<p>Congratulations to your D, mommat!</p>
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<p>I think halflokum has this part exactly right.</p>
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<p>For the sake of conversation, here are some thoughts on the subject of talent.</p>
<p>1) Parents can not objectively assess our children’s talent. I realized years ago, while watching parents fawn over painful American Idol auditions, that I will absolutely never have any real notion of the talent level of my own children.</p>
<p>2) Casting success in school – or lack of – is not a sure indicator of talent. Watching many kids move through MT programs, including several who had only mediocre casting in college yet went on to great professional success (one of D’s close friends from high school is our most recent example), has only reinforced that notion. Also, every top school has rejected kids who went on to phenomenal success, and admitted students who went on to meh careers. </p>
<p>3) Occasionally jaw-dropping performances happen. We’ve all experienced them, and I’m guessing on those rare occasions that one happens in the audition room auditors notice. We’ve all also seen an actor deliver an amazing performance, followed by years of mediocrity. </p>
<p>4) Fame and success do not always require talent, and talent does not guarantee either success or fame. </p>
<p>Aside from the few kids every year who perform at a level far above the norm, or descend from theatre royalty, I have no real idea how MT schools sort through auditions. I’ve heard that panels of auditors are rarely unanimous when their process ensures truly independent opinions, but often a dominant personality drives an auditing team. </p>
<p>I know that at least some schools have their eye on some students before official audition season ever begins (through summer programs, trusted teachers, coaches, competitions, regional auditions, etc.), but I’ll bet every school is THRILLED when they find a diamond in the rough.</p>
<p>Best of luck to all!</p>