Time To Share My MT Story.. Please share with your kids.

College Majors Musical Theater Majors
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<p>Hello everyone! For those who don’t know me, I’m Devin. I’m probably one of the few male musical theater kids that actually posts here. I’ve only posted on here a few times… I’m a self proclaimed former-lurker haha. I know alot of people here get to know eachother rather well, and are somewhat familiar with eachother’s “stories”. I guess I’m hoping to get in on the little clique we have going on here, because I’ve already been so comforted by alot of the messages that are posted here DAILY by all of you wonderfully supportive parents. So I want to share a bit of my story, and maybe I can help some other kids who are feeling a little down.</p>

<p>Okay, so I was born and raised outside of Boston. My parents split when I was 10 and so my mother and I moved to Rhode Island where I currently reside and have since leaving Boston. I began performing at 6 in a dance studio and did my first play when I was 9. However, I never really started musical theater until high school. Let me tell you that the past 3 and a half years have helped me grow SO much as a person and artist being involved in theatre. Dont ever let anyone tell you that you have to start extremely young to be a great performer because I’ve only been doing it for 3-4 years and you can come as far as you want if you have the drive. I decided by my 2nd year in high school that this was what I wanted to do. I started researching schools like Emerson and Hartt that had great MT programs. But by the time application season rolled around senior year, I had a 1410 on my SAT’s, a 2.5 GPA and very little to show for myself academically. And since I knew deep down I wouldnt get into these schools academically, I put all my energy into the Boston Conservatory. I met kids there, visited the school… even DATED a guy that went there. I became a little bit obsessed. When my audition rolled around, looking back I honestly feel like I was less than prepared. My audition hadn’t gone as well as I’d hoped-- but I was still optimistic about getting in. However, March 27 rolled around and I found out that I was not accepted. Coincidentally enough, I wasn’t fully heart broken mainly because of THIS message board. But, it was still a blow, and it stung pretty badly. However, when I came home that night, I found a card on my bed. It was from my mom (who knew I’d been rejected). It said:</p>

<p>God knows whats in your heart
and what you need before you ask.
Even when you don’t know for sure, God knows because He knows you.
He knows the outcome of every situation and he’s guiding you
even when you might feel that you have lost your way.
He knows how much you can fear, and He will give you strength
and fill you with His grace and blessings as he walks with you every step of the way</p>

<p>ON THE INSIDE IT SAYS:</p>

<p>He is surrounding you with His love and holding you gently in the palm of his hand</p>

<p>THEN MY MOM WROTE:</p>

<h2>God has a plan B! Love Mom ox</h2>

<p>And this is what I choose to believe. I believe God has a plan B for me. And I think God has a plan B for all of us. God gave me these gifts for a reason, so I know I need to use them. I’m just not sure how or when. So I hope all of you will take the ride with me through this little musical theater journey. I’ll be posting here often. Dont be a stranger!</p>

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<p>Yep - the BIG GUY is pretty smart and he always has that Plan B! </p>

<p>You sound pretty smart as well MTgeek! There are many paths you can take- this is merely one avenue - I am certain you will find another way to accomplish what you want.</p>

<p>Looking forward to hearing more from you in the future -
MikksMom</p>

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<p>Thank you for sharing that. I’m pretty sure you have one big and great plan B in the future. As young as I am and as often as I’ve been rejected I know that this what I was meant to do. Good luck!!</p>

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<p>Thanks for sharing your story. I also jumped in to all of this very late in the game. I’ve had the interest and involvement in musical theater my whole life, but I have mostly focused on singing in the past and I decide only last year that this is what I wanted to go to college for. As a result, should have started all that I stepped up this year sooner, but what can you do. My mom made me a similar card the day the last thin letter showed up in the mailbox and it made me cry, as the words you posted from your mom just made me do again. I didn’t get in to any mt schools, but I know it’s going to work out in the end. All the rejection is just grooming us for the field and making us all stronger people and if we have the drive, we can make it. My voice teacher is a big source of inspiration. She didn’t even study mt in college and she’s now pretty certainly going to appear on Broadway in the fall (John Doyle’s revival of Company!). Your post was just furthur inspiration and a nice change from reading all the posts of people who got what they wanted. Who, don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled for, but I can’t help but feel a little sorry for myself when I read. Again, thanks for that and good luck with the future :)</p>

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<p>BroadwayBound88, your parents should be very proud of you! You sound like a very intelligent, determined and smart young person who is going to find a way to pursue your dreams. I am sure it is extremely difficult to read all the posts from people who got into the programs of their dreams on this list, and realize that you are not in the same situation – yet. If you have not done so already, read posts by CMUJohanna’smom in the thread titled something like “I didn’t get into any MT programs. What now?” You will find the posts by her and others who were in similar situations very inspirational.
Hang in there.
Lisa</p>

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<p>Thank you so much :)</p>

<p>They are very proud of me. It’s especially touching when my mom tells me how proud she is of me because, in the beginning, they really didn’t want me to pursue musical theater, but my parents have come full circle to be amazingly supportive and I’m so grateful for that. I have read many of those other posts, and I find them very inspiring and think they one of the many things that have allowed me to keep a positive attitude and realize that not getting in to any programs doesn’t mean I’ve failed at all. This post here happened to be particularly timely, which is why I commented. It is hard to read the other posts, but, again, I really am happy for all of them and it’s great when I see there are other people in the same situation as I am.</p>

<p>Thanks again :D</p>

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<p>I just got a letter from Rhode Island College today. RIC is a state school here in Rhode Island that has a BA theater program with a concentration in MT. It was my back up school. In February I auditioned for the schools special talent award which grants exceptionally talented performers scholarship money. I got my letter today informing me that I received $4,000 based on my audition alone. That is the most anyone can possibly get from the special talent auditions, and they only give one away in that amount for theater majors. I’m VERY excited. With the other $1,000 talent award I received from a community theater I did Superstar with, this money is taking care of all of my tuition for the next year. In state tuition is about $4,800 plus costs of books at about $750. So this money will not only cover my tuition, but part of my book expenses as well. My point in sharing this is not to brag but to let everyone here know that even when times seem rough, something always comes through that will offer some relief to the pain of your disappointments. Keep your eye on the prize boys and girls!</p>

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<p>YAY MTGeek…Plan B came sooner than you thought!! Congrats on the scholarship as well! </p>

<p>I also want to say thanks for sharing your story. I think your mom is a wonderful supportive mom and I think that can only help in your journey. </p>

<p>Best of luck on this next adventure!</p>

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<p>Sometimes it is so hard when multiple doors close to see the open window.
Looks like yours opened up to a beautiful view</p>

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<p>That’s awesome :)</p>

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<p>Plan B = a Beautiful Thing!</p>

<p>Congrats. I am very happy for you!</p>

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<p>I am so happy for you. Congratulations!!!</p>

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<p>MTgeek–Way to go!! You can get the training you need, an education, and not be saddled with debt. How cool is that!</p>

<p>Mtgeek and Broadwaybound88–you’re both inspirations!</p>

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<p>Congratulations MTgeek! That’s just what you needed right about now. I agree that you and Broadwaybound88 are going to go far with your determination and proper attitudes. This is from a mother with a daughter who seems to go through everything twice when others just have to once. But you know what? In the end IT’S ALL GOOD! Don’t worry, you guys will end up where you need to be. Call it Karma, Fate, God’s Will…it will work out with your perseverance.</p>

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<p>Broadwaybound, I believe we met you in NY. My thoughts and prayers are with you. There definitely is another plan. But, remember that our plan is Plan B. God’s plan is Plan A and is always perfect. When we let ourselves get in the way of that plan, we’re always choosing second best for ourselves. So, please remember, there is a plan and it’s perfect. He will reveal it to you in his time and you fill find so much peace in that and such joy when you move forward in His will. However, I know that no matter how much we know about what God’s plan is, it still hurts a lot dealing with these rejections. And I hope you’ll just hang in there and know that something very special is heading your way. Just look at those letters and say, boy, if this wasn’t good enough for me, there must be something really fantastic out there. I can’t wait!!!</p>

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<p>Really? Where in NY? That would be quite funny. Thank you very, very much for your words of encouragement :)</p>

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<p>Congrats!!! Your mom is a wise woman!!! God is good :)</p>

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<p>For my daughter’s high school graduation I saved one of our presents to give her when it was just the two of us in the room. She had been accepted to NYU Tisch drama and even before that point I knew given the road she had chosen to follow for a career there would be many times she would need encouragement. She is a particularly spiritual child and my gift to her was a beautiful wide sterling ring with a small diamond, that she could wear with anything. Inside there is an inscription of a verse from the book of Jeremiah, which essentially says:
“I know the plans I have for you.” God has it already taken care of for each and everyone of you. You need never worry; as your mother pointed out, MT Geek, he’s always holding you in the palm of his hand.
By the way, my daughter wears the ring very routinely now.</p>