Wagner College's program - Page 3

Grateful Dad · 07-07-2006, 12:25 AM

My daughter will be attending Wagner College this fall (BA Theatre - Performance Concentration, by audition.) Although I may be wrong (and you should certainly check with the school), the Theatre Arts Education program to which you're referring is a track in the Education Department, not the Theatre Department. Therefore, I'm quite certain that the audition component for admission isn't applicable. Similarly, there's an Arts Administration major at Wagner that falls outside the Theatre Department.

If your daughter is interested in performance, but doesn't want to pursue a Performance Concentration, it's my understanding that most of the many musicals presented yearly at Wagner are not exclusive to Theatre Performance students...but are cast by general audition. In the production of "Hair" we attended last spring, I'm pretty sure there were a couple of non-majors in the show. Also, some of the Performance majors have a minor in Theatre Arts Education...so there's an element of cross-over.

My daughter really liked the college from her first visit. She was looking for a small school, with excellent theatre (particularly musical theatre), in striking distance of NYC (for her, at the time, that meant within a few hours.)

As she (we) made the audition rounds throughout the northeast this past winter, she mentioned more than once that even if accepted at some of the BFA programs, that she'd be hard-pressed not to go to Wagner if accepted. Lo and behold, this "good problem" scenario did indeed present itself...and she decided on Wagner without hesitation.

I suppose the wisdom of her decision is ultimately yet to be determined, but she's very happy about it right now... and is really excited about pursuing her love of musical theatre on a lovely campus, a short ferry ride from Manhattan.

All the best to you and your daughter with your upcoming college admissions adventure!

tashmu · 11-14-2006, 04:49 PM

We `have yet to submit Wagner's audition tape. Upon reading the rquirements for their audition, does anyone know how rigid these req' really are? Eg. leaving the tape running as you set up your monologue or song? It just seems so impractical, and highly unusual procedure yo just sing 16 bars..... Anybody know?

BreatheEasy · 11-14-2006, 06:15 PM

Hi,
It looked to me as if this year's admission procedure no longer requires a tape submission, unless one can't make the audition day on March 4th. We were all set to make one based on last year's directions, but there is no mention of a tape in this year's directions. Or did I miss something? Perhaps a phone call to Wagner is in order!

anothermom-w-q · 11-15-2006, 12:05 PM

I found their website to be very hard to navigate last year. I do remember that after my D made the academic cut we went there for her to audition. She did have to submit a tape but I don't remember details, sorry. Give them a call.

tashmu · 11-15-2006, 04:40 PM

I called twice, (No one returned my first call,grumble and grouse) and I stand corrected. I was told tht they were considering until very recently including the audition, but decided against it, as it appeared to hinder applications.
I was also told that the audition is approx 1/2 day.
I'm hoping this information is correct, because the person I spke with said he actually hadn't read the statement that was posted. I was having trouble with frozen screens every time I logged onto their application today.

mizlyn · 11-16-2006, 12:59 PM

When we visited over the Columbus Day weekend, we were told by the admissions office that Wagner was no longer requiring an audition tape. We were happy to hear it!

NotMamaRose · 11-16-2006, 02:03 PM

Does that mean that admissions at Wagner won't be by audition? If so, is that really good news?

mizlyn · 11-16-2006, 02:14 PM

Oh no! From what I understand, they'll have auditions on March 4. It's just that they will no longer require the submission of a preliminary audition tape in order to be invited to the live audition. We have so many other things going on right now, it's one less task for us!

anothermom-w-q · 02-01-2007, 09:59 AM

bumped this for lesmiz777

LesMis777 · 02-01-2007, 10:43 AM

Wagner's auditions are March 4th. Their application deadline for the theatre department was December 1st. The audition registration deadline is Feb 14th. Wagner is on my D's list of 10 schools; her classmate auditioned their last year and was accepted - her mother was very impressed by the program and recommended that we check it out. Her daughter was more interested in film so went to UCLA instead. We visited the campus in the summer, so our experience there was limited...but it is beautiful. I am so happy to find information about Wagner on this forum. They have been ranked by Princeton Review as #1 for Great College Theatre" repeatedly, but we have not met another MT who has Wagner on their list (it's a mystery school! or maybe it's because they do not offer BFA in MT) I really want to learn more. They do have a showcase, they do 4 shows- at least 2 musicals a year, and "The Wagner Plan" seems like a well-rounded curriculum. Internships are part of their curriculum.

LesMis777 · 02-01-2007, 10:55 AM

As I understand it, there was not a "pre-view" tape protocol this year. "All students who wish to major in Theatre are required to submit a completed application by December 1, 2006. Applications for Theatre will be officially invited by the Admisiions Office to an on-campus audition after an initial review of their completed application." ....If your were invited for an audition, but could not make the trip you could opt for a taped audition.
There is a separate audition for scholarships on 3/4, as well.

shellipearl · 02-01-2007, 02:38 PM

My d is also auditioning for Wagner on 3/4, I too am confused about all the aspects of the program and the mixed comments from the people on here, I did find the people who helped with application information and audition notification very helpful. I like the sound of the program but I'd really like to hear from anyone who know people in the MT program and or who have graduationed from the program and what they think.

LesMis777 · 02-02-2007, 08:15 PM

Are you going to attend "Grand Hotel"? I really would like to see one of their shows (a peak at the program), but we can not work it into our schedule. If you attend the show, maybe you could give me some feedback. I have heard such mixed opinions about Wagner.

shellipearl · 02-04-2007, 07:47 PM

Yes I would like very much to see Grand Hotel but it will mean going there two days in a row, a bit of a pain but I think worth it, we really need to see exactly what the school is about and what it offers, I will gladly share.

LesMis777 · 02-08-2007, 09:46 AM

shellipearl -
I will be anxious to hear what you have to say. Good luck with auditions!