Does anyone know of any schools with directing concentrations within their theater major? Preferably a BA. My scores are pretty high so I’d rather be at a college around my range as well. The colleges I currently have on my list with directing concentrations are Brandeis, Barnard, Smith, Carnegie Mellon, Oberlin, and UC Berkeley.
I’m a student in DePaul’s Theatre Arts program with a concentration in Directing. It’s a BFA, but it effectively functions like an intense BA. I’m also in the Honors College. Let me know if you have any questions about the program!
Oh, U Mich has a directing program, too, but it’s a very structured BFA. Carnegie’s program is the same way, so, if you’re looking to take a significant number of classes outside of your major, you may want to rethink having it on your list. (I know, though, that the reputation of Carnegie may be enough to make you willing to sacrifice what would otherwise be must-haves in a program.)
UNCSA’s directing program is phenomenal. It is a BFA, but definitely worth checking into and researching.
They only accept 2-3 directing majors per class. The directors take class with us, the drama majors, for the first 2 years. Then their schedules change a little bit, but they still take acting with the drama majors. Check it out on the website if you’re interested. It really is a great program, and I’d be happy to answer any questions you have.
Pace University’s school of performing arts offers a BA in directing. Although academically Pace isn’t as competitive, the school of performing arts is and they accept roughly 6 directors a year. Although it’s a BA, its a conservatory style program. Definitely worth looking into because its a great program!
@theatrestudent9 Thanks for the advice! My technical director is a Pace alum, and we’ve had a few techies go there since he started working at my school, so Pace is definitely on my list if I don’t get into my top few choices.
No problem! Also, it is worth noting that the school of performing arts underwent MAJOR changes over the past few years that your technical director may have not experienced. The BA Directing program is only in its 4th year, with its first graduating class this year. Other programs, like BA Stage management are even younger than that! Also we have a brand new performing arts building and a lot of new staff. It has accelerated a lot in the past 3 years.