Could someone give me some advantages and disadvantages for both?
Generally speaking a BFA has less academic classes and a majority of training classes in acting while a BA has a majority of academic classes and less training classes. Some say that a BA is a stronger degree in the long run if looking to go to graduate school outside or work outside of theatre. Other posters have eloquently stated all the skills a student of a BFA develops. As a side note, a dear friend of mine who is a high level manager has told me she can spot the employees with theatre degrees because they are very polished, quick thinkers and well spoken in presentations. Many theatre skills clearly transfer over to other jobs requirements.
It really depends on what you want to do after college and whether you want to have additional studies beyond theatre. For example, some people want theatre but want to double major in a science or another field outside of theatre. That is not possible at most BFA programs. Some BFA programs do allow a second major but it will take 5 or 6 years to get both degrees because there is not room for electives or other classes in most BFA programs. Can help some if you have AP credits. Not all BA programs are the same. Fordham for example is a BA program but it has a strong performing component, is by admission only and is a small selective program for the major. Some BFA’s have more core or liberal arts classes than others like Michigan. BFA programs are demanding on time running most days from early morning to ten or eleven at night. For students who have been in productions round the clock for years, that schedule is nothing new. However, for others, they want more of a traditional college experience with more social time.
For the record, my d made it clear three years ago that she wanted only a BFA degree and applied to all but one BFA programs. Her father and I struggled with the BFA idea at first as she has been at a strong private school her whole life. We both have liberal arts and graduate degrees and value higher education. Then we realized, this is her passion and her life. A BFA doesn’t cut out all academics and there is plenty of literary analysis in theatre. We’ve encouraged her to keep up her academic interests beyond theatre but she naturally is curious and interested in history, politics and literature. I’ve also encouraged her to think broadly and develop a broader skill set. For example, she loves writing and editing. That could open doors to freelance work while she is auditioning after college.
My daughter’s BA is heavy on theatre courses because she took AP classes and has filled those slots with courses in acting/directing and playwriting. You can often create a course load that has more classes in your major. Don’t be scared off of a BA because you think you will have too many academic classes. That is not always the case. My daughter’s math requirement was filled by theatre design, her writing course was filled by her playwriting class… etc.