Rant away…it helps <3
Yes indeed- this site was a godsend last year- saved my sanity more than once so I could keep a brave face for my kid. Random thought- I have often thought that (for those of us who live in winter climates) it is particularly hard that this stressful period of waiting comes during such an environmentally depressing time of year. Not that southern or CA people are less stressed- but when it’s -10, it’s hard to be cheerful!
No such luck @toowonderful. We have been snowed in all week in TN. Missed the entire week of school, which is not so bad, but we are also missing rehearsal time on a show that opens next week. 
The weather might be cooperating in California, but it is not in the South.
14 auditions down and one to go! Exhausting but memorable for sure. Then we just wait, sip, wait, sip, wait, drink, wait gulp… repeat!
@tramsmom, your comment is very right on and I have felt the same thing. Thank you for having the courage to write it. I applaud you. With all respect, @soozievt (and others like @alwaysamom) although we all appreciate your helpful comments, are somewhat dated ( by your own admission) and removed from the current climate. I find more valuable the many , more current impressions of currents parents. Not to offend, just being realistic.
Oh, Notmath 1. Why did you have to go there? (
Not to rehash, but as a mother of 2 NYU students–one currently a junior–I think I have some perspective since this is the 7th year I’ve had a student in the school. I’ve chosen to contribute to these forums since I myself was helped by those who came before me. And the bottom line is that NYU is academically challenging to many. Not impossible, but certainly students are expected to be good writers, and well rounded intellectually. And there are a decent number of requirements to be filled outside of performance based classes. It is not the right school for everyone and the freshman English class–writing the essay-- is not an easy class to do well in and I say that as an English major and teacher. I believe both Steinhardt and Tisch requires 2 semesters of it.
I am by no means trying to peddle an NYU education. The school happened to be the best fit for both D’s. And contrary to what transmom believes, they do really consider academics and look for students whose grades, tests, EC’s and talent reflect that they are able to juggle it all.
Just one more thing for the newer parents-- yes, programs and requirements can change somewhat over time and should be checked and reaffirmed year to year. But I think the there is value in listening to parents who have been through the entire process, including those with graduated students. Schools and the world of theatre are not re-inventing themselves every year. You are just starting the journey with your children. And it is going to be long and filled with lots of juggling, pressure and ups and downs.
I’ll try to distract us from the slap downs that happened on CC today. As the last weekends in Feb. approach and this MT process plays out while we wait with baited breathe for good news for everyone, D is in her final production in High School, playing the role of Mary Poppins. : ( Bert’s last song, which chokes me up every time, is, “You’ve got to grind at the grindstone. Though childhood slips like sand through a sieve. And all too soon they’ve up and grown, and then they’ve flown. And it’s too late for you to give that spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down.” Here’s to hugging and loving on our little birds before they fly to great heights! Go Class of 2019!
Baited breath that is. Lo siento.
I really am at a loss to understand this post. Last year’s class went through the same angst, but we supported each other. There was none of the nasty slap- downs I see here. I have only personally met one of the Class of 2018 Survivors, but I still feel that after our roller coaster ride, I am as close as a sister to all of them because they lifted me up through some very dark days and celebrated (and still celebrate) my D’s triumphs. That’s what our thread was all about, but sadly, I don’t see it here. It’s your loss.
@EastchesterMom, I had expected and hoped for that, too, but, unfortunately, some posts right now do seem to contain more negativity and sarcasm. And, hey, I have a dry sense of humor and am often sarcastic, so I appreciate sarcasm, but it doesn’t often play well in an online forum, where one’s intent isn’t often clear and we don’t actually know each other, especially when tensions are already high. The nastiness to each other? I’m not sure how that’s helpful, especially at this stressful time.
I completely appreciate all of the many people who are cheering on others, kindly and often humorously commiserating with each other, and offering positive, interesting, and helpful advice! Let’s keep building each other up–including the experienced ones taking time out of their lives to help us! Please, let’s get back on track with positively supporting each other and sharing our experiences, good and bad–and try to stay on that track!
So, what are your positive coping mechanisms right now? What are your child’s? I thought that it would make me more anxious to be on CC right now (and sometimes, it does), and I was going to stay off it, but I check it throughout the day. I think checking it obsessively helps feed the delusion that I can do something–anything, lol! I also am just enjoying time with my D, knowing she’ll be gone soon. My D often re-checks her applications to make sure the schools have everything. That’s actually proven wise, as a couple schools suddenly seemed to not have some parts of her file. Ice cream and desserts, along with museum trips and movies, etc., seem to help us both, too! 
We can relate to the audition burn-out others mentioned. D had another scheduled after some on-campus auditions and NY and Chicago Unifieds, but she was so worn out that she postponed the last on-campus one (and will possibly cancel it). I didn’t feel like going, either, even though I was prepared to wholeheartedly fake my enthusiasm for it. We think she had given so much, especially during Unifieds, and that she was so energized by them, that the energy just fizzled afterwards, so she needed a longer break between the last Unifieds and the next audition. It was all a positive energy, but still a powerful, tiring one.
Good morning folks,
I hope we can put yesterday’s tension behind us. Certainly everyone is entitled to their opinion; though a bit more tact from some and humility from others would have gone a long way.
All I can ask is that we establish an environment where despite your years of experience, despite your knowledge, despite all your personal accomplishments… …that you can sit down respectful of all others and ‘Join’ the conversation without trying to lead it.
BAL to all auditioners today, and safe travels!
Let’s remember there have been 2k posts and only a day or so of negativity. Let’s focus on getting through the next month together! Only the people here going through now and before know how stressful these last few weeks are. My D is waiting to hear back from her two top BA MT schools and keeps asking me “do you think I’ll get in?” I put on the brave face many have mentioned and then come here to read about the others who totally “get it.” Thank you all for your posts and advice and please let’s not keep referring back to the frustrations expressed. I think we are all just anxious and hoping. The kids have worked so hard!
This is going to sound crazy cheesy- but it helped last year. I took up crochet. My grandma had taught me MANY moons ago- and a couple of YouTube videos refreshed the skill. I had a good friend who was pregnant- and decided decided to do a baby blanket. It really helped to have something fairly “mindless” to keep my hands busy. Bonus- when summer rolled around and D had some time she learned too- and it became “our” thing. Over her winter break this year we spent hours just hanging out- watching old movies, working on projects, and she would tell me all about college and life in the big city etc.
If crafts aren’t your thing- I personally prefer brownies to doughnuts 8->
@toowonderful, that was a good idea! D recently learned how to knit, and we noticed a few auditioners and 1 mom knitting/crocheting while waiting to audition/while her child auditioned.
I completely forgot to mention that D and I are taking pottery and lampworking (glass beading) classes. While we (especially my D) would enjoy these normally, anyway, these have especially served as calmers and distractors during this time! D is also exercising a bit more than usual. (I’ll stick with the ice cream and chocolate. )
Ha! I baked bread…A LOT! Anyone who knows me knows how much I love bread and how I can NOT eat it responsibly so that probably wasn’t the best thing to do but it kept me busy and tasted so darn good!!!
There is very little in life that tastes better than bread fresh from the oven…mmmmmm
And by “very little” I know you mean “NOTHING”, @toowonderful!
Maybe it’s time for a 2019 Part Two: The Journey Continues thread, all fresh and clean and focused on the days ahead. Anybody?
Just to remind you (and some others), it is against the Terms of Service on CC to talk about other members. Some of these posts come under ad hominem attacks which are not permitted. I haven’t reported it, but I do ask you to please stop this type of posting. That is not what CC is about. The MT Forum, in particular, has been a supportive place and it needs to continue in that vein. You may not like all posters, or their posts and you can choose to put them on “ignore” if you wish.
But since you addressed me, I am going to reply. For starters, while my own child went through the BFA in MT admissions process a while back, many people over the years have gained a great deal by those who have gone before them and who have gone beyond the actual admissions process. I have had countless people thank me for sharing and offering advice and so on. Likewise, I appreciate those like AlwaysaMom whose daughter came before mine and I learned a great deal from her on these forums. I’m grateful that people like that stay on here to pass it on. And not just pass on college admissions stuff but all that someone in this field is going to face IN college and BEYOND in their professional life. While you, or some others, may not feel that is beneficial, others have continued to say how much they appreciate old timers staying on.
Further, my experience goes WAY beyond the fact that I have a child who went through this process and is now working professionally in this field. While you may bemoan that she went through it several years ago, I have been advising applicants to theater and MT colleges now for almost 12 years as an independent college counselor. That is my profession. Thus, I have been through the process with lots and lots of students in the past and including this year. I am quite current on this process, thank you very much. Some have truly THANKED me for offering helpful advice for free on CC over the years.
I really think that the tone of some posts by some members on this thread is not nice and not what most want to see here on this forum. It is actually very very rare here on the MT Forum. I realize it is an overwhelming time for many of you, but this style of posting and personal attacks is not what we have had here over the years on this forum and I really hope you can stop and not distract from what has been a wonderful forum here for years. I have been on CC for 13 years and I’m not about to be chased away by some who are not posting within the guidelines that CC adheres to. I didn’t report it, but please stop. Thanks.
I have cheered you all on and hope for the best for your kids. While it is a stressful time, those of us who have been through it know that you will make it through and can’t wait to welcome you to “the other side.” I’m confident your kids will land somewhere and will be happy at this time next year. It will happen. Hopefully, like many of us, you will stay on and pay it forward.