I check this every day and I have found it very helpful as it fills in the gaps of my waiting. My D auditioned for 10 schools. While at NYC Unified We had the good fortune of getting back stage to a Broadway show through a connection that knew one of the stars. My D had a one on one with a recent Tony winner that night and we were actually pleasantly surprised that she had no idea what Unified Auditions even were. She described her long journey (she must be in her 40s) and it was an interesting ride that had nothing to do with what we are all stressed about. I guess my point is that these kids are young and there are plenty of ways to make it and hopefully we can relax knowing that a recent Tony winner did not even go to college, had 10 year gaps in her career, and is still working in her late 40s.
Also, through this 5 month auditioning experience I want you all to know that you are all such great parents. My D goes to a Performing Arts school and we know more than a few talented kids who don’t have this level of parental support or anybody to take them to Unified and on campus auditions. Our kids are the lucky ones regardless of what happens because they have great and supportive parents. We will get through this.
@FLtheaterDad ~ This process has changed so much in the last few years that I would imagine someone in there 40s has NO IDEA what this process is like now. After a quick google search the first mention I saw of Unifieds was 2007 (but I only spent two minutes looking). My son auditioned in the 2010-2011cycle (not that long ago!) and there was not one prescreen required for the schools on his list (were there schools that required them? I don’t know. Every school he auditioned for then, requires them now). And the number of auditionees and the number of schools that offer an MT degree has also grown significantly.
I want to put a little different spin on this madness that we’re going through. This is my fourth child to go through the college process, first MT. Although I have hated feeling lost, clueless, and stressed I would not trade this time for anything. I have not cried with any of my other children. They were accepted into some schools in the fall of their senior years, and somewhere along the way picked one to go to and picked something to major in.
This time, however, I cried as I watched my son’s face plastered against the window as we flew into New York for Unifieds. I was overcome by his passion. I got to spend a weekend one on one with my baby boy in a place that he longs to be one day. As we left New York he said, “No matter what happens, it was worth it. I learned a lot, and had a lot of fun.”
Then, a few weeks later I cried again when he got a yes from the school of his dreams. This little boy from a public rural high school, who has no formal dance or acting training, who worked to pay for his own voice lessons, who only applied to five schools because we couldn’t afford anymore has a spot at arguably one of the top schools in the country. Dreams do come true with hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck. I know this is just the beginning of a very long journey, but I feel blessed to have been a part of his first steps.
I hope that you can all find the silver lining in this crazy process!
@MTiskillingme I had my tearful moment on the plans this weekend, coming home (back into NYC) from Michigan. I’m going to blame the insane weather conditions, uncertainty of getting there (with more than one flight cancellation getting there), lack of sleep, and all that too . D was asleep on my lap, and it was all starting to hit me. She may be a plane ride away, or a subway ride away in 6 months. But either way, this has been a bittersweet journey thus far. No “yes” calls or letters yet, but I am probably going to cry more when the first one comes in!
@FLtheaterDad my D goes to a PA HS as well. It is small, so all the kids know who is applying to which schools (at least in her circles, for MT). I don’t see the amount of support from the parents as I see here (of course, we have a lot of local options for auditions, but not all schools come to NY). I know people outside the MT world think I’m nuts, but I don’t want to hold her back from a potentially amazing opportunity, you know?
@MTiskillingme. What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing. It’s such an important perspective to keep. I have treasured this journey with my daughter. The time together has been a blessing. Yes, we talked about auditions but oh man we talked about LIFE a lot too. Thank you for reminding me. Please let us know where your son has landed! We all love to hear the beautiful moments!
Hola, class of 2022. I was just contacted by someone so I thought I would just put myself in the tread for anyone who is looking for information on Viterbo. I am still very much a part of that life as D completes her 6th semester there and gets ready for her senior year. Been busy with what comes after getting into a program–summer stock and booking professional gigs. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions and I can also put you in touch with D. Keep fighting the good fight. You will succeed–no one else can determine that for you.
@laylamom. My F and I were at that Elon audition on the 21st. Does your daughter have blond shoulder length hair? My daughter came over before the first session started and introduced herself. j was admitted to Elon too.
@MThopeful2022 I understand that some people have heard from Montclair from NYC Unifieds but we still have not. Portal still says undecided and audition not received.
Recently bought a copy of “An Actors Life: A Survival Guide” by Jenna Fischer. My D also read it and really found it useful to help her gauge her expectations of life after the BFA/BA, as well as re: practical tips on headshots and resumes. Jenna Fischer’s story is also really grounding because she graduated with a BA in Theater from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. Her mom was a school teacher and her dad an engineer. She didn’t have leads in school plays or musicals but spent most of her time in the dance chorus/ensemble and loved every minute of it. Her parents loved their careers and so she learned to follow her bliss. She did. The bliss is what kept her going after she had spent her 8k nest egg (after working for a year and living at home to prepare for the big move to Los Angelos and her acting life) and not able to find an agent or land a role she auditioned for. The book is funny, sweet, honest, and practical. I highly recommend it as a diversion while people wait because it helps put real perspective on what is happening. Maybe people will conclude that she had to work so hard and wait so long BECAUSE she got the BA at Truman State rather than Juilliard (so no connections), but from her auditioning experience, it sounds like connections only help if you have talent AND work hard in every audition so that casting agents begin to know you consistently deliver a good product and remember you when they have a role you fit. Her take away is that its all luck, every bit of it. And, while she doesn’t speak to the College Audition Process discussed here, I think the book has helped my D and I to keep our eyes on the forest and not miss it for the trees (like this particular moment in time).
My son did a walk-in with Molloy/Cap21 in Chicago and submitted the application via the common ap afterward. We can see that the ap was downloaded from the common ap as of the 12th, but haven’t received a confirmation from the school. I wonder if we need to contact them to be sure they connect the dots between the ap and the audition? Has anyone else done this? Thanks in advance.
@speezagmom - last year my D applied to Molloy/Cap21 after a walk in audition. After she sent in the application, she sent an email to the person she auditioned with to let them know that she was interested in the program and had submitted her application. I assume your son probably met Rebecca Overton who is their recruitment coordinator and he could just send her an email follow-up.
. D was asleep on my lap, and it was all starting to hit me. She may be a plane ride away, or a subway ride away in 6 months. But either way, this has been a bittersweet journey thus far. No “yes” calls or letters yet, but I am probably going to cry more when the first one comes in!