dancersmom

Believersmom,

I do know of a couple of students at my D's school, Florida State, who started out in other majors and were successfully able to transfer into the MT program. All of these students were male. I have heard of no females who were able to make the change. No surprise, given the numbers of boys and girls applying to MT programs.

CoachC

I know of a student who was admitted to CMU as a psychology major and then, after auditioning (I don't believe she did audition the first time, just chose CMU for its neuropsych research), was admitted as an MT the following year and did quite well. This is in the mid-90's...I just remember her story.

BiGismama

Just thought I'd give my perspective from the "middle" of the process as I know there's quite a few of us with kids applying and setting up auditions now for fall 2006 admissions. For me (and my daughter), the more I stay out of the creative process the better it goes. Earlier this summer I was agonizing (and asking a lot of questions, some of you may remember) about song and monologue choices and got a lot of great advice. I was really starting to feel like, "she's never going to be able to do this", "it's too much work, too time consuming", etc. etc. Guess what, she did it, quietly, mostly on her own, not that much help from me. Yep, picked all her songs with the help of her vocal coach (although I have to admit I did make one song suggestion which they BOTH loved, so I was proud of myself) Has 6 song choices ready (3 ballad, 3 up-tempo) to go if needed. Monolgues, same story: I was driving myself CRAZY over that, buying plays from Internet Bookshop (none of which worked out), looking at selections in our local library, and my daughter, quietly, on the side, hung around the drama sections in some local bookstores, sitting on the floor reading plays -- not because she was looking for monolgues, persay, but because she liked the playwright's previous work, or the title sounded interesting, or whatever. Anyway, she found monologues that she loves, that "speak" to her (has 4 so far and hopes to have 6), mostly without my input (although. again I did suggest 1 or 2 plays that I like, and she is considering them). Clearly though, she didn't need THAT MUCH help in the creative area. She plans on performing all her monologue choices for her drama teacher at school for final advice about first choices and backup choices.

Where she does require more help is in keeping her focused on the time line and getting everything done before deadlines. So I take an active role in keeping track of her applications, and organizing all her supplementary materials for mailing to the colleges once she brings them home (transcripts, recommendations etc.) She completes all the apps herself but I look them all over before she actually submits them online, or they get mailed off. Amazing how many crazy mistakes a second pair of eyes can find (from incorrect social security # to incorrect birthdate!! And I don't mind making phone calls to schools to check on information, but I always suggest that she call herself if it's a feasible time (very limited of course, due to after school rehearsals, work, etc.) I want her to learn how to keep organized and do this on her own as much as possible, so when she's out there on her own (next year at college!) she will be able to deal with similar challenges. It's an uphill battle -- creativity is her strong suit, not organizational skills!

That's my news from the trenches; most of the apps are in, most of the auditions requested, some are even confirmed!! The rest is up to my daughter. And my stressing will not change that fact nor will it help her. And I do believe that this will work out the way it's supposed to for her, one way or the other!

Mary Anna

YEA!!!!! I am so glad to hear your report!

I remember your anxiety this summer and I am so glad things are working out so beautifully for you and your daughter.

Sounds like you all make quite a good team. And you are so right about everything always working out for the best. I truely believe that, and preach it to my students every day. She will end up in the place she is supposed to be.

Good luck to you and tell her to break a leg!

xxxMary Anna

nytheatermom

I am bumping this up for next year's crowd, because it was helpful to me this year.

josiemax

I think this is an important thread. I also hope that what we learned from this year could help next years people. Now that it is ending I have to say this was one of the best and one of the worst years we have had. What we learned.

josiemax

oops pushed button before I was finished .First you need to apply to enough schools and a good variety of them The only way to prepare for auditions is to do them.There is no way to shorten or ease the process. Some auditions will simply not go well due to weather, health fatigue whatever.You need to learn from what doesnt work and move on. We figured out after the third one that her energy level wasnt there and that when she had gone to auditions for performance she had always sung on the way there in the car. We did most of our traveling by train so we brought CD's and a player with us to get her in the mood. And she sang in the hotel room before we went to the audition. She also learned to really research the school before she auditioned. At one school they asked her what she knew about there school and she was truthful and said not alot. They didnt like that. If you dont know a lot find a way around that question. She also unfortunately learned that it was not a good idea to tell them every other school she was applying to. Although you dont usually get feedback from auditions you often do get a sense of what worked and what didnt. She learned to readjust her audition material choices. She has always relied on her belt voice and after several rejections she added a soprano song for her last audition and the auditioner commented favorably on her range. She also realized part way through the year that she wasnt having fun she was worrying too much about impressing peolpe and getting in. She decided to stop worrying and to have fun and it went so much better that towards the end when we were talking about the possibilty of having to do this again next year she said to my horror that she actually like auditioning and she didnt want it to end. Ultimately she got in to her last 2 auditions( out of 9) and now has to choose and we thank goodness do not have to do this again. (She posts on here as carnivorousplant) Good luck to everyone starting this process. It can be the best bonding experience with your kid before they head off into the adult world.

chrism

What I have learned in the past TWO years could fill a novel, but I'm very happy getting back to my other life right now! (then why am I still on CC? you ask - well, addictions can't be broken overnight and I"m down to about once a day or less now! besides, I want to know how everyone here is doing!)

anyway, no novel today but here's the MOST important thing I learned: run, don't walk, to find an audition coach if you don't have one. And make sure that they are current and up to speed on college auditions these days. (This assumes your child did not attend CMU's summer program, which seems to have the same beneficial effect as an audition coach.) Anyone who wants more info, PM me.

NotMamaRose

Can you offer any on-board advice about finding an audition coach?

susanh

In the HS junior year research phase...

Have found two Canadian universities so far that offer BFA's and have the audition/selection process at the end of first year:
University of British Columbia (Vancouver)
York University (Toronto)

anothermom-w-q

Bumped for those new to the process...read, learn, and remember that you get to spend more time with your kids than parents of kids in ordinary majors. Savor every minute spent shopping for audition outfits, driving to coaching, lessons etc. This year is going to pass so quickly you won't believe it.

BiGismama

as I found this thread very helpful around this time last year when my daughter was just beginning the application process. Nothing new to add to it, really, other than: enjoy the traveling, those long car rides are a great time to talk and spend time together; time is a rare commodity for most of these kids and senior year goes by blazingly fast!

Good luck to all those beginning the process, it will probably be a year unlike any you've experienced so far....

IJElkiss

I will pass on a couple things that I have learned. I didn't know that forums like this existed when I was auditioning so I had to figure this out by myself mostly.

1. Someone already said this, but AUDITION EVERYWHERE! This is very important. I auditioned at something like 13 programs and I got into 5. If I had only auditioned for 8, I might not have gotten in anywhere.
2. Obviously have at least 1 safety. Almost all of my auditions were at top tier schools. I knew they were hard to get into, but I did anyway. My first several responces were rejections and I got nervous that I should have auditioned for easier schools. Luckily, in the end it worked out for me, but others may not be as lucky. I suggest Columbia College. (decent program and no audition to get in).
3. Always be on time! Nothing is more un professional than being late for an audition.
4. Dress well, but not stiff. Suits may look nice, but they severly inhibit your freedom while you audition. I wore khakis and a black (untucked and wrinkle free) t-shirt.
5. Answer their questions honestly. Someone above said that they found a way around questions. These people are trained at seeing acting, they will know if you are lying. Answer honestly. If you do not know much about a program then say so, but tell them there that you are dying to find out more about it cause it looms great. That will make them believe that you are truly interested.
5. Be cordial. Either to other prospective students or the school reps. You never know who you will be taking classes with for the next 4 years.
6. Bring a headshot. If you can afford one it looks much more professional than a regular picture. They can tell the difference between a headshot and a senior picture.
7. Have fun! This is a time when you will be meeting countless people who share your passion. Take the time to treasure the experience. I personally loved the rush of each audition. I got a kind of high from thinking that I could be at any one of these schools in the coming year. Nerves are fine, but make sure that you use them. Allow them to fuel you and just have fun. You will never be in a situation where everyone wants you to succeed like this again. Everyone wants to fill their class roster, it may as well be with you!

BroadwayBound88

I third(?) the audition everywhere rule. To that I add the following:

Find a school to apply to for a backup major or apply for a backup major at one of the schools you are auditioning for that you absolutely love. Even though I'm not doing musical theater, I really love Ithaca and don't feel like I'm settling at all. If I did feel that way I probably be bitter and negative about not getting to do mt and not see the great opportunities right in front of my face.

Also, if you have any weakness, WORK YOUR BUTT OFF on them. I wasn't worried about my singing, but I know I should have done much more to improve my acting and dancing for auditions. The dance wasn't that importaint some places, but I know almost for a fact that that is why I did not get into Hartt. If you're spending so much money already, you have to go that much furthur and get almost private everything, if financially possible.

Also, don't stress so much as you're waiting for the results. Rejection is not the end of the world. Sure, you'll cry for a bit, but, in the end you can make it work for you. Many actors did not study theater undergrad or in college at all. If you really want this you will find a way to do it. *Being corny now* There are many roads to your dreams.

Good luck

BwayBound

My d attended NOCCA in MT prior to Katrina..... we moved to Carriere MS after the storm... and are staying here..... she is a senior this year coming 07. maybe they know each other.....