<p>Mine was home for about 2 weeks this summer, and I miss him a lot but in a different way from last year–I’m not always wondering what’s going on, as he’s in familiar territory as a sophomore, and I know how happy he is (and how hard he’s working, how long the days are, etc.). We don’t do phone calls but some texting and emailing. He’s in a show in late October that I will go out to see, so I’m with you, toowonderful–I glance at the calendar and count down the weeks (five, for the record)! 
</p>
<p>A hidden blessing of skype- my D confessed that she often makes her bed/straightens up her room before we talk b/c she is worried I will call her out on the mess. And I said “whatever it takes…”</p>
<p>@bisouu Will you be able to go east to see her show?<br>
And these posts remind me of my favorite “off to college” quote: “A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for”. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>Yes I will…I traded going to parent’s weekend to go see her show instead. It means I have to wait an extra month but it will be worth it. </p>
<p>I miss my son a lot. Dropping him off was easy but a couple of weeks later I had a tough time. It helps to know that he is so happy and loves everything about the program. Luckily we saw him last weekend at Family Weekend and I think he is coming home mid October. He has been good about texting and calling and has been so appreciative if everything we have done :)</p>
<p>^Miss son terribly, but he is happy, so it makes the separation much easier. Five weeks to go until we see him, which is just about the halfway mark to when we will see him again for Christmas vacation. I think he worried about how we would go on without him, but I send pictures of us when we are out to eat, on the coast, etc. :)</p>
<p>An article in Backstage magazine…Drew gets another shout out! <3
<a href=“http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/resources/10-theater-colleges-kick-start-your-career/”>http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/resources/10-theater-colleges-kick-start-your-career/</a></p>
<p>Interesting article…
<a href=“http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/6-things-they-dont-tell-you-theater-school/?utm_campaign=Expert+Posts&utm_content=9120561&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter”>http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/6-things-they-dont-tell-you-theater-school/?utm_campaign=Expert+Posts&utm_content=9120561&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter</a></p>
<p>another interesting article
<a href=“When It's a Perfect Fit | HuffPost College”>HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost;
<p>My daughter just finished her first college run in a Mainstage show and says it was an incredible experience. Although she has chosen the BA route rather than a BFA she says that she is learning so much about herself as a performer and the training she is getting is challenging and exciting. Just thought I would share ….</p>
<p>^Yay, so happy for your D and you :)</p>
<p>@bisouu I love hearing about your daughter’s journey. BA, BFA doesn’t mean a lot. Its about the school and the training and your kid. So easy to loose sight of that and so appreciate you making sure we don’t!! </p>
<p>After coming off a hellacious junior year of AP’s and honors courses my daughter swore that she had to have a BFA program…it’s funny how things change over time and how our children grow and mature. Thank you all for your kind words. </p>
<p>I was surprised the other way when my S, always a good student, decided he wanted the full conservatory experience. He is still a very disciplined student, but now he applies it to reading plays, learning lines and working on his craft. At a certain point you have to let go of your own expectations and let your kids find their own path. (And, obviously, hope and pray that it works out for them, in no sense a given)</p>
<p>that’s for sure, kellyhn, my kid seems to be taking a very intresting route and i’ve had my let my expecations go and ltet him forge his own path, whther that involve professional acting or not. </p>
Just stopping by for a first semester report on the USC BFA Acting program. My son is thrilled with his choice. I am thrilled with the opportunities that he has been given and also has created for himself. He is not an MT dude, so even though that forum is still pretty active, my son’s experience doesn’t really apply. He has really liked all of his classes and instructors. He has great respect for the other freshman actors in his program. I believe two of them dropped out after first semester…leaving two cohorts of about 14 students each at this point. He performed in one student produced play the first semester (Bad Habits, by Terrance McNally…LOL…but he LOVED it) and did five short films for upper level students of the School of Cinematic Arts. He is also working as an actor for an upper level Directing Class. He’s made many upper classman friends…and is even moving in a circle of graduated BA/BFA students living and performing in LA. I knew he had the passion…I didn’t know if he had the drive. Sooo…just wanted to check in (brag…sorry…not sorry…LOL) but also give people an update on what is available at USC in case it becomes an option for you/your student. He’s juggling BFA with their Thematic Option Honors program and even though that entails a huge amount of reading/writing he ended his first semester with terrific grades. I really did not mean to post this just to brag, but to let those auditioning now know how happy we are with USC, the BFA Acting in particular…and to make myself available to answer any questions. My son really didn’t know if he was more interested in stage or film (and his film experience was limited prior to USC) and I am thrilled that he is having opportunities in both disciplines at USC. He’s will be doing another student produced play this term (The History Boys) and has a goal to be cast in more films. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions. If I don’t know the answers, I will ask. I would love to hear more about every else’s experiences thus far.
Awesome post MsMommy. So great to hear wonderful reports about our kiddos! So happy for YOU and for your son. A year ago we were all so very stressed about the audition process and hoping and praying that a great match would be made. Love your post.
So my daughter just received an email about scholarship consideration at usc (academic) telling her she wasn’t progressing to the next round for a few coveted academic scholarships but she should consider several other scholarships and know that they plan to issue an additional 8,000 acceptance letters this year. And that’s when I felt myself passing into the twilight zone when I considered how many of those 8,000 (actually 9,200 with the scholarship finalists) would be proffered to drama kids…and just started laughing. My daughter auditions on Thursday.
Breathe deeply- and break a leg to your D!
Thanks! Whoops. Just realized I vented in the wrong venting thread.