Wouldn’t one question about auditioning for acting vs. MT schools be “what do you want to do with this degree once you’re out of school?” and, “what are the possibilities open to you with this degree that other degrees can’t give you?”
I’m really not seeing the logic of putting so much emphasis on whether the degree sounds like it would make it easier to get in a school or even more “fun” to study, since it seems to me that the degree is simply the means to an end of a career in _____ (fill in the blank). If your specific goals will ONLY work with an MT degree (assuming you’ve researched that and know what degree actually leads to those goals), then, by golly, go for it, assuming the MT degree doesn’t end up limiting your later choices. If acting (or dancing, or singing) could actually get you where you want to go, consider it. If you’re honestly “I’d do just about anything in theatre,” consider getting a BA in Theater Studies, learning how to do a wide variety of things, and perhaps discovering that you have previously unrealized gifts best used by being the assistant company manager of a well known show currently on Broadway as your first job upon college graduation (it could happen, believe me), which will probably give you more connections in the business than the kids standing in audition lines at 4am, not to mention a living wage and an ability to pay off loans.
TL;DR – sometimes I think we forget the endgame here – it isn’t about getting in a school, it’s about shaping a long career trajectory. School is just a (relatively small) step on the path. Where do you see yourself in 3 or 4 decades?
I have to admit I personally find the whole “which one is harder - acting or MT” discussion to be devaluing. To me, It’s like saying a kid “only” got into Dartmouth or rather than Harvard or Yale…
@toowonderful I wasn’t meaning it as easier vs harder - more what’s right for someone who could be more successful. For example my D has a friend who is a natural actor - he sings good enough to get the lead in his school show and is a good mover but untrained. When you watch him you find yourself saying he is so believable and so engaging and fun to watch. But you don’t think Wow he has an extraordinary voice. He started applying for MT programs but I told my D to encourage him to also try Acting because that is his strength. By the way - his dream is to be on SNL so… :)) Anyway - that was a long way to say that MT seems to be the hot thing right now (because of shows like Hamilton?) but for some it would be better in the long run to go with Acting - and I have heard of schools that redirect those kids which I think is much better than just saying no to MT
@“Jamieand Winthrop” Yes… my D is focused on a career in DC, so she wants to build on her network there. So she is going to make different choices than a nyc bound actor…
Email received over here as well. Seems like CMU is cutting folks loose earlier this year, which ultimately I appreciate instead of obsessing for the next two weeks, but this one will be tough. Deep cleansing breaths all…
Nothing like starting the week off with rejection. Sorry to all those hearing no from CMU this morning. Here’s to better news coming in the next few days.
Very disappointing but the wait game was/is killing me. I am ready to move forward. Uh!
Okay. So, can we validate the myth/mystery moms and dads? Did any of the No’s see more than one auditor?
@nanamama Think about it this way…CMU only takes 12 for MT and 12 for Acting. How many thousands apply? I would venture a guess that many kids get passed to a second auditor but then are not accepted. It’s simply because they take so few.
@nanamama My S got passed to 4 rooms and received the rejection email today. He is handling it well, he did not have his heart set on CMU and had a great audition experience. It feels like winning a lottery to get in CMU! He did have a friend get a yes today for MT at CMU, it was her top choice and she was passed through 5 rooms. I do not know if she got a call or an email. Hang in there everyone! We are in the final stretch!
Yes, a tough way to start the week, with a rejection! I love this quote, “When someone tells me (No), it doesn’t mean I can’t do it, it simply means I can’t do it with them” Karen E. Quinones Miller