IJElkiss

One thing to expect about musical theatre as a career is that there are a very large number of people trying to accomplish the same thing as you are. By sheer numbers alone, it makes this a very difficult life to live. Most people do not earn a living doing it and the lucky ones who do, are not living in the lap of luxury. Musical Theatre stars are not movie stars, not even close! It is a hard life.

freelance

Bumping up for jacksdad

jacksdad

I appreciate the response. I now see that the thread for seniors started out for parents of nervous juniors.

anothermom-w-q

bump for the "new kids on the block"

Good luck everyone, enjoy the ride and make sure you fasten your seatbelts!

WMonMTDad

bump for anyone who is getting started this summer

VTBroadwayBaby

what i wish i would have known, and hope everyone going into this realizes:

this board is extremely helpful, and also quite motivating!! it gets you excited for all the awesome MT programs out there, and inspires everyone, i think.

This is what you should know. You can have a great future no matter where you go to school. We talk about all these different programs and yet some do get discussed more than others. these programs are what people consider the "top" programs. of course opinions diverge on what programs these are exactly, but don't get too caught up in the dream of going to a top school. you should dream and go for it, OF COURSE, and you just might get it. through all the auditions, you'll be discouraged by rejection, and be uplifted by acceptance, BUT, don't feel that you absolutely have to go to a top school!!! I got into some great, well reputed BFA programs , but I decided to go to a BA program in MT. AND I AM SO EXCITED.

The only thing I worry for people is that while reading this board you might start to feel upset seeing what seems like tons of people getting into (and then GOING to) these top programs. Don't. The paths of life are so diverse and each one terribly exciting and different. I never would have expected that I would be going where I'm going, but somehow things fell completely into place for this to happen, so I know it is right...and I know that I'll be doing musical theatre and growing as an artist.
Just DO NOT worry if you don't get into CCM or UMich. If you do, that is WONDERFUL!! But it is no less wonderful if you get into
(Insert state name)State College!! It's higher education; or it's life...some other random path you might find yourself heading down. Just be excited about life. Try your best in your auditions.... of course, go after these big name schools with all your might, if you want, but remember the crazy odds of getting in, and don't get too down. Your college decision will be the right one. If not, transfer...but make sure you are happy wherever you go.

Another word on the same subject:
I told everyone when I got into NYU, because it was so exciting, and I never believed it would happen. It was the furthest thing from my mind, really. But, let's face it, NYU is an extremely expensive school. I couldn't go. It was not meant to be. People have said to me that it is such a shame that I am not going there. But, really, it's not. I'm going to be happy without NYU. I'm going to be happy doing theatre in whatever capacity. "People" tend to think it's not as exciting if your not going to a big name or top school. But please, don't think this way!! All schools are worthy and your future will be beautiful as long as you are happy and doing things that bring you fulfillment.
This was just my rant....but I wanted to share because reading this board SO often made me feel slightly sad that I wasn't going to some of these programs. So, I am sharing what I learned through this whole thing, and I am celebrating really, because I am so completely, and HONESTLY happy with the way things turned out for me.

NotMamaRose

Bravo, VTBroadwayBaby! I am so impressed with what you said above and moreover, with your positive attitude and the fact that you took the time to post here to encourage others. That shows incredible maturity and the kind of outlook that will definitely take you far in life. Bravo!

VTBroadwayBaby

thank you so much...your words are incredibly kind, and im glad to know my post could be of help to some people.
its a fun process all the auditions and everything...i loved it...i hope people really enjoy the process and love the end result

soozievt

I also want to thank you VTBB for posting your thoughts and your process. It is all so true. It is more important that a person find his/her "place" than the name of the school. NO particular school is a ticket to success. The person his/herself can be a success no matter where they went to school. Finding a school where you can be happy and thrive is critical. There is no one right school for anyone. A good match and fit is important but surely a student can be happy at more than one place and at schools that don't have the name recognition. When it comes time to make it in this field and in the world, the name of the school on the resume is not going to be someone's "ticket." Being educated, trained, and talented, and some luck, will be what leads to positive things.

You have a great attitude and also I like that you shared your thoughts here so it helps those just starting on this next admissions cycle. You're gonna make it VTBB. I look forward to reading more about your journey. Also if at some point you wish to share the school you will attend, and can visit here once in a while next year to share experiences, that would be great, particularly as you plan to do a BA in MT which actually is a good path for many students who would benefit from hearing what it is like from someone in such a degree program.

Best wishes.

sarahlsmom

With everyone leaving for school, I wanted to wish VTBroadwayBaby a wonderful experience!]And, it's also a chance to bump this important topic up!

durangotreasure

My opinion is get as much information as you can at or B4 your junior year.
"college search"

sarahlsmom

Thanks, and we did, thanks in a large part to the CCMT community. Though my D refers to this as the site for neurotic MT parents!

Mainstage

I just wanted to share & help the "newbies" anyone else please feel free to join in.
DON'T WORRY - BE HAPPY - What I wish we knew - lessons learned (in no particular order)

1. Don't Stress - If you have to, take up yoga or meditation (parents too).
2. Callback's - YES you can get in to a school without being called back @
auditions.
3. Unified's - YES, you can get in to a school when auditioning as a
"walk in".
3B.Unified's - YES, you can get in to a school "on the spot"
3C.Unified's - YES, you can get accepted "on the spot" as a "walk-
in".
4. Unified's - YES, it is possible to audition for 3 schools in one day.
5. Unified's - YES, it is more relaxing than flying to individual schools.
(However, don't plan all together as you never know with
weather, illnesses etc.)
6. Overdone songs - We know of students accepted with very
"overdone songs".
7. Audition Interview - Just because you might be kept for half an hr. and
others just 5-10 mins. does not guarantee
admittance.
8. Audition Interview - When getting feedback such as "wow" or "that was
great you should already be on TV" or "you were so
wonderful" etc. does not guarantee admittance.
(This includes feedback on singing & monologues..
btw...TV?...what about Broadway? )
9. Audition Interview - While you thought you aced, some schools might
not be looking for you. They may be looking to
put together more of an ensemble, therefore,
choosing the better dancers or they may want a
certain look, height etc. This has nothing to do with
your talents rather what the school is looking for.
Obviously this is out of your hands. Move on to the
next because you might be exactly what they need.

10. Schools - Make sure that you are compatible. If you are treated with-
out respect, and admitted, do you really think you will be
happy there for four years?
11. Audition's - If you have the option of using the accompanist or using
your own CD, you might be better off using your CD. Don't
try to be the martyr. (Some accompanist may play too
slow or in a weird fashion to your liking.)
12. Audition's - Don't rush in to auditioning too early as most schools only
accept one or two while waiting to see what else is out there.
13. Deferrals - Do not guarantee admittance.
14. Scholarships - You may receive large amounts of $ to a school,
without being accepted in to the M/T program.
15. Scholarships - Upon an M/T acceptance many schools will automatically
over large amounts of $....a nice surprise!
16. Final Decisions - Make sure you and the school "fit". Don't accept a
school on it's status. Most of the M/T BFA programs
are very similar. It really boils down not to their
alumni, but rather to YOU making it.
17. Final Decisions - Be serious - make sure that this is what you absolutely
want as a career. (Too many auditionees were not
100% sure.)
18. School's - Don't ask "which school's did you apply to?" - that doesn't
matter.(we did not ask)....make your own list. When you
keep hearing "things happen for a reason" know this is true.
19. Rejections - We chose not to list schools - what would that accomp-
lish?
20. Acceptances - Again we (actually my D ) chose not to list as this was
not her "thing." She would tell me that the "final
decision" was more important than her bragging and or
upsetting others (I did something right ).
Whew...I hope I didn't miss anything....in a nutshell....just DON'T WORRY.....
BE HAPPY......and enjoy the process...it will be much more fun!

gem

Thanks so much for this post Mainstage! Ironically, I was just checking CC before heading out to my first yoga class in 8 months. Thanks again for the encouraging words.

MichaelNKat

To add to Mainstage's great list:

21. Register for your auditions early. Spaces fill up and you want to be able to control your schedule, sequence your auditions the way you want and space them out. Now is the time to start registering.
22. Make sure to give yourself space in your audition schedule to have down time to decompress, evaluate adjustments you may want to make in your auditions, and to get sleep. The audition process is time consuming and can be exhausting. At the same time, you have to maintain your grades this semester and keep up with your extracurriculars. Take care of yourself.