<p>As I understand it, the BFA Acting is brand new. See link below</p>
<p><a href="http://www.okcu.edu/theater/degrees.aspx%5B/url%5D">http://www.okcu.edu/theater/degrees.aspx</a></p>
<p>S is in transit back from JCL convention but just got permission to open and read him the letter that arrived yesterday...admitted to MT program with small scholarship, also a small scholarship for non-major clarinet studies to perform with ensembles (he'd auditioned on that as well)!!!</p>
<p>Much joy in Mudville!!!!</p>
<p>The Theatre program is going through a huge revamp. They're hiring 6 new theatre faculty, and the department is now becoming the College of Theatre instead of just a department under music, and will therefore be getting a new head. Things are looking up for Theatre, with big (and GOOD changes) to come. This year, one of the shows (Cosi) was nominated to go to regionals for ACTF, a college theatre festival, and was just nominated to move on to the national level, which is a very big deal. A panel will decide if they are to move on, but this is a small indicator of the direction the program is moving towards.</p>
<p>MTpolk,</p>
<p>Which would you recommend, the BFA acting or the BA Theater Performance?</p>
<p>I'm an MT major at OCU, and from what I've seen of the new BFA program, it's my personal belief that between a BA or a BFA, BFA's seem to be a better deal, at least if you want MORE of the theater and arts classes as opposed to more liberal arts (or core gen. ed.) classes. The way I understand it is that a BFA involves 2/3 of the work specifically toward the major, and 1/3 of a general ed. requirement. However, this is a bit of a generalization, so it may vary slightly from school to school. As for OCU, there is all kinds of buzz and excitement about things to come for the new BFA department...so I urge you to look further into it!</p>
<p>Hi dramadad,
I'm a Theatre Performance major at OCU. I'm really excited about all of the changes taking place at our school.
I do think there are several benefits to both programs though. In both programs we are required to take 6 credits in the areas of voice and dance although the BA Theatre Performance program gives you the option of double majoring, adding a teaching certificate, taking more dance and music courses and ultimately more academic freedoms than the BFA. For me personally the BA caters more to my interests of developing a broad sense of theatre in all of its forms.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, StaPfarr and Actingreacting. Sounds like each program brings its owns strengths to bear, it just depends on what fits the student the best. Do you know if its possible to move from one program to the other if a student's priorities change over time?</p>
<p>A lot of the curriculum required for the BA is required for the BFA, moving from the BFA to the BA would be a matter of just finishing the requirements for the BA. I imagine moving from the BA to the BFA would be more difficult. As mentioned before, the BFA is an intensive and focused degree and has a lot more required theatre courses. If a BA student decides in the middle of their college career that they want to do the BFA then they would have a lot more classes to make up.</p>
<p>Dramadad,
I assume you're talking about BA in Theater, not BA in music? Although I'm in the music school, so I haven't delved into it too deeply, I would venture to say that the BFA is probably the best route if the student isn't planning on specializing in anything. The BA is a great option if you want to say, minor in costume design, or focus on another particular facet of education. The BFA does look very intense, and I'm sure is going to be a great track, there's just not really room for electives or a minor. So it depends on if the student wants to take other electives and such.
You're not locked into one track though, a student can change easily within the first semester or year within the Theatre dept so long as they take courses satisfying both while they decide.
I know there are theatre majors on here from OCU, and they could answer your questions better. I won't pretend to know all about what I don't! I know of the BA Music and BM Musical Theatre. There IS time to decide once here at school though, so don't feel that it's a do-or-die situation quite yet :) good luck with the decisions!</p>
<p>I'd like to kind of second what actingreacting said. In my opinion, if you are unsure which program to do, start by getting in all of the classes for the BA. There are only two classes, I believe (children's theatre, which is tons of fun and really interesting, and oral interpretation) which are required for the BA and not the BFA. If you have all of the required classes for the BA done, you can take as many as the other BFA classes as you want (all the classes within the dept are open). Or you could also do a minor or double major. </p>
<p>I'm doing the BA Theatre performance, with a minor in costuming, and I'm taking additional acting/theatre classes, as well as some business and history classes. None of that extra stuff would be possible with the BFA.</p>
<p>My audition for MT is next weekend. I'm also auditioning for Dance Performance. I've already been accepted for Theater Performance so all I have to do at the audition is sing.</p>
<p>I can relate to the test scores as my daughter has always had a very hard time taking standardized tests within a time allotment. Although the scholarship funds might be more limited than you would hope for this year, I would think that she might be eligible for additional scholarship funds in the following years if she excels in her college classes as she apparently did in her high school classes. Maybe you could contact the financial aide office and ask about what might be expected in the future if she maintains a high GPA. Just a thought.</p>
<p>dpwntown,
What is OHLAP? I am struggling also this year. My D had great test scores and is getting a large academic scholarship, but I am still having to come up with almost half of the cost. In the past 2 years, it seems she has received more aid than this year. And our FAFSA EFC went down. Go figure. She and I both are accumulating lots of debt. Good luck.</p>
<p>Hi again,
You should call the theater department AND the financial aid office to see what your D might be able to expect for upcoming years.
My graduating D petitioned for more scholarship last year (music dept) and was given an additional $500/year....that was it. They said they didn't have much money to give.
She is graduating with a 4.0 from the Honors Program and they have NEVER given her any more academic money. She has asked but they said it is based on what you start with...and it doesn't matter how you do once you get there.<br>
Sorry to tell you that...not trying to rain on your parade. But, please call the financial aid office and ask...maybe my D misunderstood or something.
Diane</p>
<p>Does she qualify for FAFSA work-study? Almost everyone I know does work-study. If she doesn't qualify (like me) for federal work-study, have her go the first day of school to human resources and try to get an institutional work-study job. It didn't work for me (and I had to get one off-campus) but maybe she'll have better luck.</p>
<p>Hi Downtown, we all sympathize with you, private colleges are SOOOO expensive, most of the available financing is set up for state colleges (like the stanford loans,etc.) If you check around, other private schools are this much and more, if you're on the east coast $40,000 to $50,000 is about what they all cost. My S was lucky to get some scholarships (awards), and he has the usual loans, and he does work study and works in the summer. It's a stretch for all of us but we are making it happen. They have a program where you can pay off your balance during the semester, that has helped us a lot. GOOD LUCK, I hope you can work it out. You'll probably be joining the rest of us in the "We are poor parents because we have kids in college", club!</p>
<p>A strange thing happened this afternoon. My D received a call from OCU (she wasn't home, so I spoke to them) asking if she had made any decisions as to what she was going to do next year. In the fall, we had requested information from OCU, but never received anything, so never applied. She did get a congratulatory e-mail from OCU on her NFAA award and OCU was at a state theatre convention that she auditioned at in January. The week after the convention they called and said they had mailed her some information but it was returned for an incorrect address. I gave them the correct address but she never received anything except a small postcard inviting her to visit. Until the phone call today. I explained that we had never received anything from them. She apologized, said the artistic director had really liked her audition and she'd have them get back with me tomorrow to answer any questions. Not quite sure what to think about the call.</p>
<p>Sounds like a real mix up. In my dealings with the various departments I have found them to be very organized, professional and helpful. Hope you get it strait!</p>
<p>srw, that's good to hear. I'm sure it's more related to our mail situation which has been a little mixed up lately - not coming until after 6pm and lots of complaints about mail in the wrong boxes. I've only heard good things about OCU so was a little perplexed that we never received anything from them.</p>
<p>Just got in for Dance Performance! Still waiting to hear for MT though.</p>