seamom

^thanks so much. My D is a dancer and that is one of the reasons she liked PPU. It really was one of the few schools with lots of room to grow for someone who is already a good dancer. I would love to know more about the showcase issue. That is one concern she had--how many people don't get to do the showcase? Best of luck to your daughter. It must be exciting to be getting ready to go out in the "real world". Congrats to you too. I know it takes alot of parental support to get them to that point.

PPUMTmom

PPU has one of the best dance reputations in the country. Professional theatres are quite impressed when they see PPU on a resume. Kiesha Lalama-White has been one of her teachers for several classes and choreographer for a couple of shows-she is fabulous and was voted one of the top 25 choreographers to watch in the U.S. this year-make sure your daughter signs up for her classes. The Senior Showcase is open for audition to all seniors graduating with Acting or Musical Theatre majors, they auditioin in the fall and then have to take a Showcase class spring semester. I believe this year they auditioned 64 students and they can pick up to 15 but this year only picked 14 for NYC and 11 out of those for L.A. PPU really has nothing to do with the auditions, the students are picked by NYC agents who are brought in. This is only the 5th year for the Showcase and we hear that next year they are taking the students during Spring Break instead of after graduation so I'm not sure how the Showcase class will work with that - maybe they'll have auditions at the beginning of the fall semester. The only problem I have with the "real world" of theatre is that I might not get to see EVERY show that she performs in. My D once said in a musical theatre class that, "My mom would come to see me perform if I was singing on a soapbox in the middle of the desert." Yep, that's me - I wouldn't have it any other way.

hushinfazen

It's really great to hear so many wonderful comments about PP. My daughter is a freshman
MT/Dance student there and loves it. She chose PP, not only for the MT dept, but as PPUMT mom has said, the dance dept is reason enough to go there.
We live on the west coast but come next year when she will be able to audition, we'll be there a lot more.
Congratulations to all those who have heard regarding their acceptances.

writingmore

My daughter is accepted to PP but is wondering what percentage of students are admitted into the BFA dance program (she was accepted into the modern BA program). She really wants a BFA.

writingmore

We are also contemplating the Accepted Student Day (April 18). The audition day was rather rushed because we had to catch a flight home, but are wondering if it's worth flying back out there for Apr. 18.

I know there will be an orientation day as well (anyone know when yet? Several dates to choose from?)

Also, any new modern dance accepted students?

PPUMTmom

Here's some info on the BFA Dance concentrations:
New incoming students may be offered the BFA track as a result of their audition.
If not offered the BFA degree as a new incoming student:
Freshman students may apply for the BFA track in the middle of their sophomore year
Transfer students can apply for the BFA track upon completion of one semester
FYI - In the big scheme of things, the BFA vs. BA really doesn't matter when you're auditioning - it's really all about the talent. Some who qualify for the BFA program don't even take it because it's so much more work.

writingmore

Oh, thanks for the info regarding BFA and BA. My daughter is worried she will feel enormous pressure to prove herself in order to get into the BFA in modern dance because she always assumed she'd get a BFA. (Her other top choice school accepts all dance majors as BFA students and she assumed it would be the same at PP. But maybe it would be a good thing to leave room to minor in something! (She loves fine arts as well)

sashusmom

Just came back from accepted students day. I just want to let anyone know if you live far away and it will cost alot of money to attend the April 18th day, that it may not be worth it for you unless you have never seen the school and this is your opportunity to check it out. We drove 6 hours and got a hotel thru price line for $60.00 a nite(3 1/2 stars) for Fri and sat. Other than our time, it was not expensive for us. We took advantage of being there and saw Rocky Horror. The Show was very good and it looked like a fun show to do.
As for learning much about the school, it was disappointing. Heads of depts. were not there for questioning. The parents were able to get more info on meeting the gap of tuition from Sandra-head of financial aid. We were sold the idea of buying new laptops from reps of apple and lenovo. We were told our kids were coming to a great school with a great future ahead of it in the expansion plan(will not be done for our kids in the next 4 years). As parents, we did not learn any additional info. The students did get to meet other students and the 1st class was an acting class done in a dance room with parents watching (acting games). It was fun to observe. Kids got to go on another tour if they wanted. So for us it was a little disappointing. The people there seemed to be in a hurry and did not encourage a lot of questions. We had been to this school 2 other times, so we did not learn much more than we already knew. I hope this review helps other contemplating the next accepted students day.

seamom

Thanks for posting this. That sounds disappointing. We too were at the school for auditions and had the usual tour but no opportunity to interact with faculty. I guess the students did at the callback but I Know my daughter still has questions. Do you mind if I ask what suggestions they had for meeting the gap between financial aid and cost? Thanks for any info.

hushinfazen

seamom,
if you find out anything ... let me know!!! my d goes there and besides the scholarships & work study....that's it. We are the gap. She did move out of the dorms which did save a little but not that much. Believe me, I feel your pain.

writingmore

Thanks for the info. We will not feel bad about missing the next accepted students's day. I know there is an online chat that my D plans to 'attend' on Friday (4/10). We are a plane ride away, so no extra visits for us.
Hushinfazen, what major is your D? Does she like it?

seamom

Thanks Husinfazen. I too would love to know what your daughter is majoring in and would love any insights you have about the program. I figured I was the gap (my husband passed away 2 years ago) so it is truly up to me. My d is the last of 5 to attend college so I will do whatever I can to send her. She likes PPU because she is a mt kid with a strong dance background and she feels like she can pursue the dance as well as singing and acting. Of all the schools we looked at, this seemed to be a great dance program. She also really liked CCM but was really sick on that audition day--not sure if being well would have made a difference--but very sure she could not do her best. At any rate this is the direction we are leaning. She only auditioned for 6 schools. Didn't get CMU or CCM and seems to like PPU. She knows that she will have to audition for BFA but I think she feels fine about that. What we don't really know is about the quality of the voice and acting instruction? Also would love to know what a typical mt freshman schedule would look like. Thanks to all who post here. You help is invaluable.

oregon mt mom

Yes - we would also like to see a typical freshman schedule. Cannot find it online. Also wondering about current students' experiences auditioning for MT BFA - is this stressful? How many succeed? Do students tend not to pursue the BFA after all and if so why not? Lots of questions.

hushinfazen

My daughter really loves and appreciates attending Point Park!
I'm sorry I don't know my d's exact schedule but her's might be a little different. She takes several upper level ballet classes with the dance dept chairs approval. I will ask her and report back. Point park was a perfect fit for her because she is able to pursue her chosen MT major & a dance (ballet) minor which very few strong MT programs will allow. Point Park's dance program stands on it own and she looks forwards to auditioning for both Dance & MT shows next year. She reports that her acting classes are amazing and her private voice instruction is the best she had.
seamom, you are amazing, five kids in college!!! I am so sorry for your great loss and hope that your baby has the college experience she is looking for.

seamom

Thanks Hushinfazen. Me too! She will be the only one to go through without my husband's support but she has an amazing family and lots of love and encouragement. I am struck by how similar our daughters sound. I don't know what level ballet my daughter will be in but I am assuming an advanced class and she has quite a bit of dance experience including some professional shows. That is why she is also attracted to PPU. I still would love to know about the schedule so if your daughter replies--would you please post? Thanks so much for your kind words.