notarebel

doctorjohn - You said "some very gifted people would not do well here, and we try to avoid those mistakes." You have already given so much but could you elaborate on that a little? Are you talking about kids with diva attitudes and whatnot or are there other things? "Too strong for the ensemble," "too into different genres than what we do," "too advanced an academic student to fit into the college culture," "would leave to work before she graduated," "incompatible prior training," etc.? I always wonder what different schools are looking at when they think about "fit." A very talented friend of mine got rejected from a school everybody thought would almost be like a safety for her and we are sort of in 'go figure' mode about it. I also have a couple of friends who will be auditioning for you in Chicago.

doctorjohn

Good questions, notarebel. Your guesses about what schools find incompatible are correct, and all those things have come into play in our decision-making from time to time. But there are other things as well.

Let's start with your good friend who was turned down. I'm going to assume she goes to school with you, and that you both attend a fairly high-powered pre-college actor training program. Some colleges feel that students like you have already taken the equivalent of their first-year curriculum, and consequently find themselves impatient in their freshman year, so impatient that they transfer out after a year, or even a single term. Or worse, they've stayed, but their impatience has infected the rest of the class. If that has happened to a college more than once, the faculty may be reluctant to take the chance with applicants who have had extensive training. Quite simply, you can be too trained for some college programs. Not all, but some.

Our concerns at Otterbein are different. I personally like students who've had good training. But a bad match for us is a prospect who tells me that he is interested in liberal arts courses--an important part of our curriculum--when he really just wants to take acting classes and be on stage. It isn't always easy to diagnose that from a brief interview, and sometimes I get fooled by a gifted actor who is also a good liar.

Another troublesome match is someone who discovers too late that Otterbein is just too small, or doesn't have a challenging enough intellectual atmosphere, or is too far away from home. Luckily, most students who feel those things know it within their first ten minutes on campus. That's why I strongly encourage students we've admitted to come to Westerville before they make their final choice. I've lost some great talents as a result of a campus visit, and I hate it. But I'd rather lose them before they come than after a year, when we've both invested a lot of time and money in a relationship that didn't work out.

Some of these things wouldn't be an issue for other schools, because they take enough students that they can afford to lose some, and/or they're willing to cut the ones who aren't keeping up. We don't do either, because we're a group of stubborn teachers, and we hate giving up on anyone. So I feel a significant amount of pressure--all self-generated--to make excellent choices. Finally, I have to trust my instincts, the work I do with actors in the audition, and what my colleagues see at the audition or on the videotape.

Does that help?

notarebel

doctorjohn- Yes that helps a lot. Thank you!

baymom

I haven't posted for awhile - mostly lurking - but had to respond to Doctor John's post. Our visit to Otterbein was the best of all that we had. We felt special, welcome, comfortable and yet not "given a line." Doctor John (who rearranged his schedule to accomodate our plane schedule) was really honest with my S and me about the tough odds of these programs and talked to us a bit about other programs in our area (Wisconsin) that would be good alternatives. We got a "sneak peek" at the theater contruction in progress and a look at a typical freshman schedule. We got to sit in with the students an listen to an agent from NYC who is a friend of Dr. John's give a an incredibly funny (and insightful) talk about what to expect when looking for an agent and auditioning. My S whipped out a notebook and wrote furiously just like he was a senior about to graduate from college! We were almost late for our flight because we didn't want to leave. But my S came away feeling there were a lot of options - although Otterbein would be his first choice, he applied and has been accepted to two non-audition programs and is auditioning at three programs some would say are "second tier" but look to have solid programs and some good results. He is resolved to be happy with wherever he ends up.

doctorjohn

Am I allowed to brag a little about my kids?

So Stella (Kane, our Director of Dance), Dennis Davenport (our MT teacher from the Music Department) and I were just finishing up auditions in Chicago yesterday when Stella's cell phone rang. I doubt any of you know that Dan Knechtges (BFA MT '94) choreographed the new William Finn musical, The Putnam County Spelling Bee, which opened off Broadway on Monday night. It got a rave review in the NY Times--

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2005/02/...l?pagewanted=2

... and has been extended to March 20--

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/91099.html

So anyway, Stella answers the phone, and it's Dan. Turns out that the producers, Mr. Finn, and James Lapine, who directed, met with the Shuberts on Wednesday afternoon--mind you, a day and a half after the opening--and the show is going to Broadway in April!

Dan was so happy. He can see his debts evaporating (he'll have a piece of the show), and he won't have to live on peanut butter ever again.

We're incredibly proud of him.

musicalthtrmom

Putnam County Spelling Bee

DrJohn....OF COURSE you're allowed to brag! And this news is indeed brag-worthy! Congratulations for yet another success story for an Otterbein grad....AND his professors! Bravo!

chrism

Congrats Doctorjohn! Woo hoo! Way to go, Dan!

soozievt

That is a fabulous success story. I can't imagine what it must feel like to reach a pinnacle after years of effort. And as for you, DoctorJohn, it must feel like being a parent to many kids over the years and the pride when one's efforts pays off and he/she accomplishes something big like this must feel quite rewarding. Having been a teacher myself, you get attached to the ones you teach and so it is like having many "kids" even after they have grown up. Congrats to Dan. Also congrats to your program for producing a successful artist in this field.

Susan

lynnm

Great News, Dr. John! I remember seeing the posters for the show this past summer in Massachusetts (my brother's show ran after it). It looked really good. I hope it does well on Broadway.

vocaldad

Perfectly appropriate and congratulations to all!

vocaldad

catsmom

Dr. John,
I am so touched that you refer to your students as your kids. I hope I get to meet you on Sunday in Los Angeles as we will be hoping to get an audition with you as a drop in. You are an amazing and devoted teacher and someone I would be proud for my daughter to be trained by (if she should be so lucky). I am thrilled to read about these success stories...congratulations.

vocaldad

Doctorjohn:

Just an FYI, I went to college and studied in Italy with Debbie Byrne. She's a great addition to your program and I look forward to seeing you and her in a year or two (my son is a sophomore).

Vocaldad

mezzomom

Doctor John: What a wonderful phone call to receive! And what a testimony to Otterbein that Dan thought to call Stella so promptly. Since you probably follow Playbill more regularly than many of us, please keep us posted on the opening. I'm going to be in NYC in mid-April; with luck, maybe I'll be there after the show has opened and can see it. If not, I can always try for "Little Women" tickets...

studio7

Doctor John,
I would also like to send my congratulations! How exciting. I have been following the stories on "Spelling Bee" and was hoping it would move to broadway. It strikes me very much like an Avenue Q and I feel might have similar success. d2 was in a show with Celia Keenan-Bolger and we have tickets to see the show in March. It will be even more exciting now after hearing your news. d2 also sends her congrats to you and Stella. She thought the world of Stella when she auditioned last year and we got to see your dance show.
Have you had the opportunity to see the show?

newmtmom

Dr. John, I add my congratulations. How very exciting!