<p>I was really just wondering.I have a child who came to her passion late. She has been taking voice lessons for 3 years, (a really lovely voice) and very simple dance for 2… she is NOT a dancer. Her acting is fresh and inexperienced, but she really listens and blossoms under direction. Because of her lack of training, she is at a definate disadvantage. (she has had some minor singing roles and was an U/S for the lead in hear last high school program. ) Every other girl at her auditions has taken about 10 years dance, 8-5 years voice and actor trainig!! PS she is small and pretty, dark and ethnic. </p>
<p>i wonder if her audtionsors see her as someone who should do better given her age, or if they take the time to read her paperwork and discover that she has only had less then 3 years training. She has come a long way and wants to come so much farther and wants to do it at one of the great schools she has visited</p>
<p>A reality check would be helpful. What does anyone think? </p>
<p>Does anyone think she has a shot at anything</p>
<p>snoggie - I think that it may be difficult for anyone that does not actually know your D to have an objective opinion. My D “got serious” about MT when she was about 12, prior to that she was a dancer, who happened to enjoy singing. At some point, she also discovered a true love for straight acting, but when putting together her applications she went for a BFA that emphasized MT as she felt her strength laid in that she could dance, sing and act; she is 17 now and some would consider that she has had 5 years of “real” training. However, going back to your question, I have seen kids with no training who are better than she is, and kids, who have been doing theatre since they were toddlers with a lot more training, who are worse. </p>
<p>It would probably a real good idea for your D to attend a summer musical theatre program somewhere so that she can train and at the same time get a feel for who she might be up against (check the extensive summer program list on top of this forum). Other ways to get insight into where she stands would involve talking to her directors and instructors and get their opinion. </p>
<p>Even though I don’t necessarily think that adjudicators are looking for people who are “expert” at everything, the truth is that the top programs do draw a lot of multi-talented youth, and so the more training you can get in, the more prepared you are, and the more it will increase your odds in this incredibly competitive arena.</p>
<p>background experience is limited. what really matters is what happens on the day of the audition; how well she can emphasize her current talents and show aptitude to learn.</p>
<p>I’m another late starter (came across theatre in my sophomore year in high school, which is late even for a guy), and I ended up chickening out my senior year and not auditioning for any colleges programs. I just didn’t feel that I was ready. I don’t recommend that to anyone, so I’m glad to hear that your d is auditioning for colleges even though she may not have a decade of training.</p>
<p>If you’re looking for a reality check, I think the best one will be the results of the auditions. The great thing about auditioning is that she’ll get some really valuable feedback based on whether she gets in or not. Now, granted, there are sometimes extenuating factors as to why a person might not be cast in a show or accepted into a program, so this shouldn’t be the ONLY criteria used to judge one’s self. But, if your d gets into some programs, then she’ll at least know that she has the talent and potential to pursue a career as a performer if she so chooses.</p>
<p>In general, I agree with mikeisexquisite in that auditioners look for talent and potential, but I also agree with MTgrlsmom that experience and preparation are, unfortunately, increasingly important factors in college auditions. Since so many talented people audition for these programs, auditioners are bound to take experience and how polished the audition is into consideration.</p>
<p>Of course not knowing your D it is hard to tell but as far as experience my D did not start doing musical theater till she was about 13 and only because she wanted to be involved in something and she didn’t like sports. She did do a few shows with a local performing arts school over the next 2 years school but they really didn’t teach anything other than your part. She never took formal dance lessons and only started voice lessons at about 13 or 14 after we heard her sing and thought “hey maybe she’s got something”. The first school show she did was sophomore year and it was a small part. She came out of her shell in junior year with a lead at school and now we are in for the long haul. If your daughter is a junior I would suggest that you send her to a summer camp for two weeks or more. That is when my D realized this was for her and I have read other parents say that on CC. She will see the other competition out there and they usually give you an evaluation. If she comes out of that still wanting MT then you will have time to start working on audition material. After lurking and posting on CC for about a year one thing I have learned is that nothing is definite and anything is possible.</p>
<p>snoggie - from reading on a different thread I just realized that your D is auditioning this year. At this point, I think there is little more than you can do then wait for the outcome of her auditions. Like mikeisexquisite says, all will depend on how she performed and showcased her strengths at her audition. At Pace there was no dance audition, and so her lack of dance training would not affect her acceptance per se. I have heard however that Pace has seen a record number of applicants this year, and Amy Rogers may opt to select her incoming class any way she wants. </p>
<p>I don’t know where else your D has applied, but (and still) depending on the strength of her audition, looking ethnic may indeed give her somewhat of an advantage as most programs are trying to also bring in a diverse looking group (12 petite blondes makes it hard to cast a show from :)). Sending positive thoughts your way, and keeping fingers and toes crossed for good news! Keep us posted :)!</p>
<p>Snogie: At every information session we’ve attended, the dean or director has clearly stated that it is the audition that counts, not the resume. They are looking for talent/potential, not a seasoned performer with a long list of credits. As for voice lessons, don’t worry. Most reputable voice teachers won’t even begin teaching a kid until she is 14 years old. Many kids who began lessons earlier have damaged their voices. Even with acting, there are plenty of experienced kids who will have to “unlearn” bad habits & techniques taught to them along the way. Perhaps a dance-focused program will discount your D because she is behind the curve, but not all of them expect advanced training to have been pursued in all three areas. Don’t get discouraged about your D’s chances. It’s a very difficult major for anyone. But her chances are not any worse than many other girls. And I agree that the “pretty, dark, ethnic” quality may be just what a program is seeking. Good luck!</p>