Does anyone have experience with Kent State’s BFA Musical Theatre program?
We looked into it and my D got an email from someone in the theatre dept with info. Still not a lot of info available about it. Some of what I have read has unfortunately been negative but who knows if that’s accurate.
I have no direct experience (not on my kid’s list)- but it is a local program - about 30 min from where I live- and I have seen a number of their shows over the years. JMHO - and I have seen talented kids perform there- but overall I have been super impressed. I cannot speak to curriculum or training there. And in the interesting turns of life, I know kids from my D’s PA HS who currently attend BW and Otterbein who were turned down by Kent. BFA is a strange world
D was in a show last summer with several Kent students. The show was fabulous!
@kategrizz - but it wasn’t a kent produced show was it? I did say I had seen talented kids there… IN fact, I would venture to guess you can find talented kids in almost any BFA program, b/c there are lots of kids who want to be a part of the theater world, and a limited number of spots. Doesn’t mean all programs are created equal.
@toowonderful I didn’t say or imply that it was a Kent produced show?!?
No Kate- you didn’t, and I knew it wasn’t since I believe and know the show you are talking about - and you are right, it was excellent. But I thought it was possible that someone else might read it that way. I apologize if you found my comment upsetting
@toowonderful, did you omit a word in this sentence: “JMHO - and I have seen talented kids perform there- but overall I have been super impressed”…? It seems like with the “but” in there you meant to say you have NOT been super impressed? I could be wrong, but just want to make sure we are all on the same page. I apologize if I am the only one who found your comment confusing (and I have never seen a Kent State production so I cannot comment…)
It is also a program local to me. My S had a friend attend, but that student left the program after freshman year. However, he is currently in a show with two KSU students who are happy with the program. Additionally, I know the current lead in KSU’s production of ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ is a senior who transferred in from another program at some point. There was a review in the local paper of the show on Thursday and the young lady says she credits the program with making her a true triple threat. Apparently she had a dance weakness when she transferred and now she is Millie.
@monkey13 - you are correct, I did omit the word “But” - apologies to all.
As I said- I know there are talented kids at Kent, and pretty much everywhere else. But I do not think that it is on the same level as other programs in the midwest like: Michigan, CMU, CCM etc… I personally would consider it very much a 2nd tier school - and in full disclosure- I have a Master’s Degree from Kent. (in education- so nothing to do with theater, and I got it there b/c it was closest to my house) Now that does NOT mean that a kid can’t be successful from there- there are a million anecdotes to show that performers can be successful from ANY program.
This is all just my opinion- anyone is free to disagree
Thanks for the responses. We live in Ohio so we were looking at some other Ohio options to round out her list of schools.
Yes @theatremom16 we had them down as well. Seems like it may require a visit…
Porthouse Theatre is run by Kent State. I did not get the chance to see any shows in their season last summer but a number of S friends worked in various capacities last summer (acting and tech friends). The season was fairly well-reviewed by the local critics. My S has also worked with KSU MTs on a few shows and the actors have been solid. I’m going to try to see some shows there this summer - the venue is close to home. The program has a pretty good reputation - absolutely worth investigating!
It seems I stand in the minority- and therefore I absolutely recommend to the OP and anyone else interested that they should investigate for themselves. I saw 2 Porthouse shows last summer - there were people from Kent state, and MANY other schools involved. Ex: I believe the tech person Artskids mentioned is a CCM student. They hold open auditions, and while there were a number of Kent kids in shows I saw last year, performers and production team were from all over. Ex #2 - The scenic designer is from D’s PA school (he seems to do the design for the majority of their productions - I saw his renderings for Millie on FB recently - and he does design work for a number of HS and Professional theaters all over the place- so that’s not a bad thing, he’s a genius… but he doesn’t teach there)
And this entire thread brings up a very valuable point- art is subjective- and people are never going to agree. I have commented before that I see people on CC fighting to help their kid get into schools that I wouldn’t have sent my kid to if they were paying ME. And that doesn’t define the potential/quality/worth of the program - there are so many criteria.
Porthouse attends OTA unified audition in January, so the cast/tech people could be from anywhere - most likely Ohio and adjoining states. My S has some HS classmates attending theater/MT program at Kent - mixed reviews, but I have no details.
I am auditioning at Kent State next weekend. When I’m done, I can make a post about what I learn and what I think about it, if that would be helpful 
@theatremom16 Our daughter auditioned there a couple years ago and had done visits, including sitting in on classes. She ultimately didn’t go there but we liked the school. Someone mentioned it not being a tip tier school. That may be true but it is a good school and they have their professional connections. It can be a good choice for many kids. And if you are an OH resident and your kid has good grades, they offer good academic scholarships. They offered the second best package my daughter received, a very good deal. Don’t overlook it because it isn’t “top tier”, they have everything a student needs to get good training and a good education.
It is a wonderful program, with amazing resources, an incredibly talented and dedicated faculty.
It isn’t Michigan or CCM, but it doesn’t need to be. I would put it in the Shenandoah, Rider, Otterbein league.
Terri Kent and Eric van Baars (who run the program) are incredible.
The training may be similar to the schools @TheaterHiringCo mentioned, but I believe admissions are way less competitive right now than they are at Rider, SU, and Otterbein. That is likely to change as the program grows though, so take advantage of it now. Both of my brothers graduated from Kent State in the last five years (journalism and criminal justice) and loved their experience there. It is a growing campus with a great college town feel.
~VT