Alliesmom

Is anyone going to Northwestern's theater arts cherub program this summer? My D got into both the theater arts program and the musical theater extension and is excited. She would love to get in touch with anyone before the program starts!

soozievt

Alliesmom,

I know one girl definitely going this summer and another who got in and is making her final decision amongst other summer program acceptances. I don't know if the girls want contacts of other participants, but I can ask them if they do. Feel free to email me and I'll ask them if they want to connect with others who are going, before exchanging any email addresses.

kedstuff

Those going to Northwestern this summer should know they are in for a busy time but an amazing one! S went last summer and came back feeling he'd gotten huge value for the time spent. He and four of last year's Cherubs from different parts of the country will reconnect this fall at CMU and another of his Cherub friends is in Juilliard's entering class. Maybe they would all have ended up in great schools anyway but my sense is that Cherubs deserves its share of the credit. Work hard and enjoy!

mtsmom

Kedstuff-thanks for your post--looks like Cherubs is a great program!! We are in the middle of deciding what program to attend this summer and Northwestern is one of our choices. Did your S participate in the MT portion as well? Do you know if during the Acting portion is there opportunity to take private singing lessons? (5 weeks seems a long time to go without singing training) Did your S take a laptop with him? Can you recall how many students were in the acting program? Also in looking at the intensity of the program-do they have any free time?? And last question-did they help him in selecting material for college audition?? Sorry for all the questions but it will help in our decision. Thanks!!!

kedstuff

I will ask S for more specific details since I can't remember exact numbers but he's in tech week for Urinetown so it may be a bit before I do!

Here's what I know:
The 5-week program is the larger program with the audition-based MT 2-week program that follows a "more intimate program" (he has a T-shirt that reminds him of that statement!). The 5-week program has course options students can choose among, ranging from very physical acting/exercise to quite cerebral play analysis. Singing lessons weren't an option but voice (including singing) was part of the acting program. Within the 5-week session, all students were also grouped into casts and had their own material, auditions within the group for parts, and a faculty director and faculty associate (college student co-teacher). Rehearsals for the plays (performed for families on the last days of the 5-week session) happened in the evenings, after a full day of classes. S took very physical classes so he was tired!
Students do not have much unstructured free time. They may only go into Evanston (the town in which Northwestern is located) with another Cherub and they may not get into a car (even their parents') once they've checked into the program. They do go into Chicago for various performances, shopping and other sightseeing but it is part of the formal schedule.
They do not work on selecting and preparing college audition material but they read lots of plays (for example, S was in a play that creatively connected the last two minutes from most of Ibsen's plays; he read the entirety of all of the Ibsen plays). That immersion in plays was very helpful in his selection of monologues later for college.
Once the MT session began (much smaller group, continuation of many of the faculty the students have already worked with and some of the faculty associates), the focus shifted to use the skills they had worked on in the first five weeks but now in the context of musical theatre. Again, a performance of their musical work is at the end of the 2-week session.

S attends a performing arts hs and is used to immersion so I didn't actually think he'd notice many differences. I think we were all surprised at how much he did notice and what increase in his work ethic was possible, based on the professionalism expected of him in the program. That said, he also noted that some students who hadn't had the arts focus going in did not necessarily respond to the expectations for that level of work, but most did.

He did not take a laptop and I think they were told not to bring them. We talked with him (briefly) a couple of nights a week for a few minutes. I can't remember if they had access to computers for email...I think they did but time was always limited and he's not committed to his email anyway!

mtsmom

Thanks, kedstuff, for the details!!--It definitely seems like an intense program!! Hope S is enjoying Urinetown--what a great show to do!! Also, Congrats on your S College choice!!

dzmtmom

Hi,

This is my first ever post! My D is also accepted to both programs and is very excited as well. We know two people who were Cherubs in their teens and still rave about the program. We visited Northwestern over spring break, and it is a beautiful campus. The dorm they will be in is not far from the theatre building, (and it is also right next door to the campus police dept.), so I am not too worried, though the longest she has been away from home thus far is three weeks and I think I will miss her very much. Are you planning to go to see any of the performances?

Like all juniors, my D is busy with finals, a show, prepping for the ACT, etc.. and probably does not have time to e-mail much now, but I'll tell her to look for Allie of "Alliesmom" when she gets there!!!

We are in N. Calif., where are you?

Alliesmom

Check your PMs

edmondsg

dzmtmom, don't worry too much about your daughter being away from home for so long. there might be a few days of adjustment in the beginning, but by the end of the 7 weeks i can almost guarantee there will be lots of tears upon leaving new best friends and the experience as a whole. my son was a cherub two years ago and just finished his freshman year at NU. his cherub summer was intense, but literally life-changing for him. he loved it.

edmondsg

also, you're right about it being very safe. the police station is just steps away from the hinman dorm, the cafeteria is right in the basement, and activities are monitored extremely well. we still joke about the fact that my son got "in trouble" for jay-walking in Evanston while on a group outing. they definitely have their rules with regard to safety, and expect them to be followed. also, most of the kids get so close to the others in their group, they tend to look out for each other.

mtsmom

Hi Cherub moms and dads--Gather by now, your household is as crazy as mine is getting ready. There is a definite excitement in the air. Hopefully we can keep this thread going with updates from our kids (if we hear from them) and maybe even get together to say hi while we are out there either for dropping off, seeing their performances, or picking up. Let me know what you think. Have a safe trip.

mtsmom

Just wondering what's the opinion, so far, among the 'cherubs crew' on how the first week of pre-college went? Anyone care to comment?

amedad

My cherub sends great reports of being very busy, very tired from all the running, excercise and physical work, and looking forward to going to Chicago to see plays. (also happy about getting a lead part!)

mtsmom

amedad-First of all welcome to CC!!-Looks like you are a newbie to this site-It is a great site full of good info for the road ahead. Your report on your Cherub sounds exactly like what we are getting-very exhausting but a lot of fun. Also, Congrats on your son or daughter's (??) part!!

edmondsg

amedad and mtsmom - i know it's been awhile, but how did your cherubs enjoy the nhsi summer program?