I appreciate the comments about looking at bigger schools, but she really needs to be at a smaller school. I understand @jonri. We will certainly ask about that. Thanks for the heads up.
@time4adventure You said she was interested in Kenyon. I don’t know if POS allows me to link to it because it’s a blog, but google “A Guide to Student Theater at Kenyon” and you’ll find a blog with a good description of how things work at Kenyon.
The blog has the kind of information I think it’s helpful to know.
I would second the suggestion above and take a look at the theater offerings at various colleges that are of interest to your D. Many liberal arts colleges have opporltunities to participate in theater–some are departmental productions and some are student run productions. As people have pointed out, the specifcs will vary by college (how many productions, who can participate, etc.).
Wesleyan, Vassar, Skidmore, Sarah Lawrence
Not an LAC but it is a smallish university. Consider Case Western Reserve University especially if her ACT is closer to 33. They have several performances a year and auditions are for both theater majors and non theater students. Additionally if she like to watch performances Cleveland has the second largest theater district in the country which I believe there is a train which runs from the university district to the downtown area around Playhouse Square. There are a lot of other arts available in University Circle as well.
Northwestern has something like one student production per week, according to the young woman who gave our tour. Also, they encourage multiple majors and Theater can be one of them. She said most Theater majors were double or even triple majoring (they call it something else, not major, but it’s close to the same.)
It’s a great school, but be aware that they do not give any merit money and it is expensive. However, their financial aid meets all need with no loan component.
Playhouse Square in Cleveland is terrific with very very good theater offerings. BUT…it’s not downtown…it’s about 1/2 way between CWRU and downtown. Also, there is no train running between CWRU and Playhouse Square…not sure if the Rapid Transit has a stop or not (sort of a train…i guess). But I’m guessing CWRU might have shuttle service to shows…worth inquiring.
I still say…check Otterbein. It’s a very small college but has a lively theater scene…or at least did ten years ago!
Your daughter should feel free to email the drama department chairs at these schools and ask. They will answer!
Schools I would check out to obtain specifics as to how common it is for non-majors to participate in extracurricular theater are, though I believe they can at these schools:
Tufts
Brandeis
Skidmore
Conn College
Kenyon
Middlebury
Bucknell
Trinity
Vassar
William and Mary
Boston College
Brown
Yale
Northwestern
Harvard
Amherst
RTA bus routes go between Case Western and Playhouse Square (which is part of downtown, not 1/2 way in between). It would also be an inexpensive uber ride.
Muhlenberg?
In addition to Theatre & Dance performances, a tremendous variety of performance ensembles give majors and non-majors alike the opportunity to sing, act, dance, and create. Student-directed ensembles, productions and concerts are a vital element of Muhlenberg’s vibrant performing arts community.
Also maybe SUNY New Paltz?
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/889022-suny-new-paltz-theater.html
Look in the theater sub forum
You are right about the Greek scene at Bucknell. It’s a pretty dominant part of the social life. But as long as one has at least one other group /community there are plenty of ways to have active social life without it. My D did both theater and sorrority and had friends in Greek life and not. Kenyon sounds like a good fit. What about Denison, Wooster or Oberlin? All should have plenty of theater opportunities.
What about Skidmore? or Hamilton? My D looked at both. She especially loved Hamilton.
My friend’s S attended U of Rochester. He was a STEM major but liked performing and some tech. There were a number of student run theater groups that he participated in and my friends went up a number of times to see him perform in some show or another. He graduated about 10 years ago, so if the school is of interest to you, I suggest that you check and see if the situation is still the same.
If both moth merit and need-based scholarships may be sufficient, then your daughter might have quite a few options.
As recognized, Kenyon students tend to be involved across all the fine arts.
Sarah Lawrence, Vassar, Bard, Skidmore and Barnard students also tend to participate widely in performing arts. Note though that these schools differ in important ways with respect to general academics and campus atmospheres.
Hamilton’s theatre and studio arts building should be seen.
One thing to think about is that as a young woman, she will have more competition in every audition. And a lot of the NE LACs, like Vassar, Sarah Lawrence, and Wesleyan, attract a lot of young women who have an interest in theater. And schools like Muhlenberg that are known for theater but don’t audition to the major have so many theater majors many don’t get cast in Main Stage performances (although there are a TON of smaller, student driven performance opportunities). So something off the beaten path might be better for her.
In addition to Kenyon, Oberlin and Lawrence (in Appleton, Wisconsin) are midwest LACs with strong theater. But she may be better off going to a school that is NOT known for its theater major.
@LeftofPisa I’d love to find some colleges that have a number of theater productions each year, but don’t have a lot of people clamoring for the roles. I’m not quite sure how to find those schools!
A lot of these schools that people have mentioned are on our radar screen because they seem like they’d be good fits for my daughter, even without the theater. I think these schools just attract a certain type of personality.
A number of the schools mentioned are reaches, some like Muhlenberg and Dickinson are matches, I think. I would love to find a few “likelies” if anyone has suggestion, although I think Otterbein might be one.
Thanks everyone for their insight/suggestions so far!
Two LACs that have a fair number of theatre performances–both student and departmental–are Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College. The two schools are part of a consortium–theater classes at BMC and mainstage production there too, but both colleges have lots of student production opportunities. Aslo, students at Bryn Mawr and Haveford can also take theater courses at Swarthmore and participate in student productions. There’s also a newly renovated theater at BMC, which is quite impressive. Also, students can participate in semester long performance program at the Headlong Performance Institute in Philadelphia (and get colllege credit). https://www.headlongperformanceinstitute.org
St. Olaf, in Northfield, Minnesota. https://wp.stolaf.edu/theater/
I would not put Otterbein on the list because while it is a safety for her academically, it is a school that has BFA programs in musical theater and acting, and I think it would be better for your daughter to attend a school that doesn’t have BFA programs in the theater department, as it is more likely that non-majors can be cast in productions.
For a safety, check out Drew. Another option is University of Vermont.