<p>Okay, so. I am a academically strong student who has always always ALWAYS wanted to be an English major -- I love nothing more than reading and writing, analyzing works and the like. I was involved in music most of my life, yes; I play piano and have been singing as long as I can remember, and while I vaguely remember thinking I wanted to be a pro singer, I always though music would be a minor/hobby for me. However, in my sophomore year I discovered musical theater, and wow, I was hooked like /that/. Before I had been doing chorus and musicals really opened up a whole new world for me, and now I seriously can't imagine my life without it. But I just can't let go of my love for writing! I want to do both, so I've decided on a BA MT and double major, but it seems that most Broadway stars trained in conservatories -- Carnegie Mellon, Ithaca, etc. Is a BA sufficient enough training to make it to Broadway or at least off Broadway? Because I know there aren't many conservatory-like programs that allow a double major (I know about NYU Tisch, but that's a big risk as they only take 25-30 a year for MT and I'm not sure if I can handle NYC /alone/). Help?!</p>
<p>The short answer is “no, a BFA is neither needed nor does having one offer any guarantee of “making it” in MT.” </p>
<p>Given what you’ve said, you might take a look at Northwestern University near Chicago. Our D is currently completing a BS in Theatre with the MT Certificate, as well as a double major in History. Based on her experience, as well as many successful NU alumni, I feel confident saying that a BA or BS from a program with strong performance training can be every bit as valuable as a BFA. </p>
<p>There are many successful actors/actresses onstage and onscreen who never even went to or finished degrees, BA or BFA. So, no, a BFA is not necessary. Follow your passions; they are your best guides!</p>
<p>@myloves – Really? It just seems there’s a running continuity of the “big actors” having MT degrees from big name MT schools… bu that’s GREAT to hear, thanks!!</p>
<p>@MomCares – Thank you so much for that reassurance! About Northwestern – I’ve heard that getting into the MT certificate is not guaranteed… if one doesn’t make it into the certificate program, are there still MT opportunities?</p>
<p>No</p>
<p>@thespianed - Yes, there are MANY MT opportunities at Northwestern even for kids who aren’t in the MT Certificate program. Everyone can audition for any show on campus (60+ shows per year) and kids are able to register for virtually any course offered on campus, though registration priority is sometimes given to folks in Certificate programs. D will only have been in the MT Certificate for two of her four years on campus, but she’s always been able to have private voice with a professor (versus grad students who teach freshmen in many BFA programs) and has been able to enroll in dance classes every quarter. The quarter system enables you to take a lot of courses versus semester schools, and degree requirements allow for a lot of flexibility to create the specific education that you want. She and her classmates have already had many great professional opportunities as a result of their school connections, even before graduating.</p>
<p>There’s also a current thread on the Theatre major section of CC on the subject of BAs which may point you toward other programs worth considering.</p>
<p><a href=“BA Theatre advice - Theater/Drama Majors - College Confidential Forums”>BA Theatre advice - Theater/Drama Majors - College Confidential Forums;
<p>Gosh @MomCares! You make ME want to apply to Northwestern!! :-)</p>
<p>There are many ways to get to Broadway. Every actor’s journey is unique. One of the female leads in this years Best Musical Tony winning show, Gentleman’s Guide, got a BA from Harvard. Both Baldwin Wallace and OCU’s MT programs are actually Bachelor of Music degrees, not BFAs. NYU and Northwestern would be interesting choices for you. Schools like Kenyon, Brown and Muhlenberg have good theater programs in a liberal arts setting. so definitely find someplace that caters to all your interests. There are several great threads on CC that talk about BA programs to consider so check those out. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>There is no path that guarantees success, and there is no path that precludes it either. You can find stories about people making it after years of tippy top training, and stories about people who “Just went along with a friend and got cast”. Find YOUR path- after all, it’s your life!!</p>
<p>I second the people suggesting Northwestern. If you like the small liberal arts thing, Kenyon is a wonderful choice- LOTS of focus on writing across all curriculum, and a strong theater community. Just a suggestion ;)) </p>
<p>@GSOMTMom - Haha… I do come across as quite the Northwestern cheerleader here on cc, no? Hey - even Obama is going there this week. 
Of course no place is right for everyone, but it offers a unique balance of characteristics for certain theatre kids and I worry that BAs are sometimes overlooked here in the heat of BFA application/audition season.</p>
<p>@thespianed - If you look into NU, also look for information about various Writing Certificates. I don’t have details, but assume they might be combined with MT in some way.</p>
<p>@vvnstar @toowonderful – Thank you for all your suggestions, especially Kenyon – I’ve never heard of it before now and it looks promising from their website!
@MomCares – Ooh, that would be nice. I’ll have to look into that, thanks!</p>
<p>An example of Broadway casting from playbill yesterday… <a href=“http://m.playbill.com/news/article/schools-of-the-stars-where-you-cant-take-it-with-you-cast-and-creators-went-to-college-331283”>http://m.playbill.com/news/article/schools-of-the-stars-where-you-cant-take-it-with-you-cast-and-creators-went-to-college-331283</a></p>
<p>@NightOwl2 - James Earl Jones did go to UMich, but as I recall he was preMed and not a theatre kid. Of course every PlayBill is just a snapshot, but that particular list is certainly evidence that a BFA is not required.</p>
<p>Six Elis…just sayin’</p>
<p>@vocal1046… So you don’t need a BFA, but a Yale MFA won’t hurt. :)</p>
<p>Actually, many of these folks went to Yale as undergrads - so those are BA degrees. Also, re Gentleman’s Guide, three Yalies in leading roles. Jefferson was an undergrad Classics major. His MFA is from UCSD. The only non-Yalie at the top of Gentleman’s Guide is British and…well, you know…she can be forgiven.</p>
<p>A BFA isn’t required, but there are schools that support double majors. There was a thread on that a few months ago. I know I mentioned Ohio Northern on that thread as they support double majors with their BFA. Folks mentioned other schools as well. So you might want to find that thread. </p>
<p>But I agree with the comment of go with your passion, that’s most important for any degree. You are going to put in a lot of work at school - do it in something you enjoy. </p>
<p>thespianed, it seems that everyone has covered the answer to your question very well. I will add that one thing to be cautious about is to define ‘making it in the business’ as performing on Broadway. Most actors will never set foot on a Broadway stage, or an off-Broadway one, for that matter. Being an actor is creating your art wherever possible and, hopefully, being able to sustain a relatively good standard of living. </p>
<p>Here is a post that vocal1046 shared with us about Equity members and the amount of work they get. It’s sobering but should be information that every prospective theatre student understands.</p>
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<p>emoticon to ameliorate the killjoy rep I’m building! </p>
<p>I read this today and thought it would be an excellent addition to this conversation. Very good read!</p>
<p><a href=“How to Start a Career in Acting [My Story Making the Numbers Work] • Part-Time Money®”>How to Start a Career in Acting [My Story Making the Numbers Work] • Part-Time Money®;