OK, so after looking into our state school/univ I have discovered that they offer a BA in Theatre. No MT. However, they also have a dance minor that my D could do as well. Of course that is lacking a voice component which is my D’s strong suit. I would like some opinion on what I would cal"Piece mealing" together this to make it work for her. Like maybe she could just take voice off site with a respected teacher , etc. Has anyone done this that could chime in? I am SO loving the tuition costs at this school for obvious reasons…she would have NO debt coming out of school…or is this a stupid idea? I read the Theatre curriculum and it does offer some MT classes like MT Workshop, etc…
First - with the BA degree in theater - check the curriculum. If your D is wanting to take a lot of acting classes and work on her performance skills, make sure the BA degree offers that. Many BA theatre degrees look at theatre from a more academic standpoint with few actual acting classes. So make sure she can get the training she is seeking with the offered courses. The same with the dance minor. Will she be getting the quantity and type of dance training she is seeking? The answer may be yes. But really understand the curriculum and make sure she will get the training she wants and needs.
Secondly - she certainly can take voice outside of school. Just make sure there will be time to do so. And remember there will be costs for doing so.
I will be honest and say, although I think she can be successful in a BA theatre program, I think, in general, it will be more difficult for her to compete in auditions with kids who have studied in conservatory style programs. I know there are examples of kids who do make it having not even studied theater at all. But those are exceptions and not the rule, especially today. There are just more and more kids with more and more training. So it just makes competition that much stiffer.
Depending on the school, your D may need to be a very self-motivated actor - seeking out shows to audition for and perform in. But many communities will offer great performance opportunities outside of the university setting that could help provide more training and contacts for her. I also would strongly recommend you seek out strong summer internships, apprenticeships and summer stock experiences that can perhaps provide some of the training she isn’t getting during the school year. For example, Broadway Dance Center in NYC has a great summer training program if she feels she needs more dance. Circle In the Square has a great summer MT program. Williamstown and Barrington offer great acting internships. Of course all of these are by audition and many are at a significant cost. But it may help fill any gaps she finds in her regular program.
One more consideration, established Mt programs can offer their students such as a strong working alumni network and strong theater connections. How will the program you are talking about assist in those areas?
I think a state school BA theatre option can be a good choice for some. But really make sure at the end of the day you are getting to study what you want and that you will feel well prepared for next steps upon graduating.
If she can piece together training, it is affordable, an academic safety, and she likes the school, it could end up being a nice non-audition safety to add to her list.
My daughter is getting a BA in theater. (She is basically going to school for free due to scholarships and being an RA). The money we are saving in tuition she is using for outside training in the areas that she feels might be lacking in the BA program. She is making amazing connections in the industry and has possibly landed an agent. (She is an incoming sophomore). So there are all different paths to the same goal. BFA is not the only way, so cast a wide net.
ps. She may find that she loves that school more than the ones that she currently thinks are top choices. So much can change between now and April of senior year! As bisouu says, there are so many paths!
yes, all good points made here…just an option we are considering like everything else. I definitely think if she were to do this route she would do intensives in the summer along with summer stock, etc. It could be a good safety , although the school itself is no slacker and she would have to get in academically there which would be maybe a little harder then other schools. so many options…
You might also want to check on music minors at that school. Many places offer minors that focus on performance (adding in some music theory and history). You might have to be aware of the vocal performance vs. MT singing thing, but with the right voice teacher it can work. Then she could major in theatre & double minor in music and dance.
On the flip side, make sure the school does musicals as part of their regular season. Probably do if they offer MT classes, but check to make sure she can get the experience.