Pat Simon - Marymount Manhattan College, New York, NY

Professor: Pat Simon

Department: Theater

College: Marymount Manhattan College, New York, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: THTR229
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Pat brought me out of myself as a performer in ways I couldn't have imagined. She creates a safe, nurturing environment in which the entire class participates in the evolution of one another as artists and human beings. She doesn't suffer fools. Why should she? She's simply the best.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: THTR331
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Don't miss having her for at least one class at MMC if you care about learning from the person who took 25 years to curate the faculty and curriculum in musical theatre that has put the college on the map! Love her!!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: THTR229
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Pat begins every class with a warm-up led by the music director, then asks, "Who would like to work?" Following our performances there is a real sharing of comments from everyone in the room. By the end of the semester--we had all worked on four songs and we had all improved greatly. She is a treasure.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: THTR228
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I gained confidence and got to perform songs from shows I'd never have heard of if it weren't for Pat. She has a vast knowledge of craft and shares her love of the form and her extensive library with the students who are fortunate enough to get to know her. She's also the best mentor at the college with matchless connections.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: THTR331
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Get a spot in her MT scene study class! You will come to understand the text in ways you wouldn't think possible by doing table work with her. She is old school in the best way. She sometimes gives old fashioned line readings to explain why a line is meant to be said a certain way. Everyone in our class improved and gained in skill and confidence.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: OVERALL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Pat Simon is an incredibly abusive and mentally unstable mentor. Although I haven't had her for class (I've heard she dials it down quiet a bit), she should not, by any means, be the coordinator of MMC's MT program. She puts the welfare of projects and her own needs above students safety, is mentally abusive, and quite frankly is a bully.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: THTR330
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Pat Simon is so under appreciated. She is a wonderful teacher, cares so much about her students, and does SO much for her students and the school to give them opportunities. Yes, she's brutally honest at times, but she tells it like it is. She prepares you for what the real world is like. She's someone you want on your side.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: THTR228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Look at the wall of fame at MMC--Bashirah Creswell, TaRea Campbell, Annaleigh Ashford, Breedlove, Emmy Raver Lampman, Adrienne Warren, Jason Gotay, Tom Wojtunik Jr, etc. Pat had a strong hand in their success. Take this class or any class she is teaching. Check your ego at the door. Participate. She knows.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: THTR228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

She knows everyone in the business and brings those connections and that expertise to our small college. Who but Pat Simon could get Frank Wildhorn to write the school a new Alma Mater? She spends every waking moment working for the college and for us. I'm proud to be her student!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: THTR228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

She tells fascinating stories about legends she has brought to the college in order to illustrate points--people like Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince, Chita Rivera and Arthur Laurents. Last year she brough Adam Guettel to the college and this year Frank Wildhorn. She is a great teacher and mentor. Some people are intimidated by her. Don't be.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: THTR228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

She calls the class a "musical theatre gym" and says we're there to "work out" the material. I like that we're always encouraged to say something positive and something that will help our classmate be even more awesome. I was having trouble learning my song and she took extra time to help me.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: THTR228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

She knows everything about music theatre and guiding singing actors. Assigns unusual but spot on material and cares deeply about her students and the music theatre program. She has mentored most of the successful individuals in music theatre from the college. She is demanding but also very giving. Don't miss the chance to work with her.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: THTR228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Pat Simon, though a knowledgeable and talented head of the MT program, is very disrespectful. Theatre students should be prepared to be told the truth, not be abused. She has called several students fat, embarrassed them in front of their peers, and she even blamed and made fun of me for transferring out of her program. I'm very glad I'm leaving.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: THTR331
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Honest to God, the most self-aware, intelligent, open-minded woman. She was my career counselor and never have I encountered someone as understanding as her. She's honest about the business, and that's hard for some to swallow, but she says what needs to be said. I am brimming with pride to know her and learn from her. amazing woman.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MT240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If you are thinking of going to school for musical theater... Marymount is deff not the place to do so. No one will ever stand up to pat simon. Everyone is afraid of her because she is crazy. She is rude, she treats students horribly, she bashes other students in class, she is self centered and the faculty at the school hates her Pat Is a HORROR

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUSICTHTR
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Pat is difficult teacher, but she knows what she is talking about. Theater is a very rough business, still to this day, and her class is certainly a great place to prepare for it. She makes her students work very hard, but if you can find a way to not take her criticisms personally and instead use them, you will thank her years later.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: THTRMUSI
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

While I agree that Pat is a passionate teacher of musical theater, I think her methods at times are questionable. Telling a student they are worthless, or fat, or ugly doesn't really help them grow. And yes, these are all things I have heard her say to students in person. She is good, but not always tactful.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: THTR328
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Pat Simon is without a doubt the most passionate and loving teacher of future musical theatre professionals I have ever encountered. She is solely responsible for the immense success of those students who will, after graduating, go on to Broadway. Undoubtedly, one of the best reasons for Marymount to still exist. Thank you forever.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: THTR228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Pat is an inspiring role model. She fights hard for the music theatre kids and helped us form a club this year--GO MTA! Brilliant teacher! Generous and kind. People who don't get her--too bad--you are missing out!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MT301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Patricia is one of the most knowledgeable people in the musical theater world. However, her negativity and unbalanced mental state outshines everything she does. She can get you the hook up; she got me in touch with the right people and Im currently on tour with EVITA. All that said, this woman is CRAZY.