Which programs are considered better than CCM for acting?

puma69
Sat, 12 Jul 2014 01:32:43 +0000

My daughter will be a freshman at CCM (University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music). Obviously, she is thrilled. We had no idea what to expect when we made our first visit spring of her Junior year. We saw a very impressive drama production (which I think is very important if you can time your visits to include one, this fall they are doing Macbeth Oct. 1 - 5th), had a tour and spent 3 days exploring the adjacent area. She fell in love. She began her Senior year with 11 schools on her list (2 non-audition, safeties…Oberlin and Skidmore). She auditioned on campus at their first “regular” drama auditions in January and she was thrilled to be accepted 3 days later. She then withdrew from most of her other schools. It might serve your purpose if I list the reasons why she chose CCM over the others. A. It’s a Conservatory (make sure you check other schools for what % of classes are required outside of the major). This is a personal preference. My daughter started off thinking she wanted a liberal arts education with a BFA, she changed her mind for a very concentrated Acting conservatory. B. Faculty, Facilities and Curriculum…CCM Facilities are amazing (CCM Village), check out the physical theaters at college choices and you will quickly see a difference between them and your daughter will get a “feel” for the spaces she will be in for the next 4 years. She scratched off 2 schools from her list because of “cold” feeling of facilities and campus. At UC, she has the opportunity to experience a large University and yet CCM is mainly housed in one huge, warm, bright and pulsing with 800 amazingly talented kids majoring in all things theater, dance, music, e-media (whew!) building one minute from her dorm and dining hall. Curriculums vary…websites will generally give you a thorough look into classes they will be taking. Curriculum at CCM appealed to daughter. I agree with JKellynh17, daughter gravitated towards schools that had a classical bent to them and ones that wanted a classical and contemporary monologue…she’s a Shakespeare lover. Check the schools current production schedules as well as past productions…this was a HUGELY helpful tool for us. Make sure you also check into when kids can start auditioning for mainstage and studio productions. Some schools, not until Junior year! Faculty? I think all the schools on anyone’s list who is going down this road will have great things to offer. Megan has met all of her faculty except one…all have embraced her with an incredibly warm, professional, and supportive spirit. Our 3rd visit was to sit in on some classes…yikes! Very impressive and a great insight to like-minded students. C. Students and class size. My daughter did not want to be 1 of 60 or even 1 of 30. Again personal preference, but stage time and attention are of great importance to her. The kids we have met and the relationships she has already formed with her class through social media and orientation in June has been astounding. Again, after visiting schools it will just “feel” right. D. Connections and reputation. Senior showcases in Los Angeles and New York. 100% of the graduating seniors last year had their SAG AFTRA cards. Experience in stage, film, voice over, commercials. Extensive study abroad opportunities in the summer. Also, CCM has a super connection to Cincinnati’s city theaters and stages. Larger cities can sometimes offer greater opportunities for summer theater options. I have probably overstayed my welcome…but I have successfully put off cleaning my kitchen. Cheers! Go Bearcats and never doubt…your daughter will end up exactly where she will thrive as an actor and a young woman. Hopefully I have given you some helpful tidbits about CCM and about choosing an acting program in general. And don’t forget to grab a donut at all her auditions! Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.