<p>My son is a junior in high school. He has a good singing voice and loves musical theater but his real forte is comedy. We're doing a quick initial trip to look at NY area schools on Feb. 14 - 17, and will look at NYU-Tisch, Rutgers, Columbia and Julliard. The more I read about Julliard the less sure I am that he should even apply/ audition. </p>
<p>(We're looking at Columbia because he's interested in seeing the school and isn't convinced that he wants a BFA over a BA degree in theater. ) </p>
<p>Any recommendations of programs or words of wisdom for an actor/ comedian?</p>
<p>Thanks, polisciphd! Is that singular answer indicative of the dearth of comedy training in most of the programs discussed here? I guess that would be one good question for him to ask in the info sessions we will attend on our upcoming trip.</p>
<p>skipsmom, my son is also a comedic actor and sings as well. When we visited schools, we asked how many comedy groups and improv groups the students had established at each school. The responses to that question were very enlightening and you might want to ask that question in the info sessions. Have fun!</p>
<p>I remember that the info session for Emerson specifically talked about how important comedy is there and they listed some famous comics that are graduates. (sorry wasn't something we were focused on so don't remember any details)</p>
<p>I'm glad to hear the question does come up, and thanks for responding. His first college visits come up when we go to new york feb. 14-17, so we're compiling a list of questions now. Thanks again!</p>
<p>I think you may find that many theatre training programs will address comedy in terms of style. I think most actor training programs will work on comedic acting skills... more likely in upper level acting classes... some will also offer classes in physical acting, and clowning. Improv comedy troups and training will also exist at many schools. I think that you will find that he will also have to train in non-comedic acting techniques. Many of the best comedic actors are also gifted dramatic actors. Bill Irwin, Robin Williams, Mark Rylance (sp?) for example. Good luck! I am sure that your son will find a program where he will feel at home!</p>
<p>Thanks, and I certainly hope so! We're trying to get started and it's occurring to us that we should have started last summer. Our school guidance counselor doesn't even make INITIAL appointments with juniors until late February!</p>
<p>Chicago is known by some as the "improv capital of the world" and has such programs as Second City, Improv Olympics, etc. Both of those offer training/classes, but not standard BFA or BA degrees. However, Depaul and Northwestern are both in the Chicago area and have excellent theatre programs, and depending on scheduling and time, your son might be able to take some improv training at Second City or Improv Olympics while pursing his BFA or BA degree at a university in the area. Also, as a side note - I believe Robin Williams attended Julliard - so it may not be too "buttoned up"!</p>
<p>Here is a semester-long program called Comedy Studies offered through Columbia College in Chicago taught by Second City instructors. No matter what college you attend, you can apply to be accepted to this program. I remember reading about it and students come from all over and from many different majors.</p>
<p>"Comedy Studies is developed and taught by the experts in comedy at The Second City Training Center in Chicago, with college credit provided by Columbia College Chicago. It’s a semester abroad right in the heart of Chicago’s world- famous theater scene. And you won’t just take classes. You’ll also attend shows at a variety of improvisation and comedy venues, network with theater artists, explore Chicago’s unparalleled theater and arts world, and present your work in a showcase. For more details, including application information, click here to be redirected to the Comedy Studies website."</p>
<p>We will definitely look into this, and I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who gives so freely of their time and knowledge to newcomers like me on CC. If we had to rely on the school's gc I don't know where we'd find out half of these things! (And he goes to a very nice private school where the tuition is supposed to cover personal attention in the college process!)</p>
<p>as a follow up-this is actually what I am looking for too for my S. “Not too buttoned up” describes it pretty well. As I read some of the program descriptions for drama programs they almost sound angry and seem like they already hate the kids or what they do. (someones psyche is leaking out), “don’t try shakespere”, don’t try dialects"…as a human being and a professional in mental health, I don’t think this perspective is healthy. If they already don’t like what they are doing and reflect a snarky attitude, why should a kid want to enroll in their program, some just seem to be trying to be elite, we want to avoid that too. What are good -acting/comedy based programs that are mentally healthy, not elitist? (some parents here also sound elitist, and spend alot of time posting their kids 4.4 weighted GPA).</p>
<p>logicaldog - this thread is over 3 years old but the Northwestern and Columbia College in Chicago are two great recommendations especially since the opportunity for outside study is right there. My daughter, MT at NU, knows some kids who have gone through the whole program at the I/O and are now in an improv performance group. Improv is not the same as sketch comedy but Chicago colleges are probably a good starting place for you.</p>
<p>Logicaldog, the suggestions discouraging Shakespeare or dialects for audition monologues are a way of trying to give the kids a chance to audition as well as they can.</p>
<p>Because of the selectivity that goes on in both admissions and casting in most BFA programs, there tends to be an unavoidable degree of competitiveness among students. If you are concerned about this, talk to current students in the programs to try to determine which schools would be the most suitable.</p>
<p>As KatMT said above, you might want to study curricula to look for upper level classes in physical acting and clowning.</p>