Wagner College's program - Page 4

sarahlsmom · 02-10-2007, 05:31 PM

We will be going to Grand Hotel that weekend, though as part of a college visit....my D is a junior. She has a friend in school there, and we heard they do offer some merit money, and this girl likes the program. Good luck to all of the auditioners!
We will also see cabaret at Montclair State on that same whirlwind weekend. Does anyone know anything about that program?

Ericsmom · 02-11-2007, 12:26 AM

I just bumped up 3 Montclair threads for you. The search function is great.

sarahlsmom · 02-20-2007, 11:58 AM

Thanks for the bumps! I guess I searched for Fordham...othedrs were incidental, but since my work day is slow, I get to look at it all!

shellipearl · 03-05-2007, 07:32 PM

Went to the Wagner audition yesterday and overall was impressed. The audition was a full 5 hours and they really wanted to take the time to get to know you and assess your skills. Everyone there was helpful and supportive and in a private college atmosphere there was the feeling that there would always be time for falculty to help you and give you support and guidance. The views from the campus, most dorms and the library were gorgeous. NYC skyline, harbor and water views were breathtaking. Certainly a nice place to study, eat, and do theater and have fun. I really like the fact that it's a BA program but the emphasis on theater is very strong and didn't seem that different from the BFA programs we looked at. In fact it seemed to offer the best of both worlds, there is a large range of courses offered because the majors run from theater to premed. Unlike other schools we've been to there is no problem taking courses outside your major in fact it is encouraged. 1/4 of your classes are liberal arts. Therefore, it is possible to take math, business, science etc. Since many theater kids have grown up multi-tasking: being in the school/community show, taking honors/AP courses, doing community service etc., I felt like it would be great if my d could continue taking math, and take business classes. We don't like to talk about back up plans but she's always been good in math and she may need to support herself while going to auditions etc. The dance classes offered appear quite advanced. The school put on 42nd street in the fall and they are doing Oklahoma in April. I would assume they have strong dancers to put on these shows. I did not get to see the current musical Grand Hotel but other people who saw it said they did not like the strange story line but the talent was very good. There was a production of The Vagina Monologues going on (I believe student run) and everyone said it was terrific. I would still like to see Grand Hotel this weekend if we can manage it, one more audition to go. All in all it felt like the school had alot to offer and the students love that it's a 20 minute free ferry ride to the city (NYC). There are sororities and frats. Sports are big I believe Div.I football, so there's a nice mix of students and interests on the campus. Looks good, wish I knew more, anyone who does please advise.

rossji · 03-06-2007, 05:55 PM

Hi shellipearl - we know a girl who's an MT major at Wagner and she loves it. I hear the campus is amazing, and she's an EXCELLENT dancer. She played Diana in A Chorus Line with my daughter.

DcDuckee · 03-06-2007, 06:13 PM

I auditioned yesterday and I really really liked the school. I also thought it seemed like a really challenging, but fun program for theatre. I saw Grand Hotel as well and I thought it was really good.

Grateful Dad · 03-06-2007, 10:29 PM

Shellipearl sent me a note asking for information about the program at Wagner College. I thought it would be helpful for others who might be interested for me to reply on the forum instead of privately. My daughter is currently a freshman at Wagner, with a major in Theatre (Performance Concentration.) The principal focus of the program is musical theatre.

Although there is a prevailing “pre-professional (BFA-like)” attitude with the faculty and students, the major is set in the context of a BA degree, with almost half of the courses in liberal arts. For example, currently my daughter (second semester freshman) is taking Acting II, Movement Techniques, Ballet, an intro Literature course and an intro Sociology course. She also takes voice lessons and is on the front-of-house crew for a mainstage spring production.

There are four main stage productions yearly (generally all musicals) and four smaller productions (often plays, with a smattering of musicals.) Freshmen may audition, but, according to my daughter, very few are actually selected. Many get whatever stage time they can at class vocal recitals, student-run cabarets and the like. But, you never know… last spring, a Wagner freshman (along with a U. Michigan senior) won a CBS-sponsored national competition for a part in the Broadway production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. A Wagner senior was a finalist (top ten) as well.

Most theater students were drawn to the school because of a combination of its proximity to Manhattan, its reputation in musical theatre, and its lovely, intimate campus. From my daughter’s dorm, there is a view of the New York harbor and the skyline. The college runs a regular shuttle bus to and from the Staten Island Ferry, although my daughter commented that she didn’t go into the city as often as she thought she might during her first semester, simply because she didn’t have the time. I think that after a year of acclimation, she might go into town more often.

The program is pretty selective and there are some very talented, hard-working, aspiring young performers at the school. To the best of my knowledge, Wagner is the only (or one of the very few) BA programs in the country that holds a Senior Showcase for musical theatre in NYC. To me, that speaks volumes about the nature of the program. It’s a horse of a different color.

In all, I think my daughter is getting good pre-professional training in an innovative liberal arts setting. She was accepted at a couple of BFA programs, but, ultimately chose to be at Wagner. She’s enjoying school, working hard, making friends, and dealing with the realities of being away from home. She is also learning to navigate the realities of New York City, while having the opportunity to escape to a small (2000 students), idyllic campus across the harbor. By and large, she enjoys and is inspired by the faculty. It appears to me that attending Wagner is an excellent way to get some solid training in musical theatre and experience the life of a “college student” at the same time.

It strikes me as somewhat odd that this school isn’t displayed on the heading to this forum as having one of the principal programs that aspiring young musical theatre performers should investigate. It’s not a BFA program. But, it’s a very interesting alternative. Ironically, I think there’s more activity regarding Wagner on this forum than there is for quite a few of the schools listed at the top the page.

Best of wishes in your search for the right fit... and all the best to your daughter in her auditions!

shellipearl · 03-07-2007, 09:57 PM

Thanks for all the information. Your right Wagner does not seem to get the attention it deserves because it's not listed as a heading and it must get alot of interest as it shows that over 3,500 have viewed this thread. I wouldn't have even known about this school if my d's performing arts teacher hadn't mentioned it. It great to get the info about lesser known programs. I don't know why it's not spoken about more, hopefully that we change.

kyle style · 03-07-2007, 10:09 PM

Sounds like a great program. Actually, sounds virtually perfect! Gorgeous view/promiximity of the city with a quick escape to a beautiful, homey campus. I wish I had known more about the program so I could have scheduled an audition. I assume it is too late to send in a video-tape since it is past application deadline..

Anyway: Grateful Dad- thanks for the info. Sounds like your daughter has it made - congrats to her

shellipearl · 03-08-2007, 08:24 PM

Kyle Style, Maybe it's not too late to send a video, also I heard some people saying at another audition that I went to that they were arranging for private auditions for people who couldn't attend the March 3rd. So give them a call because you never know and everyone we met there was so nice and so helpful.

shellipearl · 03-21-2007, 10:50 PM

Are there any current Wagner performance theater majors who can email me and help me with some current questions and advice when I visit again?