<p>While the musical theatre thread is pretty active, the theatre acting threads have been dead as of late. Let's get a conversation going for HS Juniors and their parents who are soon going to join the frenzy of applying to BFA and BA programs in Theatre.
I am the parent of a S who does not have a good source of information other than what we get from CC and the websites of theatre programs. My son is a B to B plus student who does not test real well. His interest in acting is recent.He gave up sports so that he devote himself full-time to acting. We are currently applying to summer pre-college theatre programs (NCARTS, Boston University, Rutgers, Shenendoah - Shakespeare, and Syracuse).
I (the parent) have been doing most of the leg work trying to figure out which BFA/BA Theatre programs he has a shot of getting into. We are likely to apply to a couple of 'reach' BFA programs, and some that we would have a better shot of getting into. We are also going to apply to some LACs with strong theatre majors.
While I have learned from CC that it is really, really tough to get into MT programs, I do not know if the same applies to acting, as there are many more of these programs than there are in MT. Of course, it is tough (likely impossible for us) to get into Julliard, MN-Guthrie, NYU, but I have little sense as to how tough it is to get into other programs - Syracuse, BU, Florida, Penn State, Otterbein, etc.. We are doing everything we can to develop his acting/audition skills.
Perhaps there are others out there who want to discuss a variety of issues. My sense is that some of the active old-time CCers are no longer active because they are now in a program. Brian</p>
<p>Brian:</p>
<p>My D is a senior who also recently expressed an interest in Theater, but behind the scenes, rahter than as an actor. In addition to the programs you are considering, you should take a look at schools which have good theater programs but do not require auditions. For example, many LACs take all comers into their theater programs, although scholarships may require an audition or portfolio. In the midwest, Beloit, Knox and Wittenberg have good programs.</p>
<p>In addition, Indiana University in Bloomington has a terrific theater program and, I believe, does not require an audition. A B to B+ student with decent standardized test scores should have no trouble getting in to IU, and it's a great campus.</p>
<p>I'm actually a senior applying to all small LACs in the midwest and applying for theatre scholarships. I noticed you mentioned Shanandoah Shakespeares summer program... I did that about 4 years ago, while it was a fairly new program I would definitely recommend it. Especially if he's interested in Shakespeare focused theatre.</p>
<p>Thanks bagoshells. We have been looking at Beloit (very interesting college) and Wittenberg, but not Knox (but hear good things). As I have explained elsewhere, I am a LAC prof in PA, and we participate in a 'tuition exchange' program with a lot of LAC's (all 3 colleges you mention are part of the program). Basically what it means is that we pay either no tuition or somewhere around 15% of tuition - one listed below also includes room). The hitch is that the tuition exchange is not automatic, if accepted to the college. Some colleges, like Lawrence, St. Lawrence, Beloit, Wittenberg, Otterbein, Syracuse, and Univ. of Florida ( there are about 500 colleges in the program) give tuition assistance to nearly everybody accepted, while others (i.e., Gettysburg, Bucknell) give tuition exchange to less than 10% accepted. This complicates our application process, as we would be idiots not to go to a college that gives us tuition exchange, as we can then apply our college savings to graduate school, if needed - let's face it, the probability of making a living from acting is not high.
We looked at Indiana. I am surprised that they do not have a clearer website. It is difficult to determine whether they require auditions. I know that Penn State (BA) and Florida (BFA) require auditions. Actually, my hunch is that my son will audition well, so we want to leverage his performance and ECs (Fencing, Football, stage productions) to get into a program where his academic record would put him on the fence; of course a school that is liberal in granting tuition exchange. Included in this group are Syracuse, Boston University, Tulane, and in the LAC category, Centre, Sewanee, Richmond, and Muhlenberg. I think that my S would have grades and scores to get into Beloit, Knox, Lawrence, and most of the colleges ranked 50-100 in the US World News rankings.
Sorry to bore you with all of this. It has been hard to get feedback on those LACs with excellent theatre programs. I know that Muhlenberg has a good reputation, as does Beloit, Lawrence, Bennington, and Centre (this school does not get the attention it deserves, perhaps because it is in KY). I have noticed that some LACs have few faculty, few majores and few productions, for example, mt college, which is a top 35 LAC (though I do not think that they would reject a faculty member's son).
For us: REACH = Rutgers(BFA), Boston University(BFA), Richmond,
Syracuse (BFA), Tulane (BFA), Fordham (BA)
SHOT = Penn State (BA), Florida(BFA), Indiana (BA),
Otterbein (BFA), Catholic (BA - nervous about location)
LAC SHOT = Bennington, Muhlenberg, Beloit, Centre, Sewanee,<br>
Lawrence, St. Lawrence
SAFETY = Pitt, Franklin & Marshall, St Johns (MN)
Obviously, we want to narrow this list.</p>
<p>theveganactress. I forwarded a note to you a couple of days ago. I would appreciate your sharing your knowlege of LAC theatre programs. As I am writing this, I realized that I ommitted the name of a college that I am somewhat familiar with that has a strong theatre program, and that would likely be a good fit for my middle linebacker-turned-actor veganson - Skidmore.</p>
<p>Brian:</p>
<p>There are several reasons that I suggested the "non-audition, non-conservatory" type programs. First, the conservatory programs are very competitive even at schools that are not otherwise competitive. My D, also a B+ student, looked at DePaul. To me, it is a wonderful school in a great location in Chicago. She had the grades and test scores for admission to the school. However, we were told that admission to the theater program was separate, and that there were typically 600 applicants for 50 spots. While not all conservatory programs are as well regarded as DePaul, I think you will find the numbers daunting. Since my D came relatively late to her interest in theater, she didn't have nearly the portfolio that some of the applicants to the program were likely to have.</p>
<p>Second, my D asked about her ability to take a range of courses outside the theater program. She was told that the program was so intense that it was unlikely that she was going to be able to take a full range of liberal arts classes. She neither she nor I are convinced that stagecraft will be her ultimate calling, she was unwilling to narrow her choices this soon. Your son may not have the same feeling, but she was wary of any program that was so intense that it truly limited options.</p>
<p>Though not an LAC, another school to look at is Illinois State. It has recently gone from an open program to an audition process. John Malkovitch, Judith Ivey, Gary Cole and Laurie Metcalf are among it's graduates, and I believe it is associated in some way with the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. I am also told that Loyola's theater program is first rate.</p>
<p>Hope that helps. I assume that, since you live in Lititz, you teach at F&M.</p>
<p>bagoshells
Yea, at F&M, for a while; where I grew up. But I miss the midwest. I used to teach at U. of Minn; hate cities, but tearful when we drove out of Minneapolis. My son would love the openess and friendliness of midwesterners. The northeast, and many of its colleges, take themselves too seriously; woody allens without a sense of humor. Perhaps its because the faculty are primarily ivy PhDs who think that they are better than where they ended up; the students, similarly, think that they are inappropriately placed. The rankings game has made matters worse. You have all these small LACs within a five hour drive from each other and each is jealous of the other. I suspect that this neurosis is not as severe in the midwest and south.
Thanks for the info. about DePaul. It was not on my list because I think that its 'cut' system is less than ethical, particularly for a religious-based institution. Sure, they can rationalize their policies, but I think that even if a few deserving students miss the cut, there are more 'christian' alternatives; sounds like they are just bureaucratically lazy.
I suspect that the selection ratio at Syracuse, Rutgers, and BU is as low or lower than DePaul's. Because Ian is a jocky male, his odds may be slightly better, but the odds are still daunting. This is why we are looking at LACs. Like me, my son is likely to be a late bloomer. Recognizing this, I am looking for colleges that allow kids to search for their identity, make mistakes, and take risks. Many LACs would suggest that they enable this process, but I am not so sure. It may hurt their rankings and brand ID. I went to an experimental college before the military grabbed me back in the Vietnam years. Yea, I did not memorize much, nor did the college have a reputation, but it gave me the space and time to get me where I am now. This is why I am encouraging my son to look closely at Beloit and Bennington. His grades and scores (the SAT, 100 years from now, will be laughed at like we now laugh at the idea that aptitude/intelligence can be determined by the shape of our skull) are likely toward the lower end of their profile, but his ECs and passion for acting may make the difference.
Brian</p>
<p>brian:</p>
<p>I don't want to be accused of promoting Otterbein, but I would encourage your son to apply to us, for quite rational reasons. His grades are not a barrier to acceptance by the college. They would not qualify him for merit awards, but the tuition exchange program solves that problem. There is less competition for men than for women, and there is less competition for the Acting major than for Musical Theatre. While we auditioned 180 women and 80 men for MT last year, we auditioned 32 men for Acting, and made offers to 5. That's a 16% offer rate, considerably above the 3.3% offer rate for MT women. Not knowing anything about your son's talent, which will be the critical factor in our decision, or the fit, which will be the critical factor in his, the statistics would put Otterbein in the "possible" category.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thank you doctorjohn. We just received Otterbein's literature. I appreciate your sharing your selection ratios. I have read and reread the threads trying to get a sense of acceptance rates. S just beat-out 20 guys (first time he ever auditioned) for a lead part in his HS musical, a HS noted for its exceptional arts programs. I have never seen him act, but the teachers in his evening classes are encouraging him to apply to BFA programs. He was the big (football) man on campus, but just told the coaches, sorry, but I an quitting because I want to act. This was a gutsy thing for him to do, especially since he was being recruited by some decent colleges as a junior. I confess that I will miss the friday night lights. Brian</p>
<p>Briansteffy
I think you and your son might be pleasantly surprised by many midwest LAC and I would enourage you to visit. My D is at Knox and while she is not in theater, she does some costume stuff for them. Theater group is very well regarded , teachers are excellent, they have great connections so your son might get internships on east or west coast, theater semester is something not every school offers. There is plenty of choices to take any other subject he might be interested an scores are optional, if your S does not test well.
Also, Knox is strong school in many departments/ english, premed, psychology, math etc./ so if he changes his mind many options are open. Sports are respected but academics always come first.</p>
<p>As you wrote the initial post, you could have been talking about my son as well. He is a senior and on the downhill side of this process. This past summer we visited 7 colleges in the east and midwest. We looked at both BA and BFA programs. Then we dropped him off at Carnegie Mellon for their summer program. That experience helped him to decide against the BFA. As a side note: we did visit Otterbein and were quite impressed with their program (a BFA). Thanks Dr. John. </p>
<p>As my son re-worked his list to eliminate the BFA programs he selected four schools to apply to. The type of school he's looking for is small to medium size, liberal arts, residential. His GPA is 3.3 and SAT scores were around 500 each test. Applications went out to McDaniel, Goucher, Ohio-Wesleyan, and Muhlenberg. Only one response has come so far and it was an acceptance from McDaniel. That was regarded as his safety school and he's thrilled to have that acceptance. He was also interested in Butler, but didn't get the audition piece rolling.</p>
<p>So, there's some additional suggestions on BA programs in liberal arts settings from a kid with similar stats. Have fun with the hunt.</p>
<p>I'm gonna tag on to this post here, because I'm a junior beginning to look as well...
I've been doing theatre since middle school, am now acting (straight and musical theatre) mainly in my public HS (good theatre: 11 shows/yr) along with outside acting/dance/voice lessons. A-/B+ average in a mix of honors/AP/regular level classes, 2200 on PSAT (haven't taken SAT yet). I'm hoping to go to a school with a strong straight theatre program that will also allow me to take a good range of classes outside of the major, potentially with the option to double major or minor? I don't want either extreme: a liberal-arts education that has some theatre but doesn't really prep me for a career, or an intense conservatory that leaves me NO TIME for any other classes. Ideally it'd be a school on the bigger side (5000+). I don't really know where to start looking, and I have no concept of what's realistic. Coincedentally, I also have the tuition-exchange factor in my equation...</p>
<p>my very tentative list so far:
BU (I'm a kid-of-faculty, and it has great theatre. Don't know what the story is about taking classes outside the theatre BFA.)
NYU (It looks as if doubling might be possible, but I'm not sure?)
USC (part of tuit exch, has BA audition theatre...I know very little about it though, and as a new englander I don't know if I want to go that far.)
Northwestern (BA theatre-- how is it??)</p>
<p>thanks so much for all your input :)</p>
<p>deenierah. By the way, BU is now - new this year - in the tuition exchange program. Only USC is also a TE participant. Other BFA programs with tuition exchange include Florida, Otterbein, DePaul, Tulane, Fordham (BA), Catholic (BA)</p>
<p>I asked this on another thread, but will also ask it here. How easy/hard is it to get into the pre-college theatre programs. Rutgers looks tough, as does IMPULSE. They require auditions. We are also planning to apply to BU, NCARTS, and Syracuse. I have been told that the VA Shakespeare program is fairly easy to get into. It also seems like applying early is helpful. Any input, particularly about Rutgers, would be apprexiated.</p>
<p>MPulse, at UMich, is very competitive and is, I believe, a musical theater intensive and not a straight acting program. Perhaps Michigan also does have a straight acting summer program, but if they do, I don't know about it! Another program that is supposedly excellent but is not on your son's list is Northwestern's so-called Cherubs program. Several kids from my D's arts high school attend their summer program each year, and they rave about it. No audition required except if one wants to stay and attend a two week musical theater extension, which would mean the camp would be seven weeks. Ithaca College also has a three week (I think!) summer precollege program that offers straight acting.</p>
<p>Thanks NotMamaRose. IMPULSE has a separate 2 week acting program. Thanks for the info on Ithaca. I will check it out.</p>
<p>Brian, so right you are! I guess we are so focused on musical theatre in my house (even though my D is in an actor training program at an arts high school!) that it did not occur to me that Michigan had a straight acting program in the summer. It would be interesting to get some opinions on Michigan as a college for straight acting. Anyone? I know its musical theatre program is considered one of the top in the country, but people don't seem to talk as much about the straight acting program. MPulse (I don't think there is an "I" in the title, btw :)) Best of luck to your son. If you want more info on my D's experiences at Shenandoah Shakespeare (the Young Company Theatre Camp at ASC) last summer, PM me. I would be glad to tell you whatever I can. It is a REALLY good program.</p>
<p>There must be something about MT parents, as they seem incredibly informed and willing to disclose it to others. I have learned quite a bit from their threads. A few people have recommended the mentioned Shakespeare program.</p>