Hello! I have finally received the last of my college decisions, and now I am struggling quite a bit to make a decision. I know that deciding on a college is a very personal decision, and that finances and other personal matters are vital to the decision, but I would really appreciate some general opinions about my college choice. I am interested in pursuing a degree in theatre, and here are my options:
-University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (BFA Acting)
-Miami University (BA Theatre)
-Ball State University (BA Theatrical Arts with possible transfer to BFA Acting during freshman year)
-Drake University (BA Theatre Arts, waitlisted for BFA Acting)
Taking into account only each school’s reputation for my desired major, can any of you give me any insight into the programs that I have to choose from? Thank you so much, this is a really tough decision!
I hate to say this, but while these schools may teach you acting, none of these are great schools for becoming a professional actor. I have known plenty of actors, and the odds of becoming a successful actor making a living off of paid roles is akin to standing in a thunderstorm and hoping to be hit by lightning. In the meantime, you will have a job in retail, secretarial or the like that does not require a college degree and be perpetually griping about your agent, your lousy boss or the one talentless schoolmate who got a roll Off-Broadway.
The problem with these schools is that they are all in rural locations. At least in New York, Toronto, Chicago or LA, there would be an occasional rainstorm going on. The location of these schools is equivalent to a desert for actors.
Given the above, go with the cheapest, and move to LA, Chicago or NYC ASAP after graduation. I wish you luck.