<p>SoozieVT - you have mentioned on some of your posts that one consideration is whether a college offers BOTH a BFA and a BA in musical theater when deciding on BA school choices. And that you would definitely NOT consider it a reason for eliminating Indiana as a BA choice that they also offer a BFA. Would you mind elaporating on your thoughts regarding this ?</p>
<p>THANK YOU</p>
<p>Generally speaking, I am not that keen on doing a BA at a school that also offers a BFA program. But that is a generalization and would be a cause to look at this closely with each program so that the BA students are not second fiddle to the BFA ones and are also cast in the musicals, etc. </p>
<p>At Indiana, I feel that before their BFA recently came along, it was one of the few BA programs where one could concentrate in MT (there are some others but not a lot). There is an individualized major in MT in the BA track and a good viable option there. My daughters' friend just graduated from it (there was no BFA at the school most of her time there). I just think that the BA students at Indiana, a big school, would and do have opportunities to study MT....theater, dance, voice, and to be in the musicals. And since there are so few BA in MT schools out there, this is one worth considering if you want a BA or as a BA back up to a list that is primarily BFAs. It also is not that hard to get into academically and so for some who want a BFA, this is a good back up school where one could still study MT. A very good student stands to even get a scholarship. It is also a very good school. From what I know of it, I think the BA students would still get opportunities in the courses and the shows but it is worth asking very specific questions on a visit to be sure. I have had a bunch of students apply as their BA school who preferred a BFA in MT as their first choice. But even if one prefers a BA, I think this one is good on the list because there just are not a lot of BA programs where one can put together a MT program for themselves. This is one but not the only one. It also is not as competitive academically as some of the other BA in MT options (or some of those also have an audition and this school doesn't, making it safer). At some of the BFA schools, their BA track is not really IN musical theater and those kids are not in the musicals. But I think at IU, the BA in MT kids can study this field and also be cast in shows. But do check the details out.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for the detailed elaboration.</p>
<p>IU previously turned out BFA-LIKE trained students under their BA in Individualized Majors option. They also have a BA in Theatre and Drama program and for the past 2 yrs have had a new BFA MT program. There is no BA MT program. </p>
<p>According to the handout and presentation from IU during the BFA auditions the following are the basic differences between being in the BA T&D program and the BFA MT program if one were to pursue training in the MT area:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Vocal training - currently BFA MTs are trained by special BFA MT staff while BA T&Ds are trained from the staff of Jacobs School of Music (please note the credentials of Jacobs as this isn't shabby). </p></li>
<li><p>BFA MTs are guaranteed space in 4 semesters of MT training class and 2 semesters of MT dance class. BAs can get in these classes subject to availability and auditioning. </p></li>
<li><p>Both BFAs and BAs can audition for the Senior Showcase. </p></li>
<li><p>They caution that because of the demands of the BFA program it is not realistic or practical to do some things such as join a sorority or do a semester abroad - although I think this may be possible if you were willing to extend graduation to 5 yrs - you could double check with the dept about this. </p></li>
<li><p>BA T&Ds have more scheduling availability to take other courses including advanced acting courses.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I know that Indiana doesn't have a BA in MT per se, but my understanding is that they have a BA Individualized Major option in MT. Is that correct?</p>
<p>A BA major at IU can put together essentially, a MT major for themselves. Right?</p>
<p>The Individualized Majors Program at IU is for students who want a major that isn't offered at IU... like Pre-Veterinarian Medicine. Since there is now an official degree offered for Musical Theater, you can no longer be an "IMP MT". The last of them is graduating in 2010. </p>
<p>Also, we were told that beginning with the class of 2011, only BFAs and MFAs will be allowed to audition for showcase.</p>
<p>In terms of the MT classes at IU, last year there were probably six to eight spots open in all of our MT classes. This year there are only one or two non-majors in each. When there is another class of BFAs there will probably be none. </p>
<p>There's also only one person in the cast of The Wild Party who isn't a BFA Musical Theater student.</p>
<p>This is all obviously still up in the air... they make changes to our curriculum and policies all the time since the program is still a work in progress. I'm also not saying this to crush anyone's dreams... I just don't want anyone to come to IU as a BA T&D and then be disappointed in the musical theater experience he or she receives. This year even the non-mainstage musicals are being dominated by BFA MTs.</p>
<p>WSHoos, </p>
<p>It was during the auditions for the 2012 class when explaining the differences between the BA and BFA that they said the showcase would be available to BAs. If this has changed, it must have changed since March. </p>
<p>I guess I can see THTR T300 having less open spaces if there is just one T300 and it is taken by Soph, Juniors and Seniors. Is this what is happening? If there was a T300 for Sophs it shouldn't matter as I think there are only 10 BFA Freshmen this year.</p>
<p>After speaking with the head of the theatre department at Indiana, I have to tell you that I am very impressed. It sounds like kids who major in theatre (BA) can get an incredible amount of MT experience while still getting a broad education. In some ways, it sounds even better than getting a BFA because students can graduate with a back-up plan (like a teaching certificate.) I've spoken to so many heads of departments, I honestly can't remember everything he said, but I do remember that it sounded spectacular. My daughter loves Indiana so much (my older son attends). She said that she may decide to go there no matter what happens with her BFA MT auditions at other schools. She will be auditioning for the MT program, but if she doesn't make it, Indiana is still one of her favorites- and she's already been accepted to the school. Although she will be auditioning for CMU, NYU, and Ithaca in February, at this point she isn't so sure that the "whole college experience" at any of these will match Indiana. And, even though Indiana's MT major is new, the school has an amazing reputation for the arts. I understand that it is one of the best in the country.</p>
<p>tinamay,
As a raduate of IU Bllomington and a lifetime "Hoosier at heart" I can reaffirm that your daughter will be thrilled if she spends her next 4 years in Bloomington. My D came thisclose to going there 2 years ago. I have a dear friend whose D is lamenting that she did not joint the inaugural MT program 2 years ago, and is not all that happy in her current MT program. The only caveat I have is that what is said in theory and what is done in practice seems to be diverging as the BFA program beecomes more established. I have 3 good friends whose Ds are all BAs in theater at IU this year and although they made numerous callbacks for fall shows, in the end none of them were cast, and the MTS along with the grad students seem to be getting the slots. I would really check with Mr. Pinney himself about casting and as to who wil be allowed to attend or audition to attend showcases. He is definitely the best source, a very lovely man. IU is definitely a glorious place to get the college experience to the fullest!</p>
<p>oops- graduate!</p>
<p>If you are thinking about coming for drama and hanging out with the MT people, don't bother. The MT people think they are all that, and one even asked a drama major to tie her shoes.</p>
<p>Imdone - It seems you have had some personal bad experiences and that is unfortunate and I'm sorry for you. But in the interest of the forum I have to comment that my D is a BA Theatre freshman and friends with a majority of the BFAs. She's a very friendly down-to-earth unpretentious girl and finds the BFAs the same. She is in all the same classes with them and invited to their social events and friends with them. Or as the kids say "she hangs with them". I have never once heard her say "there is this one person...." or spoken negatively about any of them. And she definitely would have because she likes "nice" people.</p>