MichaelNKat

Tony is also the head of the Summer College College MT program.

Rathersing

Anyone auditioning this Friday?

kyle style

Hey all, just got back from one of my "audition weekends"... I've been waiting forever to post something like this - I know it helped me so much having recaps to look at to prepare myself.

Anyway, we were to be there at 10AM, (we got there around 930), and they gave you a bunch of forms to fill out, and to turn in your headshot, resume, & statement. The MT auditionees were assigned groups (A B or C).
I was in Group B, and there were about 12 of us

At 10:00, we went into a theatre, where (I believe the head, Jim Clarke?) made an introduction and talked for about an hour or so. Everyone stood up and introduced themselves (& where they were from), and we had the opportunity to ask tons of questions. A few points were made that they expect "350-400 MT students to audition, and they may accept around 50 students to yield a class size of about 30"

At around 11:00ish Group A left to do their singing/monologue portion. Groups B & C did dance first. They hauled us to the locker rooms where we had to change quickly into our dance clothes... Then we (group B) hurried traveled through a bunch of hallways & staircases to one of the dance studios.

I have never had any dance training, just been in several musicals- It didn't seem too complicated, just challenging for me to learn so quickly. It included a double (or however many you could do) pirhouette (sp). We learned the combination several times, 2 current MT students also helped out... We did the combination in pairs (3 times each!). The first time, one of the MT students did it with us, and the next 2 we were on our own (in pairs). Then we learned another jazz/hip-hop?ish routine, conducted the same way. Dance talent ranged from Great to me (unexperienced).
-BRING LOTS OF WATER TO DRINK AFTER DANCE!!

Then we were to rush back to locker rooms and change into our audition clothes... and hauled all of our bodies, bags, & jackets into a holding room, where they took us out 1-by-1 to do our singing/monologue (they did an "on-deck" type thing). Because there were so many auditioning, it looked like there were 2 diff. rooms of auditioning, the one I went into had just one lady and the accompanist. She had me choose a song, and then do the monologue. They were nice and responsive w/ the monologue.

Then we were done! I was finished at 1:15pm.

So there were 2 different dance rooms (each taught a different combination -we compared in the holding room-). and 2 different 'audition rooms'. Three groups of MT auditionees, guessing about 12-15.

Advice:
-Bring everything with you everywhere you go. We moved to so many places so many times (through narrow hallways and lots of people) so I was glad I brought my stuff w/ me everywhere.
-BRING WATER to drink!
-For the song(s), they may only ask to hear one, so I would do what you think is your "best" one first.
-It was FREEZING outside (4 degrees, I think)... Bundle up!
-MANY of the girls in my group were auditioning at Ithaca the next day - so maybe those 2 would be good to do on the same weekend... lol

Impressions:
I seemed very rushed and felt like they were herding us around, but with so many people auditioning (3 groups of MT, plus Acting, and Design) I guess that is semi-understandable. But the people were pretty nice.

Sarahsmom42

My D had a very good experience at SU for her audition, but unfortunately whoever conducted the dance audition was very rude to a couple of the girls in her group. At the meeting in the morning, they had told everyone that previous dance experience was not required and said as much on their website as well. This instructor looked at one of these girls resume' and said "So you've never had ANY dance training?" He rolled his eyes and was sighing loudly when they were attempting the pieces. (I don't know what the instructors name was.)
The instructor was very nice to my D and the other kids in the group who had obviously been training for years, but did these other girls deserve to be belittled and brushed aside? One of them was in tears when she left. As a teacher and mother, I feel that all of these students deserve basic respect for going through the audition process. They all paid for their audition at SU, they sent in multiple documents and many traveled for miles. My D and I left SU feeling excited and positive, but my D also feels a little wary and that will no doubt affect her decision if she is accepted at SU this spring.

LocoMom

Why don't you call and tell the dept? I'm sure they have no idea. Just don't give them your name. lol.

Sarahsmom42

I've considered it & still may. I also understand that everyone has bad days and we are trying very hard to keep an open mind. SU has a fabulous program and this one instructor certainly does not represent the entire program. It does give one cause to be concerned and if comes down to SU and another program that FELT really great, well, who knows.

dancersmammy

I know who that was and that is how he treats his students in class. It is a BIG problem.

Sarahsmom42

Thank you, dancersmammy. These are very important issues to consider. Unfortunately there are people out there who think that putting people down is a way to motivate them to be better at their craft. My family has experienced this with sports coaches in the past. We're looking for a place that respects students and wants to empower them. I am thinking very seriously about calling the program director.

BrendanN

As a student at SU, I don't think it's fair to generalize his treatment like you have, dancersmammy. Keep in mind that not all students get along with every professor. That having been said, there are many people very pleased with this professor and when it comes down to it, if the students are learning, that's what really matters. In addition, I do agree that certain behavior discussed shouldn't be tolerated at auditions, because the professors don't have that personal relationship with those auditioning. I wouldn't discourage calling the school and expressing your concern.

Sarahsmom42

Thanks, Brendan. Would you say that you feel supported, empowered and inspired at SU?

dancersmammy

BrendanN

You are correct that he does not treat ALL his students this way, I think it is just the ones that struggle with technique in ballet and are weak dancers. Maybe it is frustration.

And you are quite correct there are those that are very happy with him and he with them. I understand that he is an amazing dancer.

I believe you can attend the program and avoid him as an instructor if he is not the teacher for you.

BrendanN

I will say that this teacher knows his stuff and gets some phenomenal results from his students. If the student doesn't feel he/she works better with another professor, that's entirely possible. I just think that this shouldn't really be an issue that students are considering when deciding where to go to school. Every program I can think of has a "hard-a**" teacher. In my opinion, it keeps students on their toes and is entirely like the real world. Especially in a musical theatre conservatory program, students shouldn't cradled. A little is ok, but I don't think there's anything wrong with a kick in the butt. I feel very supported when I'm in class, and although it does take at least a semester, I'm starting to feel empowered. I will say that we feel very empowered as a freshman class even more. And I most definitely feel inspired here! There is soooo much I want to do over the next 3 1/2 years and I can't convey how creatively stimulating this program is.

Sarahsmom42

BrendanN,

The best dance instructor that my D has ever had was very strict and had incredibly high expectations. D took a workshop with this woman and in one summer learned more than she had in four years of weekly lessons at another school. We switched schools. In my mind there is a big difference between having high expectations and being strict and being disrespectful and abusive. I don't want my D to be cradled. I want her to be challenged, inspired, motivated and empowered to be the best performer that she can be. I'm so glad that you are enjoying your experience at SU and feel supported and empowered! As someone else here said, choosing a school is like buying jeans. You have to find that pair that fits you and that you feel great in. It sounds like you found a good fit!

Sarahsmom42

P.S. I give the adjudicators an emormous amount of credit for all of the hard work they put in at these auditions. These professionals must sometimes feel that their time is being wasted by students who are ill prepared or have very unrealistic views of their abilities. If my D is accepted to more than one school, we intend to revisit for a weekend before making any decisions and we would certainly make a point to observe dance classes if we were allowed. If we revisit SU, would you be willing to show us around?

BrendanN

Of course! I'm sure most of the freshmen would jump at the chance. We love showing prospectives and families around!