<p>Hi everyone. First, I would like to thank each and every one of you who has provided such valuable insight to help my D reach her important decision. You have made great suggestions, given wonderful pep talks, and overall helped us throughout this incredible journey. </p>
<p>We are pleased to report that my D has reached her decision. The winner is UCLA!<br>
Much was involved in reaching this decision, but after my D talked with one of the professors last week and we spend a full day on campus at the Accepted Students event, she made her choice with the biggest smile and joy I have seen on her face in a long time.</p>
<p>UCLA made the most incredible presentation. First, they have what is known as the “freshman experience.” All of the Theatre students take nearly all classes together their first year. This is for MT, Acting, Directing, Playwrighting and Production. They learn how to read a play and read a different play every week, and must each work in labs on each area of production: lighting, set construction/design, wardrobe. They take Tai Chi together, and the Actors and MT take Ballet together. First quarter, they have no general ed courses at all. Second quarter, they may take one general ed course, usually writing. They don’t begin specializing until sophomore year. Then MT and Acting continue taking acting in mixed classes together, but movement is different, with MT dancing, and actors begining more traditional movement and combat courses. They also offer combat on film (which I have never seen anywhere else.) </p>
<p>The actors often work closely with the film students who are in the same school. All of the student actors on stage said they had been in student films. What a great experience! Actors are allowed to addition for and be in the musicals, and in fact, 2 of the actors are in “Anything Goes” this term with the MT students. </p>
<p>You don’t study the Classics until senior year. Also in senior year, they take acting for the camera and work with a casting director on learning the business. They must have an agent as a requirement of one of their classes. So you can’t graduate without lining up an agent. Students are successful. The professors regularly see their former students on t.v. and films.</p>
<p>Casting directors regularly come into the school to teach master classes, see the kids, etc. So do Hollywood types. Annette Bening. Dustin Hoffman. Anthony Hopkins. The kids spend time at special screenings and then those involved in the films talk to the students of the School (this is the actors, and film students.) So, for example, last year they screened Milk and the screenwriter of Milk then spoke to the kids. </p>
<p>They have classes in direction and playwriting which they are encouraged to take. This helps the kids understand their art. They can minor in film. (Yes, at the famed UCLA Film School.)</p>
<p>And its in the middle of Westwood, a fun and happening part of LA.</p>
<p>Then there is the BA. This is a real BA. They take a year of foreign language. They have writing and literature course by the boatload. They must take science, and history, and social studies courses, but no math. At lunch we met a current Freshman Acting student. She turned down CMU to go to UCLA. We asked her why she would turn down CMU. She said it was because of the BA. She said “How can you do a play by Chekov when you don’t understand anything about the Russian revolution?” That pretty much put that thought into a nutshell.</p>
<p>Then there was the interaction between the faculty and the students. First names. Lots of joking around. Laughing. And a very intellectual banter I never saw at any of the other schools. They think about acting not just in how to do it, but why they are doing it, and what happened to help them learn how to do it that way. And the kids themselves… the ones who will be in my D’s class… the nicest kids. My D felt that way about the CCM kids. She was hoping that the UCLA kids would be as nice as the CCM kids. They were. She already is texting and facebooking several of them. </p>
<p>So, that is why she and I headed to the bookstore and she bought all her UCLA gear, including a sticker for her car. And that is why we did her statement of intent to register last night.</p>
<p>Once again, thank you to everyone for all your help and guidance this last year. We couldn’t have gotten here without your help!</p>
<p>Chrissy - A Bruin Mom</p>