Sheridan College

[Roxie]

Posted: 7/20/04 at 10:41pm

I'm starting to looking into appling to MT schools for fall 2005 and am looking into Sheridan College in Oakville Ontario. Has anyone gone there? What is the program like and how hard is it to get into?

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 7/20/04 at 10:42pm

What college?

[Roxie]

Posted: 7/20/04 at 10:43pm

Sheridan College...it's Canadian

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/20/04 at 10:44pm

I have heard great things about this school. Tina Maddigan (ex sophie) from Mamma Mia! Went there. Apparently, it's the CAP 21 of Canada. Also, (Randolph Academy) in CAN. is a Fantastic 3threat Program.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/20/04 at 11:15pm

Okay, I was accepted to Sheridan's MT program two years ago and I didn't go (I went to Queen's U instead). I also come from the area. So I can offer some advice.

In terms of preparing you for the triple-threat industry, Sheridan is FANTASTIC. You get great training in dancing, singing and acting, as well as a bit of screen, and MAJOR audition prep. You build great contacts for Canadian theatre too (not so sure about American).

However, like all musical theatre schools, it's mostly in what you make of it. The one criticism I have of Sheridan is that their method seems to be ripping you apart in first year, then piecing you back together. This eliminates the cockiness, and also eliminates the people who aren't strong enough to make it in this cutthroat industry. If you truly, and I mean TRULY believe in yourself, and have TRUE talent and a GREAT work ethic, you will survive this program. If not......there's always York.

The other thing I've noticed is that while a good number of Sheridan grads get jobs (the Mirvishes are eating them up like candy right now, they were all over the Producers and a lot of them have been heading to Stratford), they tend to prepare you more for roles in the chorus. Minus Tina Maddigan, Sarah Cornell and Michael Therriault I haven't really seen any recent leads come out of Sheridan.
AND like all MT schools, there are PLENTY of grads who don't make it anywhere. I know a ton of promising young artists who went, did their three years, and now have nice cushy office jobs and do community theatre. For some it was a personal decision, but for most it was because they tried and just couldn't make it. Sheridan and Randolph can both be big on the favourites, they'll pick their few dynamos for each year and work them like crazy, and sort of disregard the rest.
It's all in what you make of it, ultimately.

But yes, Sheridan has one of the most well respected programs in Canada for theatre, ESPECIALLY music theatre. I'd reccomend it over Randolph any day. I chose Queens because I wanted to focus more on my singing, and also get a Bachelor's degree (Sheridan right now only offers diplomas, thats how "colleges" in Canada work).

That's my two cents.

[Roxie]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 8:40am

Thank you so much for your input. I really want to go to the best and as far as Canadian Schools it sounds like it. I'm definitely prepared to work hard so your info was very helpful! Thanks

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 9:43am

No prob.
Are you Canadian?
If you want to be in the Toronto area, here's the list of places you should be applying (in order).
1. Sheridan
2. Ryerson
3. York
4. George Brown
DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT go to Randolph. It's extremely expensive, it doesn't grant a degree or a diploma, and it doesn't help you very much either. My basic philosophy on Randolph is that if you are extremely good going in, you'll leave extremely good. If you're okay going in, you really won't leave any better. I've seen it happen too many times.
Sheridan and Ry are EXTREMELY difficult to get into. Also, Sheridan is the only one that offers music theatre. With the universities, a lot of people (including myself) will major in either music or theatre, and then take the other as a minor. This works just as well, especially if you are looking for a degree. Ryerson has got a great theatre program, and York is just excellent for the arts in general (although there I'd DEFINATELY major in drama and minor in music, they also have dance).
I reccomend applying to many different places, especially since for the next few years the numbers will still be up because of the new curriculum. Sheridan is extremely difficult to get into and hardly anyone does right out of highschool. I know people who have tried for years and still haven't got in. But now they are offering a prep course for those who have potential but don't make it in on the first try.
Outside of Toronto, also look at Queen's and Windsor. They also have good theatre programs.
Also look at the theatre going on OUTSIDE of the school. In Toronto, it's all pro, so it's hard for a student to balance it with school. Places like Queen's and Windsor are good because they are in decent-sized cities with a lot of theatre going on that is accessible for student participation.
Haha I ramble.
Good luck!

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 10:42am

As a Torontonian, I found this VERY interesting. Thanks judy_in_disguise, you're great!

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 11:14am

hehe no problem.

I just hope no one from Randolph is on these boards or I'm going to be in BIG trouble! hehe

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 1:49pm

I agree wit Judy on her list of schools, Roxie. I am currently living in the Toronto area (going into my 2nd year in the Ryerson Theatre School) and every big Mirvish show i have seen has almost half the cast made up of Sheridan Grads...Litterally half the cast of producers went there.

My one word of caution about Sheridan is that it is a MUSICAL THEATRE school, not necessarily an acting school. So be sure that you want to focus your career on musical theatre specifically.

Akiva

[taperina]

Posted: 7/24/04 at 9:50pm

I agree...Sheridan is the place to go in the Toronto area! The big Mirvish shows are filled with Sheridan grads. Kim Huffman (currently playing Donna is Mamma Mia) graduated from Sheridan along with several of the Mamma Mia ensemble members. Robin Hutton who is in the Mamma Mia ensemble and understudies for Donna and Tanya is from Sheridan as well. I've seen her play both the roles she understudies...she's fantastic. Stephen Patterson who is starring in Urinetown in Toronto also graduated from the Sheridan MT program and is also fantastic. Several members of the Hairspray cast also went to Sheridan and are fantastic. I know that it is extremely hard to get into, but the program is excellent. Several of my friends will be attending in the fall. Ryerson is great too!

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/24/04 at 11:09pm

just take it all with a grain of salt.
DEFINATELY apply to Sheridan and Ryerson. But please please PLEASE don't do what I've seen so many people do. They only apply to those places, which are insanely difficult to get in to, then they don't get in, and they're screwed. Even the most talented performer in the world should have backups, and for those I reccomend York and George Brown (in the Toronto area) or Windsor and Queens (if you're looking to branch out). Western, Laurier, McMaster and Waterloo either have no drama program or a second-rate music program, and there really aren't any other schools in Ontario worth applying to.
You might also want to check out UBC for theatre. I hear they've got some good stuff going on.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/25/04 at 12:14am

oh oh!
Forgot to mention, for Sheridan's MT program you have to have Grade 2 RCM theory rudiments, or take an equivelant test. This has screwed a lot of my friends, so make sure you know your music theory!
And I'm going to make a shameless plug.
Anna Madgett (Sophie in Mamma Mia), Graham Abbey (big Stratford guy), Tom Cavanagh (Ed), and Sarah Harmer are just a few notable Queen's grads. I challenge you to look through any program from the Stratford Festival and NOT find a Queen's U grad in there. That influenced my descision a lot, as Stratford is a career destination of mine, and they just lap up the Queen's theatre grads.
Just a thought

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/25/04 at 12:19am

Speaking of Stratford, I saw Guys & Dolls and Timon of Athens last week, and both were FABULOUS productions. I've been lazy about writing a review of them (I should, though - to get the word out), but I will eventually.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/25/04 at 1:48am

BlueWizard,

Please do post a review, especially of Guys and Dolls...My prof is the sound designer for it and has said some nice things about it and I want some other opinions...how was the cast...the sets and costumes?

Any info appreciated,
Akiva

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/25/04 at 1:51am

Yeah, I'll probably write a review tomorrow. I'm going to bed now, but I'll just say: I took 10 (yes, ten) people to see Guys & Dolls - all with different theatrical tastes - and every single person loved it (or at least was impressed by the production).

Updated On: 7/25/04 at 01:51 AM