<p>My D is currently a HS sophomore passionate in her involvement in theatre. She is beginning her search for a school where she can receive a challenging liberal arts education with a major in theatre. She’d like to be in/near a city (I think Cornell is out), looking for a diverse campus experience (she’s mixed African/American and Caucasian). What are your thoughts about the Brandeis theatre program? About the school generally? Other initial schools on her list include Yale, Brown, BU, Northwestern, Vassar, Sarah Lawrence. I’m eager for all feedback, both pos and neg. Thanks.</p>
<p>Venicedad,</p>
<p>I think it's great that you're starting to look this early. At the same time, you'll need to identify a wide range of schools since you won't be certain what her gpa and SATs will be. Have you looked at Catholic University, Tufts, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, or, if you're willing to consider a larger school, UCLA? Each of these schools is very different so you'd have to look at them closely. Case Western also has an interesting arrangement with America's oldest regional repertory company, The Cleveland Play House. Our son is not a prospective theater major, but his main EC is drama, which he hopes to continue in college.</p>
<p>You list some terrific schools, and thanks for the quick feedback. Yes, much may evolve before she needs to narrow down her choices, but for now she is pretty clear that she is after a BA, rather than BFA, which I think would rule out conservatory type places like CMU but still leave open several other schools on your list.</p>
<p>I entered Brandeis as a wide-eyed Theater buff, who had spent most of high school in an auditorium. After two years of misery, I dropped my theater major. The problem with the Brandeis Theater Department, which is hardly unique to the university, is that it is incredibly focused on its acting graduate program. Undergrads have a terrible time getting the attention they desire from professors, and an even harder time getting parts in department productions. Also the level of pettiness and competition between the students was maddening. But as I said, this is a problem that exists on many campuses. I have friends at various schools throughout the country who studied theater and had the same complaint. If your daughter is really serious about theater, it would be better for her to attend a school that does not have a graduate program in theatrical arts. </p>
<p>In the end, my terrible experience with the Brandeis theater department turned out to be the most marvelous thing that has ever happened to me, because it forced me to branch out and allowed me to discover my true passions, ultimately redefining who I am as a person. But, if the acting career is set in stone for her, then I can't recommend the 'Deis.</p>
<p>BrandeisGirl,</p>
<p>I was beginning to give up hope that I would get any more replies on this thread. Thank you so much for your honesty. Your point about the disadvantages of being part of an undergrad theatre program at a university with a grad program is something which frankly I hadn't even considered, and will certainly take to heart in our search. It highlights something my daughter should specifically look into when she actually visits colleges next fall.</p>
<p>I'm pleased that you were able to turn your disappointment with the Brandeis theatre department into such a positive experience for yourself. The ability to overcome setbacks and turn them around is the single greatest determinant of success in later life, both professionally and personally. You've done well, and my guess is that Brandeis theatre is the poorer for it.</p>
<p>I think Brown would be very good for a theater major--Sarah Lawrence and Vassar also excellent choices. Vassar is not near an interesting city but not too far from NewYork. More in the "safety" range --also look at Muhlenberg--active theater department.</p>
<p>On the flip side to BrandeisGirl, if she is interested in majoring in something else and would simply like to pursue theater on the side, there are a million theater opportunities at Brandeis outside the department. But, if she does want a major, I will have to defer to BrandeisGirl's opinion since I am a chem major and my knowledge of the acting department stretches as far as the one class I took to fulfill my creative arts credit.</p>