Experiences from Pre-College - Page 2

kaysmom · 07-11-2006, 07:38 AM

Not much chatter this year compared to last year's reports about pre-college! Are everyone's kids doing ok? My d is still calling with positive reports and is really enjoying her Singing, Acting, Ballet and Styles classes the best! She has been having a little trouble getting new monologues looked up at the library because she said the library hours aren't conducive to spending all the time she needs there. D said they operate almost the same hours that she is in class. Maybe she will have to spend more time there on Saturdays instead of shopping and dining out at PF Changs! She said that Saturdays are really her only day to "play", because Sunday's she tries to get caught up on work, rehearse scenes and has her private voice lesson.

My d has met the most wonderful group of girls. It's so nice to see her so happy with people whose interests are so similar to hers! She bonded with them right away.

To everyone going to Pittsburgh this weekend....I expect a full report on how everything is going! Thanks to Evasmom who will be including my d in the parent weekend activities this weekend! I can't wait to hear how everyone is doing!

Someonesmom2 · 07-11-2006, 10:08 AM

Kaysmom,

Every conversation that I have with my S is very hurried. I don't get much information from him, although he has said that he loves his workshop (Augusto Boal workshop).

I hope to get more information when I see him this weekend!

evasmom · 07-11-2006, 07:54 PM

So happy to hear that I am not the only one with minimum contact. The longest phone coversation has been a few minutes, D just doesn't have time to chat... which is good for her... it means happy, busy, eagerly learning child... but for me, its like withdrawl - cold turkey!
I also hear good reports on the Bole workshop ... tap has caused some stress, but voice lessons are amazing.
I can't wait until this weekend! I got my hair done tonight and tommorrow I pick up a new family car... Shh... it is a surprise!
Kaysmom, make sure you fax three permission slips for each day, in case she wants to get off campus.

evasmom · 07-18-2006, 06:33 PM

Returned home early Monday am from Parent's Weekend. There are a large group of MT students, actors and Production students, so I did not get the chance to meet many CC folks. The people, parents and students who I was able to spend time with were very nice. We arrived on Friday night in time for a shuttle ride to the Waterfront for dinner with D and her group of friends and parents. The shuttle was convenient and the kids all seem very comfortable with the transportation around the city.
Saturday there was a demonstration for the Drama division which included some very talented kids, singing, acting and dancing. The Bole workshop presented a sample of what they do and it was very powerful. I was impressed by how much everyone has accomplished in just three weeks. There was a barbeque lunch after for more socializing. I was disappointed to not be able to meet any of the professors. They sound terrific.
Everyone seems very happy with the program and although extremely busy I did not hear any complaints.
Saturday evening we went with a group to "Forbidden Broadway" and had a great time.
Now having said all that ... This weekend is definetly not for the students' needs. They are fine without us! As another mom said to me, "This really is for us, not them". I did feel honored to get a glimpse of what their life is like, but I will be honest it is a shock to see the level of independence the kids have acheived in such a short time span.
Now it feels like the next three weeks will fly by.

ElliottsMom · 07-18-2006, 08:50 PM

Thanks for the update Evasmom. My sister from eastern PA was standing in for me this weekend and gave me a phone report. She said I'd be surpised at the "language" used in the scene demonstration he did, but I'm not at all . . . that's college/adult theater. He was the unshaven one in a scene with one other girl for the Directing Class demonstration. Now he tells me he's doing a scene from The Graduate (bedroom scene with Mrs. Robinson). So, my "baby" is on the other side of the country, cussing in public, and sleeping with an older woman. Wish I could have been there!!

dancermom · 07-18-2006, 09:46 PM

I totally agree with Evasmom about the independence and the lack of need for us parents! My D was happy with the water I brought for her fridge and the clothes and shoes shopping, but other than about an hour and a half she and I spent at a coffee shop on Friday night, we spent no time together. I was thrilled to see the Talent Show on Saturday night, because the level of talent was varied and impressive (including my D's dance!). There was a reception afterwards, at which I kindof felt like a third wheel, because she is so happy with all her friends (very nice kids). Anyway, I do not think if I had it to do over again I would have gone, except for seeing the Talent Show. A lot of travelling and cash spent for very little time with her. She is great and doing amazingly well and you are correct, the next 3 weeks will fly by. All of you parents who did not go, don't worry about your children, they are doing fine. Cathy

Someonesmom2 · 07-19-2006, 09:38 AM

I concur with those who felt as though their presence at Family Weekend wasn't necessary. We, too, felt as though we spent very little time with our S. The time we did spend together, he seemed anxious about monologues and other work he had to do.

The talent show was great. I was amazed at the talent of the kids and enjoyed it.

kaysmom · 07-19-2006, 01:36 PM

I am so glad that everyone had such a great experience at Parent's Weekend. I wish I could have gone! Thank you to Evasmom for including my daughter in Forbidden Broadway and dinner on Friday. She had a great time! I know my d is loving the independence too....less than 3 weeks to go and I know she is going to hate to leave!

BroadwayWannabe · 07-19-2006, 03:04 PM

haha glad everyone's having fun.....i'd love to note how last summer the new harry potter book came out during parent's weekend. i don't know how one of my 2 best friends managed to read the whole book, hang out with her parents, and get her pre-college work done that weekend!! but she did haha. my other friend and i read harry potter as well that weekend, but we didn't have our parents visiting.

NotMamaRose · 07-19-2006, 03:15 PM

BroadwayWannabe, don't all the precollege students participate in certain performances/demonstrations that weekend for parents, or is that not something everyone is involved in?

dancermom · 07-19-2006, 09:12 PM

From what my D told me, participation is voluntary, and not all students did participate.

BroadwayWannabe · 07-19-2006, 11:37 PM

yeah, not all students participated. the augosto boal (sorry i'm butchering the spelling. it has been a year haha) workshop was optional. for the other demonstrations, teachers just asked around if anyone was interested in performing for the parents.

ElliottsMom · 07-19-2006, 11:47 PM

In my S's directing class, the group had several scenes prepared. Each pair performed their scene and the group voted on the best to present to the parents.

evasmom · 07-20-2006, 01:42 PM

BroadwayWannabe - When my D had to work last weekend, I found it helpful to remember your posts from last year about how much work everyone had to do and wondering how they could get it done over last years' Parents Weekend. Thank you!

Has anyone else heard stories about crawling things in the dorm? My D had an episode last night that sounds like a Lucy and Ethel episode, complete with locking themselves out of their room at 2 am.

She also shared that one of her professors has given them a packet with all sorts of audition info for other colleges. She says I will love it and has been swapping mother organizational tips with other students.

dancermom · 07-20-2006, 08:52 PM

Has anyone decided yet exactly when they are picking their kids up? I called Carnegie yesterday because I was confused about what the information booklet said. She put me through to the drama dept. and I was told that the auditions will be scheduled for Wed., Thurs., and Friday mornings, and that everyone had to be out of the dorms by noon on Saturday at the latest, which is what the booklet said. She also said that the audition schedules should be given to the students by Monday or Tuesday of next week. I am going to talk to D hopefully tonight or tomorrow about this so I can try to plan. Just thought I'd share what little I know! Evasmom - thanks for the info on the audition packet. It is comforting to know how much they are being helped with the audition process there. Makes the cost easier to bear!