<p>Hello, Despite still being a bit young I am trying to think about my future a bit.</p>
<p>Even though there are tons of schools that offer theatre as a major they all actually seem to vary by a lot actually. </p>
<p>So I was wondering if anyone had an idea on a good school for me. </p>
<p>I'd like to get a BA in theatre as opposed to a BFA, I want to make sure all these AP classes and honors get some use in the long run. </p>
<p>Also it'd be preferable that the BA program not also have a BFA there, they tend to get more attention and care, for instance at the U of Minn, which is very close to me. There BA theatre kids don't get in to many of the schools productions.</p>
<p>I'd like a very well rounded theatre education. Since I won't know if I'll be a professional stage manager, actor or production person. I'd like to have good knowledge on all aspects of theatre. A lot of schools like to put in a concentration. I'd like to be able to be in some productions and maybe manage others etc. That's currently what I do at my high school. And since my singing is alright but not amazing enough to compete with some people I tend to like stage manager the Musicals. </p>
<p>Lastly, I request that the school is fairly Secular and not religious that much. And this part isn't too important but it'd be nice if it was more liberal and less conservative environment. and preferably not in the south, I like Minn/St.P (Close to home), Chicago area or Northeast </p>
<p>If it matters my uwGPA is typically 3.6 or 3.7</p>
<p>Some schools that really interest me now are: Northwestern, NYU, Emerson, and Boston College.</p>
<p>Whitman College has a great theatre program - lots of productions, so plenty of opportunity for acting and for learning technical theatre, stage managing etc. Check out the Harper Joy Theatre links at [Whitman</a> College](<a href=“http://www.whitman.edu%5DWhitman”>http://www.whitman.edu).</p>
<p>I was just looking at some of those schools KatMT. American seemed nice because of it’s semi political feel there and its an interest of mine so it got bonus points.</p>
<p>Your GPA might be a little low for Northwestern and NYU without a killer essay. Try some safeties like Muhlenberg, Skidmore, American, JMU, Ithaca…if you want more reaches try UCLA, Barnard, and USC</p>
<p>JMU and I believe American are auditioned programs, so they cannot be considered safeties. Depending on course rigor in HS they may not be academic safeties either. Matches, more likely.</p>
<p>Muhlenberg does not require an audition, but demonstrated interest is recommended, and they do have an audition for scholarships.</p>
<p>I am not sure that the OPs GPA would make Skidmore a safety. Great school, though. Saratoga is a nice town as well.</p>
<p>I am not sure if an audition or interview is required at Ithaca for the BA. Because of the size and strength of their BFA programs I am not sure how much opportunity the BAs get in terms of practical hands on experience.</p>
<p>NYU is a BFA. I do know people who have successfully double majored, however. </p>
<p>You are right that when there is a BA along with a BFA it’s important to make sure the BA doesn’t have limited options. But our experience and understanding of the UMinn theatre department is that the BAs get a ton of performing opportunities, not only in potential casting in BFA productions but also in a myriad of productions, classes and other projects of their own. At a big University, there is so much going on that everyone can have a chance. Also in the Twin Cities there are amazing theatre groups all around, so the possibilities are endless. If UMinn would be a financial or academic safety, I would recommend applying. I’d also go talk to the people in the department, because I’m not sure you have the full story.</p>
<p>I don’t want to muddle your thinking too much, but your two reasons for wanting a BA - to use your APs and to get broad-based experience - are perfectly possible with a BFA. Many students in university-based BFA programs are able to study theatre extremely broadly, and can get lots of advanced credit for their academic requirements. It is rare, however, for a BFA student to graduate early, if that’s what you are hoping to do with AP credit. That can be very difficult in many BA schools, however, despite your major. Many will place you up based on test scores, or will give elective credit, but they still require 8 semesters of study.</p>
<p>The question for an BA vs BFA student - really in deciding among specific schools, not specific degrees, since they vary so widely - is how you want to spend 4 years, and what percentage of your time you want to study theatre, do extracurriculars, and be involved in other areas. Usually BFAs require a higher time commitment to theatre, but that’s about the most definite thing any of us can say. Find schools that appeal to you and see how their programs work for your particular interests and goals. Let us know schools that seem right for you, and we can help you build your list further.</p>
<p>Thank you for the replies, I appreciate all of them!</p>
<p>I really did like U of Minn especially because it is near where I live.
I do not know much since there site is all focused on telling me how amazing there BFA/Guthrie Program is, which seems awesome but only 20 people get in.
I’m essentially looking for somewhere that has a lot of performance opportunities and everyone gets chances to be the Stage Manager or assistant direct and of course get there time to star on stage. That way if I can’t make it as a performer I still have the skills and experience to work somewhere in the magical world of theatre:)</p>
<p>You say you’re a bit young, but you didn’t tell us how young.</p>
<p>Programs that accept just a few people obviously have an easier time making sure everyone gets involved than the programs with huge numbers. Unless the big program has a LOT of productions, both faculty and student directed.</p>
<p>Sometimes when we make decisions about our future, we may find that one or two things in our past may become irrelevant. You MAY have to just forget about those AP classes and honors. There is no reason to let your past stop you from having the future you want. But maybe these will come in useful. Have you also thought about programs in other countries, som of which are always very impressed with AP exams?</p>
<p>If you click on the “courses” tab, you’ll see they have a relatively large number of courses for such a small school (ca. 1400 undergrads). That is because they also have an MFA program (but no BFA) which beefs up the department quite a bit. And it is safe to say that SLC is not overly religious (ha!). Being close to New York is certainly an advantage from a theater/creative energy point of view. My child also studied literature, history of US civil rights movement, and film history while doing theater.</p>
<p>Take a look at Hamline in St. Paul and Augsburg in Minneapolis. They both have good BA theatre programs. My daughter has worked with many of the Alums who work professionally in the field. Mankato has BFA’s in acting, MT and Tech. I’m not sure but probably not as competitive as U of MN. U of M Duluth specializes in MT. If you live near Mpls/St. Paul there are tons of theatre and small film opportunities to get your feet wet. Check out MN Playlist Classifieds online. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Thank you Cleo11
I do live a bit outside (15 minutes) of the Mpls/St. Paul area. I also do watch MN playlist Classifieds just for fun to see how often jobs open. Because after all my biggest fear is that I’ll have wasted my time/money in theatre school and I can’t find a jobs.</p>
<p>I’d like to make sure where ever I go the AP credit is used though. One of the big things my AP teacher has stressed is that if you pass the test than you’ll save a bunch of money because you won’t have to take the class in college. I mean the classes are very interesting and they look nice on a application anyway so if I don’t get direct use from them it won’t be the worst thing in the world.</p>
<p>Muhlenberg looks great too, and I do love Minnesota so I’ll have to check out those others here as well, I’ve only looked at the U as far as schools in MN.</p>
<p>I don’t see why you should make that AP credit so important. If you find a program that is so amazing it will make all of your dreams come true, but it won’t let you do anything with that AP score, are you really going to give up the opportunity?</p>
<p>I was also thinking about schools in England, where they just skip the first year completely and the Bachelors’ degree only takes three years. So of course they are usually looking for people who have a handful of AP tests (if they come from the US, there are different tests in the UK) so they have already learned all the stuff that Americans learn in their first year of college.</p>
<p>I would definitely add Muhlenberg to your list. Amazing program, beautiful campus, BA with no BFA, close to Philly and NYC for “field trips”, opportunity to double major/minor in other subjects.
Plus, unlike some of the BFA’s they offer merit aid in addition to talent $ so your academic acheivements will be put to good use. They have an audition for scholarship that you should do because if the theatre director likes you he will put in a good word for you with admissions.<br>
And they are big on “demonstrated interest” by the student, so when you get to that point, be sure you tell them how much you want to go there! ;-)</p>
<p>Kemp, you’re probably right, it’s just that I recently finished taking exams and I’m in the current rage of "all this work better be worth. It down the road. In the future I most likely won’t care.</p>
<p>Parachuteboy - My D is going to be a senior next year and plans to apply for a BFA in acting. We have looked at a lot of schools. I wanted to mention as far as the AP’s go - even in the BFA, they are useful. Many schools will allow you to use the AP credit to replace on of the required curriculum courses, allowing you to take a different class in that college, or more electives in your major. So, for instance, if my D gets a 4 or a 5 on the AP Calc exam, she will have no math requirement at many of the schools and can opt to take any number of other classes in the theatre school or a traditional gen ed class. You will find them helpful at many schools, but be sure to ask each schools how they can be used.</p>
<p>I’m glad to hear that Dramamom that’s also what others have told me, I wish your daughter the best luck in her search next year. It’d be nice to have open and more electives and free choice. or even time to get a minor in something useful lol:)</p>