<p>Mollysmom, I know many kids who have gone to both these programs. And at both programs, the kids I know came away with “it was life changing”…“it was amazing”…“best summer of my life”…“I made so many theater friends for life”…“it gave me a sense of what an intensive college theater program would be like”…and so on. Truly that happens with BOTH these VERY WELL regarded summer programs. </p>
<p>So, it really is a matter of which one appeals the most to your D. She is gonna like either one I really bet. There are many differences and she should examine them. For example, at NHSI Cherubs, she would be doing acting for five weeks and then the two week MT extension (she got into that I assume?) and at CMU, all six weeks would be MT. That doesn’t make CMU better but just a different focus and it is a matter of preference. I have had some MT kids really like the chance to focus just on acting for five weeks at Cherubs for example. At CMU, there is a lot of preparation for college auditions. I’m not sure that is as much at Cherubs but this will matter to some and not others (like my D went to a summer theater program that had no college audition prep and LOVED it…we didn’t look to her summer program to prepare for college auditions). But if your D wants that, CMU is real good with that. Cherubs’ five week program puts on little plays. CMU doesn’ t do that. Some kids care and some do not. The MT Extension puts on a MT revue. CMU puts on like mock auditions where they get feedback. Also, examine which faculty teach at each program. Look at which size of program appeals. Same with location.</p>
<p>Your D cannot go wrong and at this point, I would go with personal preference. In BOTH cases, she will not only have a great summer, but if you are worried about the application resume, in both cases, she will have been immersed in a summer theater intensive and can show some committment that way but it is more what she gains from the experience than points on a resume.</p>