@CentralOHmomof4 ok, I am going to say that since CMU is asking for the letter, that’s positive news:)
@CentralOHmomof4 … my Ds choir director was a horrible person as well - she got so fed up with her that senior year, D walked right out of class and straight to the office to withdraw permanently. (And she was a 4 year choir member.) I feel for your kid!!
I’m sure SIU will be flexible! I would tell them that weekend is just a no-go and you will be there during X time. They were wonderful when we made our second visit there.
Good wishes and good thoughts for you and your D!
@CentralOHmomof4 I would not get a letter from that teacher…she will not write a good one
@Kentmtmom Ellen never posted the acceptances on Sunday but she finally did last night. But you’re right…on my phone when I go to the Parent Place I don’t see it except then I click on the notification. It’s just FB that’s weird.
@momof3nerdz and @CMB625, I totally get where you’re coming from. Mine was Mary in Mary Poppins spring of her senior year, and her final performance I totally lost it when she sang “In every job, when it’s complete, there is a sense of bittersweet. That moment when you know the task is done. Though in your heart you’d like to stay to help them on their way, you’ve always known they must go it alone.” I even teared up a little just typing that.
I can relate to everything you all just said. I am replaying things over and over…with the additional image that she has been training and preparing for years! Like 10 years…and in just a few months, 5 mins in a room, or one glance from an exhausted auditor it’s been decided. That’s the reason you need so many more schools…and geographically diverse schools too, because each region seemed like they might be looking for something a bit different. Plus, adding more of a variety of schools. I had not expected that when we visited schools (after applying!) my D would begin to connect the environment with what was going to be a best fit for her, regardless of what college rankings or broadway playbills indicated. Fit is fit and my d knew it the minute she hit campus or observed classes and professors etc. When you visit a school it’s priceless, because you learn a great deal about fit for your S or D that you just can’t do with online research. We did not visit until after she applied and then knowing she only had 8 schools, and two of those were safeties…so @marg928 I wish we had 23! 23 was enough! You did a great job and have a huge range of amazing choices already, your D should feel very proud of those choices. My D has an excellent offer that we don’t know if we can afford…so hello again sleepless nights!!! and turning over that same penny pondering how I would have done things differently.
@laylamom Unfortunately, no one is a slam dunk for any program, no matter what the resume. I think this holds especially true for girls, where the competition is even more stiff. Not that boys have it easy either, don’t get me wrong. My D had several regional credits, a lead role in a national tour, a couple of films and some TV work under her belt, and she still got her fair share of rejections. But, as I was told repeatedly as I went through this freak-out period last year, it only takes one acceptance. Your child can’t go to more than one school. Mine landed where she was meant to be; yours will, too. Just try to breathe, everyone. Easier said than done, I know.
On a happier note we just dropped our D off at the airport headed to Guthrie callbacks!
@MTMHopeful - can you list the schools that have a good deal of crossover in both training and performance opportunities between both the BFA Acting and Mt programs? My son is class of 2022. TIA!
@Kentmtmom they said they ask it of everyone - we are not holding our breath or reading anything into anything at this point! @bisouu we brainstormed for a while on who, anyone, could write that letter instead of her. I just don’t know. Every teacher loves my D - she is the one outlier and there’s not a rational reason behind it. I’m hoping the ego boost of having a former student go to such a prestigious uni might be enough of a carrot to keep her letter in check.
It’s her 18th birthday today - hoping the universe gives her a good present!!
I can definitely relate to the thing that @followurheart wrote about a 5-10 minute audition determining your future… I understand this business is tough and all auditors are going to judge us in less than five minutes, but it’s always heartbreaking when you’re feeling sick or tired for one audition, and just like that all of your work over the past couple years means nothing! Especially when right now these feel like the biggest auditions of our lives, because they determine our future for the next 4 years. No pressure or anything!
I actually just discovered Western Kentucky’s BFA program, which I am now kicking myself for not looking into earlier in the application season. I love their philosophy on auditions, which are not done until a couple years into their program. They say that they don’t believe that a short audition truly allows a school to see the student’s potential, so they allow them to take performance classes and work with the faculty so they get to see them grow, and THEN audition for the faculty members after 2 years, who now know them as people and as students. And if the student doesn’t make it in, they can still be in the BA!
@marg928 keep us posted, so exciting! A much happier note… Lol!
@marg928 The funny thing is I think things work out. We only had 6 audition schools and one video audition and added two additional non-audition schools at the last minute, Cal Poly and USD, which are actually her top choices! We LOVED Cal Poly after visiting. Even though it’s a BA, it’s a great fit in terms of the school culture and size. We are waiting for Pepperdine, UC’s and USC and then will make a decision. Don’t be dissuaded that most of the UC’s are non-audition - UCI and UCSD are two of the top theatre programs in the nation! Best wishes to all! In a month, everyone will know what they are doing and will find what’s right for them.
@CentralOHmomof4 does your D have a private voice teacher? D had letters of recommendation from her private coaches as well as her choir director - I’m thinking they just want something from someone that trains her in voice.
@CentralOHmomof4 … I second @LBSMOM & a private voice teacher. OR … does she do community theatre? How about a letter from the director or music director from one of her last shows?
Agree WKU is a great program! We now a LOT of talented, make that super talented kids in the MT program there.
@momof3nerdz I can totally relate to your post as well. My D who has gotten some rejections (one deferred safety) and stressed about the only 6 left we are waiting on was just in her last HS musical the last 2 weekends as the Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods. And as we all feel about out kids- I enjoyed such an honest and beautiful performance of JOY that probably didn’t translate in the audition room. Wish the schools could see our kids that way! But such is the biz…hoping for some good news in the coming weeks…“Stay a child while you can be a child”. :((
I know it is incredibly stressful, but just b/c it hasn’t happened YET doesn’t mean it won’t happen. My D had 3 BFA acceptances to choose from- and they were the last 3 to notify her.
@toowonderful … exhale! Thank you for that. We are waiting on five schools.
I just want to say a big “hang in there” and give a virtual hug to all the parents out there still waiting. I remember this so well 4 years ago. I don’t think the suffering thru this is something you ever forget - much like labor:) It is so hard to watch nearly 18 years of blood, sweat and tears (yours!) hanging in the balance after these short auditions. The kids seem to handle it better than us sometimes. Waiting here has ups and downs hearing from others - but it sure beats driving your own child crazy with your feelings. I’ll be checking out the thread and sending MT parent good thoughts your way…