@#booknerdmom@MTplayer Emerson is a fantastic school, as you probably know. The alumni stay involved. They come and offer master classes and they are also very generous, which means scholarship dollars!! My son had a great experience there. What happened was that he discovered that he really wanted to focus on his dancing. This kid was literally born dancing, despite never taking one dance class prior to college. Recognizing the God-given gift, he just wanted to build on that. He felt that Emerson did not offer the rigor in dance. He feels they focus more on the acting aspect, which for him was the least interesting. So…pros: alumni giving, alumni involvement, acting rigor, great school overall. Cons: not as much rigor in dancing.
@#booknerdmom@MTplayer Also, I believe he said that Emerson didn’t offer as many voice classes per week as CCM. What he did on his second go-around with auditions was actually asked the schools exactly how many dance/voice lessons he would receive each week.
He always said it would be a great program for an MT kid who also might be interested in movie/TV acting…
Hi @reluctantmtmom1 My daughter is a freshman at Viterbo. She is a BFA theater tech major. I can tell you that they are supportive, kind and give individual attention to their students. She loves it. We are from CA and she has never been in snow before, but she adapted quickly. The program seems challenging. She just had a Freshman evaluation with her professors where they ask you more about your goals, etc. so they can help you to get the experiences that you want out of the program. We have been very happy so far.
Would anyone mind sharing pros cons of Webster, Oklahoma City Univ., Hartt School , Rider and Roosevelt. I appreciate any and all input as we try to make this tough decision.!
@belleforbroadway I don’t know if you have visited the schools but that may be difficult since they are so spread out - does city vs campus make a different to your child? You can see the campuses on google maps too. Location and cost would be factors for us. I have also seen it suggested here to look at the actual 4 year course plan for each to see which you prefer - I was surprised how different this is for each school. For instance, Roosevelt has very few gen ed classes, and does the amount and level of dance matter? I do have a list of all MT programs from a NY MT camp that identified top 15 and top 40 schools. I know this is subjective and ever-changing, but Webster and Oklahoma City both made the top 15. I believe both have NY showcases, but I read you have to audition for OC’s - I don’t know about Webster’s so you could find out if that is important to you. Roosevelt’s showcase is in Chicago. Also, whether you are allowed to audition for shows as a freshman might matter to your child…
I will comment on Final Decision later, but my S is releasing acceptances at Rider, MMC, Malloy/Cap 21, and Pace today. He will be going to Univ of Hartford/Hartt! A very emotional and perfect decision for him. Thank you to CC for all of your support and help!
@belleforbroadway We are looking at similar colleges. We just visited Webster and Rider, D loved both! Pros to W-small class size, acting focus, relationships with the rep, muny, faculty! Pros to R-more traditional college life, close to NY, lots to do, life outside of conservatory, masterclasses, etc. She also loved Wright State. We don’t have time to visit Hartt, that was a late acceptance. This will be a very difficult decision for her! She can’t stop thinking about W, I think if R had a smaller class size she would be very torn. Your child has some great choices, best of luck!
So, even though they aren’t in the top 15 - due to being a new program, they already have numbers on the Books. Marian Cook and Robin Lewis and Nathan were all pulled from top named schools to head up the program and they are doing a great job. They allow Freshman to perform in the second semester. Also, Freshman have their own showcase and plenty of opportunities to perform. The night before auditions, we saw the Cabaret show, “Revolutions” in their black box theater, and then we were asked to stay after auditions to see their musical rehearsal for "Theory of Relativity. For the MT student acceptance day, we saw rehearsal for “Heathers” (where a FRESHMAN MT Major was playing the lead in the show!) and a performance of “A Flea in Her Ear” – which was off-the-wall hysterical. The performances were all so good, and it looks like, even with having class sizes of 30-35, they all get to perform. Also, their actual classes are capped at 17, so you aren’t left out in class.
Just thought I would add my two cents. There were so many positives around that day, it was hard to think of my D’s other two choices!
All of these programs I am sure are really great - and everyone will feel at home somewhere. Just hoping the finances will come in — that would really seal the deal!
@Fergie978 How great that you got to see the rehearsal for that wonderful show. I’m a little biased because friends (one of whom frequently teaches at Tisch) created that show and another friend commissioned it. It’s such a good show for a young cast and is being licensed in so many cities now.
Utah has a full MT Schedule with daily ballet classes all four years and musical theater styles dance classes starting sophomore year. There are weekly private voice lessons along with other voice/performance classes. No senior showcase now but well known agents come from NYC to watch the seniors perform. There are many opportunities to audition and perform in SLC which is a beautiful city. My freshman daughter has loved the conservatory experience on a traditional college campus.
@MTmomSF Congratulations on Hartt! It is sn amazing program. My daughter is finishing up
The last few weeks of her freshman year there and has learned so much!
@belleforbroadway - My D has been accepted to Webster for Lighting Design and will be attending in the fall. She loves the small campus, small class size and the dedication this school has for it’s Conservatory as well as it’s relationship with STL theaters. As a mom, I am impressed with the quick responses she has received from the staff, professors and the Dean - Peter Sargent. I am also impressed with their curriculum and it’s focus on liberal arts, globalism and sustainability.
I would also like to hear more about Viterbo! We had a great visit there, but since it is currently D’s only real acceptance she feels less enthusiastic than if she’d have had another choice. I think it will be a good place for her. Still waiting on a wait list also at her first choice . Thanks!
It’s such a good show for a young cast and is being licensed in so many cities now.