<p>Hello all. I'm currently a junior in highschool and am planning to major in acting after I graduate highschool. I recently received a copy of Dramatics magazine which listed information on colleges for BA, BFA programs. I am wondering which schools are the better ones to apply for/get in to for a BFA in acting, as the listings were too numerous for me to really narrow it down. As you've probably noted, I'm new here to CC and would love some input. Thanks a bunch!</p>
<p>The “best” program is the one that offers the kind of education experience you are looking for. There is a wealth of information on the CC boards (both Theatre/ Drama and Musical Theatre). You may want to spend a little time reading through past threads, then check out the websites for the schools that are mentioned quite a bit and pique your interest.</p>
<p>After you have done that you will likely have more specific questions that posters on CC can help to answer.</p>
<p>Welcome! :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip (:</p>
<p>Consortium schools such as SUNY Purchase, Boston University, NCSA, Juilliard and Carnegie are very well regarded. Also consider looking at Rutgers and University of Minnesota. But, as someone said above, the best program is the one that is for YOU. Make sure you look at the four year course schedule when you are researching schools. If you want a conservatory, look for these four core classes all four years: Acting, Movement, Voice, and Speech. Voice and Speech should be separate. Also worth looking into is whether or not the school has a showcase, and if so, with who. Google faculty members and google successful people who have come out of the program. Good luck!</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1010325-suny-purchase-bfa-acting.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1010325-suny-purchase-bfa-acting.html</a></p>
<p>eimc2010 I wonder why you say Voice and Speech should be separate. My son attends one of the consortium programs you mentioned, and they are not separate there.</p>
<p>You also need to decide: Conservatory v. University; Urban v. Suburban; East Coast v. West Coast v. Midwest, etc. Also, do you want to compete with grad students, or just undergrad? There are just so many schools that offer BFAs and they are all different. The question should be “Which BFA (or BA) program is right for me?”</p>
<p>I tend to view Voice and Speech as separate because although there might be some overlapping, they serve different purposes. At my school we have our voice training, in which we are taught using Kristin Linklater’s method. This involves the engagement of self and emotion, producing and supporting voice, and doing what Linklater’s book is, “Finding the Natural Voice.” It is just as much about finding yourself and releasing emotional and physical tension as it is about producing a good sounding voice. </p>
<p>In speech class we learn phonetics and international phonetic alphabet, and then move on to learning the standard american accent, British RP accent, and then moving on to further accents after that.</p>
<p>In that regard, I believe Speech and Voice are separate entities. Although, in some cases I could see how a school might combine them.</p>
<p>In freshman year of Voice & Speech at my son’s school, they do voice training as you describe, with a lot of Linklater work. Sophomore year of Voice & Speech they study the international phonetic alphabet, etc, first semester, and accents and dialects the second semester.</p>
<p>So in my son’s program, Voice is separated from Speech the same way you describe, but they are taught sequentially, with the class being called the same name both years.</p>
<p>I have noticed that some people who look at BFA Acting curricula online think that “Voice” means “singing” when it doesn’t!</p>
<p>Thanks for the good explanation, Son of Tranquil. Hopefully this will be useful to some of the prospectives on this forum.</p>
<p>NJ Theatre Mom, My explanation for the separation is essentially what Son of Tranquil said. It’s a personal preference I suppose, but I like having the classes separate because they truly are two separate things: Speech work and Voice work. But, it sounds like your sons program has a great method as well!</p>
<p>As far as choosing between a university or conservatory goes, my family and I really have no preference. Some of the schools I keep hearing about inparticular are the SUNYs and Guthrie. I’ve decided I’d like a smaller school, as I’d like to be more hands-on during my undergrad years. Any help?</p>
<p>Leette, the right school will find you. However, it will be important for you to consider what type of education YOU are seeking. There is an immeasurable difference in style of training from a conservatory to a non-conservatory, and perhaps an even bigger change from a BFA to a BA. The choice is really up to you, but know what you are choosing. U of Minn at the Guthrie and SUNY Purchase are both intensive BFA programs with good reputations. Some of the other SUNYs, such as Stoney Brook, have nice BA programs. All are great options and are dependent on what YOU want. Good luck!</p>
<p>Leette, with regard to being hands-on, all BFA programs are rather small when it comes to the number of students enrolled, even if the program is part of a large university.</p>
<p>If you prefer a smaller school for other reasons, that’s fine, but you shouldn’t assume that attending a school with a small student body will necessarily result in better theatre training.</p>