This statement:
“We do require students to audition for retention in the program at the end of the Freshman Year and at the end of the Sophomore year. If they are retained in the program, they are then guaranteed a main-stage role each semester until they graduate. They also are guaranteed a spot in our Senior Showcase.”
makes complete sense. I studied engineering, and there were students who were directed away from our program. Even now we have students who are directed away from pre-med where I teach. The only thing that might not make sense is if they hide the retention auditions from applicants, or if they are not trying to teach what criteria is needed for passing the retention auditions.
Is the consensus that UMich’s decision to retain everyone, whether or not they get a major role in their 4 years (per the letter), is better?
Or the CMU board with students complaining about no freshmen or sophomore allowed to audition?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1685152-cmu-not-performing-until-junior-year.html
It seems one needs to pick their poison. Wouldn’t you rather your child transfer than not get any roles?
(My nephew is a pianist who studied musical theater, and he was getting little work within the college, so he dropped out and is doing musical theater direction, as well as playing, around our metropolitan area. He was frustrated both to be forced to take courses in singing and stage direction, yet he wasn’t allowed to be in musicals due to older students being given opportunities. He has played at Lincoln Center twice and it was immaterial to his advisers. They drove away the kind of student they are trying to retain. But right now, he has two years of college and no degree, and may not ever get a college degree.)