<p>I would like to read more from those at or knowledgeable about BFA Theater (principally acting) programs (audition and nonaudition) that do what they do well, but fly under the radar. The threads have covered NYU, CMU, Tisch, BU, Syracuse, Michigan, Arizona, Evansville, DePaul, Guthrie, Emerson, USC, NCSA, etc. What about the large and small BFA programs (not LAC and other BA) rarely discussed? Who does what they do well? Where are the diamonds in the rough? What are the hidden gems? My S is applying to some of the programs listed above, but we are also looking at a lot of programs never discussed in the threads, many neither on the west or east coast. We are looking for a quality four years - teaching excellence, ethical treatment of students (i.e., no irrational cut systems), collaborative work among students. These factors are more important than who's who/where/what in theater post-graduation. For example, what about Montana, Wyoming, West Virginia, Drake, Oklahoma, Auburn, Illinois, Rhode Island, and many others, some audition and others nonaudition programs. Any opinions beyond the information provided by the web pages of such programs would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Webster in St. Louis comes to mind - good reputation.</p>
<p>Southeastern Missouri has just built a large theater complex as they are trying to build up their reputation. This may be another to look at.</p>
<p>Don't know if you get a BFA but you might want to look into St. Edwards in Austin TX: <a href="http://www.stedwards.edu%5B/url%5D">http://www.stedwards.edu</a>
A major in Theater Arts requires that students first master the theater core, which provides them with a general knowledge of all aspects of Theater Arts. Upon completion, students can then continue toward specialization in either acting, design/technical theater, or arts administration. Because of our U/RTA contract with Actors' Equity Association, students who successfully complete the requirements of the Membership Candidate Program are eligible to join Actors' Equity.</p>
<p>University of MN in TCities - the Gutherie program
The way the department is set up is that it is a separate "Arts" campus adjacent to the campus so it has the "feel" of an arts school but the benefits of being part of a campus that has more to offer in the traditional college experience.
I know someone in the program right now and they are LOVING it!</p>
<p>SUNY at Purchase. It's the arts magnet school for the state university of new york. The gal who plays "Carmella" on the Sopranos and who also starred as the cop "Marge" in the movie Fargo is one of their BFA theater graduates.</p>
<p>Guthrie and SUNY Purchase are both excellent programs but they're not really 'hidden gems'. They're both very well known in the theatre community and highly respected, in addition to being very selective. :)</p>
<p>paying3, Edie Falco, probably best known for The Sopranos, although she's had a very successful acting career on stage and tv for many years, did indeed go to Purchase (although, many moons ago!) but she wasn't in Fargo. You're thinking of Frances McDormand. Both are wonderfully talented actors.</p>
<p>^^ayup. right-ee. thanks for the correction!</p>
<p>'Hidden Gems' are programs like the ones I listed above. Webster is an example, and I have looked into it. Perhaps I should add some criteria to 'hidden gems' - would be ranked on the prestige meter as third tier, the tier, say, below Florida State, Arizona, Utah, but very good programs. For example, I have heard good things about Wyoming and a number on the MT thread have said good things about Drake, which now requires auditions. I also use the term 'hidden gem' because the word safety communicates little. As an educator, I assume that there is not a strong correlation between program prestige and its quality of yeaching/passion/compassion/sincerity/ethics. A hidden gem has little of the former, but loads of the latter.</p>
<p>I agree....Guthrie and SUNY Purchase are top programs and not "hidden gems." </p>
<p>What about (not in your original post):
Chapman
UConn
Webster
UC-Santa Barbara
U Colorado - Boulder
University of Hartford - Hartt
University of Central Florida
Illinois Wesleyan
Millikin
Roosevelt
Indiana
UMiami
U of Maryland
Western Michigan
U of Minnesota Duluth
College of Santa Fe
Marymount Manhattan
Pace
SUNY Buffalo
SUNY Fredonia
Elon
Kent State
Wright State
Point Park
UArts
Shenandoah Conservatory
Viterbo</p>
<p>***some are not so "hidden" but are not listed in your first post. </p>
<p>***this is hardly an exhaustive list</p>
<p>EDIT....I cross posted and did not see your new criteria but don't have time to devote more to this and have to get back to my work.</p>
<p>soozievt: good list; I have looked into many of these programs.
-We are planning to apply to UCONN, but I have heard that the University is looking to push the program into the top tier.
-We are looking at Hartt, but not as a hidden gem; though the University of Hartford's rating is low, I interpret Hartt as one of the better programs out there
- I wish that Indiana would follow-up its new BFA in MT with a BFA in Theater - as it stands now, its program looks like an extension of the English Department. Maryland is a BA program that is more BFA-like.
-There have been positive comments on Illinois Wesleyam on the MT threads. A rarity - BFA in a small LAC, as, interestingly, as do other midwestern programs like Marietta and Otterbein ( not a hidden gem, but well known for its quality)
-Vitebro is a relatively new university (though it traces a longer history in its previous incarnations)
-We were looking at Colorado, but took it off the list because they do not admit diectly into the program.
-UC-Santa Barbara- I was wondring why their undergrad program's reputation is not nearly that of USC's - I mean, do I want to spend 4 years in Santa Barbara or 4 years in central LA. I don't get it. OK, Hollywood and networking opportunities.</p>
<p>_I would like to hear from anybody familiar with SUNY-Buffalo. Back in the 1980s the University was one of the top reseach universities in the country. Its not the nicest looking campus (i interviewed there years back) and the weather is what you would expect, but why wouldn't their program be higher ranked, given that it is a flagship university in the SUNY system?
-Would definately apply to Miami if we could afford it
- sorry for blathering.</p>
<p>-the schools on our consideration list that might be hidden gems include:
-West Virginia
-Drake
-Wyoming
-Montana
-Marietta
-May now add Buffalo (does it do direct admission? Need to check)</p>
<p>Our higher-tier consideration list includes Hartt, Evansville, Connecticut, Illinois, Florida State</p>
<p>Our highest-tier list includes BU (son spent summer in their theater institute and came back thinking 'BU or bust'), Syracuse, Guthrie, and Rutgers</p>
<p>We are considering three BA programs
-Bennington
_Penn State
- Franklin & Marshall</p>
<p>Why these choices and not others has to do with the fact that the expensive schools on our list have a tuition exchange agreement with my employer (NYU, Elon, Miami, etc. do not).</p>
<p>Brian, I don't have time to help with individual cases on the forums as I have lots of work with individual students to do off the forum. I can't go over your list but I have one comment. </p>
<p>I know your son did the program over the summer at BU. I had a client who did that program one summer and had such positive feedback alluding to her being likely to be admitted to the BFA and she applied ED and did not get in (she is now at NYU/Tisch). (btw, to show you the fickle odds....my D has a friend in the program at BU who did not get into Tisch) I also have a niece who went to the BU Theater Intensive and loved it, the summer before your son. It was one of the schools on her list too. She did not get in. She just entered the BFA in Acting at UMichigan. It is understandable that your son adored the program at BU but encourage him to not have his heart set on ONE particular school but to find appealing things about all of his schools. Remind him that he KNOWS BU much better than the others and it is natural to prefer it but had he spent the summer at one of the others, he might feel the same or even prefer them. Also, he has not visited all of his schools, right? It is common to prefer ones you have visited over ones you only know on paper and so tell him to stay open and realize he has yet to visit some that can't yet compare equally. I hope he can visit at least at auditions if he has not yet. He truly truly must move away from the attitude of "X school or bust" when it is this competitive and when there SURELY are many schools where he could thrive and be very happy and he just doesn't know it yet. Try to do more visits. Don't let him pin hopes on ONE school. Everyone has favorites but it is better to have a pile of more favored schools, not ONE singular one and also it is important to like every school on their list or the school shouldn't even go on the list.</p>
<p>soozievt: I provided a list hoping that I could get a more active discussion going by many individuals in this section of CC, much like the 'buzz' in the MT thread. I have been reading your posts for many months. You have helped quite a number of people on CC. </p>
<p>Thanks for the information about BU; I assume that the comments made during the summer mean little. My S is getting used to the idea that he is likely going elsewhere; we are not willing to pay that much, given that less expensive options are out there. </p>
<p>By the way, just to comment further on the 'hidden gems' list for anyone who wants to join the discussion, SUNY Buffalo does not accept students directly into their Acting program; Different rules apply to MT applicants.</p>
<p>briansteffy: "Maryland is a BA program that is more BFA-like."</p>
<p>I'm really curious about UMD, and no one I've talked to has seemed to know much about it. What is their theatre program like?</p>
<p>
[quote]
[SUNY-Buffalo]why wouldn't their program be higher ranked, given that it is a flagship university in the SUNY system?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I can stand up for how much students in Buffalo enjoy this community, which has a great community showing for numerous regional repertory troupes (Irish Classical Theater, Jewish Repertory Theater, Shea's for visiting national shows, summer Shakespeare in Delaware Park, and another several live theaters). Lately some movies have filmed here and there's some buzz about that, but they bring in their own actors. At most there are extra parts for the community or students. Troma Production company came to town 2 summers ago, and my S got a part in their recently released film, Poltrygeist, as a stunt man and extra. That's not exactly reason to move to BUffalo! I'm glad to see film companies scouting out Buffalo but there's by no means enough here to situate oneself here for 1-3 films per year. That's better than no films, as previously, but I'd not be honest to give an impression that filming in Buffalo is frequent. </p>
<p>But ever since I've moved here, just 3 years ago, I've heard that this isn't the flagship but might become one, should be one, etc. So I'm puzzled for how to reply to your comment. I'm afraid I don't know much about SUNY acting or MT programs, either up or down. I usually see one or maybe two actors who are SUNY students or SUNY grads in support or lead/support roles when I attend the communty theater shows. The economy can't support all these theaters into the future, and many say there are simply too many theaters for the market. Founded by charismatic individuals 20-30 years ago, they all are nervous about whether they'll continue into the next decade, since Buffalo lost 30% of its population within the past 30 years.</p>
<p>Shea's gets the national shows, and these make the profit. The rest of the community theaters make it lovely for residents, but you can't depend on them to all survive much longer. It's not the way, say, Guthrie Theater works for Minneapolis, or Arena Stage for Washington, D.C. As a townie, I always enjoy the community theater productions when I go. The college students acting are on par with the others onstage. I'm embarassed to tell you I've never gone onto campus for a SUNY production, but that's my bad. </p>
<p>I do enjoy Buffalo and think it's a great city for college students. Housing's affordable, Niagara Falls and Toronto are good escapes, the college is in an upscale suburb (Amherst) with nightlife downtown (Chippewa Street). Weather's bad in winter but beautiful for the other 3 seasons. Campus architecture is undistinguished. Students find the city liveable and are seen all over the area in various cafes. Amherst is the safest town in America, statistically. Downtown Buffalo has some arts revival happening along Elmwood Ave, and renewal of attention to Hertel Ave for young people. The rest of the City of Buffalo is overcome with poverty and numerous problems pf a stalled rust belt economy and myopic local officials who can't seem to figure out how to develop its magnificent lakefront possibility. Community citizens in Buffalo and its suburbs are the nicest people I've ever met, always helpful.</p>
<p>WIsh I could help more.</p>
<p>Maybe the SUNY Buffalo theater program isn't magnificently developed because there is a SUNY Purchase downstate to fill the bill?</p>
<p>Students I know from Buffalo-area schools who want to pursue theater often try for Purchase, New Paltz, or if in MT, they go to Fredonia which has an interesting MT program, but is in an extremely isolated location. From these several converations, I understood that they didn't dislike the SUNY-Buf theater program; rather they wanted to move further away from ma and pa's house in Buffalo. Jobs are so scarce around here that they grow up hearing their friends say only, gotta get outta Buffalo! Can't blame them, they want a wider future. This has nothing to do with what's offered at SUNY BUffalo for students statewide, of course. And many Buf h.s. students do go to SUNY Buffalo, as residents or commuters.</p>
<p>Responses to above: Maryland apparently has built an incredible new performance facility. In contrast to other BA programs on large Publics (i.e.,), there are lots of acting, movement, etc. courses with fewer required literature courses.
In the 1980s Buffalo had one of the best literature, social science, and business programs in the country. SUNY Binghamton was new to the scene and a number of existing campuses did not exist. I suspect, as stated, that the reputation of Purchase has influenced those in the state that direct resources.</p>
<p>payingTuitions: I liked Buffalo; It gets a bad rap. Someone once told me that the overpowering dominance of NYC encouraged relatively isolated cities like Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse (once lived here) to develop their own cultural programs and identity.</p>
<p>My daughter is a BFA student at UCSB, and loves it. Students enter the school as declared theater majors, then audition at the end of the freshman year for the BFA program. Those not admitted to the program continue in the department as BA candidates, but don't get the same intense training in acting, movement, and voice as the BFA kids. BFA students are not allowed to double-major, or even minor in another subject, and outside activities are discouraged. They do cut students in the first year, but my daughter says that after that cuts are rare. The BFA majors are a small, tight-knit group of kids who are very supportive of one another. Many of the school's graduates have been admitted to highly-regarded MFA programs. I have been impressed with the shows I have seen at the school, most recently a summer-program "Tempest", directed by the department head, which has forever changed the way I think about that play. (They're performing it again in October - can't wait to see it again!)
And, yes, SB is a pretty nice place to spend four years...</p>
<p>pamavision: I suspect that an out-of-state student has to have exceptional stats (GPA, SAT) to get into UCSB. Is this true?</p>
<p>Glad you revived this thread - Closer to this coast, does anyone know anything about West Virginia University's BFA program. It does not audition HS students, except for scholarship funding.</p>
<p>Sorry, I don't know the answer to that. I do know that the school has become more and more competitive each year (haven't they all?)</p>