Musical Theatre In a BA Program

MichaelNKat · 03-22-2007, 10:03 PM

For those looking for MT (or straight acting) training in a LA BA program, Muhlenberg offers a very attractive opportunity. A pretty campus located in a nice suburb of Allentown PA, it is a small school that has a reputation for an extremely congenial enviroment. It has a strong liberal arts curriculum known for premed, prelaw and performing arts. Other departments are also strong. The performing arts/fine arts complex is relatively new and very impressive. Those interested in MT can major in acting and either minor in dance and voice or simply load up on as many dance and voice classes as they want. Auditions for the theatre program are optional but certainly add to an application - and are used for purposes of awarding theatre dept merit scholarships. The dance department also has a very strong reputation. There is a Musical Theatre summer stock company associated with the school which is well regarded regionally. Students from Muhlenberg (and other schools) are welcomed to audition for the summer season. Internships are also available. The summer performance series brings in professional artists and students have the opportunity to work closely with them.

I have been to the school 3 times over the last year with my daughter - to tour, audition and interview - and each time we have left more and more impressed. Well worth taking a close look at if you are interested in a BA theatre performance program at a LA college.

ElliottsMom · 03-24-2007, 01:36 AM

As I understand it, high school students can apply for the summer internship. They are not paid, but receive room and board at the college. There isn't any "training" per se, but I think it would be a nice option for someone who wanted to check out the school and perhaps didn't have the funds for an expensive summer pre-college program.

Lady Mac · 03-31-2008, 01:54 AM

My S received a very nice financial package from Muhlenberg which exites me BUT he also received an acceptance at Emerson with a lesser package. Does anyone think that he might have just as good of an education and experience at Muhlenberg as at Emerson..or am I comparing apples to oranges?

mamalu · 03-31-2008, 07:38 AM

Lacy Mac,
My d and I are just in from visiting Muhlenburg last week over spring break. It was the last of our visits to BA/BFA programs on her list for next year. ( she's a jr.)
Neither of us expected to be so blown away by what we saw and learned of the program. Charlie Richter(head of the program) is "the real deal". He is a theater professional with 30 years of experience and credits.
We were invited to watch a tech rehearsal for "Zanna Don't" and witnessed a skill level that equaled what we saw at various BFA programs. The acting and vocals were broadway quality and the dance levels surpassed most of what we saw in productions at many other programs.
If it is at all possible, go see this production this weekend and you will not have a worry regarding your son's education/training at Muhlenberg. Best of Luck.

NotMamaRose · 03-31-2008, 08:03 AM

Lady Mac, remember that Muhlenberg doesn't have cuts and Emerson does, so if this were my kid, I would factor that in.

BrownSugar106 · 03-31-2008, 08:10 AM

Hi Mamalu! I'm delighted to report that my D has reached her final decision. She has decided on Muhlenberg College. It has a perfect mix of academics and a fantastic theater dept. She'll be able to pursue her academic interests to a degree she wouldn't otherwise in most of these other programs (with the possible exception of one other school that she opted not to apply to at the last minute for unrelated reasons

Their obvious commitment to the performing arts is impressive, and they (both admissions and the head of the theater dept) have done a wonderful job of making her feel personally valued, wanted and appreciated.

We are going to see Zanna Don't this weekend, as my D wants to see not only the performances, but the student direction, as the opportunity to pursue directing as a secondary concentration (with performing) is another huge draw for her at the 'Berg.

Mamalu, I know your D wanted to know where my D finally decided. If your beautiful D decides to audition at the 'Berg next year, PLEASE make sure she lets my D know when she's coming.

soozievt · 03-31-2008, 08:54 AM

I have a student who also saw the tech rehearsal for Zanna Don't on her college visit and said how great it was and that the talent level was very high.

mamalu · 03-31-2008, 01:52 PM

Suzie, we ran into your student and her wonderful parents while at Muhlenberg, watched the tech rehearsal and bonded for hours over coffee. Both girls are Stagedoorians and knew a zillion friends in common, and we all became fast and immediate friends.
CC connects such good families! ( both our d's made fun of the moms for our CC obsession)

Brown Sugar.... terrific news for your d and your family! Way to go! Yes we will def be back for the audition sometime next fall. So happy for you guys. It is a wonderful theater program..... so impressed!

soozievt · 03-31-2008, 02:15 PM

mamalu....ha ha, that's so funny. I didn't know that. Do I know you? I can't keep everyone straight. Not sure I realized your D went to SDM but maybe we discussed that on here at some point in the past (likely did but my memory must be going). It was just coincidental that i noticed you said you watched that tech rehearsal of Zanna Don't and I know my student also was at that on her college visit. Did the girls already know one another or just realize when they met that they had SDM pals in common? (or that their moms had CC in common, LOL) Small world anyway.

Actually, one of my D's friends from SDM who went there for 9 or 10 years, is a student at Muhlenberg in theater/MT and had applied there ED. She is now a junior. I have no clue if she is is involved in the production you were watching or whether you even saw a cast list. Her initials are N.W.

BrownSugar's D also went to SDM.

BrownSugar106 · 03-31-2008, 02:38 PM

Yes, Soozie, she already knows that. That's how Mamalu and I know each other!! Our D's were in Hair together at SDM a few years ago.

We're going to see Zanna, Don't this weekend. I'll look for an N.W. on the cast list.

teriwtt · 03-31-2008, 02:48 PM

mamalu... is Charlie still in a wheelchair, or on crutches yet? He had a very unfortunate ice-related accident back in February that required surgery.

My daughter was cast in the ensemble of Kiss Me Kate... was one of only three freshman called back for all three summer shows, so she felt very validated. I actually thought some of the tech interns DO pay, even for high schoolers. Are you sure about the non-paying part?

soozievt · 03-31-2008, 02:54 PM

teri...congrats to your daughter!

BrownSugar....oops, didn't know your kids knew one another. Hard to keep it straight. I truly have no idea if N.W. is in the cast, but simply that she is at the 'Berg for theatre/MT. She and my D grew up together at camp from a young age and roomed together one summer, and by chance, she is from my home area too.

mamalu · 03-31-2008, 03:26 PM

Teriwitt...actually, we met Charlie his first day out of the wheel chair... He did an excellent job getting us around on the tour for all the walking we did with him, his first day out.
Congrats to your daughter for her summer casting news. You can feel so proud!

Suzie.. no my d and your student didn't know one another, they attend Stagedoor different sessions, but recognized one another anyway through mutual friends. Small world of MT... kids and parents.

Suzie, you and I connected on an old web board (now defunct) when our kids were much younger. We both had different names on that board, so I'm not so recognizable with my name on this board. It's tough to keep everyone straight. lol!

My d met Brown Sugar's d her first year at Stagedoor and we have been following her senior year as we are just a year behind and soaking up all we can from our fine mentors.

soozievt · 03-31-2008, 03:35 PM

mamalu....not sure which old board you mean. CC's old forum? I've had the same name the entire six years I have been here. You must mean another forum? Did it start with A (I imagine you mean that board as I have hardly participated on any other boards on the internet and yeah, that one is now defunct.....and dramama was on it too!.....and then her D eventually went to SDM too)? I posted as "Susan" on that forum (which is my name!). Drop me a note and refresh this aging mind.

teriwtt · 03-31-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

actually, we met Charlie his first day out of the wheel chair... He did an excellent job getting us around on the tour for all the walking we did with him, his first day out.

Wow, he's had a tough recovery then... about six weeks in a wheelchair. I actually arrived on campus for a visit with daughter the day after the ice storm that caused his fall, and I couldn't believe the amount of ice that was still around. Front yards looked like skating rinks.

Daughter is looking forward so much to finally working with him in a production. I also have to add how accommodating Muhlenberg is being with us regarding her move. We live in the Chicago area, and our older daughter is graduating from Syracuse two and three days after Muhlenberg daughter finishes finals. So we're driving to Muhlenberg to pick her up, driving to Syracuse for graduation weekend, then all four of us are returning to Chicago with older daughter's stuff in her car and ours. A week later, Muhlenberg daughter has to be back at Muhlenberg to move into the 'summer' dorm (the one with A/C). She also wants to take her car back for the summer since once they're in production, she won't have call times till around 6PM, giving her all day off... she doesn't want to be stuck on campus. I called housing last week to ask them what our options were for storing her stuff for that week. They were happy to accommodate us by letting her keep her stuff in her current dorm room until we return the following week. I had been terrified that we'd have to move all her stuff to some paid storage facility for a week, or haul it all home for a week, along with older daughter's stuff. The school has actually been very accommodating when granting exceptions to housing conflicts since we live so far away.