<p>I've been throwing myself into the college process lately, and a recurring idea I have seen is the idea that certain places will allow you to make certain connections in the acting industry that will greatly help your future career. However, I've found these idea to be too vague---of course I want connections, but at what specific schools does this happen? Are the connections at say, Northwestern, the same as the connections at UCLA or NYU even though Chicago isn't as major a market? Schools like Brown and Columbia---although not renowned for undergraduate acting, will their prestige and recognition help me gain connections in the acting industry? I would love just a LIST of schools that enable one to make connections---the last thing I want to do is graduate with a solid foundation in acting but no where to turn for a career (I'm interested in film acting after college, by the way).</p>
<p>How about liberal arts schools? For example, Williams? Again, it's not known for acting, but will its overall prestige in general enable one to make connections in the industry?</p>
<p>I’d say to look for these features when researching colleges:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Read about the school of theatre/theatre department faculty. Are faculty members currently active participants in professional theatre productions?</p></li>
<li><p>Do students have the opportunity to be cast in Equity shows during school? Some college theatre programs have links with professional companies that allow this to happen. Even a tiny role in an Equity show can be extremely valuable in terms of both learning and making connections.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>A great way to make connections is with the senior showcases some schools have in major cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. I am a freshman at Ball State University in Indiana and I know that this is one way students meet important casting directors who attend the showcases and well renowned workshop leaders who help students prepare for them. </p>
<p>If you are interested in film acting, you should look into a school with a good Telecommunications program. I know that Ball State is known for both the Theatre and Dance as well as the TCOM Department, so this is a school that might be a good fit for you. For more information you can go to Ball State’s Acting Showcase webpage and you can go to this link (you can also get to anywhere else on the BSU website from here): [Ball</a> State University - Acting Showcases](<a href=“http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/TheatreDance/LifeAfter/ActingShowcases.aspx]Ball”>http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/TheatreDance/LifeAfter/ActingShowcases.aspx)</p>
<p>Please let me know if you have any questions at all; I am happy to answer anything you are wondering about!</p>
<p>Every school has alumnis and with those people, you’ll make connections. Start with the people you’ll know.</p>