Many times in phone conversations she has randomly made the comment that she "loves this school," or "I am really going to miss this school." CMU seeks to educate the "whole person." It is not a factory just churning out actors. Heartbreaking? No. Constructively critical? Absolutely, yes. But isn't that what you want in order to survive in a highly competitive profession? CMU is demanding, but not unkind; relentless but not irrelevant.

Her voice teacher was classically trained as was my d so the fit was perfect. Not only has her vocal training (both classical and belt) made her an even better singer (she was All-State Choir for two years and the lead in Sound of Music her senior year in a competitive high school of 4,000 students), but her teacher mentored her through tough times. When my husband was diagnosed with cancer, I was comforted by the fact that she had not only a "mom" away from home (her voice teacher), but many "parents" from the School of Drama faculty. Professors genuinely care about each individual student. As a parent, I couldn't ask for anything more.

MattSingsAlot

Please do not accuse me of making up information. All i am trying to do is help by compiling what i hear from students that I know personally who attend there. I saved your post onto my computer and i'll include it when i rewrite all the school guides. CMU is full of incredibly talented kids, and I wish your daughter the best of luck!

soozievt

Hearsay is not the same as first hand experience. Readers have to keep that in mind.

Anyway....CMUJohanna'sMom....my daughter who is a freshman at CAP21 saw your D's showcase in NYC yesterday at 4 PM. She said how fantastic it was. The acting was superb. She said "as good as Broadway actors!" The singing was very good, too. It sounded very exciting and there was a reception for the more "important" people in attendance. I hope perhaps you got to go yourself! I'm sure your D has a bright future and I hope you'll update us on the outcome of the showcase.

cmujohanna's mom

MattSingsAlot: I'm not sure how you came to the conclusion that I was accusing you of anything, much less of making up information. I have no doubt that you know current MT student at CMU. (Feel free to PM me their names as they are probably friends with my daughter as well!) I just feel it is difficult to get a comprehensive, detailed impression of a program that one has never attended. Although I have a d in the program, attended performances, and met many of her professors, there is undoubtedly much information that even I am not aware of.

Soozievt: I didn't get to attend as we live too far away, but a friend of Johanna's filmed the dress rehearsal last week and mailed me a DVD. Almost as good as being there in person!

wct

cmujohanna's mom-

My S attends CMU and I totally agree with your comments above. My S has had top notch training in a very nurturing environment, great opportunities, especially in regards to "Playground".