<p>I am currently a freshman theater major at Columbia College Chicago, and I'm hoping to transfer for the Fall 09 semester. I want to continue in theater but I think I'm too late to apply and schedule auditions for the 2009 Chicago Unifieds. Also, I want to go to a school where I can get great training but also a well-rounded education. Opinions on the best theater schools that don't require an audition? Any advice would be appreciated!</p>
<p>My stats:
High school GPA: 3.99
Class rank: 20/499
AP: 4 courses, 4s and 5s on all AP tests
ACT: 33
College GPA: 3.94</p>
<p>There are many strong theatre programs that do not require an audition. Best is in the eye of the beholder, and is more about best fit for the student. Can you give a little more information in terms of size, geographical preference, etc...</p>
<p>I would ideally like to be in the Midwest or the Northeast...just not anywhere in the South. I don't have much of a preference in regards to size-- I'm pretty open to looking at any good school that also offers a great drama program.</p>
<p>I would suggest looking at Muhlenberg College in PA. If you are looking for good LAC I would also suggest Skidmore and Vassar in NY. </p>
<p>I am sure there are many great schools in the midwest as well... I am not as familiar with the programs out there. </p>
<p>I saw that you were also asking on a different thread about William & Mary.... it is definately in the SOUTH :) </p>
<p>I teach at James Madison University also in VA... There is a required audition for the Musical Theatre Concentration, but currently an audition is not required for the Theatre Concentration. I would be happy to answer any questions you have about JMU if you PM me. </p>
<p>Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Only 100 theatre majors accepted per year. Top 3 undergrad theatre program. All theatre majors in the communications school can double major and/or minor in the College of Arts & Sciences. Many regard Northwestern's undergrad theatre program as the best in the nation. Regardless of one's opinion, it certainly is the best program which does not require an audition. Admission, however, is highly competitive.</p>
<p>Those whom I know who landed at Northwestern for theater are kids who are competitive for BFA audition programs and are very strong in talent. I believe a school can assess quite a bit on paper if a student is highly committed to this area and has achievements of note in it. They can also examine the kind of student they are. This is enough to accept them and train them further. They still land with a talented student body in the program.</p>
<p>As well, since it is not a BFA, it is not a professional degree program. It is a BA which is a college major in a liberal arts context. It is not as crucial that they accept kids into a BA major of a certain level of talent in that field like it would be for a professional training program. Rather, they accept very strong students who have demonstrated strong interest and have achievements in their background enough so that they can handle the BA degree program, which is what it is after all.</p>
<p>I have read in more than one place that Northwestern only accepts a certain number of students as theater majors. Does anyone know if this is really true and if so, what that number is, and when the determination is made?</p>
<p>momof3sons, I just commented on another post regarding our discussion with the NU Theater department last year. In that discussion we were told they accept a maximum of 100 incoming students each year into the Theater department. They also stressed to us that it is extremely difficult to transfer into the program as they want their students to be in the department for the full 4 years. Although the program is a BA degree, according to the NU Theater Department web-site, they consider their program a conservatory .</p>
<p>TheatreMom2009,
Thank you for the information. I could not find that information on the NU web site.<br>
Do you know if it is feasible to double major in Theater and another subject from the School of Arts & Sciences? Are there students who actually do?</p>
<p>momof3sons, we did not ask this question of the NU Theater department so I don’t know their “official” stance on the matter, but, my daughter knows a boy who is a Sophomore in the program and is double-majoring in English. I suspect that it is easier to double-major in certain subjects than in others due to the possible cross-over of classes. English/Theater are certainly very intertwined. I would strongly recommend that you contact the department! They are very nice and helpful.</p>
<p>lzs18, by all means, if NU is your dream school, try to transfer in. Last year (07-08) I believe they had 2 transfers. Yes, that’s only 2% of the incoming class, but it IS 2%…it was NOT 0%. You may be just what they are looking for! Just know the issues going in, and IF you’re not accepted, understand that it was a major uphill battle anyway and has nothing to do with your talent ability!</p>
<p>TheatreMom2009—you mean 2 transfers or 2% acceptance rate? And I assume you are only talking about theatre majors, the general NU transfer acceptance rate is higher, right?</p>
<p>Look at page 30. The major takes up 15 courses. You need 45 courses to graduate so that leaves you 30 courses for liberal arts distro and free electives.</p>