ladysingalot

I thought I would put this out here, I remember using this website back in high school when I was overly stressed with deciding what musical theatre program was right for me.

Most everyone knows about Elon University and East Carolina and Catawba College in NC but no one seems to have heard about Western Carolina University.

The program is fairly new, its been building for a good 10 years now. The school spends a TON of money on this little department.

With about 30 majors and growing we are bringing in around 10 new students a year. EVERYONE, every semester gets stage time.

Heres the website: Western Carolina University - Musical Theatre Program

Its a small program now, but if you want personal attention, stage time, contacts with people like Terrance Mann (our Musical Theatre Chair), Charlotte d'Amboise, and Christopher d'Amboise. All who make appearances throughout the year. In the works is a senior New York Showcase.

Its like the greatest program no one has ever heard about.

Ninnynoddle

With this program, are there auditions before you're accepted to the university? Or do you attend for a year (or so) and then hope to be accepted to the major?

mtdog71

Western Carolina hired Terrance Mann to head the program about 5 years ago. That represented a major commitment by their admin to invest in the program. He has many contacts in the business and is a great asset. The reason you do not hear a lot about the program is they have not had a chance to produce many working alumni yet. I think it is funny you mention Elon as a program folks know - I guess word is getting around a bit more now - but I think there are many high school counselors and music teachers that are not up on programs created in the last 10 - 15 years. I guess I would say NC has several secrets!

llong39

Terrence, Charlotte and Christopher also run a summer theatre program at Western Carolina. It is mainly for high school age students, but I think there are some younger age students as well. They work closely with you for the two weeks. It usulaly runs the end of July to the beginning of August.

srw

I think there are alot of "hidden gems" out there. There are the schools that we have all heard of then there are ones that regionally have a good reputation, but outside of the area are not well know. Ex: OP, some of the schools you listed as, everyone has heard of, I have never heard of! As far as HS couselors are concerned my experience is that most of them do not have alot of knowledge in this area.

talentseeker

srw - If you are a high school guidance counselor ---you should know about the excellence of the Music Theatre Program at Elon University. It is one of THE top schools in the country.

srw

Hi talent, no I am not a HS counselor. And yes I do know that Elon has a well respected MT program!

MTgrlsmom

talentseeker, I can assure you from experience that not all high school guidance counselors know anything about pursuing musical theatre in general, or Elon's program in that respect. When my D presented her counselor (from a well known prep in SF, CA) the list of schools she was applying to, the only schools she was familiar with, and for non BFA reasons, were NYU, UMich and CMU. Elon was most definitely not on her radar. She learned a lot asking D questions about her, very different, and even eclectic choices, and is probably a whole lot better versed for HS seniors interested in a BFA this year.

ladysingalot

Western's program is an audition only program. You cannot start the program before auditioning for the faculty. Most students do that their senior year in high school.

Right now there hasn't been many graduates from the program (maybe less than 10) But in the past 3 years the program has grown from 5 people to 30.

britbrat1961

Good point about the popularity of a program being based on successfull alumni. I lived in Norman, Oklahoma (home of the Univ. of Oklahoma)for 29 years and I never heard any hype about OCU in OKC until Kristen Chenoweth. Kristen started out as an opera major but due to her popularity the schools name has risen to the top of the MT schools. I think it is great, but it does just show that it is a lot about the success of the students. I believe that good faculty with great contacts and networking is as important as any other factor in choosing a school.

alwaysamom

britbrat, it's true that OCU is very good at putting Kristin in the spotlight of successful grads. The reality is that she graduated before your son was even born. For those who place importance on successful working grads, it would be nice for OCU to concentrate on some of their more recent grads. Same with Kelli O'Hara.

mtdog71

I completely agree with what britt and always said about "star" alumni and how programs like to parade them - and sometimes do for too long to be of any real value to current students...and yes successful alumni and networking should important factors in choosing a school. What I wanting add/clarify is that in my post I referred to "working alumni". Let's face it - it is hard to come up with a list of "household" names that are famous because of their work in MT - there are some - but usually they get more known to the general public after they do a movie or TV series. I mention that because when I say working alumni I mean just that - folks that are managing to make a life in the theatre....that does not mean winning a Tony necessarily...it does not even need to mean living and working in NYC. It does mean working and making a sustained living in theatre. So, a successful program, to me, is one that occasionally turns out a Kelli O'Hara - but more importantly has a steady stream of alumni who do contribute to the artform and manage to create a sustainable life in the theatre.

wcusas

I know this is an old post but I am trying to make Western Carolina U have a larger online presence. We are a very new program. Next year marks our 10th year anniversary. Our audition numbers and our class numbers have grown significantly in the past 4 years. I am currently a Junior here.

What is wonderful about this program is that over 75% of the students work at professional summer theaters and are given decent role assignments.

Terry still comes in annually to teach masterclasses as well direct a show. He directed Kiss Me Kate last year and is currently directing Sweeney Todd this year.

Our students that have left this school (graduation/leave of absence for work) are involved in national tours such as A Chorus Line which just concluded a few months ago, Bring it On the Musical, filming projects in LA, and a lot more.

If anyone has any questions on the program please ask. You can find more info and media on our website.


Western Carolina University - School of Stage & Screen

thecheckbook

I don't know anything about the MT program at WC but I have seen your campus and the surrounding area. Your location in the mountains of western NC is incredibly beautiful.

wcusas

The campus has gone through a lot of spectacular changes since LAST YEAR! ;-) Its amazing. If you have any questions on the program. Don't be afraid to ask!