<p>For any potential theater search, I would offer the advice to have a number, not just one, of non-auditioned safeties that your child loves. The reality of this process is that you can research and visit a ton of auditioned-theater schools, and you can come up with a list of programs that your child loves, but for the vast majority of kids it is not really up to the kids where they will choose. It’s an unfortunate truth, and I think the more a parent is prepared for that, the better the outcome will be. The odds are so staggering that I think it is better to approach the process preparing for artistic no’s, and knowing you have to love what you are left with. Perhaps that is a message for the parents to know, and not necessarily to defeat the child going into it, but there are countless kids who work really hard all year, and end up with no acceptances, or only their 5th choice. If you have a number of schools that do not require audition and that your child really loves, then the process will be really protected. The last thing you want, at the end of a very grueling year, is to have your kid saying ‘well I could go here if I have to.’</p>