S has to choose between several great BFA acting programs: Texas State, Illinois Wesleyan, Otterbein, St. Edwards.
Would love to here opinions of current or past students or parents of students in these programs.
You’ll probably get better results in the theater major forum: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/
Wow great choices! Otterbein is probably the best pure acting program and Wesleyan the best education overall, Texas State likely the least expensive. Depends on your priorities.
Son is a Sophomore BFA Acting Major at Otterbein. What is your son looking for in a program?
He is looking for an excellent acting training experience and preparation and connections to get work as an actor. He is also interested in taking some playwriting courses. I am curious about how challenging the general education requirements are? Also, he will be coming from out of state. Is the acting program comprised of primarily in-state students? What made your son choose to go to Otterbein out of his other acceptances? How happy is he with the acting program and faculty at Otterbein?
Oops! Something funky going on. I decided to pm you Questiongmom?, and left a long winded reply and my email address because you did not have enough posts to reply. Unfortunately, when I clicked on your name, I was directed to a poster named questioningmom, and didn’t realize it wasn’t you until after I sent the message. Must be a CC glitch.
Son is very happy at Otterbein. He is currently taking Directing and Writing Intensive, and I believe there will be an Advanced Directing and Writing Intensive class for his Junior year. We are in Northern New England, so son is an out of state student. My unscientific study of programs of a few of the shows I have attended leads me to believe that the majority of the BFA students are from out of state. States mentioned included Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Michigan and Maine.
BFA students usually have only one gen. ed class per semester. Son’s class last semester was Buddhist Ethics and Personal Responsibility, which he enjoyed immensely. BFA students are not required to take Math or a foreign language.
Son auditioned for MT and was accepted for Acting. Otterbein was one of his two top choices, the other being Coastal Carolina where he was accepted for BFA MT. It was a difficult decision, but Otterbein felt like the best fit for him. He has said he has no regrets, and he loves the school, the program, the students and faculty. He is also very excited about the opportunity to intern his final semester of senior year in NYC.
Look up Otterbein alumni…they are working in the acting world. The NYC internship with casting directors sounds marvelous! Good luck and congrats on the wonderful choices he has.