<p>My daughter wants to major in theatre, perhaps heading towards a career as a stage manager, although she enjoys all aspects of theatre and would like the chance to do some acting as well while in college. She begins her senior year next month, with a B+ GPA, 1900 SAT, newspaper editor, and lots of theatre activity (including "Best Thespian" award the last two years). She leans towards going to college in CA, and likes Scripps, Occidental, Chapman, LMU, Santa Clara, Whittier, and UCSB. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.</p>
<p>Last I looked at Scripps, your kid wont get in. I like Chapman on paper as I know two of their professors and they are off the page brilliant. Dont know about their theater program though. On this new SAT format, I dont know, and I get the sense that many schools dont yet know what is good, bad and ugly. As a UCSB alum, I have posted previously about the theater program. It has the best theater program of your list in my opinion but I dont know if those scores will get your kid in. Best bet is to take a decent load this fall and get a straight 4.0. Otherwise a year or two at a CC might be an idea. For UCSB you have to do the full GE bit anyway and you cannot audition for Theater major until beginning of sophomore year (yet anyone can audition for plays)</p>
<p>The facilities are awesome and while it is in no way a top conservatory, I know of two grads who have killer acting jobs.</p>
<p>Theater education is tough in CA. What about spreading out farther from home? My CA kid is only considering schools in the Midwest and East. His stats are similar and we've had some very welcoming feedback from schools we've visited regarding admissions with such stats. The programs in that part of the country seem to be stronger as well.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses. Regarding more Eastward schools, we did look at several, including Ithaca and Drew to which she is applying. Are there others you might suggest?</p>
<p>I suggest you look at CSU Fullerton. The program is nationally ranked among the best theatre departments, the tuition cannot be beat (one of the best bargains in your own backyard, if you're a CA resident), the faculty are all working professionals, and the alums are working.</p>
<p>Check it out, if interested,</p>
<p>eve</p>
<p>Oh, I almost forgot - we just got a BFA in Acting degree approved, so the actor training will increase in units (students will be taking more acting/voice & mvmt units than before, when there was only a BA), and also in quality (presumably the acting program is expected to be comparable to the growth/quality in the existing Musical Theatre BFA program - which is pretty hot right now).</p>
<p>eve</p>
<p>How about Emerson College and Ithaca college ??I had the chance to visit both and i was very impressed with their facilities and faculty..I'm going to major in communication(radio/tv/film) and i'm also very interested in acting.</p>
<p>I think that there have been great discussions of these schools on another thread. You should do a search (by name) for those two schools.</p>
<p>Best wishes,</p>
<p>eve</p>