What is Boco Theatre like
For MT or the Contemporary Theater program?
Contemporary Theatre
If you are looking for a program where you audition for a lot of shows, and do a lot of plays–that is not what you will find there.
I’m not sure what the acceptance rate is, but my daughter attends there and they have a class of 10. That’s probably a hair smaller than what they are trying to garner, but it’s a new program and still growing. That’s not to say it’s not competitive–it is–but it’s unlike any other acting program in the country. It is ensemble-based with a strong focus on movement, voice (technique, not singing) and devised theater. You get to write, direct, produce, act and collaborate with your ensemble on just about everything you do (there are monologue and scene study parts of acting class, as expected). If that’s up your alley, then you are probably a good fit.
There’s quite a bit of focus on community engagement and it’s very entrepreneurial. The program itself is quite prescribed (unlike someplace like the New School where it’s more create your own adventure). There is a lot of freedom, but also a lot of responsibility put on the ensemble in class to do the work and make it their own. My daughter also really likes the faculty and the quality of the training is very high.
The sophomore class recently completed their first devised piece together in collaboration with the Double Edge Theatre. You can watch it here https://livestream.com/thebostonconservatory/2016conttheater. It might give you an idea of the type of work the CT major produces.
What has really caught my attention are the opportunities outside of the school that have been available. My daughter has already worked with a local theater company last summer and expects to again this summer. I know another student also just joined a local experimental theater group, thanks to a referral via the school.