My daughter is a junior who wants to pursue a BFA in Technical Theater. She has good crew experience at her high school,
good grades (3.6), but low test scores. She wants to focus on theater, not too much general education (hence, BFA). But she also might like to study more than one aspect of tech theater (set design & construction, lighting design & tech, special effects make-up). She wants to be in a fairly warm climate, looking at the strip from Maryland down to South Carolina. Very interested in UNC School of the Arts, and we will visit in March 2016, but they do require a focused major from day one. I would be grateful to learn of any other schools we should look into in the area. Thanks!
Hi @Cantrix I just completed my application process and am now going to PSU in the fall for a BFA in Design/Tech. UNCSA will definitely drill you into specific niches from day one…but if you graduate from there, your career opportunities are practically limitless! Try looking into VCU (Another great BFA program). VCU, however, makes you audition for the BFA program after your sophomore year I believe? I met with the professors there and it was clear that you don’t enter as a BFA. I also know that both Towson and JMU have good programs, too. Although not BFA programs, their students go places as well. Feel free to message me about the application process. You might want to expand your geographical “strip” if possible as there are many great programs at Ithaca, Pace, Penn State (WE ARE!), Montclair, etc. Also, low test scores won’t result in an admissions rejection if your daughter has talent/experience.
Thanks for your reply, Techtheatrewiz. I hear you about expanding the geographical range, but my daughter is adamant that she wants a warmer climate (we are in the Chicago area). She is also looking at some schools in southern California: Chapman, Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (two-year program), and I am going to suggest she consider Santa Fe Univ School of the Arts.
Which PSU are you going to? VCU is Virginia Commonwealth Univ, yes? I saw this mentioned on another post. I am not very familiar with the region, just starting to become familiar with it.
I do wonder about the portfolio. Descriptions on web sites sometimes make it sound very intimidating, not like anything a high school student could realistically do.
I was guessing that the test scores would be the least important part of the application; glad to have that confirmed.
@Cantrix I am going to be attending PSU University Park (Main Campus). That is the only campus where they offer the theatre major. Yes, VCU is Virginia Commonwealth University. The portfolio requirements are going to depend on the school. Some schools are going to look for what you have done while others are going to look for your potential, but most will look at both. Unfortunately, I cannot vouch for any schools on the West Coast 
If you would like message me, and I can show you an example of a tech portfolio. Coming from the DC area, I can tell you that Maryland gets cold winters. Basically, the south starts around Richmond (Weather Wise)…and Richmond has gotten plenty of snow this year.
Also, when touring schools, try to get a tour of the theatre department separately. Your D will get a much better understanding and feel for the department if she can do this. After all, when learning in a BFA environment, you are going to be spending endless amounts of time with your theatre friends in the scene shop and in the theatre buiding. If you have any morew questions, please feel free to ask (Especially about east coast schools 
)
If she’s willing to do Maryland, weather wise, look at Shenandoah (which is in VA, but close to the MD line, so the weather is more mid-Atlantic than “southern”).
I’ve also heard really good things about Coastal Carolina.
UNCSA has a top notch rep for technical theater, as well as performance. I would encourage you to take a good look at the program.
Thanks so much for this info, TDMom2. I had not heard of either school, but the web sites look good. I will look into them.
Thanks! We are scheduled to visit there at the end of March and are very excited about it.
James Madison has a strong program, but may not be what she is looking for, since the students do also take a fair amount of Geneds.
Take a look at Coastal Carolina University. Terrific BFA in Design and Tech. They have a nice Facebook page (Coastal Carolina University Department of Theatre) that highlights what some of their grads, including DT grads, are up to.
https://www.coastal.edu/theatre/html/bfa-technical-theatre.html