Hello. D was accepted recently for BFA Acting but auditioned for MT. We’ve looked at older threads and also compared curriculum between the two programs which shows courses overlapping considerably. Could any past/present parents and/or students shed light on the opportunities for the BFA Acting students to participate in musicals–are MT students favored for the musical roles over Acting? Are private vocal lessons easily available for Acting students? Finally, upon graduating, do you feel both BFA’s are equally esteemed out in the “real world”? Thank you-your input is so appreciated:)
@deethree Ithaca’s emphasis is on acting for their BFA performance majors. The acting majors and MT students all take classes together. They all audition for all the shows. They all live together and work together in their building called the Dillingham Center. They showcase together in their senior year. FYI - there are 18 acting majors and 18 MT’s admitted in each class. I’ve seen an MT have a the lead in a straight play and an acting major the lead in the musical. It happens. They are truly one family. The only differences are these: MT majors take a voice lesson and a vocal performance class once a week. MT students take keyboarding aka piano and music theory. I also believe there is one senior class specifically for MT’s but don’t quote me. The acting majors go to London in the Fall and the MT’s go in the Spring of the junior year. Acting majors have more time to take more dance and can get a minor in dance. There is also opportunity to act in student films. Ithaca has the Park School of Communications where many well known directors and film makers attended. It’s a very highly respected program out there in the world. It’s very much run the same way CMU is run. Oh I don’t now how easy it is to get voice lessons with the professors on campus but I do know a lot of acting majors take voice lessons. Hope this was helpful.
Thank you! Yes, this is very helpful. So appreciate your insights. Do you happen to know, ( since it sounds like the BFA acting kids have a bit more room in their schedules), do they ever minor in other non-performance areas?
@MTmama17 - Are you sure it is 18 acting and 18 MT because they currently have made offers to more than 50 for acting
@onepercentmom Are you sure that 50 isn’t for both MT & Acting admits? That would make more sense. We have never figured out how Ithaca gets to the numbers they want for an incoming class and I wouldn’t go by FB groups as many current students join these groups to welcome new admits. The past two years they had 18 and 18 in each class and had a waitlist.
@MTmama17 - no it is 50 for acting. When looking at MT there are 24 students on that list, different student names, so there doesn’t appear to be overlap.
@onepercentmom. well go figure. sounds unusual, but hey who knows. I just can’t imagine what it would be like if 30 accepted. They must have an algorithm, but wondering how and where you can see this information and even know if it is true? either way. great program. rigorous.
@MTmama17 - they have a portal for current applicants that students can sign up for. You can filter that portal by type of major and see the accepted students and the students in limbo.
@deethree - I have the same question about minoring!!