Molloy/CAP21

Sonnie323 · January 22

I have seen a few things out there about Molloy/CAP21 and wondering if anyone out there can provide any additional details. Looks like you apply academically first then if accepted you have an audition in the spring, no prescreens.

speezagmom · January 22

Hi @Sonnie323. I'm the mom of a current sophomore. You're correct on the application/audition procedure. They do audition at many places/events some of which are in the fall. Here's the list from this year's auditions:

2020 On-Campus Audition Dates:
Saturday, January 18, 2020 - (Manhattan Center)
Saturday, January 25, 2020 - (Manhattan Center)
Saturday, February 1, 2020 - (Manhattan Center)
Saturday, February 15, 2020 - (Manhattan Center)
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 - (Rockville Centre Campus)

Molloy College/CAP21 will also be auditioning at the following events:
Florida Theatre Conference
North Texas Drama Auditions
Moonifieds
Greater Houston Area Auditions
Greater San Antonio Area Auditions
Colorado State Thespian Conference
Chicago Unifieds
Los Angeles Unifieds

Come meet members of our staff and learn more about Molloy/CAP21 at the following Performing and Visual Arts Fairs:
San Diego PVA
Los Angeles PVA
Denver PVA
Indianapolis PVA
Fort Lauderdale PVA
Boston PVA
New York City PVA

Sonnie323 · January 22

Thank you @ speezagmom. Does your daughter enjoy the school? What does she like about it. How are the classes and the teachers?

speezagmom · January 22

Hi @ Sonnie323

My son really loves it. Honestly, there isn't much that he doesn't like. Living on the campus in Rockville Centre while commuting to Manhattan for studio classes has been a huge benefit. Some people find that idea unpalatable, but honestly, for a mid-westerner, feeling comfortable with my kid living in a very safe suburban area while getting the benefit of Manhattan based studio training is amazing. It also gives them a lot of learning in how to navigate the city, where they might want to live once they graduate, etc. During their freshman year, the commute to Manhattan 2 days per week and have on-campus classes for 3 days per week. Sophomore through Senior years they are in Manhattan 3 days per week.

The program is a little different in that it is very focused on training. Instead of mainstage shows, every semester starting sophomore year, they have performance projects. These build one upon the next. During their senior year, they have both performance projects and mainstage shows. In addition to the program performances, the students can audition for shows that are put on by the professional theatre on campus starting their sophomore year. (and get paid for their work)

The teachers for the CAP21 program classes are quite impressive. They have very well connected instructors - some current broadway performers - one instructor wrote the lightning thief - one was Hal Prince's assistant for many years. You can see profiles of their instructors on the website if you're interested in looking at profiles.

Stuff my son didn't/doesn't like - the food isn't great. Sometimes Molloy isn't quite in tune with CAP21 in terms of schedule/work load. For example, S had an online class, and the professor would make a quiz active in the morning and close it at 6pm local time on a day when my s couldn't get back to campus from the city until 7pm. Although irritating, it's good experience for them to work through those issues with their professors as well.

Overall, the campus is diverse. There's a lot of on-campus activity that you can be a part of or not - as you choose. The students are supportive and friendly.

Let me know if you have specific questions. I'm guessing @Javajo might jump on and give some perspective as well. Her D is also a sophomore.

JavaJo · January 22

I agree with all @speezagmom said.

You can also learn ALOT by reading through this thread:

https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/molloy-college-cap21-conservatory/1645653-bfa-at-molloy-college-cap-21.html#latest

Like mentioned above, my D is a sophomore as well. The program is rigorous and definitely keeps her hopping, but she is very happy with the training! Please feel free to message me if you would like to!

Sonnie323 · January 22

Thank you @speezagmom and @JavaJo , this is exactly what I was looking for. We liked the idea that they were able to go into the city and have time there to work on their craft, but still got the college experience. Hearing that both your son and your daughter are enjoying the school is great to hear. My Son has applied for their summer program and we are waiting to hear back. I think the fact that the are really working on training is a huge!! I also like the fact that they learn to navigate the city too. I can not wait to hear more.
What did you both think of the school? Are they easy to work with? How are the tours and open houses? Do they make sure the kids have an opportunity to talk to MT majors or would we be better off making connections with people on line to learn more?

JavaJo · January 22

@Sonnie323 - we did not tour the school prior to applying/auditioning (we are from the Midwest so could not afford to tour all the schools she applied to!!!), so I don't have first-hand experience with what those are like. But, from what I remember others sharing, it's worth it to tour BOTH the Molloy campus in Rockville Centre AND the Manhattan Studios! I know some have even sat in on classes at the Manhattan studios.

My D loves the access to the city and she and her friends often will rush shows to get cheap tickets or standing room only tickets after classes on Manhattan days. She has had the opportunity to see SO many shows! She also has been able to attend a few open casting calls for a few Broadway shows - an opportunity she would not have if she had chosen a different school/location.

Definitely read the Molloy/CAP21 thread in the Musical Theatre schools list on this main page (the one I linked in my comment above). There is a wealth of information in there!!!

speezagmom · January 22

@Sonnie323 We also did not visit until my son was accepted. I just contacted Rebecca to schedule a visit and they were super easy to work with. We started the day at the Molloy campus for.a tour and then took the train into the city just like the kids do to get the full experience. S sat in on classes and a performance rehearsal. I visited with Rebecca for an hour or more after getting a tour of the studios. It was a great visit.

Overall the school has been easy to work with. The head of student affairs gave all CAP parents her card and said she is available to take the students to the emergency room or whatever...24.hours a.day. residence life allowed us to mail their stuff prior to move in and then delivered everything to their dorm rooms

There's always the potential for something to not go quite right, but we've found the school to be responsive and easy to work with

NeensMom · January 23

@speezagmom so they only do mainstage shows senior year? Do you think it is a detriment that they don't leave college with a nice resume of musical theater productions under their belt? I imagine my D would be starving for shows with three years of just training!

JavaJo · January 23

@NeensMom - They are not allowed to perform freshman year (there are many programs that do this - they are trying to "break bad habits" and instill "good habits" freshman year). Beginning sophomore year they perform a different project each semester (ie. Story Theatre, Composer Project, Song and Dance Project, Pop-Rock project, etc...) So they do perform, just not a fully staged actual show until senior year. My D also craves being in a show. So she took advantage of some of the other opportunities available - the Madison Theatre (professional theater on campus) puts on several different types of shows a year and the sophomore-senior CAP kids can audition to be cast in one (or more) of their shows. There is also the Molloy Performing Arts Club (MPAC) which puts on one musical and several cabaret type performances each year. This year so far, my D was cast in the Madison Theatre's "Give our Regards to Broadway" show, performed in the MPAC "Broadway Cares" fundraiser cabaret, and was cast in MPACs upcoming performance of "Big Fish". So there are opportunities.... But, I will say it's ALOT - between classes and rehearsals, she is stretching herself thin. But, she also loves performing.

speezagmom · January 23

@NeensMom As @javajo indicated, there are opportunities to perform both through the program and outside of it. If you go to Facebook and search for Molloy College/CAP21 theatre arts.program, you can scroll back through the feed and see some of the success stories. Note that there are only 2 classes out there so far. The class graduating in May is "class 3".

waitingforlife · January 24

@NeensMom - Another benefit of the performing projects at Molloy/CAP21 is that you know that your D will get to perform at least twice a year starting Sophomore year. They are getting to truly practice the techniques they are working on that semester. I have heard many stories of kids going 3 or even 4 years at some schools and not getting cast in a show. Also, most of them do put these performance projects on their resumes.

NeensMom · February 15

Do they perform their CAP projects at the Manhatten Center or at the Madison Theatre on campus, or a different venue? Can parents come to see those performances?

speezagmom · February 15

Most of the performances are in the Manhattan center,but there are a few on campus. There are two theaters on Campus...the Hays which is smaller and the Madison. The first sophomore performance is in the Hays. The mainstage performances senior year are in the Madison. And yes...parents can and do attend performances.

NeensMom · February 15

@speezagmom I've seen pics of the Madison Theatre, it's beautiful. How are the performance spaces at Hays and Manhattan Center?

speezagmom · February 15

Both are smaller...more black box style. The Manhattan studios as a whole are beautiful.

Molloy/CAP21

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