BA Theater with Voice Minor - questions about choice of degree path

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>I'm not sure if this is the right thread to post this question, but here goes...My D (who's a junior) and I have been focusing our efforts on an MT program. Given the competition and acceptance rates, we are now thinking along the lines of pursuing a theatre major with a voice minor. Does anyone have any thoughts on this approach? Is there a problem with getting cast in a musical if you're not a BFA-MT major? Also, I would imagine when all is said and done, in the real world talent is what will land the role, not necessarily if you have a BFA MT or a BA Theatre.</p>

<p>NOTE FROM MODERATOR:
I have moved this post and started its own thread because the other thread was for current college students and their parents to share experiences. Hopefully this new thread will yield helpful responses.</p>

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<p>Hi blackandwhite, </p>

<p>There are a few issues that arise in your post. Let me see if I can address some of them. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Also, I would imagine when all is said and done, in the real world talent is what will land the role, not necessarily if you have a BFA MT or a BA Theatre.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I do believe that many paths can lead to a successful career in theater. These include BFA in MT or Acting, BM in Vocal Performance or MT, BA in MT or Theater, Certificate programs, outside training, etc. Choosing an educational and training path needs to address what the person wants out of the education, their needs, and so forth. As is discussed elsewhere on the forum, there are factors one must weigh in considering a BA vs. a BFA path and I won't get into addressing those here again. But successful actors come out of both paths. If your D wants more training, a BFA path will have that more as a focus than a BA one. Also a BA student could choose to pursue a MFA later on, though there are very few MFA's in MT per se, but plenty in acting. Someone who studies vocal performance also may pursue a MT career. Some with dance degrees end up on the MT stage as well. So, I agree that there are many ways to get there. However, some ways are more suitable to certain needs and interests with regard to education and training. There are big differences in each of these educational paths and those differences which I am not outlining in this post are ones that the prospective student needs to examine for themselves to find a good fit for what they want in a college. The amount of training will differ between the options. Examine the curriculum at each school and performance opportunities and so on. </p>

<p>In the end, talent in an audition will get the role, not the credits or degree on the resume. However, often the experiences that led to the degree (such as training) or the theatrical credits (experience) can contribute to a well prepared talented actor at an audition. Still, if you read any playbills, you will see actors with a variety of degrees, no degrees, or backgrounds. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Given the competition and acceptance rates, we are now thinking along the lines of pursuing a theatre major with a voice minor. Does anyone have any thoughts on this approach?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I don't know anything about your D and if her reason for choosing a BA path has more to do with that is the sort of education she prefers OR if her only reason has to do with the low admit rates to BFA programs. If it is the former (reasons to do with having options, less intensive, not a commitment, broader curriculum, etc.), that is one reason to choose the BA path. If she is concerned solely that the BFA programs are very chancy when it comes to admissions, then another way to deal with that is to apply to some BFAs (a range of artistic and academic selectivity), and some BA programs. In fact, there are several BA in MT programs, some by audition (which still would be selective but often a tad less so than the BFA applicant pool), and there are some BA in MT programs with an optional or no audition. There aren't a LOT of these but there are quite a few. As well, she could apply to some BA in Theater programs where there are voice and/or dance minors or courses available, as well as departmental musical productions. But another reason (and I don't know your D at all to know if this is a factor) to go the BA route is if you and she assess that she may not be competitive in the BFA applicant pool based on advice of those who have worked with her in MT, benchmarks in her accomplishments to date in theater, her skill set and amount of training, how she compares to others you may know who have gone onto BFA programs, and so on. But if she is an appropriate candidate for a BFA program, even though the odds are chancy for even very talented students, I wouldn't not apply for that reason only, but simply create a more balanced list of options. But let's say she opts to not apply to any BFA programs...either that path is not a good fit for her needs/interests, or she may not be competitive in that pool. </p>

<p>So, you then ask:</p>

<p>
[quote]
Is there a problem with getting cast in a musical if you're not a BFA-MT major?

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</p>

<p>This is something to ask current students and faculty at each school she is exploring to get the "skinny". However, while this will differ from place to place, my general feeling is that if you are seeking a BA path, she MIGHT be better off doing it at a school that does not ALSO have a BFA program because it could be (again, you have to find out as this is not a steadfast rule or assumption) that the BA students are second string when it comes to casting and are competing against the BFA students. I would think that she might wish to consider BA programs that are not at schools that ALSO have BFA programs. Then the kids in the BA program ARE the theater program! Again, there are many BA in Theater and then several BA in MT programs at schools where there are no BFA students. Do not rule out BAs at schools that also have BFAs too fast as you would need to inquire about the performance opportunities and casting for BA students at such schools, to be sure. </p>

<p>I hope that helps as a starting point.</p>

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<p>Blacknwhite,
Soozievt's post breaks down your questions very well and gives you some excellent answers. What I might add is that I would be careful how I word that question about BAs being cast in musicals at a particular school. If you ask if it's POSSIBLE to get cast if you are a BA a lot of schools will say, "Yes." But what you really want to know if how often BAs are cast. How many were in the last musical, and the musical before that, and the musical before that? What is possible in theory is not always what is done in reality. Yours is a question my d and I asked ourselves at the beginning of this process, but because she is also a dancer, we quickly saw that this method would make it too difficult for her to accomplish her college goals. If your d is only interested in acting and singing and not dance, then it is much more do-able. If she wants to study dance as well, then it makes the situation more complicated, I guess.</p>

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<p>I am glad that the moderator moved this thread... I think that the responses have been very clear and helpful! </p>

<p>I agree with everything that has been said. Here is something additional to think about. Many colleges offer a Music Minor, but not as many offer a Voice Minor, per se. Some schools require you to choose an instrument for your minor, and voice is usually a choice. However, because of the popularity of voice as an instrument, many schools require an audition to qualify for voice lessons. At a bigger school with graduate students the voice lessons may be taught by a graduate student or even an advanced undergraduate student. Not neccessarily a bad thing, but something of which to be aware. Also, some music departments are very "anti-musical theatre", and the teachers may not want to work on that repertory. </p>

<p>It is important to ask these questions, before your D makes a decision to attend a school. Ask if it is possible to communicate with current students who may be minoring in music with voice as their instrument. </p>

<p>As far as auditioning goes... I agree that your D might be happier as a BA at a school without a BFA program than as a BA at a school with a BFA program. I know that at some schools only students in the BFA program can even audition for departmental mainstage shows. Make sure that you are clear on the school's policy.</p>

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<p>Many thanks to all of you who responded to my queries. It definitely gives us food for thought. My D is very talented, but is not what you'd call "a student" in that she's basically a B student. I know there are plenty of talented kids out there who also excel in school, so if it came down to picking between hopefuls, my guess would be they'd go with the higher GPA. This is why we're trying to keep all our options open.</p>

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<p>Blacknwhite...the level of academic selectivity of the colleges and universities that offer a BFA degree in MT varies WIDELY. At some, the academic bar is fairly low. At others, it is a mid range, possibly your D's range (I don't know her SATs, rigor of courseload ,GPA, class rank, but just giving a ballpark), and some are more selective. In fact, my guess is that your D's academic qualifications put her in the ballpark for many schools that offer a BFA, so I would not rule a BFA out on that count. You need to compare her stats with the mid SAT range, rank, avg. GPA and rigor of courseload with those of admitted students at each of the schools, as well as the acceptance rates to those schools (the school itself, not the BFA program). I have had and currently am working with several students whose academic stats are average or below average and there are still many BFA schools in their range. They can't apply to a few schools far out of their academic range (ie., NYU or UMich) and some others are academic reaches, but there are still plenty for which they have the stats in the target range. So, you can't really rule out all BFA programs based on what you just said. </p>

<p>The decision to do a BFA or a BA is the first decision to make, and she may opt to apply to some of each. The issue of GPA is one whether she applies to a BFA or a BA school. </p>

<p>I think KAT brought up a great point. A minor in music may or may not allow for a focus in Vocal Performance. Even if it does, it may be confined to classical voice (not a bad thing but your D needs to know that). The repertoire that is worked on in a classical vocal performance program may not include musical theater repertoire, though obviousy there is work on technique which is important for any singer. That is why I was suggesting she look into the BA in MT schools, some by audition, some not. Sounds like those may fit several of her needs and interests. I can think of quite a few, though of course know nothing about your D in terms of fit otherwise. </p>

<p>Susan</p>