<p>Good morning. This is my first post here although I’ve learned a lot from reading this forum!</p>
<p>My daughter is finishing her sophomore year at a high school for performing arts. She’s in the theatre department, but also writes and performs music. She was just accepted to a summer apprentice program for actors, directors and playwrites at Vassar College, affiliated with a group called New York Stage and Film. The program sounds terrific; 40 apprentices get to work with professionals who are developing new plays and musicals. The new works are performed during the summer at Powerhouse Theater on Vassar campus, with the apprentices doing much of the backstage work, taking classes and performing in their own company productions.</p>
<p>So here’s our dilemma. I had assumed that the 40 apprentices are typically high school students, seeking a pre-college summer experience. But as I browsed facebook groups of former apprentices, I see that past apprentice groups included college students, (undergrad and grad), and even young professionals. Our 16 year old is mature for her age, responsible, and exercises good judgement. But I’m frankly a little concerned about sending a 16 year old into an independent (dormitory) living environment with students who are so much older. </p>
<p>My inclination is to expect good things, and let her take advantage of this great opportunity…but, I’m wondering if any of you have had experience with this particular apprentice program, or something similar. Am I being too apprehensive? </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>MentorMom: She probaly has a laptop and cellphone with which she can contact you daily and let you know she is ok. Between Junior and Senior year my son was 16 (he was young in his class) he went to a dorm at a college and studied for 8 weeks. He was probably one of the youngest there. He is also responsible and mature like your daughter. And he loved it. The first 24-48 hours was an adjustment for him living with 3 others in a quad room. Then he met some new friends (one was a roommate whom he keeps in touch with). My H and I stayed one night at a hotel when we brought him there just so we could be around if he needed us. We joked that he would be outside waiting for us with his suitcase to go home.</p>
<p>My thought is she will be fine. </p>
<p>Are you close enough that you can visit if she needs to touch base with you in person? How long is her program?</p>
<p>An aside, my son was in class and two women asked him to go out with them ‘for a beer’ after class. He looks and acts older than 16. He stammered for a second, and then told them his age. They smiled and took him out for a coke.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reassurance. Her program is also 8 weeks. The location is about 5 hours away driving; shorter by train. She’s been away for 2-4 week stretches before, and always enjoys them, makes friends easily. And the nice thing is, unlike former camp experiences, she can call us and has laptop access.</p>
<p>Honestly, my biggest concern was the last scenario you described. Like your son, my daughter looks and behaves older than 16, and is very focused and driven. She probably will be fine, and I’m certain that she’ll love the experience. The question that nags me is whether 8 weeks of 24/7 self-monitoring is going to be too much of a stretch for a mature, yet sociable (and attractive), 16 year old girl. </p>
<p>Hmmm, thinking out loud, I realize that its the length of the stay that is concerning me more than anything else. The theater has performances throughout the summer, so we’ll occasionally come see her perform. Whether its dinner, or a day spent together on the weekend, those quick visits would give her an opportunity to touch base (and give us an opportunity to listen to what is going on in her life ;)</p>
<p>Thanks for listening!</p>