Knowing if you're good enough

ELovejoy925 · 07-31-2007, 07:09 PM

I've been in love with musical theatre for years, I've done numerous shows and have received a callback for a Broadway show... but I have no idea where my talent lies on the grand scale of all the other applicants. I was wondering if I were to post a video or audio of me singing if anyone could let me know what they believe. I would especially love to hear from professors. I know this is probably the same question on everyones mind but I would really appreciate a little guidance.

Thank you
Emily

By the way, I just realized I accidently posted this on the Emerson board not on the main board which I suppose is ok considering Emerson is my first choice school.

lynnm · 07-31-2007, 08:34 PM

ELoveJoy925 - I don't know if you will be going into your Senior Year or if you are younger, so here are a few suggestions. If you are not yet a senior, one thing you could do is attend a pre-college program where you can see what the competition you would likely be up against stands in comparison to your abilities. Depending on the program, you may have to audition to get in or you may have the opportunity to perform a "practice audition" at the end of the session. These programs are great. If you're already going to be a Senior, maybe you can attend a Theatre Conference. I don't know if you attend a school that may sponsor a trip to something like the North Texas Drama Auditions. From what I understand you audition in front of a large number of schools and you may get callbacks afterwards. This may give you a better idea.

ELovejoy925 · 07-31-2007, 09:04 PM

Unfortunately I am going into my senior year and my family and I can't afford any sort of conference unless I get a scholarship. I am studying voice, acting and dance right now to prepare myself, but unfortunately nothing more.

mamalot · 08-19-2007, 09:41 AM

In our experience, you have virtually NO CHANCE of NOT being accepted. The books say that you judge talent this way: Are you among the best locally? Are you among the best regionally? Are you among the best nationally? Nobody can expect to be among the best nationally (unless she/he was raised by show-biz parents in LA or NY) as a high-school senior; but we were actually SURPRISED at how good our s. was (we'd never tell him this). Schools fought for him and he got into nine of his 11 tries -- the ones he was not asked to join were his first and last choices.

mamalot · 08-19-2007, 09:42 AM

The summer program at UMich was invaluable for our s. It was also v. expensive, but in the long run, he learned A TON he hadn't learned from his voice and dance coaches.

mth_dad · 03-26-2008, 09:57 AM

Private lessons and summers at Perry-Mansfield were essential in my
son's development. We were able to talk to an instructor at Perry-Mansfield
about just where our son's abilities were relative to the field. Many other
people were complimentary but vague. He was able to put things in some
perspective. At the time (between Sophomore & Junior year) he said think
back where your son was six years ago. Now just imagine where he will be
in another six years. It is helpful to know that you are competitive at your
age, but there is no way to predict where you will be in the future. Talent
combined with a strong work ethic is a nice combination, but who knows?