Theater/Drama Colleges Part 4

xiggi · November 3, 2008, 7:11pm

**By Ken80 (Ken80) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 11:32 am: Edit **

Alwaysamom - what year is your S/D in at ATC?

Our D starts there next week.

**By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 05:35 pm: Edit **

Ken80, my D will be a sophomore this year.

**By Ken80 (Ken80) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 07:26 pm: Edit **

We keep getting excited reports via cell phone - today they did theater games led by someone from “Avenue Q” - it takes away a lot of the sting of the empty house to hear her so happy.

**By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 07:56 pm: Edit **

She’ll love it, Ken. The visiting artist thing happens ALL the time, often informally. I’ve told this story here before but I’ll repeat it for you. Last year one of my D’s studio teachers told the class that a friend of his was going to be dropping by to speak to them. He said, ‘she’s been a working actress on stage, film, and tv for many years, but I doubt if many of you will know her’. Everyone said ‘who is it?’ And he said, ’ have any of you ever heard of Jennifer Grey?’ The entire 17 kids in the class screamed in unison ’ oh my god, Baby from Dirty Dancing!’ He was amazed that they knew who she was! The kids at Tisch get so many wonderful opportunities like this, in addition to being in such close proximity of the best variety of theatre in the world. It’s not in too many places where you have guest lecturers like Kevin Spacey, Spike Lee, Edie Falco, William H. Macy, John Cameron Mitchell, etc. etc. The quality and experience of the faculty is pretty amazing, too. If you haven’t already done so, take a look at their bio page sometime. Best of luck to your daughter this year.

**By Notarebel (Notarebel) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 10:20 pm: Edit **

Hi Doctorjohn – They assign us monologues but they are designed to be big stretches for class and would not be good for auditions. We review plays all the time and are supposed to be on the lookout for pieces we would like to try. the main thing is to find things yuou could realistically be cast as that fit the age range and types you can realistically play and that is different for everybody. For example, i look my age and can handle roles from 15 stretching to 21. Thesbo is tall and uber hot (AND uber talented even though she still doesnt believe it) with a rich, silky voice and is convincing in lots of roles up to mid 20s. We have a boy who is big and burly with a bass voice who can pull off characters into their 30s. A girl from here who got into NCSA last year had some monologues for women in their 30s that she used in her auditions, so age isn’t always exact science. I think people need to work on this with somebody who will be brutally honest about what they can and can’t get away with at whatever place they are in their growth.

I have gotten alot of my monologues from reading obscure and Off-Broadway plays that did not have a part that would work for me but I felt akin to the playwright’s style. When I find one like that, I skim other works by the same person to see if I can find a suitable character. If you keep looking that way, over time you will have a bunch to choose from and some will really say something to you. Something I have not seen here is that not only do you need to be super familiar with the whole play, but you need to be familiar with the playwright and his or her other works as well. We always get quizzed on that. We also have monologue night once a month where we do pieces we choose and the teachers keep notes on which ones we did well. I think once we get around to prepping for auditions they will help us pick from what we have.

How do you suggest going about choosing them? Your posts are always so well thought out and informative. Happy late anniversary!

**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 09:10 pm: Edit **

The reason I asked, Notareb, is that I suspected that you and your teachers would have a solid process. You’re doing exactly the right thing. For absolute beginners, go and get one of the monologue books, read through it completely and find a piece where the words feel good in your mouth and get your blood racing. Don’t do that piece. Why not? Because all of those pieces are overdone, and some of them have been cut to ribbons. But do go and find plays by that playwright and read, read, read until you find something you really like that works.

What you’re saying about age is also correct. Calendar age and stage age are two different things. Some 17-year-olds can play 30-somethings. Some 17-year-olds shouldn’t do roles written for anyone over 16. And your advice is good: work with someone who can be brutally honest about what you can and can’t do. They be teachin’ you good at them thar place down south.

**By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 10:21 am: Edit **

Doctorjohn, O Bringer of Light! Could you shed some light for me on the different emphases schools may have? My son has had two very different directors this summer. One director was very specific and very detailed on how my son’s role was to be played–to the point of giving him exact inflections and gestures to be used. The other director gave him the freedom to develop the role as he chose, encouraging him to trust his instincts and take risks. While there is something to be learned in both methods, my son believes he can gain more by having the freedom to explore a role and take risks. I’m wondering what he can expect from the different schools. Do some schools tend to teach from a “this is how you do it” emphasis? Do others tend to teach more about developing your own method of approaching the role? If so, how can a prospective student find out which emphasis the program uses?

**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 09:42 pm: Edit **

Catherdingmom:

Yes, well, some directors are like that. Not a style I like. But there are some professional directors who work that way, and there is something to be learned from them. Think of it as choreography, and it begins to make more sense. If you do the inflections and gestures with the attitude that you’re being robbed of your freedom, the result will be ugly. If you do it with the attitude that you want to discover the truth inside the form, the result can be beautiful.

Nevertheless, if your son prefers the second approach, then that’s the kind of program he needs to be in. How can he find out beforehand?

He can read the department’s mission statement and recruiting brochure, and read between the lines. He can ask questions of department leadership. He can visit classes and watch. But finally the very best way is to talk to current students. “What are the teachers like?” “Do they tell you what to do?” or “Do they encourage you to trust your instincts and take risks?” “How supportive are they?” “How honest are they?” etc. etc. etc. Overnight visits where he can stay in a dorm are the most revealing of all.

Of course not all teachers are the same in any department. But for your son to be happy, most of the teachers in a given department ought to be like his second director, not his first.

**By Over30 (Over30) on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 10:45 pm: Edit **

May I butt in here with a related question? Do any of you have any recommendations for someone interested in the tech crew/directing side of theatre? No interest in acting. Thanks

**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 11:00 pm: Edit **

Dawkterjohn,
Th’ voyce ‘n’ spaych taycher is teh wun dat geeuts da maydal 'round hair. Sorry. Couldn’t resist.

Notarebel,
You forgot to mention your own hotness, hon. Thanks. I needed that. Notes, notes, notes, notes, notes … I’m the worst actor in the world! You’re so getting a big hug in the morning. Oh my, how I need this long weekend off.

**By Wct (Wct) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 01:20 am: Edit **

Catherdingmom-

I have to agree with Doctorjohn. If a student/actor/performer is not allowed to take risks in class or in a role there is not much opportunity for growth.

There are programs out there that want students to take risks. My S is in a program like that, (CMU) and I suspect that where Doctorjohn is, (Otterbein) that is the case too.

**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 06:10 am: Edit **

Over30: Many schools which offer BFA degrees in Acting and Musical Theatre also offer BFA degrees in Design/Tech and BA degrees in Theatre (for directors). A good place to start would be the unified auditions group:

<a href=“http://www.otterbein.edu/dept/thr/unified.htm[/url]”>http://www.otterbein.edu/dept/thr/unified.htm</a>

For a comprehensive list of schools, I recommend the latest Directory of Theatre Training Programs:

[dorsettheatrefestival.com[/url</a>]

When you have more questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

**By Dramamama (Dramamama) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 06:53 am: Edit **

Over30,

University of the Arts in Philadephia just began their first freshman class in a program for tech.
I don’t know much about it but I may soon as my daughter’s roommate is in the program.

**By Over30 (Over30) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 08:53 am: Edit **

Thanks. This is for a friend of my son. My boys are math/science types and I had no idea where to tell her to start.

**By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 09:46 am: Edit **

Over30, Tisch has a tech program which from all accounts is a good one. Here’s their website:

<a href=“Drama”>Drama](<a href=“http://dorsettheatrefestival.com%5Ddorsettheatrefestival.com%5B/url”>http://dorsettheatrefestival.com)</a>

**By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 11:09 am: Edit **

Thanks, Doctorjohn. As mentioned in the MT thread, you are an invaluable resource to us. Not many kids in our area pursue an education in theatre. Consequently, we have had to stumble and bumble our way to find the best way to proceed. My son will be auditioning for your school because he is very interested in the program. (The internship is a huge plus for him.) The reason he looked into it, however, was at his mom’s request. I thought that anyone who would take the trouble to help out total strangers would put even more effort to promoting the quality of the school’s program.

Yes, I can see the importance of talking with current students. The one time he did that at length he found that theatre program was not as strong as he would have wished–although he loved the college. It’s off the list of possibilities now.

I’ve been wondering about an earlier discussion about different types of actors that schools look for. I realize that most schools have only so many slots for each type. My son is considered a character actor. He loves the roles and excels in them. However, when he walks into audition rooms, I don’t know if “character actor” is the label that will immediately come to mind of those auditioning him. (For example, from what Thesbo and Notarebel say, I’m assuming when Thesbo walks in, she will automatically be labelled “ingenue”.) Of course, he will have character actor monologues and a resume listing his character actor roles, but will the fact that he doesn’t look like one hurt his chances? (From a mom’s point of view, he looks sort of like a cross between a young Al Pacino and Adrien Brody.)

**By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 11:30 am: Edit **

Wct, thanks! One other thing I would love to have your perspective on–I understand that CMU as well as some other schools have a policy that students are not cast in any shows until sophmore (or junior?) year. I understand the reasoning behind this, but I’m wondering how my son would adjust to it. He is constantly either in a show or looking for his next opportunity. It’s how he has fun and how he recharges his batteries. I’m sure that is true for the great majority of theatre students as well. I know that freshman year is extremely busy anyway, but was it a tough adjustment for your son to suddenly not have the opportunity to be take part in the shows?

**By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 02:55 pm: Edit **

Thesbo and Notarebel, there are times when I have wished my son could go to a performing arts high school such as yours. However, I feel as though I’m getting the some of the inside scoop through your posts. Just wanted you to know that we find them so helpful. There’s Doctorjohn who can give us one point of view, the parents who have been through this before and are willing to share advice, and then you add a valued third perspective.

**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 06:04 pm: Edit **

Catherdingmom,
Glad to be of whatever help I can. I just hope some of my whiny posts don’t discourage somebody from coming to an art school if they have the chance. We give up a lot and sometimes have to put up with unfair situations created by the petty whims of so-called “adults” in administrative positions, but it really is worth the trade-off and I couldn’t be more glad I came. Now I’m home for the weekend and will do the unthinkable … Watch my old high school’s football team thrash its opponent. How quaint! Midnight curfew, too. Woot! Mom is scared I’m gonna end up waiting tables, but I’m really gonna be an NFL cheerleader to pay the bills after college. I wonder what that pays. Hmmmmmm

**By Wct (Wct) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 09:41 pm: Edit **

Catherdingmom-

It is true that you normally don’t hit main stage at CMU until your junior or senior year.
Last year when we visited, there were a few sophomores in the main stage Shakespeare play as “bit” players.

My S has always felt that performing in class was enough for him, (even though he was constantly performing in shows at the performing arts high school where he attended before college). You perform a lot in class at CMU. He feels he is at CMU for the training, and that is what is important to him.

That being said, he did have performing opportunities during the last school year. He had the lead in a student directed film. He performed in a full length play with some fellow first year students to raise money for last years senior class’ leagues,(the showcase on the west and east coasts). This was organized, produced, directed, etc. by these students and it was very successful. This past summer my S performed in a play with a summer repertory group where he was able to put everything he learned this past year at CMU into practice.

The adjustment to not hitting main stage for a couple years depends on the person. Conservatory training keeps you very busy and you are constantly challenged. For some that is enough. Others find ways to keep performing, if time permits and the opportunity presents itself.

**By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 04:02 am: Edit **

Wct, it is reassuring to know there are performance opportunities out there–especially if one is resourceful enough. Your son must have had a wonderful year! I wish all these kids could go to a school of CMU’s caliber. I did read on the MT thread that two boys attending CMU’s summer pre-college program were offered places in the acting program. That moves it from a reach-reach school to a “how high can you jump?” category for my son. OTOH, since all the audition schools are reach schools, you have to think not of probabilities but of possibilities, no matter how small. There was a man in our area who won hundreds of thousands of dollars in the lottery–twice. He owned the gas station where I would buy gas sometimes. When he was asked for advice about winning the lottery, he said,“I bought the ticket. It’s that simple. You can’t win if you don’t buy the ticket.”

Here’s to all the kids out there who will be “buying tickets” this year!

**By Notarebel (Notarebel) on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 02:37 pm: Edit **

I know this is about college and not art school, but after reading all of Thesbo’s old posts I feel like I should add to what she said. Most of the kids at our school were not perfect little popular athletic honor student cheerchicks like thesbo at their old schools. As a matter of fact, lots of us were total outcasts or so caught up in working on our art that we didn’t have time for anything else and feel like we didn’t give up much of anything at all to come to school. For lots of us, it is the only place we have felt like we belonged in our whole lives. Another huge advantage besides the fact that most of us get better training than we could otherwise is that everything we need is all in one place and set up so there won’t be any conflicts. Also, the academics are lots bette than at my old school. I think I appreciate this more than most people because I first came to school for dance my freshman year and got injured so I had to drop out and spend my sophomore year at home. That was the worst year of my life and I feel SO lucky to be back in acting. While thesbo is out having a blast going to football games and lord knows where else with her hot boyfriend, most of the rest of us are sitting around bored out of our minds for a long weekend and can’t wait to get back to school to be with our friends. You know I love you Thessy, but I sometimes feel like you don’t appreciate just how lucky you are. Sorry. I had to say it. <3

**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 11:16 am: Edit **

Notaredne … I mean rebel,
I feel ya and most of what you say is true, but “perfect little popular athletic honor student cheerchick?” You know how hard I work and what I’ve been through better than that. As far as lucky, let’s remember who got accepted back to school in THREE different disciplines. Lots of us would kill to have been born with that kind of talent and parents who would indulge us to develop it. I had no such background and felt lucky to get in as an alternate in one. Work, work, work, ya know? See ya tonight, hon. I promise not to kill.

Sorry 'bout that, folks. I think I’ll just stick to cold facts from now on if I post at all. Should make the person who sent me those anonymous off-list nastygrams very happy.

Theater/Drama Colleges Part 4

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