<p>tmelcher…</p>
<p>In my opinion, your daughter should examine what each program offers and pick which one best fits what she is looking for. I would pick SOLELY on that basis. If needed, I would get references from students and parents to talk to them directly to ask any questions you may have about each program. If you are picking based on “reputation” (again, would not be MY criteria), you need to know that BOTH Interlochen and Stagedoor Manor summer programs enjoy excellent reputations in the theater world. I would recommend either very highly to any student. I advise students and work with them in applying to summer programs and have had students who have applied to both of these programs which I have recommended. </p>
<p>Another consideration is that your daughter already has a slot at Stagedoor and she doesn’t know yet if she will garner one at Interlochen, even if her chances are strong. What I believe at Stagedoor is that by a certain date (ask them the date), if you back out, you can get the tuition refunded except the deposit (though admittedly the deposit is a chunk of change). I know this to be true because SDM has a LONG wait list every year and kids get off that waitlist every spring. SDM filled up as early as Sept. or Oct. as they have been doing for years. By spring, some kids’ plans have changed and they back out and kids on the wait list get in. I have a student who was going to return to SDM this summer but has now backed out, for example, as she is going to pursue Vocal Performance this summer, even though she really loved SDM last summer. I have a student on the wait list too. And others who are returning. So, I am not sure I would give up a sure thing for an iffy thing and then be left with NO thing. I’d either stick with Stagedoor (if my D was happy with that program) or if she prefers Interlochen, back out of SDM when she is admitted, hopefully, to Interlochen and lose the deposit at SDM. Again, BOTH programs are terrific. </p>
<p>Next, I want to offer to answer any questions you may have about Stagedoor Manor. My own child attended for 8 summers for a total of 16 sessions for a total of 128 weeks. To say she loved SDM is an understatement. I would say it was the most significant experience of her life prior to college. She would tell you that everything she knows about theater came from Stagedoor (this was before the last four years she has been attending Tisch). Stagedoor is a balance of training classes, as well as high level drama and musical productions. They also have a select MT performance cabaret troupe and a select Acting one as well, both by audition. Last year, they started Dramafest where campers could submit prior to summer original short plays and the winners were all performed during camp. They also have some classes such as Acting Master Class, by audition. I could go on and on about Stagedoor and every aspect of the training, the staff, the shows, the experiences, the bonds with others who share a passion for theater, but rather than do that, I’ll just say I am available if you have specific questions about this program. </p>
<p>I would like to respond to some posts on this thread, however…</p>
<p>I completely disagree with bwaymom21 who contends that a program that admits by audition has more “credibility.” Stagedoor Manor is VERY well known in the theater world. There are other summer programs as well that are not by audition such as the pre-college program at Carnegie Mellon and the pre-college program at NYU/Tisch and the drama part of the pre-college program at Northwestern/Cherubs. Those three, for example, ALSO are highly regarded in terms of summer theater intensives and do not admit by audition. There are extremely talented kids who attend those programs every summer and I know a number of them as well. My daughter has been to auditions in NYC such as Broadway, growing up, and OFTEN the audition panel would comment about Stagedoor on her resume (a couple times, people on the audition panel were alums themselves). All the BFA programs have heard of Stagedoor Manor as well. Some even commented on it at my D’s BFA auditions. I would say the same of college programs. I know some top talented actors at non-audition programs such as Yale, Brown, and Northwestern and they also succeed in the theater world despite not having to audition to be admitted. </p>
<p>Stagedoor Manor has a range of talent that attends. This includes, however, some extremely top talented kids in drama and in musical theater every year. Stagedoor Manor kids have or are attending all the well known BFA Drama and BFA Musical Theater college programs, not to mention top BA ones like Yale and Brown. Go to any top BFA program and you will find SDM kids attending. Just thinking of my D’s particular peers from Stagedoor and I know kids who went onto NYU/Tisch, CCM, CMU, UMich, Syracuse, Ithaca, UMiami, NCSA, BOCO, Emerson, OCU, NYU/Steinhardt, Juilliard, BU, Northwestern, Yale, Brown, for example. Also, just from my own daughter’s circle of friends from Stagedoor (she is now 20), there are MANY who have had lead roles on Broadway and National Tours, not to mention those on TV, Film, and Off Broadway. And this is a young group I’m talking about. This doesn’t count those who came before her time at SDM, such as Natalie Portman, Zach Braff, Julia Murney, Robert Downey, Jr., Jon Cryer, Amy Ryan, Kim Grigsby, Jeanine Tesori, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mandy Moore, and many others. Frankly, I would not pick the program for this reason (we surely did not), but in terms of how “credible” this program is, I am mentioning that it is not only well known in the theater world, but those who have attended have made it in theater, film, and TV, including many who attended within the past six years. And LOTS have gone onto the well established BFA programs where SDM on the resume is recognized as well. I am sure this is true of Interlochen and many other well known summer programs, but just saying this in response to how “credible” Stagedoor Manor is in the industry. </p>
<p>I should add that casting directors and agents also scout talent every summer at Stagedoor. Not to mention that even some parents of campers are well known in the industry and a lot of networking goes on (i.e., one parent is a Tony nominated Broadway director, and after seeing my D in a show at Stagedoor, asked her to audition for something in NY). Another parent who owns an opera company saw my kid on stage and called her into NYC for a project she was doing there. A little girl from our home community was called in for Mary Poppins after the casting director saw her at Stagedoor. The show, 13, came to audition kids at Stagedoor. Every summer, agents visit and observe and contact kids they are interested in. Again, I would not pick the camp whatsoever for this reason but in terms of how credible the camp is in the industry, I am bringing it up. </p>
<p>Camille57 wrote:
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<p>I do not believe that Interlochen’s SUMMER PROGRAMS have a better reputation than Stagedoor Manor. I believe both have a very good reputation. Both programs are in demand. Stagedoor is turning away kids in droves every summer as their reputation has them filling up by early October. </p>
<p>Stagedoor ALSO has a very professional environment of working artists. The staff are professionals and demand a high level of professionalism in the production work where they put together shows in 2 1/2 weeks time on top of the class work. THe kids are also busy from early morning until bedtime, immersed in theater the entire time. </p>
<p>While you may have “HEARD” that SDM is all kids from NY who think they are the “next best thing,”…I have first hand experience and the kids who attend SDM are from states all around the country and from many other countries as well. My own kid is from rural Vermont. I have seen the list of campers every summer and they are truly from all over. There are definitely quite a number from the East Coast given the camp is in the East but the population is quite mixed. Thinking of some of my D’s friends from SDM and where they were from, it includes VT, CA, FL, ID, PA, NJ, MI, OH, NY, CT, TX off the top of my head. Thinking of some of my own students who have attended SDM, they are from CA, FL, Puerto Rico, Mexico, NY, VA, NJ, PA. I can’t recall how many countries are represented at SDM every summer but it is quite a number. I do not think the kinds of kids who attend SDM are any different than you will find at a place like Interlochen. </p>
<p>My D met some of her lifelong friends at Stagedoor and is still very connected to them. Many attend other college programs but actually there is quite a number of them right at Tisch where she is and in NYC and the networking is there, let me tell you. </p>
<p>I very much recommend either Interlochen or Stagedoor, as well as many other fine programs out there. My comments about Stagedoor are not meant to convince you to pick it as it is not better than Interlochen. I am merely responding to posts that discuss why they feel Interlochen is “better” or “more credible.”</p>