<p>**By Dancersmom (Dancersmom) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 11:02 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Soozievt, </p>
<p>It’s nice(?) to hear that my D is not the only kid out there who had a slip-up on her college rec letters. The funny thing is that the only slip-up my D’s vocal coach made was in his letter to Florida State. Of course, that’s the school she’s ended up attending. We all stressed about sending a letter that we knew contained a mistake, but it could not be helped. Her vocal coach was very sick and taking all kinds of medications at the time he that he wrote letters for my D. We knew that he slipped up because of his health. Sometimes when my D would see him for a lesson he would be moving and speaking in slow motion. We were very very grateful that he consented to write the recommendations and that he went to the trouble to fine tune each letter. He didn’t simply change the name of the school in each letter. </p>
<p>There was a happy ending for all parties. My D got accepted and her coach got his liver transplant last November and is healthy again. He’s truly considered to be a medical miracle. He’s a 20 year AIDS survivor who was dying of hepatitis B. His surgery was considered experimental. The transplant done in Cinci. is one of several done around the country in the last year on AIDS patients. The goal is to prove that transplants can be done just as successfully on stable AIDS patients as on others. (If you are wondering about my posting this personal info on this forum, I know that D’s coach wouldn’t mind. He’s always been very open about his illness and has spoken in area schools about his illness and about AIDS prevention. He’s also a high profile AIDS volunteer with our local fund raising organization. There were a couple of front page newspaper stories done on his surgery in the local papers. I googled his name the other day and found out that his surgery had made several national and even international newspapers.) D’s coach is currently in the process of reviving his career. He’s just 49, but had to retire as CCM’s MT music director 7 years ago because of his health. His prognosis is now excellent. We expect him to live to see 90! </p>
<p>**By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 11:12 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Dancersmom, the story about your D’s vocal coach made my day. I’ve worked with AIDS patients for many years in a volunteer capacity, getting involved initially after the death of a dear friend of mine who had befriended me, many years before, when I moved to a new town in seventh grade. It warms my heart that so many new treatments are available and that individuals living with HIV and even full-blown AIDS have so much more hope than they did, even five years ago. I have a friend who is a singer/songwriter/playwright who has been living with AIDS for many years and who continues to amaze me with his tenacity and good cheer. One of his plays was done in Cincinnati a few years ago and my D and I travelled there to see him perform in it. In fact, my D wrote about him for her NYU essay. Sadly, I’ve lost too many friends to this awful disease but it’s nice when there’s hope for those today. When I took D back to school this year, we went to see The Boy from Oz which is the story of another old friend of mine, who sadly died from AIDS, Peter Allen. We were lucky enough to see it prior to its closing, which happens today. Thanks for sharing your story. </p>
<p>**By Theatermom (Theatermom) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 12:08 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Everyone, </p>
<p>I will post this on both the Theatre and MT threads because I think it should be of interest to any and all performers. </p>
<p>I just found out that there is going to be an hour long documentary about the NFAA ARTSearch program, highlighting the partipants from the 2004 competition finals in Miami, Florida in January of 2004. Many students whose parents participate in this forum have children who have entered or will be entering this prestigious scholarship competition for high school seniors from which are chosen the Presidential Scholars in the Arts. It will air in most markets on Wednesday night, September 22, 2004 at 8pm on your local PBS station. </p>
<p>For further information on this documentary, entitled “American Talent,” and/or to view a 2 1/2 minute promotional clip about it, go to [url=<a href=“http://www.nfaa.org%5DNFAA%5B/url”>http://www.nfaa.org]NFAA[/url</a>] A link to info about this documentary appears on the home page. </p>
<p>While on the NFAA site, if you are interested, you can check out the winners from 2004 (the bios may interest you) and you can also listen to songs by the Voice finalists (all downloadable from the site). Just click on “Winners” at the top of the home page. Then “click here for 2004 winners by state and discipline” and then click on the category of your choice. Submissions are accepted in 9 areas: Dance, Film & Video, Jazz, Music(instrumental), Photography, Theatre (Acting & Musical Theater), Video and Writing. </p>
<p>This is an incredible competition. Last year there were 6500 submissions. My D entered and was awarded Honorable Mention in Voice/Soprano (the category right below a finalist, of which there were 2 in each voice part). And although she was very disappointed not to make the finals, she learned an ENORMOUS amount just working to prepare her submission (which in her category ended up being 5 songs in 4 different languages.) </p>
<p>I believe the deadline for submission is Nov 1 so there is still time to enter if you are interested. The application materials are downloadable from the site. </p>
<p>In any case, try to watch the documentary special. My guess is that you will be amazed at the talent of these kids. </p>
<p>Enjoy! </p>
<p>**By Dancersmom (Dancersmom) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 12:34 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Alwaysamom, </p>
<p>I too am glad that there is hope today for those afflicted with HIV. Sadly, the arts world has been especially hard hit by the disease. I hope and pray that someday soon this scourge will be conquered. </p>
<p>**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 04:28 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Does anybody have any information on The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in either New York or Los Angeles? It looks like their second year is by invitation. Is that a “cut system?” If so, how does it work? Looks like a fairly inexpensive alternative to a traditional four year program in which one could also work on an associates degree in business or something “practical” at a community college between sessions. They certainly seem to have some successful alumni and it looks like it could get you out working two years quicker than a four year university. I’m sure Mom would never allow me to do such a thing, so I’m mainly just curious. </p>
<p>**By Wct (Wct) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 03:20 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Thesbohemian- </p>
<p>We visited AADA in NY two years ago. </p>
<p>Get into a four year program that offers a degree. </p>
<p>**By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 08:54 am: Edit **</p>
<p>I’ll echo Wct here, Thesbo. We didn’t look at AADA but a friend’s son went there and was very disappointed at the quality of the program. Yes, it effectively is a cut system after the first year if you’re not invited back. I can tell you from what I hear from friends and family members who are in the business side of theatre in the city, that AADA and AMDA are not very well respected in the theatre community. Also, if you choose such a program with the thought of transferring to a degree program if it doesn’t work out, you will not be able to transfer any credits from AADA because it is not an accredited college. Stick with the degree plan. </p>
<p>**By Mtmychal (Mtmychal) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 10:08 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Hi all,
I’m a senior in high school planning on majoring in musical theater. I just spent the summer in CMU’s pre-college MT program… what an experience! I just found this site, and I’m so glad I did… it’s amazing! Here is a tentative list of schools I’m auditioning for…
CMU
Ithaca
CCM
Miami
Elon
Point Park
NYU
Possibly U of M, Florida, etc. </p>
<p>Here is my question… some people have said that auditions are on a first come, first serve basis. I was planning on auditioning for some schools in Jan. and attending the national unified auditions the first week of Feb. Should I be applying and auditioning earlier? Does waiting until Jan and Feb lessen my chances of getting into a musical theater program? </p>
<p>Thanks for your help!!
Mychal </p>
<p>**By Theatermom (Theatermom) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 11:21 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Mychal, </p>
<p>Copy your post over onto the MT thread which is now on Part 27. Most of us check both the theater and MT threads, but the other is devoted to MT. </p>
<p>See you there and welcome! </p>
<p>**By Gadad (Gadad) on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 09:11 am: Edit **</p>
<p>John and Susie - Many thanks, great insights! </p>
<p>**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 07:17 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Mychal,
The only schools you need to worry about auditioning for early are the ones with rolling admissions. </p>
<p>All,
I just saw a NCSA freshman schedule. She has two academic classes and pretty much goes straight through every day from 8:00 to 5:15 with an open period for lunch. Can you say “Wall to wall?” She has movement, dance, and combat sometimes two on a day. Girlfriend won’t be gaining any weight! </p>
<p>WCT and Alwaysamom,
Thanks for the heads up on AADA. Perish that thought! I was actually thinking it might be good for somebody who was really talented, but hasn’t applied himself academically. Guess not. Amazing how places can make themselves look really elite with a website. </p>
<p>**By Mezzomom (Mezzomom) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 08:41 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Not at all college related, but I’m hoping you all can help anyway. I’m trying to find a selection of straight shows which relate to the theme of freedom of speech/artistic freedom/intellectual freedom. I’m familiar with many of the major licensing companies, but I no longer have catalogs for most of them…searching on websites is very slow going, since I don’t have any specific playwrights or titles in mind. </p>
<p>Thesbo, your school is not the only one with administrators who “don’t get it.” </p>
<p>**By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 01:59 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Mezzomom: ideas for your search: </p>
<p>freedom of speech:
The Vagina Monologues </p>
<p>intellectual freedom:
The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail
Inherit the Wind
The Crucible
A Man for All Seasons </p>
<p>artistic freedom:
Sunday in the Park with George </p>
<p>The Laramie Project would probably also relate to these themes. </p>
<p>**By Mezzomom (Mezzomom) on Thursday, September 16, 2004 - 09:32 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Thanks, Bookiemom…your list is a great start; how could I have forgotten “A Man for All Seasons” or “The Vagina Monologues”? Also went to the Sam French website for the first time in a few months; they’ve finally updated it so that it’s more user-friendly, so I’m having some good luck there. </p>
<p>**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 07:20 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Mezzomom: </p>
<p>I happen to like Bertolt Brecht’s GALILEO a great deal, and Arthur Miller’s version of Henrik Ibsen’s ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE focusses on intellectual freedom issues. (The play is more complex than Miller’s translation makes it, but that’s another essay.) I’m curious: what do you want the scripts for? Are you looking to produce one? Or do you need ammunition for a school board battle?</p>