<p>Could anyone comment on the program? Going through the process of auditioning and now waiting for decisions of schools. Why pick PSU over the other MT programs. We have always heard that CCM, U Mich, Carnegie Mellon, NYU are the top schools. How does PSU compare to the other schools. Is it up there with the others?</p>
<p>Hi Musicalmisfit! I can comment from the perspective of a parent of a PSU student. In the end, though, the top school is the one where you or your child best fits and feels artistically free and supported to train and grow as a young person and as a performer.
As to PSU specifically, each incoming class is small with 12-14 lending to great comaraderie, support and encouragement among classmates.
The training is top notch at PSU…Individualized, exquisite training by fine faculty and staff. Please go to [PSU</a> Musical Theatre](<a href=“http://www.wow.psu.edu%5DPSU”>http://www.wow.psu.edu) and read about the faculty. Almost two years into her training, my D feels that she is making great strides in her art, as an actor, singer and dancer and feels she will be ready to compete on a national level when she graduates. So much of what you get from a school depends upon what you put into it.
A committed, artistically open student can get good training anywhere they go and will find what they need to grow at whatever program they end up in.
PSU MT has the feel of a conservatory, but also has the resources of the amazing MFA acting and directing programs and a vibrant BA theatre program. PSU’s NU musical festival is just one of dozens of performing opps the students have each year. [The</a> Penn State New Musical Theatre Festival](<a href=“http://www.numusicals.psu.edu/]The”>http://www.numusicals.psu.edu/)
I’ve only touched on a couple of aspects about the program…please let me know if you have any specific questions. I’ll be glad to try to answer.</p>
<p>I second what sualabama said (she was a great help when we were trying to figure out where to go this time last year!). I’m also a parent, of a first year student. In my opinion (and from the list we personally made when applying to schools) the top 5 programs are CMU, Michigan, CCM, NYU, and Penn State, and not necessarily in that order. They each have their pros and cons, and each have extremely low acceptance rates. You need to figure out which school is the best fit for you, but in my opinion can’t go wrong with any of these. And my daughter loves Penn State!</p>
<p>musicalmisfit: PSU MT has a YouTube channel. Great to see some of the students just finishing the program. Maybe this will help.</p>
<p>dance question- my daughter’s strength is in dance and she will audition next year. I’ve learned at a lot of schools, dance is the ugly stepchild. She wants to continue in a strong dance program. Can you take classes with dance majors or do they have levels of dance classes?</p>
<p>I spoke with a young man while we were there not long ago who came in as as strong dancer. He reported that all MT freshmen take beginner ballet whatever their experience but on alternate days can take a class for MT folks with dance experience. So he had ballet class every morning the first year. He adored his dance teacher and said she gave him lots of corrections even when the class was at a beginner level and his dance has improved significantly over the time he’s been there. He said dancers often go to the studio in the building where the drama classes are and work out alone on things or sometimes 2 or more will get together to fix things. He looked terrific so it was apparent he wasn’t slacking off. I too would appreciate more details about the dance program if any of you all who are there or have current students could chime in! Thanks.</p>
<p>I texted this question to my D, who is a Junior MT, and this is her answer…“We actually dont have a dance major, we only have a dance minor and we do take classes with them. Strong dancers really do thrive here, because we have such an amazing dance faculty. A good amount of emphasis is put on dance, so no it is not the ugly stepchild here. However, everyone is required to take the beginning level dance classes, regardless of skill. You may also be able to take more advanced dance classes at the same time, with approval.”</p>
<p>thanks so much for an answer! I do appreciate it</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman MT student at PSU and is currently taking ballet 5 days a week if that helps to reinforce the presence of dance early in the program.</p>
<p>Does Penn State do the cut after sophomore year?
Just wondering
Thanks :)</p>
<p>No, Penn State does not do a cut after sophomore year.</p>