<p>Hello! I'm Kaitlyn, currently a junior in high school and very interested in taking a major in a BFA acting program. Currently I have University of Miami in mind but would like to find a few more schools so that way I have options open. I know that you have to go and audition to be in the program but I want to focus mainly on acting so I don't think a BA program would suit me very well. </p>
<p>Any suggestions on what I could do to go about this? </p>
<p>Also if able I would like to maybe minor in Psychology if the school permits minors when in program and such.</p>
<p>Firstly, these boards are a total information hub and you should browse them to find out about which programs may be a good fit for you. Your post is much too vague to allow anyone to really give you ideas. East? West? How rigorous of a program do you want? etc. etc. I suggest that you check into all of the threads on this board that list good BFA programs or give information on them and that you tell us more about what you’re looking for in a program. </p>
<p>Secondly, it is nigh impossible to minor in a BFA (double majoring is virtually always impossible) but some schools DO allow it. I’m not sure you want to take on that much work. As a BFA student, you will probably be up and working from 8am - 11pm (with rehearsals, classes, and tech assignments). Just keep that in mind. </p>
<p>Well I would possibly prefer to go to College in California or somewhere close that way when I get out of school I’d already be there or would be easy to move there unlike if I was across the Country. Mainly I’d like a school that’s BFA Acting program -if there is one- would focus more so on Television and Film type acting, although Theater is still good I’m not really looking to preform in theater.</p>
<p>I guess I’m trying to say I want somewhere that prepares you for Hollywood instead of Broadway. As far as how rigorous the program is, since I’m looking to have a career in acting, I think I’d have to say the harder, more preparing program, the better.</p>
<p>Also I’m thinking I -may- want to take it further and go for a MFA. Not sure but I do definitely want to do BFA at least.</p>
<p>Okay. I would check out USC’s program because they have an excellent film and television department (probably the best in the country). I’m guessing the actors there have chances to work closely with the film majors and get experience acting in their projects, etc. UCLA has a BA that is academically rigorous and, since it’s in Los Angeles, it’ll network you before you graduate. CalArts is a great school for theatre acting. Chapman, I think, has a good film and acting program as well…might have something like “acting for the screen” as a class or major. Wherever you go, I’m sure you’ll at least be taking a class on how to act for television, but most schools tend to lean more towards theatre.</p>
<p>If you go to the first thread on this board “the twelve part archived thread”, and click on Part 8…you will find a list of BFA acting schools-- just about every one there was circa 2005…a good place to start. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the help! UCS certainly did interest me and I think I’ll try to request for more information. I did notice that schools seem to lead more towards theatre that’s why I was thinking BFA in acting would probably be my best option instead of BA which seems to be a more broad over view of theater.</p>
<p>Hm… well I’m not sure I want to try for Chapman because I heard you don’t audition for there BFA until Sophmore year and I really don’t want to be stuck there if I weren’t to get in. I guess if I didn’t there might be a way to transfer?
I’m not sure, I guess maybe ‘theatre’ might be better and just go for an MFA or something?</p>
<p>You know MFA isn’t until AFTER you’ve completed a BA or BFA program, correct? I would suggest going for the Acting BFA. It will give you the tools that you need to be a successful actor (even for the screen). Most of the techniques used are just for acting in general and not strictly theatre. For example, it will help you so much if you can analyze a scene or script in a way that will allow you to better understand your character and their intentions. If you want to be a star in Hollywood, I would suggest that you either A) Study acting or B) Skip school entirely and get out there, find an agent, and go to audition after audition.</p>
<p>Yes I know MFA wouldn’t be until after the BFA program was completed. Hm… B might be an option considering I am currently taking Theatre at the career center but I don’t think just getting out there would be a good option. Seeing as I live in Ohio I’m not sure there would be many options here and that’s why if I went to college I’d prefer it in California so that I could already be in where I want to work/live etc… The only school that’s not in Cali that I’m really wanting to go to would be University of Miami. Although I heard Outterbein {Which is in Ohio} is pretty good but they only select like 5 people for scholarships and it seems like a lot of people in my BBTC want to go there but I don’t think staying here in Ohio is a very good option.
So preferably I’d like to go to an out of state school and find a place where I could go to school and where I could audition for stuff for.</p>
<p>Hello, I currently am a BFA Acting Major at the University of Miami. Firstly, I will say it is very difficult to minor in anything because the conservatory curriculum is so demanding BUT if you come in with AP or IB credits, it’s not impossible. I transfered into the program from Marymount Manhattan and have been able to pick a film minor, so there’s hope!
I am very happy with my choice of school. It is a highly selective and competitive program with some of the most talent faculty I’ve seen at any school I visited. Our facilities are a little lack-luster, but we’re working on finding a new department chair right now that will hopefully help spruce things up a bit.
If you have any other specific questions, don’t hesitate to e-mail me as I am happy to provide any additional “insider” information you might be interested in :-)</p>
<p>To add a quick note, UM also has a great Film and TV program in the School of Communications to get involved in. There are TONS of opportunities to get cast in projects and to take film classes as well.</p>
<p>Conservatories
The Juilliard School
Carnegie Mellon University
North Carolina School of the Arts
Purchase College
California Institute of the Arts
Webster University</p>
<p>Large Universities with Elite BFAs
New York University/Tisch School of the Arts
Boston University
University of Southern California
University of Minnesota Twin Cities Guthrie Theatre Program
DePaul University
Rutgers University
Florida State University</p>
<p>Small/Medium Sized Colleges and Universities with Elite BFAs
University of Evansville
Southern Methodist University
Otterbein College
Emerson College
Ithaca College</p>
</p>