Indiana University MT BFA Program

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>Hello all-</p>

<p>I thought that the users of this forum might be interested to learn that Indiana University has just officially added a dedicated musical theatre department under which students will earn a BFA degree in Musical Theatre. I’m fairly sure that the department will be chaired by George Pinney, who is a recognized choeographer in the business. (He won an emmy for Blast!, and just helped remount the national tour being produced by Big League Thetricals). As a student at IU, this is HUGE news for all of us as it will extend the IU MT network much farther, opening opportunities for performers once the graduate. The announcement was JUST made today, and I don’t even know if the university has gone public with it yet, so if you can’t find any information on the program, that is why. The only details I know about the program are that it will be based out of the Theatre in Drama Department, which is housed in a brand new, state of the art facility. Students will also take numerous classes in the IU School of Music. They are hiring new faculty with the aim of getting people specifically that are WORKING in the business. The university also plans on being a springboard for new works, where playwrights will premier their show at IU. This will in turn provide opportunites for students to make professional connections as well as give students a chance to work on material that they could possibly perform again in a professional venue. I know that the first class will audition to enter in the Fall of 2007, and that the university will also accept transfers into the program at that time. (If you come to IU in the fall of 2006, you can take specific classes that will allow you to transfer into the program and still graduate in four yerars.) That is pretty much all I know at this point, but feel free to email me at <a href="mailto:lightyear19@juno.com">lightyear19@juno.com</a>, and I’d be happy to answer any questions. (I’m currently a junior at IU, majoring in Musical Theatre through an individualized major program). </p>

<p>Here are some good things to know about IU:</p>

<p>The MFA Acting Degree within the theatre dept. I believe was ranked within the 97% of all MFA programs.</p>

<p>The theatre building is brand new…from the website: In January 2002, IU opened the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center on the Bloomington campus, adjacent to the old Theatre Building. The building is beautifully designed, and provides state-of-the-art technology, expansive and well-planned workshops, spacious directing and acting studios, and two vital, new performance spaces.</p>

<p>The IU School of Music is considered one of the best music schools in the country. I belive it is ranked #1 for vocal performance anyways. Also, the ballet dept. is pretty much the #1 classical ballet school with a university in the nation. (I’m not sure on all these numbers, but most importantly, the programs here ROCK!)</p>

<p>Oh, IU was also just ranked the #1 Big State School.</p>

<p>The theatre dept. website is <a href=“http://www.indiana.edu/~thtr/[/url]”>http://www.indiana.edu/~thtr/</a> . Check it out, and perhaps it will answer some questions about IU. The school’s main website is <a href=“http://www.iub.edu%5B/url%5D”>www.iub.edu</a> .</p>

<p>Hope you guys find this information interesting and vital, and feel free to send me any questions, but also try George Pinney, his email is on the thetare website.</p>

2

<p>Thanks so much for this information. My d is a junior and had Indiana U on her list as a non-audition school (or a possible audition vocal performance). She is so excited about this possibility, since IU has such an excellent reputation in music, theatre and dance already. Do you have any information about the size of each class they intend to accept? Also, have they made any announcements regarding the curriculum for the BFA?</p>

<p>Again, thanks for the post.</p>

3

<p>As far as the class size, I have absolutley no idea. As far as the curriculum, I'm sure it will follow the basic format of any other MT BFA program.</p>

4

<p>Can you suggest someone in the Theatre Dept or elsewhere on staff at IU to discuss this new program with? Thanks for this info!</p>

5

<p>rdesloge - Thanks so much for posting this information in such good detail. IU is one of 2 schools to which my son, currently a senior, has already submitted an application for fall 2006. It was fairly easy to do online and did not require an essay, which is holding up a few others from being completed!</p>

<p>Important question - are students who enter theatre dept. in fall of 2006 still allowed to do so without an audition? Are you sure the MT auditions are not applicable until fall of 2007? This is exciting news for future students, but it is also a huge change in requiring the audition. </p>

<p>We visited IU in Feb. and saw a wonderful show in the fabulous new theatre facility. While there, we heard unofficial rumors about a future MT program. I appreciate knowing more specifically about it from you.</p>

6

<p>Unrelated to theatre and MT - I saw on the Princeton Review web site that IU was ranked #1 for schools with "Lots of Beer" - what is your take on this situation?</p>

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<p>alright, so many questions to address.</p>

<p>For the best information, contact George Pinney at <a href="mailto:pinneyg@indiana.edu">pinneyg@indiana.edu</a> .</p>

<p>I am almost positive admission to the program will be by audition only, meaning that current students wishing to change their major will still have to audition for it. The theatre major will still be a BA, and it will not be auditioned.</p>

<p>I'm glad that some of you have visited IU, and to those that haven't it really is worth checking out. For those of you interested in visiting and seeing a show, the complete schedule is on the theatre website, <a href="http://www.indiana.edu/%7Ethtr/productions/index.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.indiana.edu/~thtr/productions/index.html&lt;/a>. The musicals this year are Falsettos ( October 21, 22, 24-29, 2005 at 7:30 P.M.), and A Chorus Line (April 14, 15, 17-22, 2006, at 7:30 P.M).</p>

<p>I know I can't honestly compare our program to Mich, CCM, C Melon, etc. because I have never gone there, but I will say that many of us work along side their students at summer venues. I don't know where everyone worked but I know that we had people at MUNY and Seaside, which are two really respected companies. IU produces unique marketable peroformers capable of competing with ANYONE from other programs. If you don't believe me, see one of our shows, you'll know what I'm talking about.</p>

<p>As far as the #1 in lots of beer, i also read that too and i'll be honest, i wouldn't doubt it. People here like to have a good time. (We're also the number 6 party school for what it's worth). I will say however that you definatley don't have to drink to be cool at parties, and i have met a lot of people (theatre majors included) that don't go out at all. I'll put it this way, IU is a big school and there is something for everyone. You can always make a big school smaller (which is VERY much so the case if you do theatre, most of your time is spent in class and rehearsals, with less homework), but you can never make a small school bigger. There are SO many outlets for people here that if you can't fit in you're just not looking hard enough.</p>

<p>With all this information, this is merely what I have been told, so I don't want to get quoted as listing facts. I would email George Pinney for the best, most accurate information.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the questions and good luck with the college search.</p>

8

<p>Please clarify.</p>

<p>I had a student contact Indiana about the new department of MT (as is stated in this opening thread) and was told it was just a "track" where they could choose to study voice and the like.</p>

<p>Anybody chime in here?</p>

9

<p>I would like to say that I have tried to contact Indiana two times to get further information and in neither instance did any one call me back. They are off our list.</p>

10

<p>I don't know anything about the new BFA in MT at Indiana. One of both my daughters' good friends from high school is going there now for musical theater though I am not sure the official name of her major. She had applied/auditioned at BFA programs in MT and did not get into any of them so landed at Indiana, which was non audition. She is now a soph (was a classmate of my oldest D in high school but has done many shows with my younger D and is her friend too). She loves it from what I know. Her strength is dance. I have suggested it to kids as a nonaudition school option and a BA option. I guess with the BFA in MT new program, we'll have to wait to hear more since it is not for this crop of applicants this year. I'm not sure how it would work for someone to enter this coming year who would eventually want to be in the BFA track/program and if they then audition to enter it and what if they do not get in at that point? I guess there are some schools set up where you audition freshman or soph year but that's tough if you want a BFA program and once you are that far into college, find out you can't get in.
Susan</p>

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<p>Here is correct information about the new program at Indiana. </p>

<p>I just heard from George Pinney.</p>

<p>They have acquired funding for a Musical Theatre Major housed in the Department of Theatre and in conjunction with the School of Music. </p>

<p>It will offer a BFA degree in Musical Theatre.</p>

<p>They hope to have their first class in the Fall of 2007</p>

<p>Glad to pass on this info and hope it helps clear up any confusion.</p>

<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>

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<p>I tried to send a PM to you with a few very specific questions regarding IU, but CC says you don't except PMs. If you see this, please reply and hopefully we can connect. </p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>MWparent</p>

13

<p>ive been really busy latley, email me at <a href="mailto:rdesloge@indiana.edu">rdesloge@indiana.edu</a>, i check that account all the time.</p>

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<p>Just for the record (I must be in a sour mood! LOL) it is now about seven weeks since I called Indiana's theater program and about 6 weeks since I emailed them a question asking about the new MT Program and got back an automated "we will answer your email within a week." </p>

<p>For the record: I have still not received the answer to either phone or email. My husband was really high on Indiana because of its reputation as a fine music school. As I noted previously on this thread, we deleted them from consideration due to non responsiveness.</p>

<p>Indiana: a word to the wise... you have got to do better.</p>

15

<p>Email George Pinney at <a href="mailto:pinneyg@indiana.edu">pinneyg@indiana.edu</a>. He should reply to you. I know he was out of the office teching Blast! for a little while, so perhaps it was mixed up in there.</p>

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<p>bumping this thread for manuelo and other juniors</p>

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<p>I am trying to research the MT major and cannot find any updated info on the web. Has anyone been successful in confirming they are offering a MT major and that they are starting in 2007? If so, it would be helpful to see what their audition requirements and dates are.</p>

<p>Any info is helpful!</p>

<p>MikksMom</p>

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<p>I visited IU a few months ago and it was told by the head of the musical theatre department that auditions for the bfa program would start in the upcoming audition season...he said they would be holding auditions in Chicago and New York. IU is an amazing school with an amazing campus...I really believe that when the bfa program gets going it will quickly elevate to an mt "ivy league." Its that good of a school already.</p>

19

<p>I visited IU, where I will be attending next year, in the last few days of April. </p>

<p>I was told by Charles Railsbeck, the head of Theatre and Drama at IU, that they were still in the approval process for the Major. Last time I spoke to him, there was no definate answer to if, and when, the BFA will begin.</p>

<p>I'm going up to IU for orientation on Wednesday. If I find out anything more I will let you know.</p>

<p>And, to the above poster:</p>

<p>Yep. We are just that good :)</p>

20

<p>To get firsthand info on where this program stands I suggest you contact the person whom I was told would be directing it. He is a current IU faculty member named George Pinney. He confirmed in an email to me last fall that he would be running it, although at that time we were also told by the Theatre Dept. adviser (Charles Railsback) that it still needed complete approval. But this was in Oct. '05, so I'm sure things are farther along. Pinney's email is <a href="mailto:pinneyg@indiana.edu">pinneyg@indiana.edu</a>. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>