Liana Glennon (she/her/hers)
BFA Music Theatre, Class of 2021

liana.glennon@gmail.com
IG: lianaglennon
FB: lianaglennon

Okay. One sentence to describe a typical day in your program. GO!

(senior year) Wake up, take my 8 am for my web design minor (oooh), go to Current Trends class, lunch! go to either tap or jazz, go to Career Prep, eat again, masterclass, rehearsal, homework, hopefully asleep by midnight :)

What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?

The students at Hartt have a really wonderful sense of community so even in turbulent times when administration wasn’t always as supportive as we needed, we always had each other.

What’s something you would change about your program? Why?

Younger, more in tune faculty and more diverse faculty both in terms of POC (BIPOC specifically) which they’ve started to try and work on and also diversity in gender. A lot of the faculty are older and their old ways of thinking don’t always provide a safe space which is essential in such vulnerable major during such a vulnerable time in your life. I will add, though, that there are some faculty members who have REALLY made an effort to be better and are getting a lot better about growing and making sure they take responsibility when they offend. Also, within the last year we have been able to remove two of the greatest offenders of all of this specifically one faculty member who had a 10+ year history of verbal (and even some physical instances) of abuse towards women specifically. (I know this is a lot of detail and MCA is free to remove any parts of this they want, I don’t want to scare anyone off, all programs have these issues, I just want to be as transparent as possible and I’m also open to answering any questions about this!)

How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!

I think Hartt is generally very supportive, although this might change because starting this year they stopped guaranteeing casting so people might become a little more competitive. I think there is a healthy amount of competition but nobody is ever outright rude to someone about their abilities. I personally think that having a supportive BFA environment is so important because you need space to safely fail and I really think having supportive peers allows for that.

What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?

I feel like I was pretty aware of everything going in, I guess I was surprised by how nice people were! On a more general note, I was surprised how hard adjusting to college was. Don’t feel bad if first semester is hard! Everyone is trying to figure out who they are and trying to make friends and you’re allowed to miss home! Second semester was waaaay better and everyone really settled into both themselves and their friendships, routines, etc.

What’s something that you think makes your program unique?

I was actually talking to my vocal coach at the end of this last semester and sort of reflecting on my college experience and asking questions about what to expect in New York. While we were talking about Hartt, he made a really good point that resonated with me. A lot of the big name programs polish people. They take students who are already very talented and polish them to send them out into the world. Hartt trains people. They take students who still are talented, but they broaden their skillset and work to make them better and also take students who they feel have potential and make the promise to train them to be able to go out into the real world at the end of four years. Hartt also doesn’t force people into boxes and they don’t work on pumping out chorus boys, they allow people to explore all their potential and challenge people to work outside of their comfort zone.

Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?

Things are changing a bit from what I was used to at the program. When I went to Hartt frosh through junior year, freshman did crew assignments and no shows, sophomores had sophomore projects (which actually were some of my favorite performance experiences ever) and all juniors and seniors were guaranteed to be cast in the main stages but generally only MTs would be in musicals and had to special request to audition for plays and ATs (Actor Training) were really never in musicals Now I believe everyone (juniors and seniors) automatically auditions for everything or at least you have the option to and can select which shows you want to be considered for (don’t quote me on that). In addition, not everyone is guaranteed casting anymore which they’ve changed to create a more competitive environment and motivate students more. I don’t think there are changes to freshman and sophomore year things but I’m not 100% sure.

What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Are students encouraged to create their own work? Double majors? Minors?

Yes to most of these! I know a lot of MTs/ATs who participate in Greek life, I was a part of an acapella group for a little while, and students create their own work pretty often but most of it is senior honors projects (which I did so I can elaborate on that if you want!) I think I have only heard of one girl double majoring but she was older so she had other college credits already but minoring is very common, in fact I minored! I was able to minor because I had AP credit so I could waive my writing requirements. I minored in Multimedia Web Design and Development! It definitely increased my workload and I did have four days of 8 AMs my second semester senior year, but it was really nice to expand my horizons beyond theatre, especially during Covid when I wasn’t sure what the future was going to look like.

Can you travel abroad if desired?

MTs can only travel abroad during the winterterm and it costs extra, but ATs have a London trip built into their second semester of junior year and I believe travel and living costs are covered in their tuition!

Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?

I wish we had more masterclasses/guests from people in the industry, and also maybe more opportunities to see Broadway shows through the school (which might be a big ask) because we’re so close to New York. Also guest directors who aren’t old white guys. The best guest director (and director period) I worked with was my sophomore year and she was a young Black woman who worked at a local theatre in downtown Hartford. It was one of my favorite performance experiences to date and I wish more people had the opportunity to work with her.

What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?

The dynamic is generally okay. Some students get along with faculty better than others and also it depends on the faculty member. A lot is changing now that I’ve left and I hope that with a potential influx of younger diverse faculty that maybe student teacher relations will change. There is a student-faculty liaison for every grade that meets with faculty to discuss student needs and also shows which I think is really important and helps maintain a balance between students and faculty. I also know our direct faculty is often stifled by higher ups in the main university, so I try to give them a bit of grace when they can’t provide certain things we ask for.

Can you tell us about some of the faculty you train with who really inspire you? 

For one I literally love my voice teacher Jeanine Pardey to death. I had her all four years and she was like a mother to me, I couldn’t have gotten through college without her. For me she was the perfect mix of business and play. She helped me develop my legit and my upper mix so much, but also when there were days I just needed to cry, she was there for me and never forced me to work unless I wanted to. The guest director I mentioned earlier was Taneisha Duggan (not sure if we are naming names). She was such a brilliant director and altogether cool person and she created such a wonderful environment for our project. I worked with her on the sophomore novel project where we had to read a book and then turn it into a play (so stressful but one of my favorite theatre memories ever but they got rid of the novel project so sad). It was a really hard task but Taneisha was so supportive and smart and our play was so well received by our peers. She also was so supportive of me after the fact and her words of encouragement still resonate with me and remind me that I should keep trying in theatre.

What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?

Like I mentioned before, we have the student-faculty liaison who can bring students concerns up anonymously to the head of our program. Teachers are also generally willing to discuss things with students directly. Within the classroom, when working on a scene or song or anything teachers will generally provide feedback while the student is working but again will discuss further if the student has any other questions. Also, at the end of every semester we complete anonymous course evaluations (which are important do them!!) so teachers can see feedback students may have and also if theres a really bad teacher and enough students make that clear on the form, the university will look into them. In terms of students receiving feedback, we have evals at the end of every semester except senior year where teachers go through their rubrics and provide students with feedback (it’s not as scary as it sounds unless you’re really not making an effort!)

What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment? 

The two youngest classes at Hartt this past year were the most diverse yet I believe, which is great except the school was not equipped with the faculty to support them. I believe their working to get a lot of new hires to diversify the faculty which I hope will be successful because it was really hard to see my friends targeted or see them not have a support system in the administration. There is also the Artists of Color Alliance (check them out on instagram @artistsofcoloralliance) which is student run and the heads of the ACA work with the faculty to address concerns that the POC/BIPOC students have. The creation of the ACA during my sophomore year was really game changing and so important as more students of color enter the program. I really believe Hartt is trying to better itself, and I hope that students can help push for even greater change than when I was there.

What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health? 

We have counseling services which I used freshman year when I was in a really bad place and they’re very helpful but not really meant for long term so after about half a semester I was recommended to find someone off campus, but if you can’t do that because of insurance or transportation you can keep seeing CAPs! We also have free physical therapy for theatre and dance division students which is awesome and we have health services on the main campus for regular sicknesses and injuries.

What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?

Probably making friends! I don’t know how people do it in regular college, but in any MT program you're around the same 10-30 people in your specific grade and then around the same 100 people in the building all the time. Everyone is friendly and you will make friends because you’re all around each other so much, don’t worry!

How did you know that this was the right place for you?

I don’t think I really realized Hartt was the right place for me until I was there. In fact, I didn’t want to go to Hartt at all and I called Chelsea crying when I had to commit and she was like “omg you’re gonna be happy I promise but if you’re not I’ll help you audition again next year.” As usual, she was right! What made me realize Hartt was the right place for me was an abundance of things, but I think mostly my friends. I seriously could not imagine my life without the friends I’ve made at this program. I honestly think I was meant to go to Hartt to meet some of them, even one of my best friends who ended up transferring to not do MT anymore. I also wouldn’t have thrived at a program full of competition the way some of the big name schools are. Hartt was the correct environment for me to grow into my best version of myself. Also, I wouldn’t have been able to minor at a LOT of other programs. Lastly, the location was perfect for me. I’m from Boston and when first semester freshman year was hard I was able to visit home when I needed. I also have a boyfriend who is a year younger than me so I was able to see him and then he ended up going to NYU so I was smack in the middle of him and home. I love the proximity to the city it’s an easy 2 hour drive when the traffic isn’t too bad, or it’s a 1.5 hour drive to Boston. It’s also an hour from all the beautiful CT beaches and a couple Rhode Island ones :)

Abby Marcus (she/her/hers)
BFA Actor Training, Class of 2022

marcus@hartford.edu

Okay. One sentence to describe a typical day in your program. GO!

I roll out of bed, rush to get ready, grab my backpack and a breakfast to go, first class of movement, catch up with friends in the hall while I make my way to acting class, have some lunch outside while I run lines for a scene, voice class, meet up with friends to work on new project, go home, yoga and call my mom, dinner, back to the performing arts center for rehearsal, home and roll back in bed.

(Don’t know if this qualifies as a sentence.)

What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?

My favorite thing about Hartt is the people and the genuine connections you make. Apart from wanting a program that was reputable and able to provide me the opportunity to work on my craft and be challenged, I wanted to go to a school where I would be known on an individual level and not get lost in a sea of students. The care the faculty and students have for each other is apparent.

What’s something you would change about your program? Why?

I am especially interested in acting for tv/film, and although we take two acting for camera classes throughout our four years, I would have loved more. The school is in the process of building up the tv/film actor training opportunities, so changes will likely occur in the near future.

How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!

The vibe of this program is a big reason that I chose to come here. It’s a great combination of both competitiveness and support. There is no hostility between the students for roles and everyone congratulates everyone else on their accomplishments, but everyone is talented and will work really hard for a part or an opportunity.

What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?

The biggest surprise was the growth I witnessed in myself and in my peers. Of course you hope to continue to improve on your craft in a BFA program, but I was surprised how drastic that improvement is (especially watching self tapes back).

What’s something that you think makes your program unique?

Our partnership with Hartford Stage is a unique connection that our program has with this professional theater. In your senior year the Actor Training class gets to perform in A Christmas Carol and work with industry professionals. This year things look a little different, as they are not having A Christmas Carol in their season, so instead we got to do a general audition for their upcoming season and have the potential to be in other shows.

Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?

We had a curriculum change halfway through our program so the audition and casting process has changed. Freshman and Sophomore year we had guaranteed casting. Freshman year there are crew assignments and you aren’t acting in productions, so it doesn’t apply, but Sophomore year we did what we call projects (plays that we put on but they are not open to the public, only to Hartt students and faculty). The school would assign a play that we were guaranteed to be cast in, and then we would audition for the director of that play to get our specific roles. Now the school no longer has guaranteed casting, as they want to be more reflective of the real life audition process. But do not fear! If you show up and work hard you’ll get cast (I don’t know any of my friends who didn’t).

What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Are students encouraged to create their own work? Double majors? Minors?

There is a lot of encouragement and support to create your own work. My classmate and I won a scholarship to fund a project we started as a class assignment, and then we proceeded to write, cast, and direct our original work. Throughout this process we were able to zoom with our professors, and professionals they connected us with, to guide us through the process and enlighten us on their experiences as directors, actors, and artists in this industry.

There is also something called a senior honors project that some seniors decide to do where they hold auditions for students to perform in the projects they create, These projects offers other opportunities to perform outside of regular coursework. People are constantly working on things and they are always looking for students to cast.

There is Greek life and it is possible to be a part of it and, although that’s not my jam, I have friends who are in it and have fun.

I have a minor in psychology which can be hectic with the Hartt schedule, but manageable. I ended up taking most of my psych classes over breaks and during the summer, to allow a bit more room in my schedule during the year. It’s possible to have a minor without doing that, it just takes a lot of time management to work it all out.

Days off (aka Sundays) can look like: class bbq’s and bonfires, hang out in Elizabeth Park, hike up to Heublein Tower, workout classes (great barre and yoga studios around), grab dinner in the center (the restaurants are my favorite part of West Hartford), Dom’s Coffee (the most delicious and aesthetically pleasing coffee shop - can you tell I’m a foodie?), or take the train to NYC (it’s only two hours away).

Can you travel abroad if desired?

As an actor training major at the Hartt School, in your junior year your class goes to London to study Shakespeare at the Drama Studio London. This is already incorporated into your curriculum and a unique experience, as studying abroad isn’t always possible (or can be tricky) with these majors. 

Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?

I wish there were more opportunities brought in from faculty in terms of auditioning. Other than summer stock - a lot of outside work and experiences are found on your own. But it is good preparation because as an actor you have to be diligent about finding and auditioning for work on your own.

What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?

Depending on who you ask you’ll get a different response but, personally, I have really great connections and relationships with all of my faculty members. I honesty feel like I can pop into any of my teachers’ offices for a chat, lunch, advice, feedback, or support - and they always make/find time to meet.

Can you tell us about some of the faculty you train with who really inspire you? 

As I’ve mentioned before, my main interest is in acting for tv/film and the teacher of that class is unbelievable. He has really taken me under his wing and is showing me the ropes of this industry. I think it’s also great that he is still auditioning and working in the industry so his perspective and experience is fresh and relevant. He takes the time to zoom with me to talk about my career goals, will give me feedback on audition videos, and help me to plan my summers so that I continue to train, work, and grow. And this is all on his own time which shows how much this faculty cares.

What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?

We get feedback constantly in class, as we are constantly workshopping scenes and monologues. We also get feedback during what the school calls evaluations, at the end of the year. This is an opportunity where all of your teachers for that semester will sit down with you and go around providing feedback and reflecting on your semester in their class. Also, anytime I want feedback about something specific, I will just chat with my teachers after class or shoot them emails and they are happy to respond. In certain classes the students will also give feedback once we know what to look for, or what an actor is trying to accomplish, because so much learning comes from watching and being able to decipher what works and what doesn’t and why.

What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment? 

This is an ongoing process, but both faculty and students are taking measures to ensure that there is greater equity, diversity, and inclusion. We have conversations constantly to address these types of issues. One way we are doing this is through ACA (Artists of Color Alliance), a club started by students that has expanded to include faculty, created to ensure positive change is being made on every level - from the classroom, to the plays being selected, to the shows themselves - and making sure everybody is heard, respected, and represented.

What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health? 

It is so important to keep up with mental, physical, and emotional health - and this is encouraged. The university itself has a counseling service called CAPS that is open to the students for free if anyone needs to talk to a counselor. The hours can be tricky for Hartt students since our schedules are very busy, but the director of the program is accommodating and will work with you to find a time to meet.

We are required to take a gym course which ensures that you keep your body healthy and moving. This can be done at the fitness center on campus or tracked via apps, fitbits, or logs from other gyms or classes. They are flexible. I personally do a combination of yoga classes and hikes to get my gym credits in for the semester. Also the students as well as the faculty are always there for support.

What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?

What wasn’t I worried about? I was worried about my schedule, making friends, rehearsals, where to eat, etc. I think the biggest thing I learned, pretty quickly, was that everyone was in it together, helping each other out and learning how navigate freshman year.

How did you know that this was the right place for you?

I knew this school was the right fit for me because it was a small BFA program with a great reputation, and during the audition process both the faculty I auditioned with and the students that I spoke with were all genuinely kind people.