For the Parents

Parents often feel out of the loop as their children prepare for college auditions. There are so many moving parts and, unless you’re in the theatre industry, most of the process will seem completely foreign to you. In this “for parents only” module, we’ll outline what you need to know so you can support your child in their journey toward being a successful musical theatre performer.

Terminology

• BA: Bachelor of Arts, an undergraduate degree in arts and sciences.
• BFA: Bachelor of Fine Arts, an undergraduate degree in the visual, fine, or performing arts.
• BM: Bachelor of Music, an undergraduate degree specializing in music.
• Certificate Program: Usually a 1- or 2-year non-degree program dedicated to a specialized area of study.
• Conservatory: An institution for higher learning that focuses almost solely dedicated to the college student’s major, or main area of study.
• GenEd: General Education, the academic requirements outside a college student’s major.
• Liberal Arts: An institution for higher learning that balances a college student’s classes between study in their major and classes outside their program.
• Summer Intensive: A 2-4 week summer program at an institution that gives high school students an inside view of what college will be like while working with faculty in bettering the student’s craft.
• Survival Job: A job one takes to support oneself as they are auditioning and developing an active career.