<p>I've seen that the University of Memphis now has a BFA in MT.</p>
<p>Anyone have info to share about it?</p>
<p>Thanks,....</p>
<p>This thread was launched a while back, but I wanted to update what I learned about this program for those who follow.</p>
<p>The program was launched because there were no other MT programs at a public university in TN. The freshmen who started in fall, 2011 were the first class entering as BFA MT students, though there are others who will receive the degree due to transfer credits.</p>
<p>The school is off to a great start they put on a wonderful Phantom of the Opera in conjunction with the music school the weekend my son auditioned. The overall production quality was as good as professional especially the set, costumes and orchestra I could not count all the moving parts on that stage. They will have two main stage musicals a year and four other productions.</p>
<p>My son felt so welcomed by the faculty. They had his resume, photo and application for a month so MT Chair Jacob Allen and dance instructor Mark Davis knew him as soon as we walked in two current students were recruited to take us on a campus tour after the audition. There were folders with names and audition schedules inside as well as university info on housing, etc. </p>
<p>The session started with a morning orientation with questions and answers and some straight talk about college expenses and scholarships. I especially liked that Allen told the students what would happen next with acceptances, scholarships and specific timelines and dates. He emphasized that accepted students should take their time to consider all offers and Memphis was ethically bound to the May 1 decision date for incoming freshman and other schools should be as well.</p>
<p>Then, the applicants (25-30) broke into two groups for almost 90 minutes of dance before the individual students were given a 10-minute block for voice and monologue. This was the only school where the voice audition included a short section on note matching, the pianist played a string of notes and students tried to sing it. My son was also asked to sing one of his songs completely over again with redirection so I felt there was some individual attention going on there.
When I read the faculty bios I was struck by the fact that most are still performing and engaged with regional and national theater productions. Both Allen and Davis have Broadway experience and the first thing most students learn about Mark Davis is that he was part of the original Lion King cast.</p>
<p>The university itself walks the talk on diversity with almost 40 percent minority student body. My son is looking for a program in or near an urban area but also with a real campus so he can have the entire college experience with sports and activities. The campus is in a pretty part of the city with lots of trees and grass. </p>
<p>The mission of this school is to serve students in Tennessee so the faculty will not do a lot of recruiting and has not been going to Unifieds. TN does have tuition reciprocity with some adjacent states and for those who live in Tenn or can take advantage of that, this school is a bargain. The department also offers talent scholarships from an endowed fund specifically for MT as it hopes to build its program and raise its profile. It also has 3 scholarships specifically for out of state students, which is why we made the trip. They accept 15.</p>
<p>Here is the link.
[Theatre</a> and Dance :: Musical Theatre Program :: University of Memphis](<a href=“http://www.memphis.edu/theatre/Musicaltheatre.php]Theatre”>http://www.memphis.edu/theatre/Musicaltheatre.php)</p>
<p>thank you for all that information! if anyone else has anything to add I’m sure people would greatly appreciate it.</p>