University of Oklahoma

BiGismama · 07-06-2005, 08:09 AM

Any info out there on U of Okla? Past or current students, or parents of same? Every time I try a general MT forum search, I wind up with OCU, instead. Wondering how U of Okla's program stacks up against the other BFA's in MT? I know so far that you must be invited to audition on campus (received invite yesterday), and that they only admit approx. 12 per year. So they seem very selective. What I'm wondering is how their graduates do (I'm not finding that they have senior showcase, but maybe that's not correct?), and academic admission stats (can't find at all on website) as well as scholarship info (other than National Merit finalist, which D is not). Thanks

theatermom · 07-06-2005, 08:21 AM

Try seaching under "OU". I know several posters have contibuted about this program and if I remember correctly, we have one poster whose D is a graduate and a successful working actor. Try again. Also try searching in the archived threads. Good Luck!

BiGismama · 07-06-2005, 08:36 AM

Unfortunately a MT Forum search of University of Oklahoma, OU or Oklahoma University yield either:

The following words are either very common, too long, or too short and were not included in your search : OU

or

I receive a listing of every post which mentions either University (many, many of those as you can imagine) or Oklahoma (and that usually refers to OCU)

chrisr · 07-06-2005, 08:40 AM

Perhaps you could go to the thread Final Decisions for fall 2005 and PM the student or parent who will attend OU in the fall.

mtpop · 07-06-2005, 08:47 AM

My S auditioned at OU this year (will be attending OCU). Here are my impressions. The program is small, because the staff is small. They do provide personal attention and keep the classes small. But, their being selective appears to be based on the size of the staff. Their website (http://www.ou.edu/finearts/musicaltheatre/) has a page dedicated to alumi that are working. It appears only one student has performed on Broadway, with the others working regional theater and cruiseships. During the audition (which was the most organized we encountered), they have a question/answer session with current students. Of course, they all seemed to love it. Those students all said they were receiving some scholarship dollars. Those in work/study had jobs that were related to the field (set, design, costume, etc).

My impression is that OU is not in the top tier of MT programs, but is a viable program that will prepare students for the business. Also, it is one of the more affordable programs.

No, OU does not have a senior showcase. There has been much discussion on this board about senior showcases, with all sorts of opinions. My impression is that senior showcases have been diluted, and that CMU's is the only one that really gets the "big dogs".

With regard to academic admission requirements, it is on their website (http://www.ou.edu/admrec/freshadm.html.

Hope this helps.

mtmommy · 07-06-2005, 09:40 AM

Try searching Georgiamom's posts. She's the mom of the working actor who graduated from OU. Her daughter loved OU, and I believe might have turned down CCM to go to OU. Sorry, Georgiamom, if I got that wrong. Regarding the page of alumni working, all the working alumni are not listed on the current page. I also think the program is fairly new. Their dance teacher Lyn Cramer used to be with OCU.

theatermom · 07-06-2005, 09:45 AM

While this is a bit off topic, (and I am one who feels that while they are quite valuable for some programs, having or NOT having a senior showcase should NOT be a "deal breaker" for a college program that otherwise meets your needs........) IMHO, I'm guessing that CCM and UM would have legitimate history to argue that they also are currently drawing the same "big guns" that Mtpop says turn out for CMU leagues.

alwaysamom · 07-06-2005, 10:47 AM

theatermom, I was going to post saying the same thing. CCM, UM, CMU, as well as Tisch (for industry nights) are all seen by the so-called 'big guns'.

mtmommy · 07-06-2005, 11:11 AM

Just wanted to bring this thread back to the title subject, OU! Anyone else planning to audition for OU at the October date?

theatermom · 07-06-2005, 11:52 AM

Alwaysamom,

Sorry not to include Tisch! I know they don't have a "traditional" showcase but then again, why would they need one when the NY "big guns" have only to hop in a cab to see their kids perform all year long, as I'm sure they do!

soozievt · 07-06-2005, 12:05 PM

I know this thread is about OU but since the topic of showcases came up and some references to Tisch.....I'll add something. I realize my kid has yet to start Tisch but I just yesterday spoke with one of her friends who is a fourth year CAP21 student. Here is the situation with showcases or "industry nights"....

For Tisch itself (not just musical theater), there is a showcase but you must audition to get into it.

There is a new program option starting this year for fourth year CAP21 students. This program culminates in a showcase. Part of the program entails two weeks of coaching with folks from casting agencies such as Berny Telsey and Jim Carnahan and they work with you as if you are auditioning for a show they are casting. Students become familiar with what each agency likes/dislikes. Then there is a showcase for these CAP 4th years in this program for agents that will be sponsored by casting directors. Supposedly since casting directors are involved, some of the name agents will come. All CAP fourth years are in this (not by audition). This is the first year of this program and you have to have been in CAP studio all four years to be in this fourth year new program.

So, in sum, for someone going to CAP, there is the Tisch showcase or industry night by audition and then the new CAP showcase that all fourth years can be in but that is new.

Susan

mtmommy · 07-06-2005, 12:36 PM

You know I love you guys! But it's so hard to find stuff on CC about OU as it is, can we keep this thread for OU? I moved up an old "Senior Showcases" thread so you can use that one for this discussion. Love, MTmommy

BiGismama · 07-06-2005, 03:37 PM

mtpop - thank you for that link to the OU admissions info page (don't know how I missed it); obviously I shouldn't do my websearching before I've had enough morning coffee! Also appreciate your sharing your impressions from last year's auditions

mtmommy - not sure about October audition, might be too early....but on the other hand, would be nice to get one out of the way.....I was a little disappointed though, we had thought that OU went to Unified but the info D received said all auditions took place on campus

Ericsmom · 07-06-2005, 07:24 PM

We had a brief visit to OU and a nice tour from the MT dept. secretary when we were at OCU visiting (about 20 minutes apart). I think it is newer and not yet as well known as some of the other programs, but they seem to be offering all the right things. For possibly 3 reasons my son has chosen not to pursue OU, although we have heard of students being happy there.

We know a graduate who performed here twice and who didn't seem to feel he got the best experience there. I do think that the tap / jazz dance teacher, who is newer, is wonderful and probably came after he graduated.

Also, they require a video for pre-screening unless they have seen you at unified auditions or at a state thesbian tournament, and none of our other audition schools are requiring a video (probably laziness on our part not to have to make one).

Lastly, the MT head won't meet prospective students anymore when you visit campus unless he has seen the student perform. I know for a fact he was there that day because we saw him in the office (having seen his picture on the web site). He didn't even make time to say hi, but the secretary / admin person was wonderful and knowledgable.

This school does seem to cost less, even with out of state tuition, so I think it is worth a look. We have really debated this but had to narrow down our many options.

okmom · 07-06-2005, 09:35 PM

ou was at unifieds in chicago in february