<p>How intense would you say the training is at Emerson? Based on preliminary research looking at credit hours it appears to weigh in more like a BA program than a BFA program.<br>
Do you feel it is rigorous enough for someone looking for that intense training?</p>
<p>I’m actually a current acting student at Emerson but I do know some about the MT program, so I hope this will answer your question. Freshman and Sophomore years MT’s take an acting class (1st semester: movement, 2nd: voice, 3rd: Scene Study, and 4th: Ensemble), a dance class (ballet or jazz), private voice lessons, chorus, music theory, and stagecraft sophomore year. All of this is on top of the Gen Eds everyone must take, which is quite a few. Junior and Senior year MT’s have studio which is takes up most of their time. To me, this sounds very intensive. The MT’s are very busy. That being said, emerson is not a conservatory. It’s a college with amazing, professional performing arts programs. Emerson wants all performing arts students to have a well rounded liberal arts education. I hope this answers your question</p>
<p>One more thing I forgot, all PA students take languages of that stage freshman year and world drama sophomore year.</p>
<p>JC, Can you comment on the difference between the BA Acting and the BFA Acting? It looks like the first two years are not much different, but then junior/senior year (after the “cut”) are quite different. I know it’s common for BFA applicants that are not accepted to be offered the BA program. I hope this isn’t an unfair question, but are the BA’s somehow looked upon as “second class citizens”?</p>
<p>I second Zonamom’s questions…I have been wondering this too…</p>
<p>There is literally no difference in the BA acting and BFA acting programs the first two years. All acting students take improv, voice, movement, languages of the stage, and stagecraft freshman year, and scene study, ensemble, and world drama sophomore year. Junior year is when the two majors split. BFA acting students have studio, where all of your acting classes are already laid out for you and spend about 75% of your schedule on these acting courses. BA actors choose one or two advanced acting classes each semester junior year and senior year. There is flexibility in the BA program to double major, minor, and take other non theatre classes. There is hardly any flexibility in the BFA. Unless you took summer classes, it would probably be difficult to get a minor in. That being said, there is no difference talent wise between the two majors, it all depends on your concentration and what you want to do. If you just want to act, I would say go for the BFA. If you want more flexibility and perhaps want to also try directing, playwriting, arts management, dramaturgy, etc., I would go for the BA. BA’s are not looked upon as second class citizens at all. As far as i know, when applying to Emerson, you apply for BA or BFA and if you are not accepted into one, you are not placed into the other. Some students may decide to switch from BFA to BA once admitted just because they decide to explore other areas of theatre and not just acting.</p>
<p>Thank you so much, that really makes me feel a whole lot better about that degree. You are great!</p>
<p>JC, thanks also for your great response. Are you able to comment any further on the “feel” during the second two years for the acting BFA vs. BA? I believe this year some BFA applicants that were not accepted were offered the BA-Acting program as an alternative. I’m trying to get an idea of whether a BA-Acting student would be happy, or if they would always feel like they were on the “outside looking in” those last two years. Again, this is from the perspective of a kid who really wanted the BFA-Acting, and sees the BA-Acting program as kind of a consolation prize. Thanks in advance for any insight, I know this is a difficult topic.</p>
<p>To be honest, I’m a freshman so I’m not sure exactly which courses the BFA Acting Students take and when. I know some of the BA advanced acting electives are acting for the camera, acting shakespeare, advanced scene study, action theatre, etc. so BA acting students take amazing classes with the same amazing faculty. As far as looking at the programs and doing my crew assignment, BA actors are cast just as much in Emerson Stage (Emerson’s mainstage season) as BFA’s. I honestly don’t think he/she would feel like an outsider looking in.</p>