<p>NMR brings up something I should have said as well…For one thing, the goal is not Broadway itself. That is a very narrowly defined goal and very few make it to Bdway in any role. However, as she said, I would imagine that any youngish recent BFA in MT grad from CAP or ANY program would jump at the opportunity to be in the ensemble in a Broadway production! Is that something to sneeze about? Jeez. A very good friend of my daughter’s, with whom she spent many summer performing, graduated CAP21 two years ago and was a lead on a National Tour of a Bdway musical. She has now come back from that tour and is cast in ensemble in an upcoming musical revival on Bdway and I am CERTAIN that she is ecstatic to be on Bdway even though she was a lead on a tour, she’d be happy to be ensemble in her Bdway debut. Many who are recent grads are not going to come out of school and be a lead on Bdway right away if ever. If they are gainfully employed as a MT performer professionally, I’d say they are a success. I don’t know any program aiming to train exclusively for ensemble roles. My daughter doesn’t even think she’d be cast as a chorus girl because she just is not that tall (5’3"). In any case, many a CAP21 grad has gone onto play roles and not only chorus but I am sure most would be thrilled to be cast in ensemble on Bdway too. Many who are in Bdway ensembles are talented enough to play roles and have played many lead roles in their life prior to Bdway. The level of talent in a Bdway ensemble cast is very high. </p>
<p>That said, any educational path can lead to success. My D’s pal in NYU’s Arts and Sciences is now in Spring Awakening in ensemble and understudying the lead. She didn’t even go to a MT program!</p>