<p>Hello! I'm a HS junior, and I plan to get my degree in musical theatre. I want to be a performer...but I would like a fall-back plan.</p>
<p>I love theatre criticism/history/analysis as well. I was thinking that perhaps (again, last resort) I could be a theatre critic or historian (yes, I know, reliable fall-back plan right?). Or even do that in the future or something. </p>
<p>Is it necessary for me to complete a minor if I want that option open? Most musical theatre programs are BFAs and extremely intensive - I'm finding that I'm rapidly crossing programs off the list that are too intensive for me to complete a minor. I certainly have enough programs on my "big list" that do allow a minor, but some of my favorites have already been eliminated. I'm not sure if I'm placing too much emphasis on completing a minor. I don't want to go to a school that may not have been my favorite just because it allowed me to complete a minor and then realize that it was a silly criterion. </p>
<p>So...if I do indeed want that option open, is it necessary for me to complete a minor or would I stand a chance without it?</p>
<p>Also - what kind of minor would you suggest? I was thinking probably journalism or English. </p>
<p>Thanks for any help! I considered posting this in the Musical Theatre forum but figured it wasn't related as much to MT as it was minors in general...</p>
<p>Employers generally don't care about minors, only majors, so if you are considering a minor just to have it on a resume, then I would advise against it. Go ahead and take the classes that you think might help you in the future (if you have the room in your schedule) and don't worry so much about completing minor requirements necessarily.</p>
<p>MT is an intensive major at most colleges. Not only do MT majors carry more credits than most kids, but they are expected to work on all shows, audition for shows, be in shows. It is not a major like others, in that it can encompass all of your time. If you are not at the point that you want to do this, it might be a better option to go as a drama or theatre major, and take a minor. That means looking at schools where you can take music, voice, dance courses to supplement the drama. </p>
<p>My son had all of his core requirements done before going to college due to AP test results and local college courses. Which meant he could take what he wanted. He also was very well trained musically, and tested out music theory type courses. And he played piano well enough that he did not need that course. Still every bit of his time was taken with the MT major. I don't know how kids who had to do the core courses managed.</p>
<p>It's wise to calculate the number of credits remaining that aren't demanded by the MT major. At CMU, it's 7. Other places have a little more flexibility, but not much. Note that you're going to need about 36-48 hours of core courses before taking courses toward any other major. I wouldn't worry about a minor - I'd just see how far you could get toward a second major if need be. It might be good to check on the potential overlap with a BA in Theatre.</p>
<p>No worries; I've been seriously researching and contacting all the colleges I'm interested in to find if they allow a minor and many do (particularly BAs in MT). I know that most are much too intensive for my tastes but there are plenty out there that aren't - I'm just wondering if it's worth my time to seek them out!</p>
<p>The fact that you have a bachelor's degree will be your fall-back. A lot of jobs require a bachelor's degree. Not a bachelor's degree in some specific field, just the degree itself.</p>
<p>A BA in MT might indeed be what you're looking for. And as odd as it may seem, the MT program in the Steinhardt School at NYU has about as broad-based a liberal arts curriculum as any that you'll find.</p>