BFA vs BA

My D was directed to the BA program after her audition. I know the differences in the courses, but do BA’s get the same consideration as BFA’s for roles?

I think it would depend on the school.

At schools that have both BA and BFA programs it will really vary from school to school. Your D should ask her departmental contact, and ask to speak with current students in the BA program about their experiences. This will help her get a better idea of what is possible, and what is common at that school.

Agree with @KatMT. Make sure you get very clear answers! In my (limited) experience, it seems in some programs, non-BFA majors would be considered for roles (VP majors are frequently cast at BW) but do not get the same class options. In other programs, non-BFA students do not audition for the same shows. My D is at SUNY Purchase (Acting major); they cast their shows as companies, with each BFA class representing a company, for mainstage (produced) productions. There are a plethora of other opportunities (student-produced and black box) which seem to be open to BA students.

My D is a BA student and I agree with the above posts. Her school lets BAs audition and does cast some. I think they have a preference for the BFAs but my D doesn’t think so and that it is based upon role and your auditon/performance.

The classes comment by @artskids is partially true in my D’s case. She could take all the same classes but in a couple cases there were special sections for BFAs. But upper level classes are all the same. The other opportunities comment is also a good one. In addition to the smaller productions at the school there is also community theatre (although sometimes BFAs have some restrictions on community theatre that BAs don’t have).

So you really do need to check with the schools and ask many questions.

Agreeing with everyone else posted above. Depends on the school. At WSU, BAs can audition for shows and often get cast in lead and supporting roles. Class options differ, but there may be some wiggle room if a class is not full and the student shows a good work ethic/perseverance.

Also consider who will be giving voice lessons. At NYU Steinhardt only VP majors get full time faculty as their voice instructors. Everyone else who gets voice lessons through NYU Steinhardt (even other music majors with vocal performance–ie. music ed) get adjunct professors or grad students.