BFA Acting!

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
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<p>Hi, I'm Lauren, I am a junior in high school and am starting to look at colleges. I have been loving this website and have spent probably hours already looking through these threads. I thought it was time to make my own to get some more advice. </p>

<p>I am interested in a BFA Acting program as opposed to a BA, I prefer west coast because I am more interested in film/TV than stage (even though I know college involves theater work). I'm going to try to make this simple and not confusing....what are peoples views on these programs....</p>

<p>West Coast
1.USC
2.CalArts
3.UCLA(BA, I know)
4.Pepperdine(BA, I know)
Others I've heard of, Chapman?</p>

<p>East Coast
1.Emerson
2.Ithaca</p>

<p>And now, random questions....
Anyone know of other good BFA programs in the L.A./Malibu/SoCal area? I feel like I am going to need to go to more schools since all the programs are very selective and I will need options if I don't get in places.
Of the schools I listed, do any current students/parents know about how often the film students work with the acting students on their films?
Which programs involve study abroad?
Do any of the programs have a possibility of graduating in less than four years? Either by attending summer school or coming in with AP credits (I'd like to finish college quicker). </p>

<p>Any or all answers would be appreciated! Thanks so much :)</p>

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<p>lauren - do a search on California theatre schools here. I asked this question last year, and others have, too. I got some great suggestions (my D toyed with going to the west coast at one point). I recall UC Irvine being strongly suggested, and Chapman does seem like a great program.</p>

<p>BFAs typically have a proscribed 4-year curriculum. But perhaps in your searching you may find schools where you can do some work in the summer, etc. Large state schools that offer more classes will be more likely to have this option. </p>

<p>Please - and we say this to everyone - try to find one or two non-auditioned programs to add to your list, great theatre BAs that you would enjoy going to. There are lots out there!</p>

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<p>Hi Lauren! I am a college audition coach on the West Coast and a large majority of my students want to stay here, consequently my main focus tends to be on the Southern California schools. Here is what I have learned on my visits to these schools and discussions with the heads of the departments:</p>

<p>USC BFA (both my daughter and son are in that program)
You may travel abroad to London and study at BADA (British Academy of Dramatic Arts) you have to audition to be accepted and they only accept 3 per semester junior year. The BA’s also audition for this program as well so it is competitive to get into. You can’t graduate in less than 4 years because of the structure of the BFA program - plus you probably wouldn’t want to because of the showcase for agents and casting directors your last semester of senior year. You can graduate early with the BA. BA’s and BFA’s have the opportunity to do a lot of student films and I believe the School of Theatre and the Film School will be tightening their relationship even more.</p>

<p>UCLA - no study aboard during the school year - you must do a summer session abroad. While I think it is possible to graduate early - it would be incredibly hard. The BA in Theatre is regarded by UCLA as their second hardest major! Working on student films is encouraged - The TFT (Theatre, Film, Telelvision) School’s new dean is very much in favor of all three areas of study working closely together.</p>

<p>Chapman - this depends on the track you take - You audition for the BA as an incoming Freshman. At the end of Freshman year you can either decide to stay in the BA track or audition for the BFA in Theatre or BFA in Film Acting - If you do the film acting track - your sole focus will be on acting for the camera and your degree will be from both the Theatre Department and Dodge School of Film. Yes, you can travel abroad too!</p>

<p>CalArts - Travel abroad is a definite possibly - they work closely with theatre companies all over the world - recent collaborations have been with companies in Paris and Central and South America. This is an intense BFA program so I am not sure if graduating early would be easily accomplished. Theatre students work closely with the Film students.</p>

<p>Pepperdine - This was my first year having students audition for this program - so I am not as familiar with it - It seems to be up and coming and let’s face it - the location rivals any campus in the world!</p>

<p>Cal State Fullerton - after you are accepted academically you will be invited to audition. This is the first year they have done this. I am sure this will make the program much more difficult to get into. They do have an acting for camera class.</p>

<p>DVD Audition programs
Loyola Marymount - BA - great program. Jesuit education - travel abroad and film opportunities - Their film school is very highly regarded and they only accept about 30 students each year, so it is very difficult to get into. LMU is located in the Marina Del Rey area - gorgeous campus and view! Great internships!</p>

<p>Occidental - you can send in a dvd if you want. This is a smaller program and highly competitive academically to get into. Travel abroad options.</p>

<p>Non-audition schools:</p>

<p>UC Irvine is getting very difficult to get into - you must have super good grades and test scores - Great school and amazing faculty.</p>

<p>Cal State Northridge and Long Beach also have good programs.</p>

<p>Cal Lutheran is a newer program that looks to be up and coming.</p>

<p>There is also AADA and AMDA which I dont know too much about, but there has been lots of discussion on CC about those programs.</p>

<p>Feel free to PM me any other questions - Good Luck!</p>

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<p>lauren - as a native Californian that was able to escape. i would just say to keep your options open throughout the country. There are fantastic schools that have great connections with the both Television/Film and run students through acting boot camp (i.e. NCUSA, SUNY Purchase Carneige Mellon to name a few), so they will tool box to draw from. The most important thing I can say is make sure you get started now - definately talk to actingmom I don’t always agree with her but she has great insight.</p>

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<p>*UNCSA, wineguy :)</p>

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<p>Okay this is what I want to know I did the UNCSA thing all the time - then I kept seeing NCUSA on the board. That’s it I’m going to website - Hell if I’m going to be wrong, which happens just about as often as me mis-spelling a word - I want to know it!</p>

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<p>As a native Californian I recall Loyola-Marymount is located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It is not near a major city, but a short distance from some beautiful residential areas in Palos Verdes Estates and Rolling Hills Estates. A car would be almost a necessity there.</p>

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<p>haha it’s all good wineguy, but trust me it’s UNCSA, I go here.</p>

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<p>I think wineguy’s mixup is that they used to call it NCSA without the U. He is just putting the U in the wrong place. :)</p>

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<p>Actually, LMU is closer to Marina del Rey.</p>

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<p>OneToughMommy and acting mom,</p>

<pre><code>You are correct. I was confusing LMU with Marymount College. Marymount College is located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It used to offer associates degrees only, but as of fall 2010 four year programs in business, liberal arts and media studies were added,

LMU is located in the Marina del Rey area. Please excuse the error.
</code></pre>

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<p>GG-No problem, just wanted to set the record straight. Anyway, in either case they’ll still need a car! /:-)</p>