<p>I got rejected from all of my BFA Acting options, so I am now attending my safety school (a no-name program) for a BA in Theatre Arts. I have often heard that BFAs don't need Grad school to accompany their degree, but regular BAs do. </p>
<pre><code> I honestly don't want to do 4 more years of school and I can't afford it either. The only reason I'm in school right now (and at my safety school instead of one of the schools where I could audition again for BFA next year) is because I have a full academic scholarship at my current school. I have a stipend so I'm essentially being paid to go there. It's not that I don't want to hone my craft more, I'm just sick of institutionalized school, don't have ANY money and don't want to be so old by the time I'm out of school that I only have a couple years to make it before I've outgrown all the fun roles.
Now that the details are out of the way, question: How much do casting directors pay attention to/care about having a master's degree? Could I still get representation without it?
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<p>There are fun roles at every age. Maggie Smith on Downton Abbey?</p>
<p>A BFA or MFA is going to give you great training. The results of that training will be noticed when you audition. Most directors won’t pay attention to where you went to school though. They are focused on your audition. </p>
<p>Your school may have Some impact on finding an agent but you can find one without a name brand school. </p>
<p>A tuition free undergrad is worth something. Save your money, get into a good MFA program. After your MFA head out to all the great roles that will still be available. And with a masters degree you will be able to teach acting too</p>
<p>MFA programs are even more insanely selective than BFA programs. It is common for even highly talented applicants to have to go through the application process more than once in order to be accepted at one. (It is particularly tough for girls.)</p>
<p>I would suggest that you supplement your BA theatre education with summer training and/or internship programs if at all possible. </p>
<p>Even students with BFAs often supplement their training with classes in studios after graduating. That is another route you might want to consider. </p>
<p>I agree with dramamom0804 that there are fun roles at every age.</p>
<p>I find myself wishing I had an MFA whenever I think about applying for a position on a university or college faculty. For those jobs, a Bachelor’s degree is almost always not enough.</p>
<p>I think you know that there are many succesful actors who do not have MFA’s, in fact many succesful actors who do not have any degrees at all.</p>
<p>Maggie Smith left school at 16 (in those days this was a normal age to finish school in the UK) to become an actress, as far as I can tell she has no degrees (perhaps she has been awarded some honorary ones?) She started out playing young roles. She landed her part on Downton Abbey largely because of her extensive resume and fame.</p>
<p>If you are a good enough actor, nobody cares what degrees you have.</p>
<p>Since I am a director, I don’t have to worry about being “too old” for a play. But actors do need to think about that. By the time Dustin Hoffman decided he was “ready” to play Hamlet, he could only get cast as Shylock.</p>
<p>I don’t see any problem with taking a break from school (it sounds like you may NEED that now!:)) and seeing what you can accomplish with your BA. If later you decide that you want or need an MFA, you can always go back and get one. The MFA programs aren’t going anywhere.</p>
<p>There are graduates of BFA programs who go on to pursue MFA degrees. There are graduates of BA programs who do not… and visa versa. Training is important, but can be obtained within or outside of formal academic institutions. So many options. :)</p>
<p>My two bits, as a mom, who is only learning about theatre as she goes, is that a MFA is not worth the cost. If you want to go for other reasons, GO FOT IT. But as the 2 posters above noted, both who way more up on this issue than me, is that an MFA is not necessary. Yes, for faculty positions, it would be very helpful. My advice is to get as much experience as you can now and consider taking some business classes too so you can learn how to run and market your own business, namely finding acting work, when you graduate. You have four years to do what you love, acting!!! Enjoy the moment,y use our time wisely, and have lots of fun doing so.</p>
<p>Most of the advice I have heard is that it’s not worth getting an MFA unless you a) want to teach and/or b) want to increase your chances of acting in regional straight theatre. Increasing your chances is not the same thing as being necessary, though. Bear in mind I am simply repeating advice I have heard; I am not speaking from first hand experience!</p>
<p>I second NJTheatreMom. My personal advice would be for you to take as many summer theatre programs as you can–internships or classes. For instance, my S just did a summer program at RCS in Glasgow, and learned a great deal. If your college allows, I would also do a year/semester abroad at a theatre school if you can. YOu can also get one year post-graduate training in several UK schools if you got in. Or you can train at US conservatories taking classes, like Circle in the Square or any number of such conservatories.</p>