<p>I have a friend whose daughter is currently a Sophomore in HS…she is an amazing dancer and has attended BYU’s Musical Theater summer intensive. She is very interested in attending this program for college. Does anyone have any info/experience with this program?</p>
<p>I have one friend that is at BYU and he loves it. He says it is a tough program and is very talented. Thats about all the info I have.</p>
<p>BYU has an EXCELLENT theatre program. They have national finalists (on a regular basis) represented at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, and many alumni are working professionals (tv & film, regional theatre, tours, B’way, etc.). I am not as familiar with their musical theatre program, but can tell you the actor training is FABULOUS!</p>
<p>Also, Neil LaBute, the HOTTEST new playwright, is a graduate of their department.</p>
<p>eve</p>
<p>I did a little research - always trying to learn more, you know…</p>
<p>From their website, I glean that prayer is a big component of all programs there, and begins on the day of your audition for the program (in late Jan. on a Saturday):</p>
<p>Selection Process
- Sixteen students are admitted to the MDT program each year.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Approximately the top ten scoring students are admitted into the program. </p></li>
<li><p>Each discipline is then allowed to advocate two students whose talent in their particular discipline was outstanding.
These students may not have appeared in the top ten scoring candidates, but demonstrated particularly exceptional
talents in the one area. </p></li>
<li><p>These outstanding students are then considered by the entire committee for admission into the program. </p></li>
<li><p>In depth discussion then ensues as each candidate is considered. </p></li>
<li><p>Prayer begins each selection process discussion.
Waiting List</p></li>
<li><p>Four students are place on the MDT ‘waiting list’ each year. These students are encouraged to enroll in many of the beginning
MDT courses and to be ready to begin the program should an opening appear. </p></li>
<li><p>The waiting list is generally assembled according to gender with two male and two female students.
Notification Letters</p></li>
<li><p>Acceptance letters indicate the MDT courses incoming students should be enrolled in as they begin the program. </p></li>
<li><p>Notification of acceptance into the MDT program does NOT presuppose admittance to Brigham Young University. This point is made
clear in the acceptance letter. </p></li>
<li><p>Acceptance letters are mailed to the students the faculty has selected with a date in which they are to respond in the affirmative or
negative to the Knight Mangum Music Office at (801)422-2563. </p></li>
<li><p>Letters of notification to those NOT accepted into the program are mailed at the same time. A certain number of students who were
not accepted but were close to the cutoff may have their notification letters delayed slightly in an effort to ensure the program will be
filled in a timely manner.
Audition Feedback</p></li>
<li><p>The letter notifying students that they were not admitted to the MDT program at this time encourages students to seek feedback
from faculty members on their individual audition performances. Names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for and MDT
faculty member in each of the disciplines is provided in the letter of notification. </p></li>
<li><p>MDT faculty members strive to respond in a timely and considerate fashion to all audition feedback inquiries. </p></li>
<li><p>Student audition scores may be given to the student only and must be shared via an MDT faculty member.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Sounds like a fascinating program. Go to their website and click around the navigation bar on the left: <a href=“http://cfac.byu.edu/music/Academic_Programs/mdt/[/url]”>http://cfac.byu.edu/music/Academic_Programs/mdt/</a></p>
<p>Eve, </p>
<p>It’s interesting that you mention Neil LaBute. I was recently in London and saw one of his plays while there. Admittedly, I know little about BYU’s program but I have had the occasion to meet Neil a few times and he does not speak of the program fondly. Granted, he was there many years ago and has long since disassociated himself from the Church of Latter Day Saints, which obviously is an overwhelming presence at the school. He is a prolific, controversial, and contentious writer but some of his writing is interesting. By the way, his education included a graduate degree in dramatic writing from NYU, in addition to his theatre studies at BYU. :)</p>
<p>Wow! I’m surprised - he is still in contact with professors there, and many alumni, too (film actor Aaron Eckhart was a contemporary, as was Kevin Rahm from Judging Amy).</p>
<p>Perhaps the people stayed with him longer than the program.</p>
<p>eve</p>