Gender In Musical Theatre

MTguyMom
Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:57:55 +0000

Thanks very much, but honestly, you’d have to have the sensitivity of a rock if you didn’t feel bad for a kid who doesn’t get into a program that’s suited to them. You know how it is, you watch them grow up and evolve as artists, they’ve been in many classes and performances with your own child for years and you get to know them pretty well. So when they experience disappointment like this, it breaks your heart just as it would if it were your own kid, knowing how outstandingly talented they are and how much they’ve invested in the pursuit of their dream.

I don’t know how much knowledge this particular young woman or her parents have about the competitiveness of the college audition process. I would think they’re aware of the reality because we’ve occasionally talked about it, but judging from the child’s college list and the limited number of schools she applied to, I’m not so sure. I know they don’t frequent CC, so they could very well be in the dark. It’s truly amazing how many people go into this process blind, even though they’ve been involved in theatre and training for so many years.

We also have another acquaintance who, again, is unbelievably talented – had the lead at her H.S. in quite a few productions and performed as a soloist at many community events. She did the audition circuit last season and didn’t get into any of the programs she applied to. So she sat out a year, took some classes at a local cc and trained to reaudition this season. And sadly, she is again without a single acceptance as of yet this year.

These are the girls we feel so awkward talking to about this process, and we appreciate your suggestions!