<p>Hello, I've been looking at colleges in florida that offer degrees and majors in theatre and musical theatre. I've done some research on the colleges I'm considering but I can't seem to find definite evidence that the college has a nice theatre program. Now, I'm not only looking for the best one. I'm looking for a college that has a decent, quality program. I'd appreciate it if anyone had any comments/information about the programs at the following colleges....</p>
<p>University of Miami
Florida Atlantic University
Rollins College
Nova Southeastern University
University of Central Florida
University of Florida
University of South Florida
Florida State University
Florida Southern College</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>cherryxvanilla, your list includes schools of tremendous variety, academically, economically, geographically etc. As a Floridian who has coached several students through this process I can give you some information to begin.
U of Miami is a relatively expensive private U with the Frost School of Music for music students that has a good reputation. Their Ring Theatre always presents nice works but the musical theatre program isn't quite as strong as some of the others. FAU is more of a commuter college, much less difficult academically-don't know much about their theatre program but no of some local kids who were happy studying music there. NSU just started a theatre arts program, brand new so not much info is out yet. (Also largely a commuter college better known for its Graduate programs) UCF has a strong conservatory style BFA/MT program, very competitive (aprox 8 girls, 8 boys) and several students who don't make it in to that program redirect to a BA Theater. UCF is in Orlando, great town and fun big college atmosphere. It's also a State U so its cheaper than some of the others. FSU has the strongest reputation having been around the longest-also a conservatory program offering a BFA-MT through the school of Theater or a BM-MT through the School of Music. Tallahassee is a great town with a terrific campus. FSU, like UCF is a State U so its more economical. They take somewhere around 12 per year in their MT program. USF- easier to get in to academically, Tampa is a fun town, State U, don't know anything about their program. U of F is the academic gem of the State-very tough to be accepted academically-fantastic campus in Gainesville and apparently just starting a BFA-MT program. (I heard just a few kids were accepted last year) Their reputation has always been more about their dance program and acting. Rollins and Florida Southern I don't know about...
If you pm me and give me more info about your circumstance (academic, financial, preference large or small etc) I may be of more help. There are a few other Florida schools that you didn't mention that may be suitable for you.
Hope this helped...</p>
<p>i know comeone in the bfa program at UCF. its a great program, and they put on fantastic shows.
i dont think USF has a bfa.
FSU is an AMAZING program!</p>
<p>Hello!</p>
<p>I live in Tampa (12 years) so I know the skinny on pretty much all of the Florida theatre departments.</p>
<p>I can honestly say FSU is THE school for Florida theatre, followed by UCF and U Miami</p>
<p>Don't really waste your time with the others.. Unless of course thats what you feel is best.</p>
<p>USF has a GREAT GREEEEEAAAT (holy COW I mean GREAT, you should see their Shakespeare Festival, so much flippin' talent these kids have!!) Drama BFA but no musical theatre, sadly = /</p>
<p>and UT has a good MT BM but no BFA</p>
<h1>1 - FSU</h1>
<h1>2 - UCF or UMiami</h1>
<p>Oh</p>
<p>and PS</p>
<p>I'm not being biased about any of these schools or anything, so dont worry</p>
<p>Just pure opinion, which I'm sure most people would agree with in FL</p>
<p>For anything related to the arts, including theatre, FSU is tops in the southeast.</p>
<p>I know and like FSU for a well-rounded triple threat approach with good mentoring.</p>
<p>Thank you guys very much! Your replies definitely helped me. I've been drawn towards UCF because of the area and FSU because I've heard the most about their theatre program so I'm glad to hear that they have good programs. USF is another one that I'm seriously considering.</p>
<p>Just a point of information on UCF. The recent collapse of Seaside Theatre in Daytona Beach has put several UCF faculty positions is jeopardy - they were funded by a grant supporting Seaside - something you might want to investigate.</p>
<p>cherryxvanilla-just wanted to respond a little to your 3 schools you mentioned. If you are a really strong candidate for a BFA/MT there is no comparing FSU and UCF to USF. The only thing these schools really have in common is that they are in the State of Florida. If you are a Florida resident and its for in-state tuition I really recommend you continue to research more beyond those 3 since FSU and UCF take a total of about 14 girls combined (out of several hundred) If you can't take advantage of in-state tuition then these 3 schools shouldn't be on the same list for BFA/MT as there are many other programs that would be paired with each of these schools.
Also, mtdog71-very interesting information about UCF...I know several students getting ready to apply there-I will definitely recommend they research this. Thanks.</p>
<p>My daughter is starting a BFA/MT in a few days. She is a Midwesterner through and through and made it very clear early on in the process that she was only interested in programs in the Midwest and Northeast. So for the record, I know absolutely nothing about Florida's MT programs. </p>
<p>With that said we did learn a couple of things that are relevant to this discussion.</p>
<p>First, take the low admittance rates discussed on this board seriously. My daughter auditioned at twelve MT programs and was admitted to two in MT, neither in her home state. If your student only auditions to a couple of programs close to home there is a good possibility he or she will not be accepted into a MT BFA program.</p>
<p>Second, don't let the sticker shock of private school or out of state tuition intimidate you. It's a lot like buying a new car -- nobody pays the sticker price. All joking aside, even though our family qualifies for virtually no need based aid (my wife and I both work and we have only the one child) between her academic scholarships and talent scholarships my daughter will be paying less to attend an out of state private school (Otterbein) than she would have to attend the nearby, instate public universities (Michigan and MSU).</p>
<p>My advice is to apply and audition wherever it makes sense academically and artistically including instate, out state and private school options. Then apply for all the various financial aid and scholarships that make sense. Come April when the acceptances and aid packages have arrived help your child do some comparison shopping and make their decision. You may be surprised which school looks like the best fit and value and where it takes your child. It surprised us.</p>