DePaul with an interest in musical theater (not looking for MT major)?

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
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Hi — My senior is looking at BFA and BA theater programs including DePaul. She doesn’t want an MT major, but she does want a program that includes MT work and that puts on musical productions on a regular basis. Looking at DePaul’s mainstage lineup, we’re not seeing many musicals. Does anyone have experience to share about whether an acting major with a love of musicals would be happy there?

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They don’t do many musicals but have done some. It’s not a musical theater school but an excellent acting school.

Illinois Wesleyan has a musical theater bfa and ba as an example.

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Also DePaul is a premier theater bfa program. Extremely competitive for the best acting students. If this conservatory is not really that she wants I wouldn’t even apply. Look at Muhlenberg Musical Theatre Training | Muhlenberg College

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Thanks! Muhlenberg is definitely among her top choices.

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A school that gets little love on CC but gets students on Broadway is Pace University. Emerson also has an excellent program but that competitive also. I would start with location, affordability and size of school.

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These are both among the most competitive BFA programs for MT in the country and will not have much room for non majors in school run productions.

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Totally agree. Just giving suggestions for the poster to explore. I am aware of the programs.

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It looks like Oberlin does musicals also, what are her other criteria for schools?

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She’s trans, so a trans-friendly state/location (no southern states, only select midwestern ones); ideally West Coast or north half of East Coast. Currently 3.69 unweighted GPA (4.05 weighted) and 1380 SAT (taking SATs again in Oct.), so not all schools will be within her reach. Possibility of merit aid will be a factor.

Also currently on her list (but we’re still adding to & subtracting from the list): UWashington, SD State, UBC Vancouver, UVictoria, Chapman, Hofstra, Oberlin …

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I will pm you, I would definitely look into oberlin

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At Santa Clara University, there is a musical theater minor.

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Also look into San Diego State.

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My kid is a senior at The Theatre School at DePaul (BFA Acting). What others have said is true - it is an acting conservatory, there is no musical theatre work. They do have musicals from time to time (including an upcoming production of Goosebumps) and some works do include singing but it is not the program if you are looking for an MT education. There are a good amount of MT kids in it though and some take private voice lessons, etc.

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