<p>Are there any B.A. Theater Studies students or parents of students who can share some info about Ithaca? We are trying to find out if the B.A. would be a good fit for him? The B.F.A. Acting program looks amazing, but he wants a B.A. Can he focus on Acting or is the program divided between directing, performance, stage management, etc?
Any feedback would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>Also looking for some insight into the BA-Theatre Studies at Ithaca. Are the BA students considered “less-than” the BFA students? Do they have similar opportunities for casting? I know the BFA-Acting students get much more in-depth training, but our child has broad interests, and wants the ability to pursue many different aspects of theatre.</p>
<p>I would not suggest attending a school that offers a BFA if you want a BA. Whatever the schools “official” view is, you are dealing with 18-22 year olds, and they will think less of those working towards a BA regardless of the reason. There are many great BA programs out there where the school does not offer a BFA, look into those and I believe your child will be much happier.</p>
<p>Although the major includes some of everything, my guess is that it is a program for directors, dramaturgs, and stage managers. Ithaca does not offer a BFA in any of these areas, and lists only these concentrations as possibilities for senior projects and main stage opportunities. The school may think that directors, dramaturgs, and stage managers need to study theater as well as practice it, or that they need a more well-rounded education. </p>
<p>This does not seem to describe your son from what you’ve said, and I would suggest calling the department and asking these questions.</p>
<p>I do think it is wise to be concerned about how any BA is defined, and to be careful if there is a BFA degree present. But many schools seem to have excellent BA opportunities alongside BFAs - Montclair and UMinn are two my D applied to. It’s just a question of asking. While posting here can give you some ideas, it really is best to talk to the schools themselves, and to read websites carefully, in terms of what courses are offered to each major and how productions are cast.</p>
<p>At last year’s Ithaca auditions, a panel of students spoke with parents while our kids were auditioning, and many of them were BA students. They definitely gave the strong impression that the programs are very intermingled and lacking in hierarchy or snobbery. Just my impression, obviously; also, since Ithaca has a new dep’t chair this year, there may be changes in things like casting policies. However, my sense was that this isn’t a problem at Ithaca. They make it very clear on their website that the BA program is looking for kids who really want that degree, not those who see it as a backup plan in case they aren’t accepted to a BFA. </p>
<p>What I found most impressive about Ithaca was its students–one of those things you can only discover if you visit, however. I hope you can.</p>
<p>Thank you for the info.</p>
<p>I know a lot of actors that are either seniors or have graduated from Ithaca with a BA in Theater. They told me that yes, usually the BFAs get cast more often than the BAs and often have priority to enroll in the theater classes, but BAs get some roles too.</p>
<p>SField, I’m sending you a PM with these student’s contacts.</p>