@vocal1046 - I completely disagree. D attended many college auditions and was treated very professionally in all of them, in a manner very similar to every job interview situation that I am familiar with. She has been through some big-time professional auditions and was also treated in a very professional manner. The college audition environment is “special” because these people are educators, for gosh sakes. They should know better than to set expectations. No doubt there is lots of bad behavior out in the world of professional auditions.
Besides, ranting (while carefully respecting the terms of service) on CC is fun.
I agree 100% with @vocal1046 and am very much convinced that our own reactions–even in the “private” world of CC–to the ups and downs of this process do indeed affect our kids’ experiences. (Tried to come up with an alternative to the word “kid,” because I also strongly believe that high-school seniors–and I teach a lot of 'em–are NOT “children.”) I get it about venting, and have certainly done my share, but it’s easy to let that show to the seniors who are experiencing this first hand, and in my observation, vocal1046 is right about the need to lead by example here and demonstrate resilience and persistence. Also: it is SO easy to misunderstand somebody else’s comments in the excitement or stress of the moment.
S is only one year older than these “kids” and has already experienced the same phenomenon at professional theater auditions. It’s difficult to get hopes up only to get them dashed. The kids will have to learn to deal with this - in a “professional” manner, and we will have to learn how to support them without “railing”.
So are you saying that you think it’s OK for auditors to lead a kid/auditioner to believe that they are accepted into a program when they are not? I think we’re comparing apples and oranges here – college auditions (a one-shot deal) are not auditions for shows (where there is always another show).
I agree that you can not read into how auditors act, or what they may say, in passing, during auditions, professional or otherwise. Just audition…and forget it. S learned early on not to get hopes up from an audition. He only became more emotionally invested if he got a call back…and even then, unless it was for the creative team, he learned to take it with a grain of salt. Often he found that it was the difficult auditions/callbacks that yielded the best results…not the ones where the auditors were all smiley and happy.
I don’t think anyone has said anything about it being OK, or liking it - just that it’s a possibility that needs to be dealt with - in both instances. This type of audition experience has been remarked on as far back as I have been following this forum. It was something we brought up with our S before he even started down this path. All auditionees - and their parents - are free to deal with it as they see fit. Our S did/does his best to not believe he had/has a bird in hand until he saw/sees it in writing. Doesn’t mean it feels good when it happens.
So I’m hoping some of you might be able to help me with this…
We just got an email from OKCU accepting my D into the BA music program along with a scholarship of 7,500. Its not the program she wanted, but they want her to audition again in November of this yr for the BM MT program. I called and had a very lovely conversation with the dean of musics office. They said that a large amount of students start out this way and because BA Music program is still a highly competitive program (you must audition to be accepted) they thrive in the environment. Also she said there are many students who get into the BM MT program when they audition again in November. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of the OKCU program?
@shopforpunky I’m saying that what is, simply is. Whether or not you or I think it is OK, the world functions in certain ways. If your kid (not you - your kid) really believes that s/he was misled, then I strongly recommend the kid write a letter and put it in a drawer until emotions cool. The opportunity to contribute to future improvements for other applicants is worth considering.
College auditions are decidedly not a one-shot deal. Many applicants head into the education-fray more than once, try to transfer, apply to MFA programs, etc. There is a great deal of educational opportunity for a persistent hopeful. I’d encourage any passionate young person to take more than one tilt at that windmill.
Likewise, many professionals will describe a particularly high-stakes audition in adult life as a “one-shot deal” in the heat of the moment. There is not ever another guaranteed chance with a particular director, playwright, composer, or agent who may feel to the actor like the magic door to a new life. In fact, the stakes don’t get lower.
@origamimommy - You cannot go wrong at OCU. My D did their summer program and fell in love with the faculty and evironment. Their vocal program is top notch and the dancing department has been named top in the country several times. The acting was their weakest link, but they have just hired a new director (they had in interim until now) from Brittain to take it over. It was my D’s first acceptance this fall and she was very happy to receive it. I believe it doesn’t attract more students because, well, it’s in Oklahoma and because most of us can’t afford the price tag, generous scholarship and all. We have seen several of their productions and they are top notch.
@shopforpunky I am and was aware of that. “You” and “your kid” are meant to address the general audience, not you in particular. Egregious scenarios riddle adult life and in the arts they are even more prevalent. Best for young folk to start figuring out how to manage, or how to work toward change, or both.