Drama at Carnegie Mellon--Choosing and Auditioning for University Theater Programs

Choosing the right college is difficult for high school student. If you are interested in drama, it may seem at first that the number of conservatories and theater programs reduces your options. In terms of numbers, it does, perhaps, unless you are looking at larger universities or small, liberal arts colleges.




But if you are convinced you want to attend a specialized program in theater, then you still will find lots of variety within those programs.

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, offers an excellent drama program within its school of fine arts.

Mark Montgomery spent a day on the campus and talked with some students in the drama school about their experiences and how they came to select CMU. Mark also asked them about their audition experiences in preparing their monologues and their solo singing pieces.

This is what they told him.

Mark is an independent college counselor and educational planner based in Denver, Colorado, with clients from all over the country and all over the world

He helps students determine which are the best colleges and universities that fit their needs, talents, and aspirations. Then he helps them with the entire admissions process, from filling out the applications to completing the essays.

Mark can also help students to make good course choices in high school, assist in making priorities for extracurricular activities, and ensure that students continue to make progress toward their goals. This includes plans for taking standardized tests (SAT, SAT2, ACT, TOEFL).

Mark can also offer advice on how to reduce the cost of college through a combination of scholarships and financial aid from the colleges themselves.

Mark can help you find the right college for you---and get in!

Give him a call at 720.275.7577, or visit his website at http://greatcollegeadvice.com.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• college
• university
• Carnegie
• Mellon
• drama
• theater
• conservatory
• fine
• arts
• BFA
• audition
• monologue
• student
• admiss

[MultiPearl007]

i REALLY want to go to CMU school of drama, i hope it's not as hard as i think it is to get in

[x2osinger]

Pittsburgh: Kinda the coolest thing ever.

[dottiedots221]

AWESOME! Sadly I don't have the grades or the money for CM, and since my parents may make go to a community college b/c of finical and academic support services reasons, I'll wait to check out CM if I do choose acting or musical theatre and if I do go to community college. But, this was useful to me for the future :D

[slidingd00rs]

@KarlPilkingtonFan It really depends on the amount of passion and dedication you have to the business. If you are going to give up even after 5 years...then that tells you that you don't love what you do. Different people, David Fincher for example, started his job in Hollywood working a low-paying labor job. but then he got the opportunity and from there made it. The arts is not the same as a doctor or a lawyer job. It takes a lot of effort and a lot of doing.

[KarlPilkingtonFan]

@emmyv05

As a graduate of RADA, with an above average grade, extensive praise & instense training from influencial drama teachers it does show what i know.

I challenge you to visit any of London's top Drama schools and request a preview sheet of students who were offered movie roles and/or went on to become stars on the big screen.

I can garentee you 45% chose a different career path with 55% settling for badly paid panto' or ending up on Eastenders.

[emmyv05]

@KarlPilkingtonFan shows what you know.

[KarlPilkingtonFan]

Most of these people end up doing panto in some theatre or minor tv work at best.

Lets be honest most people taking these courses want to be in movies... which never happen.

[brittanybap]

This was extremely beneficial! Thanks so much :]

[otwist517]

great video thanks a lot!

[clairebear999]

Thanks for this video