<p>Before I Start: This board has been my salvation these past months, thanks to everyone for the plethora of knowledge! :) </p>
<p>As my junior year is coming to a close, I'm really having to decide what my final list of schools to audition for is going to be. I'm a strong singer/actor/mover(hee!) who has done my research thoroughly when it comes to the college programs. I'm trying to get a good mix of reach, match, and "safety" (is there such a thing in this business?) schools on my list. Out of all the third tier, not as well known programs, what schools would you guys recommend?</p>
<p>I'm not a big dancer so a school not having an advanced dance program isn't a problem for me, as long as it trains me enough to hold my own in a dance call. I'm more interested in a dually strong singing and acting program. Also, a senior showcase in NYC at the end of your Senior year is also something I hold in high regard when looking at my options!! Schools that I have researched and liked are Roosevelt, Pace, Montclair, and Illinois Wesleyan. How do these programs, and those like it, rank against each other?</p>
<p>I was also wondering if you guys had any information about schools that aren't very present on this board, such as University of Colorado and University of Indiana. </p>
<p>I'm only interested in a BFA Musical Theatre. It may make my options slimmer, but I could never be fully satisfied with either a BFA in general Theatre performance or a BA in Musical Theatre.</p>
<p>Again, thank you to everyone on these boards. I'm indebted to you all!!!</p>
<p>That's a great question, but first- I wouldn't limit myself to only BFA programs. Really take a look at each schools curricula-my D is will be doing a BA theater w a MT minor at MMC and her training looks like it will be intense!
We were impressed with DeSales University in Allentown, PA. Great facilities and well known in the Philadelpia area-home of the Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival.
You might also investigate the theater programs at local state schools. Notice you are in Washington-I know there is an Oregon state school near the Ashland Shakespeare Festival.</p>
<p>MTfortiffany: It really makes me nervous when I hear students say "I could never be fully satisfied with....". If you've been reading this board for a while, you must be aware that quite a few students didn't get accepted at ANY of their chosen schools. It's really important to have a list that includes some non-audition schools as safeties. The 4 schools you mentioned are quite selective; there is another current thread that may give you an idea of their acceptance rates. Try to keep an open mind about making your final list of schools so you won't be left with no options next year.</p>
<p>If you are not at least an average to above average dancer it's highly unlikely that you will get into any of those schools. There are some schools that do not require a dance audition so if you are a weak dancer you may want to consider those. Webster comes to mind but everybody and their brother auditions and want to go to Webster and the numbers say you have about a 5 percent chance of getting in there. Please take the advice of the others when they tell you to add non-audition schools to your list.</p>
<p>While I agree that you need a diversified list I don't agree that it is unlikely that you would get into the schools you mentioned. The programs fill their slots with all kinds of students with varying strengths and weaknesses. Work on your dancing so that you feel confident but audition where you want and just make sure that you have other options because the odds are tough and disappointment can be tougher. Best of luck!</p>
<p>I never said, "I could only be satisfied with <this" PERIOD. MT is what I want, is that honestly so bad? If I don't make it into a 4-year BFA program, I am going to do an internship with a theatre in my area. I've already built up a lot of contacts, and feel confident I could work steadily without a degree regionally. Of course, I know there is a very low acceptance rate at these schools! I am in no way naive to this business or the college process. The four schools I mentioned are programs I really LIKE. Let me clarify: the main question I was asking was, are there any lesser known programs with the same types of programs AND how do those schools rank against each other. We hear a lot about which is better, CMU or U of Mich? I don't see that happening a lot with third tier schools, etc.</p>
<p>I never said I was a weak dancer. I said I wasn't a BIG dancer. I've taken a hearty chunk of dance classes in my life, I just don't take consistent enough lessons for me to consider myself a true: "dancer". I've danced leads in shows before. When I said I wanted to hold my own in a dance call, I meant a BROADWAY dance call. </p>
<p>I'm not trying to bring out the claws or anything, please understand that. I just feel the need to clarify, and maybe justify, some assumptions that are being made.</p>
<p>mtfortiffany, I think that there are quite a few "hidden gems" out there. </p>
<p>One for example that I know about is Notre Dame De Namur in my backyard just south of San Francisco. The program is outstanding, the campus is beautiful, you are 20 minutes away from downtown San Francisco. </p>
<p>Now, my D did not apply there as she was quite clear she wanted to "move away", and she also had the opportunity to work with some of the faculty here locally in different productions, and felt she wanted to expand her horizon. </p>
<p>But I would definitely suggest looking into it. There are quite a few alumnae who have been cast in Broadway shows or touring companies.</p>
<p>Muhlenberg College is a non audition program (though one can and, in my opinion, should audition for talent money!) that is a BA but at which one can fashion a very rigorous and excellent MT major through classes in acting, dance and singing.</p>
<p>I agree with NotMamaRose about Muhlenberg. There is also a lesser-known BA program for MT at Wilkes College in Wilkes-Barre PA. It does require an audition, but admission percentages are much higher than at some of the BFA programs.</p>
<p>mtfortiffany, please understand we are not trying to imply that you aren't talented! However, you did say "I'm only interested in a BFA Musical Theater." The point we are trying to make is -- even the most talented, most qualified applicants have no guarantee of getting into these very competitive programs. It is very important that you include some safety schools on your list -- and my opinion is, NONE of the BFA MT programs can be considered a safety school if they require an audition.</p>
<p>I will definitley take a closer look into Muhlenberg, DeSales, and Notre Dame De Namur. Thank you so much for the suggestions! They are so appreciated. With so much buzz about top tier schools, it is hard to even find out about the lesser known programs until it is too late!</p>
<p>I'm sorry if my last post sounded too abrupt, I know that everyone here speaks out of love and personal expierence. After looking at how the different systems are set up however, I do feel the right "fit" for me would be a BFA or BM MT program. However, after hearing about Muhlenberg, I am becoming interested in applying there as one attractive alternative. Again, thank you so much for taking the time!</p>
<p>I would suggest looking at the Big List __ which you can get to through the FAQ link on the top of the forum -- Go to the school's individual websites and see what the curriculum breakdown is for each school. There are some BA programs where you take as many courses in your major as some BFA or BM programs, and some that work the other way.</p>
<p>If you think BFA or BM is the route for you, identify why this is the case. Is it because you do not want to take as many classes outside of your major? If so, maybe look fat some BA programs where one takes the majority of courses within the major (University of Northern CO comes to mind -- 70% of required course work in the major). Look closely at the curriculum at BFA and BM programs too some require you to take more course work outside of your major than others.</p>
<p>There may be another reason, why you prefer BFA or BM over BA -- whatever that reason may be, identify the issues, and look for the programs that will best meet your criteria... I would suggest not worrying as much about the letters on the degree, but more about the specifics of each program. You sound like you have a pretty clear idea of what you want out of a program -- I am sure you will find the programs that seem the best for you.</p>
<p>Not a program I know personally, but I spent some time talking last night with the young man who will be the next Link in the Broadway production of Hairspray (he's currently in the ensemble). He went to U Wisconsin - Stevens Point, and he said it's a very good program - hope to pump him for more specifics sometime soon! :) I know this program has been discussed here a little, but it seems worth looking into further!</p>
<p>I will be attending UW-Stevens Point in the fall, and I could not be more excited! I have heard excellent things about the program, and quite honestly, the price of the school itself combined with the quality of the training are a steal - it's much less expensive than other private school since it is a state school. There hasn't been a whole lot of talk about UWSP on the boards so far, but I encourage all 2009 students to tak a look into it!</p>
<p>What about ACU (Abilene Christian University, TX) ? I heard some really good things about it and i've seen all of their shows this year and i thought they did fabulous. A lot of talented students!</p>
<p>If you're looking for an up and coming program, I'd look into Kent State University in Kent, OH (just outside of Cleveland and Akron). They have a fabulous up and coming BFA in Musical Theatre. Its a liberal arts education, so some general education classes (like math and science) do need to be taken, but it has a strong acting core. (BFA's are required to take Art of Acting, Acting Process, Character and Scene Study 1 and 2, plus can take Style of Acting 1 and 2, and Acting for the Camera 1 and 2) Plus you take voice, music theory, and two semesters of Ensemble Singing for MT, and they have strong electives in theatre as well as an intense theatre history core. Dance is also required, but is not the main focus by any means. There is also a showcase for seniors in NYC, which students have gotten job offers from.</p>
<p>Its worth checking out. They also just got a 6 million dollar donation which was matched by the university so the current Music and Speech center is being renovated into a new performing arts center. There will be three performing arts spaces on campus, plus Kent also owns porthouse theatre, an equity summerstock house. Check out there website!</p>
<p>Thank you everybody for the suggestions! The list of schools I'm interested in is growing more and more each day, thanks to ya'll! These boards are so invaluable.</p>
<p>Mtkid1988, I am very intrigued by Kent's program. Do you think you could PM me with more info on the school's MT BFA program?</p>