So I’ve been interested in stage management and directing forever now and it’s at that time where I need to decided which school to go to. So far the major choices are Ohio University, Wright State, Oberlin, and Baldwin Wallace. Does anyone know which theatre program offers the best affordability as well as number of opportunities? It’s really been a tossup between Ohio University and Wright State but the presence of a graduate program at OU makes me uneasy that the real work will get passed off to those students. I just want to be as best prepared I can be for after I graduate college and have to get a job.
If you are looking in Ohio- you might want to check out CCM. One of my D’s good friends in HS is a stage manager, chose CCM and has loved the opportunities she has gotten!
Check out Drew University in NJ
You might want to also look at Otterbein - a BFA in Design/tech with an emphasis in directing or stage management. My D is a freshman in their program and loving it. We also looked at Oberlin, but it was more of a liberal arts program, and at Ohio University which seemed to offer a lot of opportunity but was more focused on Ohio (vs. a national level).
Also, Otterbein is relatively cheap for a private college and is generous with merit aid, especially if you have the stats to get into Oberlin.
I can’t speak to the stage management/directing majors at the schools you listed, but if you are looking at Ohio schools have you considered Northern Kentucky University? It is just across the river from Cincinnati. My D is in school there for theatre and has friends doing their stage management degree. Seems to be good from what I’ve heard. In addition, they have good merit scholarships if your grades & scores are good. They also offer a tuition rate lower than OOS for many of the OH counties.