Bad Audition

College Majors Musical Theater Majors
1

<p>So — I can bet many of you saw the writing on the wall, and knew I wasn’t going to make it as an MT, I didn’t make it. I did make the BFA acting program without even listing it as an intrest, or doing the full audition for it.</p>

<p>I was pretty sure I was known as “coughing girl” ---- I coughed so much, everyone thought I was sick, lol. I’m so not sick :/</p>

<p>My audition group was stellar,and of course, I was last, which — sucks, if your super nervous and every single person ahead of you is beyond amazing, My vocals weren’t horrible, but I know when I get nervous I overact, and I definately did. I simply hit the last note of my uptempo – and that’s a fersure powernote---- wrong,then fixed it, I definately wasn’t as strong as I should’ve been — But — I probably would’ve done better if I didn’t want it so bad. My monolog went well, and when I asked kids about my audition, they rambled on about how good of an actress I was, I knew from that point on, I was screwed. I mean – they loved my voice, and talked about how musical theatre I am, but - I could’ve been better… and I hate myself for it. Dancing was super easy, so, I didn’t really care, I plastered on my smile and went for it. Then I did my tour, ate, etc, etc.</p>

<p>Then, I got called in. I knew I wasn’t getting it — which sucks, I could just tell. But then they offered my the BFA in acting — which somehow made me more angry. They said it would be a great oppurtunity for me. The lady talked to me like I shouldn’t be singing at all, she did mention that I could dance as much as I want ,which is honestly, my least favorite thing out of the trifecta that is musical theatre. Then the Theatre BA lies open as well … I mean it’s cool I got offered BFA acting without doing the required audition for it, but — you understand how much I love singing… so, I’m very frustrated, mainly because I could’ve done better. Musical Theatre is my life, and as much as I love acting — I’m torn between my two loves, so to speak, my love for the MU theatre department —and the school in general. and my absolute need to have musical theatre in my life all the time. I mean, Musical theatre is everything to me, my passion, my life, my love— the reason I wake up in the morning, the reason I dream, EVERYTHING. I’m never felt so wrong in my life.</p>

<p>So, now, I’m at a quandary, do I pick a school that I’d be happy at, with everything I want, everything I need, without my vocal lessons meaning anything, with a hope I could transfer at some point. Or another school, that I won’t like, simply because I’ll be doing what I love.</p>

2

<p>Courtney – I don’t know what the circumstances were behind this audition. Regardless, I know how upsetting it is to have a bad audition – I’ve had a few of them myself! But believe me, this does NOT have to mean that your MT career is over. There are many people with acting degrees who also perform in musicals, and at many schools students cross over frequently, with acting majors performing in musicals and vice versa. A BFA in acting is extremely good training for any performer; you should be thrilled that they offered you this option. My advice is to go for the BFA and look into the possibility of signing up for some private voice lessons so you can continue to improve your skills in that area.</p>

3

<p>Courtney - So sorry that the audition did not go as you planned. Did you talk to them about the possibility of re-auditioning for the MT program during your freshman year? I know that some schools allow this and that some students do make the change.</p>

<p>onstage mentioned crossover opportunities. Did you ask if BFA Acting majors can audition/be cast in musicals? I know that at several schools on my D’s list that is not only possible but it does happen. My D spoke to Acting students who were appearing in main stage musicals.</p>

<p>I agree with onstage about private vocal lessons as well. And you should have elective opportunities available with the Acting BFA. Can you take some of those electives in the Music department?</p>

<p>If MU is truly where you want to be, I would encourage you to see what you can do to craft an experience at MU that meets your needs and go from there.</p>

<p>Best of luck!!</p>

4

<p>All theatre majors are require to sing at the school’s Unified auditions for the Mainstage shows everyyear. And Hurdles at the end of freshman year can change your program of study. Many of the Acting BFA and Theatre BA students take acting, singing and dancing classes.</p>

<p>The Theatre BA has less requirements, and might be easier to mold a Musical Theatre custom program around, while the Avting BFA has less room for Electives. The Acting BFA is more prestigous, for sure, but the BA might have what I need. The lady I spoke with at my exit interview did mention the possibility of voice lessons.</p>

5

<p>What school has you audition in front of everyone? Am I reading this the right way??? I’ve done two auditions so far and only the dance call was grouped. The singing cuts and monologues were in a private practice room with two or three people. Please tell me the name of the school that has everybody watch your auditions and I will make sure to cross them off my list if I have an audition scheduled with that program!</p>

<p>Was that the ONLY MT program you auditioned for? Are they offering you an acting slot as sort of a short-term, “take it while it’s still on the table” kind of thing, or can you wait until april like everybody else? If you have other MT auditions coming up, do them, hope for the best, and know you have an acting option if necessary.</p>

<p>Sorry your audition went badly. One of mine just went up in flames, poof! I could see they wondered why I was even there. The other was great. I think. Who knows? I think it’s weird that they offered you something on the spot. Does anyone else think that is just… weird?</p>

6

<p>Millikin University.
I got sorted into a ten-person group,and auditioned after everyone else auditioned,
Yes, you read it correctly, I was completely shocked when I did the audition</p>

<p>All the BFA programs fill up faster, so reserving yourself a spot is encouraged. They haev a non-cut, non-audition theatre BA program, which everyone is allowed to enter into. I only auditioned for the MT program, but they said they were impressed with my acting , and they think more intense acting training would better suit me. I have no other auditions, my parents wont allow me to do other auditions due to monetary issues. It cost far too mcuh to get me a state away, let alone anywhere else.</p>

7

<p>courtney, take the spot!! Then you have a BFA and can sing on your own time. Audition for musicals, take voice lessons, take voice as your electives, whatever. You can ALWAYS leave the BFA program for the BA theater—I wouldn’t suggest going into it planning to dip out, but if you found you were doing absolutely NO singing you could always drop back into the BA theater program and minor in music or whatever. I’d call them back and TAKE THE SPOT! You are LUCKY! You auditioned for ONE program and got into one you didn’t even go for… you may feel miserable but I think you must be the luckiest girl in the world. Don’t let me hear you feeling sorry for yourself, think of all the rest of us who are auditioning for multiple programs and may not get into ANY…</p>

<p>Good luck—but you already have that :slight_smile: I hope my “problems” turn out as well as yours did. And you must be an AWESOME actor— build on your strengths, build UP your weaknesses and never let either one get in the way of success!</p>

8

<p>Courtney - You should be proud that they saw so much in your monologue that they offered you a spot in the Acting program - congratulations! I suggest you lay out the curriculum for each program side by side and look at the actual classes you will be taking. Think about your day and what you will be doing. Look at what appeals to you and which program best fits what you want in your college experience. </p>

<p>modernmillie - I know of at least one program that told my D “on the spot” that she was accepted. That was also a BFA Acting program.</p>

9

<p>A bit off-topic, but as to modernmillie’s question in post #5, I believe that Marymount Manhattan’s auditions are also in front of others as a “classroom” type setting. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong. :]</p>

10

<p>Courtney- I just want to congratulate you on the acceptance to the BFA acting program. That is really great news…I know it is unexpected, and not what you were hoping for, but it sounds very promising. I agree that you should try to find out about voice lessons, and whether you would have time for that in your schedule, but I am really happy that you got the acceptance, and so quickly too.</p>

<p>Way to go!! :)</p>

11

<p>Also to modernmillie,
Unless things have changed in the last few years, Otterbien’s auditions are also in front of other auditioning students. This was my daughter’s least favorite auditioning experience in 2006-2007 because of that (she really liked Otterbien otherwise) because it made her very nervous and she felt she didn’t do anywhere near her best audition.</p>

12

<p>Grab that great chance, Courtney! Or that’s what I say, given the circumstances. You are very lucky, and no doubt very talented, to get a BFA spot…at the one place you auditioned! Many MT lovers go for an acting BFA anyway, because that IS the basis of it all. I imagine you can get voice lessons privately, either through the college or outside. Congratulations!</p>

<p>…what surprises me is that they told you the outcome the same day as the auditions! I never heard of that and it sounds wonderful.</p>

13

<p>Thankfully I am not auditioning at Otterbein or Marymount. Yes, we all perform in front of crowds all the time, but an audition experience IS different. IMO. Courtney, you see that everyone agrees that you are both talented and lucky–and the daughter of the poster above who was also offered a place on the spot must have also been a real standout. I haven’t heard of that happening before, not that I have heard of everything, but even so it’s got to be pretty rare and a good indication of how great you were AND how much they want you. Again, MANY CONGRATS!!!</p>

14

<p>Millikin always offers spots on the day of, Which is sort of great, no waiting.</p>

<p>And, I’m DEFINATELY considering it now.
Thanks!</p>

15

<p>Courtney,
It’s your dream school. You made it into a BFA program! So many kids won’t get acceptances to any of the programs they apply to. Be proud of your accomplishment… it really is a great thing!</p>

<p>RE: public auditions. Yes, Otterbein still has candidates audition in front of everyone in their group.</p>

16

<p>A few years back Wagner had “public” auditions, also.</p>

17

<p>Courtney- Congratulations! With private voice lessons, gee girl, you can make amazing progress in a short time. It takes years and years to build a dancer or a violinist, but for some reason, singers can be grown in a shorter amount of time.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Being in a group of amazing singers can really be hard on your confidence and others who have yet to audtion can practice some “self-talk” about how to get through it when you find yourself in a room with stellar singers. Maybe you can sell a song better? Maybe your pitch is better? Maybe you are fit and capable of grueling hours of rehearsal? There is something wonderful about each of you that you have to remember so you don’t fall apart when confronted by somebody who does something better than you do. “Child hold on!” This time next year my girl will be in your shoes. Again, Courtney, thanks so much for sharing and enjoy that BFA!</p>

18

<p>Thanks Guys.</p>

<p>I was talking it over with my high school teachers, and other various influences in my life, and they all think I should take the BFA rather then the BA, which — makes sense.
Thanks for the support.</p>

19

<p>Courtney, I haven’t posted before on this, but I have been following it. I am so glad you have made your choice! Good Luck!</p>