And this list for your consideration . . .

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>The list from MyLoves inspired me to put together the list of schools that seem to suit my son best. Some of you have helped me refine this list before, but I'm always happy to get more input. I'm hoping there's time to make some college visits over the next few months.</p>

<p>He’s 6’4’’, a bass-baritone, with a great deal of theater/singing experience and very little dance experience. He says he wants to pursue musical theater, though I wonder if he understands what he’s getting into in terms of the dance training. His grades and test scores are mediocre. Money is a big concern.</p>

<p>Here are the schools that I have encouraged him to research over the next year: Texas State, Coastal Carolina, Shenandoah, Otterbein, Wright State, and North Carolina School of the Arts. I know the latter does not have a musical theater program, but it seems like it could be a good fit for him anyway. </p>

<p>Any other ideas? You can tell I'm focused on this region of the country--except for Texas State, but the rest of my family lives in Texas.</p>

2

<p>Since you are looking at a few east coast schools, I’d definitely add in Western Carolina ([Western</a> Carolina University - Musical Theatre Program](<a href=“http://www.wcu.edu/academics/departments-schools-colleges/FPA/schools-departments-and-centers/stagescreen/stage-screen-academic-programs/musthea/index.asp]Western”>http://www.wcu.edu/academics/departments-schools-colleges/FPA/schools-departments-and-centers/stagescreen/stage-screen-academic-programs/musthea/index.asp)) in NC and James Madison ([Musical</a> Theatre Overview - James Madison University School of Theatre and Dance, Harrisonburg, Virginia](<a href=“The School of Theatre and Dance - JMU”>The School of Theatre and Dance - JMU)) in VA to your consideration. I don’t know much about these programs personally, but I have heard awesome things about both of them. I know there are a few WCU students/parents who lurk around CC, so hopefully they will see this and post more specifics. As for JMU, KatMT has many amazing posts about the program and I wouldn’t be surprised if you get a post on here as well! I think some people may chime in with Elon since it’s in the region, but it’s both academically competitive and higher up in price range so it might not be the best fit for what you are looking for.</p>

<p>On the subject of these Ohio schools (Otterbein, Wright State) you might consider looking at Ohio Northern ([Musical</a> Theatre | Ohio Northern University](<a href=“http://www.onu.edu/node/9007]Musical”>http://www.onu.edu/node/9007)) which has been discussed at great lengths on this forum and is an amazing rising program. Perhaps “less” competitive than others and “less” well known, but certainly has a great reputation preceding it, especially around CC. Also wonderful people to audition for, at least in my experience 4 years ago! The school itself also offered me quite a bit of scholarship money which made the program very affordable.</p>

<p>I’m currently a senior BFA MT major at Coastal Carolina, which I see is on your S’s list. There was a recent post on MyLoves’ thread about the program, but if you or your S have any specific questions as his senior year gets closer don’t hesitate to send me a PM here. Even if I’ve graduated, I won’t be too far out of the loop! </p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

3

<p>Thanks Alexa!!! Can’t believe you are already so close to being completed!!! Time really does fly!! </p>

<p>We definitely have/ have working alums who meet a similar description of the OPs son.</p>

<p>The JMU Theatre, Musical Theatre, and Dance major programs offer “intensive practical training in a liberal arts context.” All of our programs are auditioned, are professionally focused, and the students pursue professional work post graduation (most students graduate with professional credits from summer work).</p>

<p>I would be happy to answer any questions about James Madison and/ or put interested applicants in touch with current students.</p>

<p>Please feel free to email me at <a href=“mailto:arecchkm@JMU.edu”>arecchkm@JMU.edu</a>.</p>

4

<p>Also… in addition to JMU, Ohio Northern and Elon… as Alexa mentioned… and the schools already on your list, I suggest looking at Syracuse, Rider, Ithaca, Penn State, Illinois Wesleyan, Montclair State, Indiana University, Webster, Baldwin Wallace, Wittenberg, Ball State, Kent State, Plymouth State, Roosevelt, Point Park and Muhlenburg for a sampling of different types of programs that may meet his criteria.</p>

5

<p>The best advice I can give your son is to get in his grades and test scores. He’ll have to meet general acceptance requirements for these schools. I’d check what those are in making his list.</p>

6

<p>PSU, Elon and Point Park were mentioned, and I would echo those.</p>

<p>One other thing. If your son is 6’4" and a true bass-baritone, then as long as he can move well enough, is somewhat light on his feet and can learn, the lack of real dance training shouldn’t be an issue. I’ve observed that there aren’t enough true bass-baritones getting into musical theater, and part of the reason might be because kids shy away because they think there is no place for them in MT. I’d submit that being an above average actor to go along with the bass-baritone is more important than being a trained dancer.</p>

7

<p>I agree with CollegeSearchDad. My son is another tall bass-baritone without dance training, and he is in a top MT program now. He’d never taken a dance class in his life, but says he’s coming along pretty well. This semester he’s taking jazz dance and ballet, and says he really likes the ballet!</p>

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<p>Agreed on the bass-baritone observation – not as many of them as there are tenors or bari-tenors. My bass-baritone found at last year’s auditions that many auditors commented on his vocal type. He is not a strong dancer, but a singer-actor. Your son should do well in auditions!</p>

9

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>We could use your help!</p>

<p>I wasn’t certain where to post this but since it falls within this topic I’m hoping one of you can add something to our discussion.</p>

<p>Our D wants primarily a MT college but thankfully she is very mature and pragmatic and realizes that she could be very happy in a straight Drama school as well, performing live on stage or in front of a camera. She simply wants the performing arts life!</p>

<p>We have a list of almost 20 schools she is applying to, some of which are MT only, some theater only, some BFA, some BA, etc, etc. That list is quite long and though a few of the schools don’t require auditions those we are left with will require a lot of travel and time to finish the applications. What we need help with is your feedback about the choices. Please let us know if you have experience with any of the schools through auditions or attendance or what have you and can speak to the tradeoffs or quality and structure of the schools’ programs. I have researched a lot and will do more but quite frankly the amount of research required can be overwhelming! …so getting advice from one who is closely familiar with a school would be a great help. We are trying to shorten the list but are also concerned that our mix may be out of balance. We live in California so there are several CA schools here and she has already been accepted to Cal State Fullerton so a good safe school has been achieved.</p>

<p>First, Our D would love a structured BFA MT conservatory approach of high quality. She feels it is important however, to have good lib arts courses that broaden her experiences and knowledge from which to draw upon. That’s why no conservatory school without classes outside of theater. In getting a MT degree we have come to the decision to focus on the large urban environments where a flourishing Theater community exists and she can begin to make contacts in the profession through both her instructors and possible work in the community. In this list (which is alphabetical) is:</p>

<p>MT BFA:</p>

<p>CSU Fullerton
Carnegie Mellon
Emerson
Hartt
Montclair
NYU
Pace
UC Irvine
Penn State</p>

<p>Second, she would consider a BA in a MT program and on that list we have:</p>

<p>Northwestern
UCLA</p>

<p>Thirdly, on her list of BFA Acting programs are:</p>

<p>Boston Univ
CSU Fullerton
Carnegie Mellon
DePaul
Emerson
Hartt
Montclair
Pace
Rutgers
SUNY Purchase
Univ Central Fl</p>

<p>Finally, on her list of BA Acting programs are:</p>

<p>Fordham
Northwestern
Pace
UCLA
UC Irvine
UC San Diego
Penn State</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for any thoughts!</p>

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<p>I can speak a little to CSUF and UCI programs a bit as my D visited both. CSUF has a cut program and classes are impacted outside of the BFA program. Hard to graduate in 4 years. Spoke with the director of the program and he was very unenthusiastic with his program and we walked (ran) away from the campus due to his underwelming attitude. When we went on the tour of the UCI program the docent told us that the MFA students get all the mainstage roles and the BFA students are rarely cast. The BA program in acting has VERY few acting classes mostly theory. My D has ruled out both colleges because of the above mentioned reasons.</p>

11

<p>MosDad… what her academic stats. there are schools on the list that definitely take academics and test scores into the admissions mix.</p>

12

<p>You could add UCSB…they have a BFA in the sophomore year</p>

13

<p>I’m not sure what exactly a docent is but the docent was wrong about UCI. Actually, BFA students are required to be cast in a certain number of mainstage shows and are usually in many others. Some of the confusion about this is because there are so many shows in addition to the 5 or 6 mainstages. The last show was Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and it had MFA’s, BFA’s, and BA’s in the cast. Mostly theory I don’t know. It’s very much a build your own program based on your needs kind of school. But, classes and opportunities are available. The talent is amazing and includes people who have been on Broadway, LA stages, and television so they must be doing something right.</p>

14

<p>bisouu,</p>

<p>Thanks for your quick reply! That’s very interesting what you said about UCF and a bit alarming actually! We are looking for reasons to cut a program and you have given us two. I will call UCI and chat with them and possibly bring up the issue you mentioned. There can always be misunderstandings about a program and it helps to have cleared them up by a member of the department. I have spoken with most of these schools but rarely with a department member as they are more insulated and I don’t wish to be a bother.</p>

<p>BTW, I’ve read a lot of your posts lately but can’t recall where your D wound up going? I assume she is studying acting?</p>

15

<p>She was a BA major who gave the tour…maybe she was disgruntled? We could only find 2 acting courses and one acting for the camera and one clowning class. We may be incorrect on the number of classes. Sorry if I gave bad information.</p>

16

<p>There are definitely more than that. Those are extras.</p>

<p>It is a big program so yes there are BA’s who never get cast in anything on the mainstage but most do get cast in student run shows, workshops, etc… There are Freshman BA’s in mainstages now.</p>

<p>Bottom line I think is that a large public university is much different than very, very small program at a private school.</p>

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<p>I did not see where bisouu discussed UCF… CSUF and UCI, but no UCF. :)</p>

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<p>She meant UC Irvine, I thought. UCI. I know nothing about UCF.</p>

19

<p>Actor12,</p>

<p>You sound like you are a student there! Can you describe how the program is going? </p>

<p>When you said, “It’s very much a build your own program based on your needs kind of school. But, classes and opportunities are available. The talent is amazing and includes people who have been on Broadway, LA stages, and television so they must be doing something right.”</p>

<p>I’m not sure quite what you meant. Build your own program in what way? Most curriculum require you take a very strict number of courses plus electives within the core program then the lib eds outside of the core. Please explain how a student can build their own program… Thanks.</p>

<p>As far as the main stage, etc. I get that. Many schools don’t allow the underclassmen to play on the main stage but instead have them in the black box theaters or elsewhere… to allow them to develop their talent but in a smaller production atmosphere. Is what you meant?</p>

<p>As far the talent, were you referring to the students only or the faculty as well?</p>

<p>Thanks for your input actor12! It’s very helpful.</p>

20

<p>Thanks actor12… :)</p>