Hi–my son is a junior and intends to pursue a theatre major–possibly MT. He already has an agent in Chicago and is SAGe and has done some professional theatre. My first instinct is to try and keep him in a strong theatre school near the city, so he can stay connected with his agent and also be close to home. We are very interested in DePaul and also CCPA (Roosevelt). Columbia would likely be a safety. NW would be a reach for him and it bothers me that there is no audition process there for theatre so that you can be considered for talent instead of just your GPA.
Outside of Chicago, there is Millikin. Possibly Rockford and NIU. However with these schools a bit father away, we can’t decide at that point whether it is worth staying in Illinois or just looking for the best program regardless of location. There are definitely some benefits to being within driving distance of home. NCC or U of I are other possibilities, but I think not ranked as high in theatre.
Outside of Chicago, my feeling is that he should either find a school in NYC and begin to try and establish himself there OR just find the best school regardless of location, with the intent of coming back to Chicago for summers and moving to the city after school.
Opinions? Chicago/Illinois schools we are overlooking?
I know a girl at WIU who is very happy and doingi well. (It’s wicked cheap, too, if you’re instate. )
That’s farther away than both Rockford and NIU, and lower in rankings of theatre schools from what I can tell. I can definitely appreciate the price but that’s not our primary concern.
I’m already questioning whether we want to apply to those schools (Rockford and NIU) or just move to our out of state list.
This girl’s sister went to WIU, too, and she worked very consistently in Chicago for a few years, then moved to NYC where she got an agent almost immediately. I’m not saying it’s as good as DePaul or CCPA, but it’s a pretty good program. My S also runs into some Loyola grads at auditions and gigs (straight theater, not MT).
I think it also depends on what kind of training he wants. The schools offer different types of training, different methods, different number of studio hours, etc. That was the key to all of my daughter’s choices and even after auditions she has realized some of them don’t actually offer what she is looking for. Another thing to look at is where alumni work after graduation. Are many in chicago or other regional theaters? Do they work in NYC or LA consistently? Some schools seem to have a track record of alumni working in certain places, some all over the place and some (honestly) don’t seem to have much success with alum (at least not routinely). My daughter also looked at how many alum are signed with agents and how long after graduation. Of course, no school can guarantee to get you an agent or work, but some schools do seem to have more success in this area than others. These are all things to consider.
***just a note - I don’t mean ‘success’ to equal that you become a famous movie star or even a broadway star. Whatever success is to each person is what needs to be looked at in terms of what alumni of a school are doing. That could mean they place many kids in good MFA programs or that many alumni have started their own companies or whatever. I do think knowing that alumni from a theatre program are getting work (of some kind) is a good thing to know before entering the program. I would feel the same about any major…what is the plan post graduation? And will this school help you get there?
I have heard great things about SEMO - good MT and acting programs, good scholarhsips, etc. Not right near Chicago - but an easy drive.
You make some good points however, if you see above, he already has an agent and is getting work. That’s why he is SAGe and why we want to stay close.
I’ve never seen SEMO on any list of the best theatre or MT schools either.
Nope it isn’t - just have friends there that like it and since your son already has an agent etc he may not need to be at “the best”. Sounded like proximity was they key. The best is relative but most will always list Juilliard, CMU, UNCSA,and several others (DePaul included) as best for straight acting in the USA and will include several in the UK too. Again - depends on the training he wants. There are SO many wonderful schools that aren’t on the “lists”. And it really is subjective b/c the best for one isnt the best for another. Good luck in your search. Everyone on here is open and helpful if you want Input.
If your son wants to work while in school, that is probably a good thing to ask about programs as some allow and even encourage outside work and others will not allow it (the students may not have time given the rigor of many BFA programs).
For example, Juilliard discourages outside work, but Pace allows it. So does the New School in NYC and Marymount Manhattan will work with students to allow for outside professional jobs. I think I read someplace that CCPA in chicago may allow kids to do outside stuff, too - but I am not sure of that.
By the way, @remartin67 , which schools are on his out of state list?
I believe Columbia has moved this year or is moving to an auditioned program–at least it has/is for MT. It can’t be considered a safety if that’s the case. Illinois Wesleyan is 2 hours away,
Long list right now which we need to narrow down. NYC: Pace, MaryMount Manhattan, AADA, Neighborhood Playhouse, William Esper. Outside, UArts, Rutgers, CMU, Otterbein.
Actually, with the few in Chicago, as well, your list contains about the normal amount of schools many people have on their lists. Most have between 12 and 18.
Millikin is a top notch theatre and musical theatre school. They only except what they have room for in a class so no weeding out. While they do have hurdles that have to be passed during the first two years, failing one is not an automatic cut. Because all of their classes no matter what your major is, are small you get more individualized attention but the Profs know if you don’t show up for class since they know everyones name and face. Their top choir is one of the best if not the best in the country.
We are headed to Millikin this weekend.