Hey everyone.
So, to start off, musical theatre is my passion. To this day I tell people my dream is to be on Broadway or even just work as professional MT actress. Long story short, due to a lot of uneventful circumstances, I was unable to audition for a lot of MT schools during the class of 2019 BFA audition season my senior year of HS (2014-2015), and for those that did have MT, they were non audition and I was either rejected academically because of their low acceptance rates or couldn’t afford the school. The college I ended up choosing was the only one to give me basically a full ride, but it doesn’t have a musical theatre major. I’m trying to make the best of it, but really, this school isn’t for me - it’s too large, the arts are underfunded, and the atmosphere is just isn’t what I want out of college. I’m only a sophomore and I can feel myself losing all the musical theatre skills I learned in high school, and I want to be able to learn and grow and train with people my age and improve my craft, not just perform. So I think now that I’m older, more mature and (trying) to become more independent from my parents, I want to try and go through the audition process again during what would be my junior year while trying to train outside of school to prepare for the auditions (which may or may not include still attending the school I’m at now).
The musical theatre program I am looking should be:
- either a BFA-conservatory style with in a larger university or a straight conservatory
- accepts transfer students OR if I decide to start completely over as a freshman, is open to accepting and training a student three years older than the rest of the class
- will accept at least some of my gen eds (if a university)
- one that fosters community and not competition (perhaps a smaller class size)
- focuses on both classical/Golden Age and contemporary/pop/rock MT
- reasonable dorming space
- has showcases
- not a billion MT majors vying for a mainstage show spot - an equal chance for everyone
- no cut program
- allows majors to pursue outside theater interests, such as student directed shows or writing plays
I hope this is enough info to get some advice - I really want to get started on this process as soon as possible!
A suggestion: If you are already 2 years into getting a BA - I wonder if it would be worthwhile to finish your degree at your current school while taking some outside classes in voice, dance and acting and perhaps audition for shows both at school and within your community for the next 2 years. Then perhaps you could go to a 2 year non-school affiliated training program like Circle In the Square, AMDA or Cap 21 (2 year program) for more intense training? This way you would have both a college degree and the intense training you want in the same amount of time as if you had to start over as a freshman somewhere? Especially since you have a full ride at your current school - I think this would be the most cost effective way to go.
You could also do summer training programs while still at your current school. Circle in the Square, Broadway Dance Center, Broadway Theatre Project, The Performing Arts Project, and others all take students your age and above. These might be a way to supplement what you are getting during the regular school year and provide you with the intense training you desire?
There are also schools that offer a masters in musical theater. OCU is one. I think UCSD is another. Perhaps you can finish your undergrad degree and then apply to graduate programs?
Transferring is difficult at best. Hopefully others on CC will have recommendations of schools who will allow you to do so. I do think I would explore other options besides switching schools to get the training you desire. Best of luck to you.
I agree with @vvnstar. It is very difficult to transfer to MT in general, and to do so as a junior transfer student- not sure how possible that would be. Getting training outside of school may be your best bet!
Agree with @stagedoormama and @vvnstar about taking classes outside of school and attending a training program or getting a MFA after you graduate. If you transfer, you will have to start as a freshman at most BFA programs as they have required classes all 4 years.
That’s not to say that it isn’t done. There are several transfers in D’s program that are older than she is as a senior. When she was a freshman, there was even a student in their early 30’s. The reality is that it the audition process is very difficult as a “real” incoming freshman, and even more so as a transfer student. Good luck!
@thespianed I Agreed with the previous posters since you already have two years in I’d finish your BA Then I’d look at the MFA programs. Especially since you have free ride. Many schools have concentrations in writing and or directing. Are you getting your current degree in theater? You said you felt like you are losing the skills you gained in high school. What are your current strengths and weaknesses? Also. I could be wrong but I don’t think there is much aid for MFA’s and transfers. A bonus is scheduling might be easier depending how your winter break falls. Good luck to you.