How Important is Theater at Penn?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>I am interested in some of the major theater and musical theater schools in the country such as Michigan, USC, Northwestern, and NYU. However, academics are just as important to me as theater is - I need the best mix possible.</p>

<p>In your opinion, if you are a student of Penn or know Penn's culture well, is theater important to the students and the culture? I know that there are a variety of productions throughout the year and student-run groups, but are the productions good? Do the students go see the shows?</p>

<p>Also, I know most of you won't be able to answer this, but on a side note, compared with Northwestern, which school has a better theater program in your opinion?</p>

<p>Thanks so much.</p>

2

<p>Hey, I’m really into theatre and Penn has so far been a great fit for me. </p>

<p>First of all, Penn has a ton of different groups that are very competitive. I know many people who tried out and very few freshman who actually made them. Most people start out by doing tech and then moving their way up. Also, I’m not an expert, but I think there are 7 different companies. </p>

<p>As for the actual productions, some have been excellent (like Sweeney Todd during Fling) and others not as great. I go to 8-10 Broadway shows a year, so this isn’t some BS I am telling you when I say some shows are great.</p>

<p>To answer your questions, theater is VERY important to a not insignificant part of the student body. I am talking people who make it their life to be in different shows throughout the year, etc, etc. Students do go to see the shows-I haven’t been to a show that wasn’t sold out or close to sold out. If you are into theatre, it isn’t a stretch that you would be seeing some type of show every week pretty regularly. Most people who aren’t into theatre still end up seeing 1-3 shows a semester because they know people in them or for something to do. Compared with Penn sports, theater is a lot more talked about in the student body (at least among the people I know!)</p>

<p>Personally, only judging on the reputation and what I have heard, I think Michigan’s program is better than Penn, but Penn is better than Northwestern.</p>

<p>That said, the theatre arts faculty is amazing. I had a seminar (PM me for more info-identifying) where the teacher (who, incidentally, had taught Elizabeth Banks) and the two Penn faculty guest lecturers were amazing. One professor also regularly stars in Philly productions and is nominated for Barrymore’s (equivalent of Tony’s in Philadelphia).</p>

<p>Which brings me to another another benefit to Penn: Philadelphia’s burgeoning scene. Now, this isn’t New York-some of the smaller theatres are very hit or miss. Tickets are super cheap though, $5-10 for rush (I’ve gotten it every time I’ve tried), plus 2 septa tokens. Also, if you are talented and want to audition, there is a lot more opportunity. Rabbit Hole, a play produced by the Arden Theatre, had a Drexel sophomore if I’m not mistaken. The professor I just talked about also basically said that you will get a lot more parts in Philly than in NYC for the same amount of talent. Then you can springboard after college to Broadway on momentum, etc, etc. </p>

<p>Sorry for the super long response, feel free to PM me if you want to know anything else!</p>

3

<p>

In theater? That’s like saying Penn is better than Carnegie Mellon in computer science.

In the real Tony this year, the Best Play, “Red”, was written by John Logan, a Northwestern theater alum.
[School</a> of Communication, Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.communication.northwestern.edu/news/press_release.php?itemID=125]School”>http://www.communication.northwestern.edu/news/press_release.php?itemID=125)</p>

4

<p>Have to agree with Sam on this one. For theater, Northwestern is preeminent (especially for a nonconservatory–i.e., non-BFA–program), and has been for many decades. It’s really on a much higher plane than Penn in this regard.</p>

<p>On the other hand, at Penn, you wouldn’t have to compete with scores–if not HUNDREDS–of other theater majors like you would at Northwestern. :slight_smile: But among the top 20 universities in US News, for example, Northwestern’s theater program is undeniably the largest, most comprehensive, and most eminent.</p>

5

<p>Edit: Like an idiot, I was thinking Northeastern, not Northwestern. Oops! And yes I do think NW > Penn in terms of theatre dept quality.</p>