<p>Hi,
This is off-topic at this time of acceptance letters and final decisions, but I know that I'll get good info here. My D is currently attending a top-tier conservatory as a VP major, but her heart has always been in MT. She has a great voice ( excellent mixed-belt, but will not flat-out belt as her teacher will kill her!!), good dancer, excellent acting chops and a lot of stage experience. Transferring now is not in the picture. She's thought of looking to MT for a graduate program- she's a year young anyway, so there is time...
So, is this possible? I'm sure that I heard of someone having done it, and her Broadway credits were impressive, but I can't remember who she was (kids have a way of eroding my memory!).
Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>First, there are very few colleges that offer a graduate degree in musical theater. They are:</p>
<p>Arizona State University (MM)
Boston Conservatory (MM)
New York University: Steinhardt (MA Vocal Performance w/ MT concentration)
Oklahoma City University (MM)
San Diego State University (MFA)
University of Central Florida (MFA)
University of Montana (MM)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (MFA in Performance which includes MT as one style of theater studied)</p>
<p>Of course, there are lots of MFA programs in acting/theater. </p>
<p>In my opinion, another option for your daughter to consider is after her gets her degree in VP, she could attend a two year certificate MT training program, where they have many college graduates who want to get some MT training. I suggest:</p>
<p>CAP21’s Professional Musical Theater Training Program
Circle in the Square Musical Theater Program</p>
<p>Both are in NYC. Both take students like your daughter. </p>
<p>Another option is to move some place, such as NYC, but could be elsewhere, and take some dance classes, acting classes and voice lessons with a teacher who specializes in MT, since your D will already have a degree.</p>
<p>Mezzo’sMom - You might also be interested in Penn State. They have two MT oriented MFAs: Voice Pedagogy for Musical Theatre; Directing for Musical Theatre. Since your D is a VP, I thought the MFA in VP for MT might be especially interesting to you.</p>
<p>Is there a difference between the VP for MT degree and just a regular musical theater master’s degree? I’m looking at grad schools, too, since I may or may not end up transferring to a non audition BA program.</p>
<p>caramello12 - PM me,</p>
<p>I think I may have confused the question by not being clear when I used “VP”. To be more clear, of course, VP usually means vocal performance. In the case of one the Penn State MFAs - it means Vocal Pedagogy. When I mentioned this to Mezzo’smom - I only meant the emphasis on vocal training might be interesting to her D - not that is was the same as vocal performance.</p>
<p>oh, ok…it’s just that I usually like to see a suggested course sequence and couldn’t seem to find one on the site.</p>
<p>Thanks, all! Some great suggestions and she’s beginning to look at some. The program at Steinhardt looks like it might be a good fit…</p>
<p>Hello All!</p>
<p>My name is Kati Donovan, and I am currently an MFA candidate in San Diego State University’s Musical Theatre program. I wanted to write back to correct and clarify some of the information out there about graduate programs in Musical Theatre.</p>
<p>Officially— the program at San Diego State University is the ONLY remaining Musical Theatre MFA in the nation. The other programs have closed, or stopped accepting applications, indefinitely due to budgetary reasons. And the difference between an MA or MM and an MFA is the fact that only the MFA is a terminal degree (meaning final, or highest degree in that field). Most tenure-track teaching positions at the collegiate level require a terminal degree for application. The program at SDSU accepts between 6 and 10 students every two years. It is a four-semester program, with courses in:</p>
<p>Musical Theatre History
Dance History
Directing
Synthesis (Studio)
Vocal lessons & coaching
Jazz, Tap & Dance Rep
Research & Bibliography
among others.</p>
<p>SDSU’s MFA program will be accepting applications for the class of 2014, starting in October 2011. For more information or to contact the program, check out the school’s website:</p>
<p>[SDSU</a> Musical Theatre MFA](<a href=“School of Theatre, Television, and Film”>School of Theatre, Television, and Film)</p>
<p>Also I’m happy to answer any and all questions about the program, or for anyone considering advanced degrees in the field.</p>
<p>Best,</p>
<p>Kati </p>
<p>Also- you can follow us on twitter for information from the current MFA class: [url=<a href=“http://twitter.com/#!/SDSUMFAmusthea]SDSUMFAmusthea[/url”>http://twitter.com/#!/SDSUMFAmusthea]SDSUMFAmusthea[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Is that really true… the last MFA in MT accepting students right now? Yikes.</p>
<p>There are other master’s degrees in Musical Theatre, but may be run out of music departments. NYU’s Steinhardt School (which also offers an undergrad degree in MY) offers 2 choices of a Master’s Degree with a concentration in Musical Theatre. One focuses on performance and the other is a dual degree with performance and pedagogy. Go to the NYU Steinhardt school page to check them out.</p>
<p>Ooops- typo above for NYU-undergraduate degree in MT, not MY!</p>
<p>Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama has a really great MFA program for MT also – AND its in Scotland :).</p>
<p>RSAMD has an amazing acting component so you can be sure your daughter will get top notch acting training as well as dance and voice.</p>