*Aware that Cornell does not have musical theatre, I just wanted to see my luck with the Ivies.
Any other suggestions for programs?
If you’re serious about theatre, I don’t see why you wouldn’t apply to Northwestern instead of Cornell.
The list is odd for musical theatre. I see NYU and CMU, but no UMich or Cincy.
How about UNC Chapel Hill Media & Journalism? Elon?
Take a look at Emerson as well
So, so hard to do though. Your list makes me think that you are just at the beginning of researching this. MT is an EXTREMELY time-intensive major. Beware.
If you have the stats, Northwestern might be a great fit b/c they are super flexible, and encourage kids to double major, minor etc.
With Ivies, you might want to check out Brown- they have a remarakable arts scene
Be aware that your list includes some of the most competitive MT BFA programs in country for admission based on audition: NYU, Pace, Syracuse, CMU, and UCI (CMU is arguably the most competitive theatre program in the country with an acceptance rate somewhere around 1%). These are professional training programs which are much more similar to music conservatories than more typical college majors. If you can get an acceptance to one of these BFA programs, double-majoring will very difficult and will likely take more than four years to complete (and, in some cases, may be more or less discouraged by the theatre department). With regard to an MT minor, these programs do not offer a professional performance-based Theatre minor - coursework in a Theatre or Drama Minor at most BFA programs will consist of Theatre History, Theatre-as-Literature, Stagecraft, Playwriting, Acting for non-majors, etc.
If you are not familiar with the admissions process for professional theatre training programs, you may want to read Mary Anna Dennard’s book, “I Got In” to get started researching the ins and outs of auditioning for Musical Theatre BFA programs.
If you search through the threads on this forum, you will find many about double-majoring in MT as well as preparing to audition for MT programs.
Since your list includes some CA schools I think you might want to seriously look at Cal State Northridge. I know it isn’t as prominent as the high level colleges on your list, but if you want an excellent Communications program you will find it there, as well as very good theatre/voice training. It would offer you a realistic option of a double major where some of the other options you list likely would not, and depending on your career goals, you are right there in the LA market. The Communications, Broadcast and Journalism program is top notch and offers exceptional training.
Hi Everyone! Thank you bunches for all the help. I updated my list:
I would agree that I would add Northwestern to your list if you are looking for both theater and academics. I would also encourage you to look at Michigan and Elon. Another school you should consider is James Madison University. Great academics and a great MT program. Illinois Wesleyan is another strong academic school with a great MT program. I would continue to explore and expand your list as I think ther are many more schools and programs that might suit your needs that are not currently on your list.
Some BA MT programs to consider with academic admission requirements similar to other programs on your list (it is easier to double-major in a BA MT program):
American U - Academic selectivity about the same as Northeastern, The MT program is audition-based and probably a little less competitive than some of the programs on your list.
Tulsa - offers a BA in MT and a minor in MT, both non-audition (but you can audition for scholarships). Academic selectivity is between Syracuse and Northeastern.
Pepperdine - offers a BA in Theatre and Music (combined). The Theatre and Music program is audition-based and probably a little less competitive than some of the programs on your list.
Another school with academic admission standards equivalent to others on your list with an MT program is Tulane. Tulane offers a BM MT program where you may be able to double-major since the MT major is “only” 60 hours. Tulane is approximately equivalent to Northeastern for academic admission and the MT program requires an audition, but it may be a little less competitive than some of the programs on your list.
As others have stated, if your academics are excellent, then Northwestern seems to be a great fit for what you seem to be looking for.
By the way, of the programs on our list, Pace seems like an outlier in terms of academic admission requirements (but the MT program is extremely competitive for admission).
Another school that may of interest is William and Mary: very academically selective, their Theatre Department includes courses in Musical Theatre as well as training in Acting and Dance, and they do at least one musical per year.
You mentioned the Cross-School Minor in Performance at Tisch. I don’t mean to denigrate the program in any way, but if you are interested in coursework in actual theatre performance practices, this minor does not seem to include any training in acting, singing, nor dance. Per the website:
This is typical of the theatre coursework offered to non-majors at many competitive BFA MT programs: analysis of theatre and society, not actual studio-based training in acting, singing, and dance alongside the BFA’s.
You should check out Montclair which has a new School of Communications and Media with a breath-taking state-of-the-art new building, a stone’s throw from NYC. They also offer an MT minor (an MT major too but I don’t think you could do both without extending past 4 years).
Look at James Madison in Virginia as well. It is possible to double major, although intense!
This is my message of gratitude for everyone who had contributed to my thread so far, thank you because you all have been such a great help. I have revised my list and would love to hear your input.
I haven’t taken the SAT yet, but I currently have a 3.96 unweighted GPA. (I haven’t calculated it weighted yet, but I have taken four AP/Honors classes thus far.)
Anyone know any academic scholarships for BFA’s???
Pace gives a ton of money if you can get accepted artistically which is very difficult. I’m pretty sure you can’t double major there and if you could you’d probably have to do it in 5 years.
If you are looking for another East Coast safety, you might want to consider Muhlenberg.