Why Julliard needs to get real.

"I can tell you there is no Musical Theater program at Juilliard. The administration considers it to be a lower form of art, not suitable for the school's main curriculum." 


That was written by a Juilliard graduate.

And I can't believe what I'm hearing.

My hearing is selective. Showtunes-only

Are those at Julliard refusing to see the more popular source of live musical entertainment? (excluding informal-type concerts)((ex: KISS, Aerosmith,...Nickleback)) Let me lay down a representation of what I believe a pie chart between the two would look like.

As shown in this playbill-colored pac...I mean pie chart.

Now of course, this is just what my vision looks like. And I think others could relate. Who here thinks that a  NY Philharmonic tour of the US would bank more than every on-Broadway showing plus tour of Newsies or Wicked? You see, I chose popular formal-style performers because I'm about to lay some fact on you.

Year	Gross*	Attendance (by millions)*	Playing Weeks**
Most recent year 2011	$1.081 billion	12.13	1,483
One year ago 2010	$1.037 billion	12.11	1,550
Two years ago 2009	$1.004 billion	11.88	1,440
Three years ago 2008	$986 million	12.85	1,653
10 years ago 2001	$644 million	11.39	1,464

Those are the statistics for Broadway sales as a whole.
Last year, the total approximate earnings was 1.081 billion dollars of money! *Arthur reference*

If Julliard thinks that that kind of money comes from a "lower form of art" than them... well they need to Man Up.

Here's their mission statement:
"The mission of The Juilliard School is to provide the highest caliber of artistic education for gifted musicians, dancers, and actors from around the world, so that they may achieve their fullest potential as artists, leaders, and global citizens."

To me, that sounds like they're prepping their students to be put straight into some of the best musicals that can be offered. Now, why wouldn't Julliard just acknowledge that fact and offer a musical theatre class to provide quality actors and musicians for a clearly growing art form? I still don't know. 

But hopefully they change their mind before I can reject their poor excuse for a musical/entertainment school.

Please.

And remember, Juilliard...

Its not just for gays anymore.