I am compiling my college list for next year, and I need to have at least 2-3 non audition safety schools. I am hoping that if I don’t get in any of the places I audition for that I can still go to a good program. What are some of the best theatre programs that are non audition, just based off of grades and SAT/ACT? Also, what degree would you get? A BA? BFA?
Muhlenberg definitely!
I agree with Muhlenberg. I’ve also heard good things about Kenyon and Wooster in Ohio. Also Fordham, Brown and Sarah Lawrence are ones to be considered. I’ve also heard good things about High Point.
Vvnstar Brown as a safety?
One person’s safety may be another persons reach. Just because a school does not require an audition does not make it a safety… ex. the school is highly selective and is not a safety for anyone, the students grades and test scores are average or below average for the school…
In order for a school to be considered a safety it should not require an audition, your grades and test scores (unless test optional) need to be in a range well above average for that school, the admit rate should be high, and the school should be affordable to you and your family.
Some schools may not require an audition, but give students the opportunity to audition for scholarships, and take demonstrated interest into account for academic admissions.
What degree you will get will depend in the school. There are some BFA programs that do not require an audition, and some BA programs that do. There are some schools where you you do not audition for admission out of high school, but you do later once already a student. There are some schools that have both BA and BFA options. There are some that require an audition for admission out of high school, and require students to audition again to move into (or remain in) the BFA… etc… etc… each school is different.
@Nocreativity1 - I was responding to the question - “what are some the best non audition just based off grades and SAT/ACT.” Never intended to imply that Brown was a safety. Only that it has a good theatre program.
I always like to start by disclosing that I am a staff member with UMW Theatre entrusted, as part of my employment, with the recruitment of students to our program at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. We do not offer a major in MT, but we offer a major in theatre and a minor in MT with outside training opportunities in MT through workshops, summer programs, etc. We work with your student to navigate a path that will help in placement past their time at UMW.
If you are absolutely not interested in a MT minor or need to have a BFA or BA program in MT, I understand if you ignore this, but I hope that you may research further.
We have been referred to as a MT safety school in the these forums in the past, so I’m commenting. While there sometimes appears to be a negative connotation to the phrase, we are thrilled if talented students are looking at us and want to hear more from them. UMW values strong academics and SAT scores, but we also value strong talent and work ethic in the arts. And I personally understand that not everyone tests well (I was one of those students).
*Like many of the schools in this forum, we have alumni acting in professional theatres all over the country regionally and on Broadway (Kinky Boots and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical currently). Placement post-graduation is one of our highest priorities.
Brown has a good acting /theater program and it’s Brown, an Ivy League school.
Brown alum in theater include Daveed Diggs (of Hamilton fame), Kate Burton (3 time Tony nominee), David Yazbek (the Band’s Visit), John Lloyd Young (Tony for Jersey Boys), James Naughton (2 time Tony winner) and others.
…and Brown was included in a list of safety schools. The only applicants who see Brown as a safety school are ones only applying to Harvard and Yale. Nobody was questioning the quality of its theater program.
@MTDad2025 - again - I did not suggest Brown was a safety. I said Brown was a good school for theater where admittance is based solely on grades and SAT/ACT scores, which is what the OP asked about. I also mentioned Fordham and Sarah Lawrence. All require good grades for acceptance. All have great theater programs.
I think the confusion here is that the thread TITLE mentions “non audition safety schools.” However, the first post asks what are the best non-audition theater schools. Though that post also discusses safeties.
BTW, Fordham requires an audition.
Be careful with Muhlenberg. My son is a second year MT major there. VERY limited performance opportunities. 2 MainStage productions per year, where some 350 kids audition for 20 spots. Some student run stuff, and that’s about it. Lots of stories of MT majors that were there for 4 years and never got on stage. All for a cool $62K per year. Nice school, good training, but overall disappointing. If your kid HAS to be on stage, this not the place. My son is seriously considering transferring to a place with more performance opportunities.
My kid was at Muhlenberg as well, had principal roles in the mainstage musical every year. there are 350 kids who are theater majors/minors there, but, every kid who did theater in high school seems to have a major or minor in theater - since there is no audition. as we know, some have an unrealistic perception of their ability - good, not pro caliber. many are double majors in something else, and are in the department for a love of theater. It is a great program for everyone, but, like the conservatories that take 6-10 of each gender per year, they seem to get 6 or so really talented kids per year who plan to make a career in theater, and really put in the work. those are the kids who get cast. Also - at Muhlenberg there is no MT major (unless something has changed) - there is a Theatre Major, Acting Concentration, which a kid has to double with a major in dance and singing lessons in the music department, or minors in dance and music (vocal performance) to get training in MT.
@vvnstar Fordham is by audition for the performance track. https://www.fordham.edu/info/21306/admissions_auditions_and_interviews
My son has realistic expectations of his talent. He knows he doesn’t belong on main stage right now. His issue (and mine, as the one footing the bills) is that there is very little opportunity aside from main stage for these kids to perform in any capacity. After a lot of initial optimism, it’s been a pretty disappointing experience at Muhlenberg.
was not commenting about your son, personally, was commenting about the fact that some 300-350 kids major in theatre. as to the opportunities, there are student directed pieces available, same as at every other school Carnegie Melon forbids their kids from working on stage until junior year - to develop a foundation before they have a chance to develop bad habits. so, not sure that the show is really as important as the training.
@elledaspitzer - my D had the following as her academic “likely” academic admits with good Theatre departments: American U, Rutgers and Temple U. A non-audition program will in all likelihood be a BA Theatre acceptance. We particularly liked Temple because they allow students to enter the BFA program via audition once they are in the school so it was our “soft landing” in case she didn’t get into a BFA program as a freshman applicant. As it happens, she did, but during the tense times leading up to that acceptance we were really grateful to have three strong BA options as the fall-back for the BFA.