<p>How is Muhlenberg’s Theatre training? has anyone seen any shows there or know how their training is?</p>
<p>I have heard some wonderful things about this program and was most impressed when we visited.</p>
<p>Although I cannot comment specifically on the training or academic quality at Muhlenberg, I can comment on the quality of thier shows. We live locally and frequently see shows there and they are always first rate. They also do a wonderful summer Broadway series which is cast from students and the community (and a few pros as well). We know a few students who have a vocal focus with a theatre minor there and really like it.</p>
<p>I think they are non audition (??) so they could be a good safety school for some. As this is local, however, it is (OF COURSE) not on my D’s list of schools 
but I do think they have a fine program and we are VERY close to NYC!</p>
<p>Mikks Mom</p>
<p>Muhlenberg has optional auditions.</p>
<p>How close to NYC is the 'Berg? Also, how does the training here compare to other schools?</p>
<p>Just chiming in here, as my D and I saw a production of Tennessee Williams’ “Orpheus Descending” when we visited about 18 months ago and it was really, really strong in every element, from the acting to the directing to the scenery and lighting. It is not easy to successfully stage a play such as that, and they did a superb job.</p>
<p>By bus (like Greyhound) it takes just under two hours to get into NYC. By car, around an hour and a half. D has been into NYC both ways. The school does take advantage of its location in proximity to NYC for shows, etc.</p>
<p>One thing I’d like to remind people who are considering Muhlenberg… sometimes interested parties are put off by the fact that Muhlenberg only does one main stage musical during the school year. However, they produce three main-stage musicals every summer. It is another option for performance, which is actually paid, and rooming in the dorms is included. This year they are doing Kiss Me Kate, A Year With Frog and Toad, and Tommy. So if your student is concerned about a lack of musical theatre opportunities, please let them know that if they are willing to stay around during the summer (mine didn’t even think about coming home for the summer 2/3 into her freshman year), there’s an additional three shows they are eligible to audition for. They are open auditions, so students are not given priority over non-students, but the shows have quite a few students in them, and in principal roles, too.</p>
<p>BTW… I don’t get over to the MT forum as much anymore, so if I don’t respond to any questions in a timely manner, please feel free to PM or e-mail me.</p>
<p>I have to admit I was VERY skeptical last year when my son was fighting over his decision for college. He was admitted to the BFA Acting program at Emerson, Syracuse and the BA at Muhlenberg. We literally stayed up ALL NIGHT the last night of April before the May 1st decision date stacking piles of advantages and disadvantages for each decision. Syracuse offered very little money and I HAD to remove that from the table! Bottom line, my son is a strong academic student who was not willing to sacrifice a Lberal Arts education for a trade one. He felt that he would be a better actor if he understood literature and the world in which we live…but really wanted the offerings of Network and city life that Emerson offered. Now, well into his first semester…HE LOVES Muhlenberg and as parents we couldn’t be happier. He said that the level of talent there is remarkable!..conservatory level…It has been said that if you want to become the best that you can be…dance, acting and voice…then go to Muhlenberg…they TEACH the student…but if you want the Network you have to develop it yourself…though Muhlenberg alumni IS now being noted as the Muhlenberg Mafia in NYC. WQhen we dropped our son off at the Red Door last August, I never cried because we had NO DOUBT that he would be safe. We have visited twice so far and each time WE want to stay !!! I now LOVE this college…it offers everything…is extremely supportive of the student…and is so beautiful!! An arts education with the campus experience. As my son said…the worst part of the school …is the size and the BEST part of the school…is the size!</p>
<p>We recently saw the Muhlenberg production of Oklahoma and were blown away!! My son is a first year student at Muhlenberg who is not involved with the theatre department. We had no idea how much talent is at the school. Oklahoma was better than many “professional” shows we have seen. The training must be excellent. My son absolutely loves Muhlenberg.</p>
<p>My D is a transfer… she was at a SUNY school (NY State University) and she never felt the arts were supported there. Now she feels she is not only supported but celebrated! I agree with the above statements!!!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Going to see Oklahoma on sunday pm… looking forward to it.</p>
<p>My daughter is also a first semester freshman. Her concern with Muhlenberg was size and location. She was accepted into a number of programs but none of them her dream schools. Her ultimate choice was between Muhlenberg and an MT Program at a NYC school which had a dream location, but was not academically challenging for her. She was offered a small award from the NYC school. Muhlenberg offered her a very generous artistic award. Charlie Richter seemed to be very interested in her and kept in touch throughout the process. Our attitude was that she should go to the school where she was wanted, where they were literally putting their money on her. She agreed, but wanted the option of transferring if she was not satisfied. We agreed.</p>
<p>Happily, she was cast in the first mainstage production this semester, Miss Julie (a straight play). Her warning was, Mom, Im letting you know, its very inappropriate. Only a handful of freshmen were cast in all three mainstage productions, so this was an honor for her. It was adult material, very well done. She loved it. Muhlenberg is a little off the beaten path, but she has found it to be a very busy place! Last semester, former President Clinton and Barack Obama spoke at the school during the primary race. Last Thursday, Joe Biden and Michelle Obama spoke, but my daughter missed it because her class was required to attend a performance of Black Watch at St. Anns Warehouse in Brooklyn. The school hired buses and took the whole class. Last Wednesday, Tony award winning composer Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, etc.) gave the students a presentation about his Broadway career. And of course, Friday night they all went to Fright Fest at Dorney Park.</p>
<p>Having two older children (who have attended terrific schools), Ive seen my share of college mailings, but none have been as organized and informative as those from Muhlenberg. The Theatre Department sent summer mailings outlining different suggested course options, depending upon the students interests. It explained what was required, in which semesters the course could be taken and what the ramifications were of taking each course. If your student is a candidate for Work/Study, the Theatre Department listed all of the jobs they had available and the student could request their first, second and third preference even before they got to campus! This school is very well run. </p>
<p>Ive always thought that my daughter would flourish in a larger environment, but so far, Muhlenberg has kept her engaged. If she decides to transfer, it will probably be because of the size of the school. At this point, though, she has not asked to start the process and we think no news is good news!</p>
<p>Riesen - I wish I could have seen Miss Julie. It was directed by one of my daughter’s best friends. But since we live so far away, we have to limit our trips to productions in which our daughter is involved. I am going to her a cappella group concert in December; Miss Julie’s director and she are in the same group… he’s a very talented young man.</p>
<p>I had the advantage of seeing Ms. Julie on a visit to the Muhlenberg College last month. It BLEW me away!!! I was NEVER so impressed with an undergraduate college production in my life…and to hear that it was directed by a student was even more incredible. YES, he is a very talented young man…there is ALOT of talent behind those red doors and alot of support that allows them to take such chances with literature and flourish!</p>
<p>Katiesdad - what did you think of Muhlenberg, and its production of Oklahoma?</p>
<p>First of all, liked the campus and facilities a lot. The acoustics in the Empie theater were great, the performers didn’t even use mikes, and we had no problems at all hearing anyone. The production value was very good, and the performers were very good as well. My daughter’s favorites were Ado Annie and Ali Hakem, but all were good.</p>
<p>We had a tour of the department on Monday, nice dance studios… the black box and baker theater were very nice as well… D sat in on an advanced ballet class, and later an acting class, which she enjoyed very much.</p>
<p>If I might chime in I saw “Oklahoma” on Saturday Night and I was extremely…disappointed. Just was not on par with the productions I have seen that have been student directed. It has me very worried. I understand that it was directed by the department head…ouch! There was ABSOLUTELY no connection between characters…it was played 2 dimensional and out toward the audience…was that intentional??? I have seen better high school productions. The choreography was outstanding though!</p>
<p>hmmm… seems like we have two extreme opinions of Oklahoma from Joyce15 and Lady Mac.</p>
<p>As I mentioned, my family is not involved in theatre and I cannot comment on the technical aspects of the show. All I can say is that we thoroughly enjoyed Oklahoma and were very impressed by the singing, dancing, set design etc. We also over heard several people at our hotel talking about how amazing it was. One woman said that it was better than many of the professional shows she had seen back home in Philly.</p>