..does anyone know anything about the MT program at Kent State University? My S auditioned there last weekend and we went to see a show there...Jane Eyre, it was outstanding!!
I know a grad from about 4-5 years ago - she felt she received top-notch training, and as an Ohio resident, at a reasonable price.
One advantage Kent offers its students is that there is a summer theatre program which employs several students (although they do have open auditions, and use people from other places as well) and allows them to earn EMC points (Equity).
I thought I posted this before but now it's not here.
I know that a boy from Kent State was in the Central Park performance of HAIR this past summer. He said that's what his family could afford and he's doing just fine two years after graduation!
..my S just got a letter of acceptance today. Its my understanding that last year, they took in just 10 but 17 the year before, its based on the talent they see that year. Cap is in the 17-range; this is info given by a student.
To address the training in the MT program. One of the complaints I have is there are too many grad students teaching some of the classes and not the professionals and you just do not get the quality of education that you should get. Grad students taught a lot of the private voice lessons. Private voice is not required every yr as it is in a college with a conservatory of music. Several students from last yr left to go to other colleges after their freshman yr. They seemed to pay a lot of attention to the grad students but not the undergraduates and I think that is why people get discouraged. On the other hand don't plan on the school to get you into the business. You have to still do a lot on your own on the outside to make that happen.
The dance is also weak and not enough of it is included in the program. I've personally auditioned a lot. In a lot of auditions if you can't get through the dance part of the audition first you don't even move on. They should gear the program a little more towards what you will face when you get out into the real audition world. Always have a plan B. Enough work was not out there before this economy crashed and it's 10x worse now.
