<p>Now I know there's already a long thread up on BFA vs BA programs and how they're different... but in the end, they ARE all different. There are some BA programs that are way more intense than some BFA programs (UCLA, for example). What I want out of my college experience is a strong basis in theatre (specifically acting, but all aspects) with enough room to explore other topics if I so desire. Northwestern seems like the perfect fit for me, because it gives lots of strong theatre education with lots of performance opportunities while also setting aside a large amount of time for other general and elective classes. However, it's both an academic and financial reach (we're middle-class with no college savings). </p>
<p>Are there other programs that sit right along that line? I'm afraid that some schools either have way too intense BFA programs (I don't really want to do the whole 7:00am to midnight conservatory thing) while others with BA programs just don't immerse you at all in theatre, and just offer you a few basic classes with no real sense that you're part of the drama program. </p>
<p>Any advice, guys? I'm open to both BFA and BA programs, as long as they're more moderate, I'm just having trouble finding them. Rutgers/Mason Gross seems pretty good, too, and that's my #2 choice at the moment (if that helps give you an idea of what I'm looking for).</p>
<p>My daughter was looking for a similar balance. Some schools on her list that might appeal to you included:</p>
<p>Fordham- auditioned BA. The theater school is on the Lincoln Center campus.
University of Minnesota/Guthrie- this is a BFA program but there is a BA program as well and the price is right because they have a relatively low OOS tuition
Muhlenberg- BA. Merit aid is available. My D is attending Muhlenberg as a freshman and is receiving merit aid.
Temple- auditioned BA for musical theater, non-auditioned BA for straight theater. This is also a state school so its tuition is relatively low and they offer merit aid which could bring your tuition down to instate.</p>
<p>I am looking for similar balance as well. I’m not sure if I want to go for a BFA or a BA so I’m applying for both. In addition to the schools already listed, I have found these schools to have a good balance: </p>
<p>Smith College: BA, opportunity to take a huge variety of classes through the 5 college consortium, tons of performance opportunities, great academics</p>
<p>Connecticut College: BA, lots of performance opportunities, active student theatre, great theatre study abroad programs, great academics</p>
<p>Boston University: Theatre Arts BFA, offers the ability to study a wide range of theatrical disciplines, highly competitive, tons of performance opportunities</p>
<p>University of Evansville: BFA, requires classes in many different theatrical disciplines, opportunities for interesting classes outside of major, well regarded program</p>
<p>Elon University: BFA, opportunities to explore other subjects while still participating in an intense acting program, lots of performance opportunities and the ability to work backstage</p>
<p>You all are doing a great job of investigating both the schools and what you want.</p>
<p>The nice thing about the internet is that if you work hard at it, you can create hypothetical course programs at most schools (aside from the quirks you only can know if you go there, or ask about).</p>
<p>My D had a few important categories when she was looking - and she had many of the same criteria you two (and LeftofPisa’s D) have: strong theatre that includes training and not just “basic” classes AND a solid liberal arts foundation within a “regular” college community. She wasn’t worried so much about double majoring, but she didn’t want the conservatory experience.</p>
<p>She did apply to BU and to Northwestern but sadly was rejected. Both programs appealed to her in the same way they appeal to you.</p>
<p>When she was comparing her options after she got her acceptances, we made very detailed projections from year to year. In her case, she couldn’t find a BA that provided her with quite enough training, or enough depth/breadth, and if it did, it meant having to work extremely hard to make that happen. Because she had a BFA acceptance that did give her the opportunity to get the right (for her) balance of theatre courses and participate in the honors college for excellent liberal arts, she decided to go there instead. </p>
<p>If we had been savvy enough to plow through the online course catalogs and do this homework in the fall, she might have had an easier time in the spring, or even might have applied to a few different schools. The only advice I have is to look specifically at what the classes are, what the students really take, and how things balance. A lot of programs sounds wonderful - but then you find out what they describe isn’t exactly the students’ experience, or that there are barriers to doing what they promise (such as courses not being offered often enough, or whether there are too many pre-requisites, not enough pre-requisites, or how casting is done). It really is amazing what you can find out in this day and age.</p>
<p>My D wanted a BA as she is interested in other academic courses as well. She is now at Rollins College in Florida. She felt that she could get plenty of performance in their program and is starting to do crew on an upcoming show. When evaluating programs she wanted to know what else beyond the catalog was offered and that helped with a visit to the department. She was pleased with the amount of workshops offered as well as the option to audition outside of school if she desired.</p>
<p>While it helps to look over the catalogs at the schools you are interested in, you should see how frequently courses are offered and if workshops are available to underclassmen. </p>
<p>There is a theater scholarship and merit aid is available at Rollins.</p>
<p>My D is a soph at American - BA double major in Musical Theatre and History, but they offer Acting (by audition) and Theatre Arts-Management as well. She has been very pleased with the Theatre classes that she has taken, as well as a large number of performance opportunities. She has also enjoyed developing a close mentoring relationship with one of the professors. D is interested in experimental/physical theatre and AU has given her many opportunities to pursue these interests, including teaching a workshop for current freshman in physical theatre. A plus for a city like DC is also a large number of internship/outside performing opportunities.</p>