Dilemma On College Theater Programs

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

<p>Hi all. This is a great site and certainly looks like it has tons of information.</p>

<p>Here is my dilemma (I'm a junior by the way) and I'd appreciate any advice: I love to act. Yet, I'm unable to really confine my love for acting in one area. I really enjoy musicals, yet at the same time enjoy non-musical comedies, and even the occasional drama. Also, going forward, I'd love to try and get some experience in screen acting / television acting. At the same time, I have done well in school, and really hate to throw away all of my interests in the classroom for my pursuit of acting. </p>

<p>So, I set out looking for a program that would give me a chance to still do musicals, non-musical comedies, dramas, along with a chance to learn more about acting for the camera without forcing me to throw away any interests in the classroom. I soon found that this wasn't really a realistic program....</p>

<p>I was surprised to learn that many of the highly regarded programs out there are very specific in its focus. For example, it seems like if you want to do musicals you really need to pursue a BFA in musical theater, and if you want to do dramas you need find a good BFA program in plain theater, etc. There seem to be very few programs that allow you to dabble in all of my above interests. </p>

<p>So here's my question. The only programs that come even close to my original goal of experiencing acting in different settings while at the same time not sacrificing general education are BA's. Just how likely is it to obtain an acting career with a BA? As I've seen in some other threads on here and just in general research, it appears that those who have the most success are ones who get BFA's. My problem with BFA's are two-fold. One, it forces you to choose one type of acting (whether it be Shakespeare, or musicals, etc), and two, you no longer get any education outside of your major. I would love to become a successful actor, don't get me wrong, but I hate to become so one dimensional in my interests! </p>

<p>As a point of reference, one program I find very appealing is at Pepperdine. It is a Bachelor of Arts in "Theater and Television" and offers you a chance to do stage acting (including the occasional musical), along with screen acting. Obviously, however, it is a Bechelor of Arts, and isn't exactly a renowned program (at least to my knowledge). </p>

<p>I'd really appreciate any advice anyone has, or any suggestions as to how to go about this. At this point I'm sort of at a quandary as to what kind of program I really want to pursue. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>when it comes to acting, your chances aren't greatly altered by ａ BFA or a BA. If you are talented, you will get the part. The only time it may matter is when it comes to the Yale-mafia or similarily..but in most cases, as long as the professors are good and it's accrediated, you would be fine</p>

3

<p>I just think it's funny that some people view talent just this God given gift, and as long as you have it, you will do just fine in this industry. I think this notion is absolutely ridiculous, and a little offense (although I'm sure it wasn't meant to be) to those of us who do spend our time and money investing in a BFA or BA or MFA degree program to get training. It's as if that training becomes superfluous as long as you have "talent." While not by any means required, as there are many ways to become successful in this business, the intensive actor training is what most of us are after in our pursuits of BFA/BA programs in Acting. So if you feel you should have training (and perhaps I'm mistaken, but I get the feeling that an actor trained in his craft and artform tends to stick around longer and can take that with them that training for life) search for BA programs that'll suit your needs. A lot of people who want to work professionally get MFA's after getting their BA's, some people in the industry believe this is the best way to go about getting an education for theatre. As for musical theatre, just remember that you can always supplement your acting classes with private voice and dance lessons.</p>

<p>Alright, sorry this was a bit of a rant that really didn't really answer your question, but I just hope you look at the training programs in whatever schools your interested in, the best training you can find for you, because I'd like to think the training is what's important.</p>

4

<p>kind of as a reponse to the above, no doubt training helps, but there's not the world's biggest difference between a good BA and a decent BFA...there is a huge difference between joe schmo and CMU, but differences in training between muhlenberg BA and an emerson BFA really won't matter THAT much in the real world...
the only field that a BFA really matters is tech more than performance</p>

5

<p>Training is important: no question about it. But there is also that thing that can't be taught, that makes people want to watch one performer and not another.</p>

6

<p>I agree with Not Mama Rose. Good training is very important then add persistence and luck...</p>

<p>"How good did you do the scene? That was the goal," recalls Melissa Leo of her time
at New York's Purchase College. "And after I left Purchase, like many conservatorytrained
actors, my ambitions continued to be about doing good work. It was never
about making the right moves or playing the game. I'm still trying to figure that out. I
certainly never anticipated this," She's an Academy Award Nominee for Best Actress in a Feature Film.</p>

7

<p>Thanks everyone for your responses! I would agree that ultimately your success in acting depends on a combination of talent and training. </p>

<p>I guess my question now is this: what are some good BA theater/acting programs that provide the training necessary to become successful in the long run? Obviously there are a lot of great BFA programs, but I'd love to hear if anyone has opinions on excellent BA programs.</p>

8

<p>Some good BA's include Muhlenberg in Allentown, PA
Baldwin-Wallace in Berea, Ohio
SUNY Fredonia and SUNY New Paltz-both audition BA's
SOutheastern Missouri...
all of these are very well respected and may be a great place to grow within your art</p>

9

<p>I would add Northwestern -- but it is tough to just get in academically. They have a strong BA in Theatre. We also liked the USC BA program (although my D did audition for the BFA). They have a minor in musical theatre that is offered in combination with the Thornton School of Music -- but I think you can only do that if you are BA, not BFA.</p>

10

<p>I called Pepperdine before and that program is acting and telecommunications not film acting. The lady cleared it up for me, but the website seems like it is. You may like Chapman University which has a Screen Acting Major: Dodge</a> College at Chapman University - Undergraduate - Screen Acting</p>

<p>This is a very good program and I would also suggest NYU Tisch. They have a studio which teaches film acting. You may also want to look at this school which is just acting: The</a> New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts – NYC Acting School For Film And Televison – Acting Training It focuses on film acting. It isn't a university though.</p>

11

<p>what do you think of BW’s Theatre (not musical theatre) program for someone who wants to do TV and film?</p>

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<p>I get questions about TV and Film all the time. Train as an actor. If all you want to do is TV and Film, train as an actor. If you want to be a film star. Train as an actor. The bottom line, the differences between film and theatre are not so large that one can’t adapt quickly. Most theatre programs offer workshops or even a class or two.</p>

13

<p>I’ve heard it said that theatre actors have a much easier time adapting to screen than vice versa.</p>

14

<p>OP… I totally understand where you are coming from and my Junior S is going through the same thing right now. He LOVES acting( not MT), but is having a hard time deciding if he loves it enough to give up everything else he loves, which by the way is A LOT. He is also very academic, loves writing, science, english, singing( is in his HS’s top choir and would LOVE to be a part of a slam poetry club or a cappella group). So in my mind his decision is made, he just doesn’t know it yet:). He still wants to keep the option of a BFA open and will probably audition at a few next year, but here are some of the BA schools he is also thinking about. </p>

<p>Muhlenberg
Skidmore
Kenyon
Oberlin
Wooster
Whitman
Vassar
Conn College
Oxy</p>

15

<p>JMU is a strong BA program in terms of both actor and design/ tech training… worth looking at as well if your S is interested in acapella. </p>

<p>Fordham is anotherc </p>

<p>I disagree that a BFA matters more for designers/ technicians than actors. Ultimately, the degree does not matter, the training does. </p>

<p>I also know people who have gone on </p>

<p>Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>

16

<p>^Well, my post above is a mess the further down I get!</p>

<p>Another professionally focuses BA program is Fordham.</p>

<p>People go in to MFA programs from both BA and BFA programs. People never go to grad school and have successful professional careers from both BA and BFA programs. People have had successful professional careers who majored in other things in college, or who never went to college at all.</p>

<p>There are no guarantees regardless of where a student attends school, or with a specific degree program. Look for the educational environment in which you want to spend the next four years. Of course with an eye towards post graduation plans and opportunities, but often opportunities pop up in unexpected ways, and places. :)</p>

<p>Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>

17

<p>KatMT is right on the mark. In fact, in my grad class there was a Biology major with a theatre minor and a Comm Major. Both of those actors are still working. Go to the best fit, and work hard.</p>