Millikin Chicago music theatre acceptances

OswinOswald93
Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:10:52 +0000

Right, so this is a long one. The “hurdles” are the official name of the cut system. Though a lot of current students will tell you “they’re not that bad” (especially the ones who give campus/audition tours) they still are a slightly flawed system. In fact, during the past two senior/teacher meetings that happens at the end of every year, the graduating class has begged the faculty to get rid of the hurdle system, but a few of the professors are very adamant.

You hurdle at the end of your freshman year, and your Acting hurdle is at the end of your Acting 2 class, and you have separate dance and voice hurdles. You can either pass, be put on probation for one or all three categories, or be redirected out of your major. If you’re on Acting probation you hurdle again at the end of your first semester sophomore year, and if you’re on dance or voice it’s the end of your sophomore year. These sophomore year cuts are usually the hardest on people since they’ve dedicated two years of their life to this program already.

As far as criteria for the hurdles it is really impossible to tell, especially with Acting. Current students will say “do your work, come to class, and you’ll be fine.” I know a student who was called “the hardest working student we’ve seen in a long time” by two of the acting professors and had straight A’s, and was redirected. Also I know a current sophomore MT major who would fake sick to get out of some showings he was unprepared for in Acting class, and he’s not even on Acting probation. Obviously, do your work, it’s hard work, but you do learn a lot at Millikin provided the professors want to keep training you.

Aside from work ethic, it really boils down to your actual hurdle. Despite outside classes and shows, a professor can make up their mind about you in a five minute scene or minute long song and that’s that. I was put on probation for a lot of things that the professor had never gone over with me in class, even though I was told that I did a great job on all of the notes I had been given previously. I personally don’t think that’s fair, but some people feel it is. It’s all about your prospective.

A lot of people take redirection differently. It really doesn’t phase some people at all, others will try their hardest to get into as many BFA classes as possible by continuing to work hard, but a lot of people either change majors or transfer schools. They constantly tell the students not to be nervous about the hurdles, and you shouldn’t because it just affects your performance, but it’s very hard not to be when it seems like your entire future is riding on a 5 minute performance. (Which also isn’t true, but it sure seems that way when you’re a freshman!)

Sorry if I rambled, I hope I helped! :D