S seeking college with drama / musical theater program open to nonmajors
With respect to colleges with active musical theatre, Muhlenberg, for example, states any “full-time student, regardless of class year or major, can audition for any Muhlenberg theatre production.” If drama were to be considered without a musical theatre component, then your son could choose from quite a few other liberal arts colleges with open opportunities for non-majors.
I think a lot of LAC’s have this. They almost have to due to size. I remember Oberlin talking about how auditions are open to all.
I think that it would probably be easier to list schools where these programs are not open to non-majors. Are you asking about classes or performances?
Vanderbilt has a student run theatre open to anyone.
Many schools have auditions open to non-majors, but you should ask how many non-majors get parts. At my daughter’s school, they claimed anyone could try out but I don’t think a non-major got parts. Maybe males. It was also difficult to be in a play if you weren’t a major as the rehearsals were set around theater major schedules.
The theater department also blocked registration until all the majors had the opportunity to register. There were often no spots left for non-majors, especially in lower level classes. This included music, theater, and dance, and some of the theater majors even had trouble registering for (required) dance classes.
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To better assist you, your query needs to be more specific. First, are you asking about access to theater coursework or to performance opportunities?
Second, to narrow the suggestions, we would need the profile of the student, level of academics, etc. Further, the student’s overall college selection criteria would be needed.
If you provide those things, the suggestions will be more suited to this student.
I’m with twoinanddone on this issue. The best opportunities will probably be at colleges which are not known for their theater & drama programs and which don’t attract students who want to major in these arts. I think that most colleges have such student programs.
I would think best to find colleges which are a good fit for your son’s intended major and then see which of those have the best opportunities for drama.
Here is moe details. S is a Junior with a 3.9 weighted Gpa and 1390 SAT. prefers a college in the in the Northeast or Northwest. Interested in musical theater performances as well as drama performances. (Would love a chance to perform a Shakespeare play) .Ok with theater minor, but doesn’t want to Major. Unsure of Major. Says not STEM, but very environmentally focused. He is a Bass and AP English teacher says he has an incredible speaking voice.
S wants to be able to perform
Yes. Exactly my concern. Reality is often different than what is advertised. Could you share what college your daughter attends?
Muhlenberg’s religious affiliation is listed as Evangelical Lutheran in Naviance. S seeking a college that leans progressive.
With respect to Muhlenberg’s religious orientation, this Inquirer article may be of interest:
definitely Muhlenberg, would look into northeastern too, theyhave a great drama program and lots of performance opportunities
She went to Wyoming as an undergrad (well, still goes there as a grad student too). She started in the theater program and did like it, but didn’t like that it was a BFA program as that required 65 credits in music, theater and dance and didn’t leave much time for other classes. It was a a good program with beautiful facilities (I swooned over the costume sewing room as I love to sew and it was huge) and lots of resources, but there were about 175 theater and dance majors and most (if not all) of the parts went to those in the department.
She transferred to history and never tried out for another part in a play.
Would you be able to share which college your daughter attends?
The most important is the ability to audition for performances.
You definitely need to ask specifically at schools where there are big BFA programs. There are definitely schools who only let students in their programs audition for major productions. Student run productions are obviously not included. Reinforce the suggestions of Muhlenberg, Northeastern, Skidmore,