<p>I do have to add something I didn't really discuss. For those thinking of chapman for a theatre education that are musical theatre nerds... you will have a hard time adjusting. While I am in the school's musical right now, the attitiude towards it is a lot different versus say shakespeare or abstract theatre. I miss musical theatre a LOT, and while I'm getting a GREAT education that will most likely get me into a solid grad program (Chapman has students that go on to schools like Yale and other elite grad programs regularly), I think that I made a trade off that I regret to a degree. All in all, if you want to be doing plays, working in performance ensembles, and do a little bit of everything, Chapman is amazing. In a few years, it'll be of the same stature for musical theatre. But not right now. And that's been very hard for me.</p>
<p>I am glad you brought up that point, drum87. Chapman, as many other programs, is a degree in Theater Performance, not musical theater. Any theater program is not going to be like majoring in musical theater. There are some straight theater programs, like yours, that have some opportunities to take voice or dance and put on musicals. It is an option, but not on par with a musical theater program. However, if someone goes for a straight theater program, and wants some MT opportunities, it is good to look for theater departments that put on a little bit of musicals, any student run musicals, any courses related to MT, and opportunities to take voice or dance. But it won't be the same as a MT program. But there are straight theater programs, like Chapman, where one can do a bit of MT, and take some voice/dance too. If one doesn't get into a MT program and needs some straight theater back ups, it is good to look at theater schools that have some MT opportunities at least. Chapman isn't totally a "back up" in that there is an audition to be admitted and while that likely isn't as competitive as a BFA audition odds, no audition school can be a safety.</p>
<p>Just to be clear on location, Chapman is quite a distance from Los Angeles, in the city of Orange. No college town whatsoever, and of course no public transportation. It is a fairly nice campus, however, with great weather.</p>
<p>I would beg to differ on the public transportation statement. There is public transit in Orange County. It is under utilized by the general public.
There are busses that run locally, and MetroLink provides trains from Santa Ana to Los Angeles or San Diego.</p>
<p>I know, it is just not as accessible, and the train goes to downtown LA which certainly is not great for college kids. Again having said all that it is a beautiful setting with fantastic weather, but I think people should be aware its not like being outside of NY where there is ample public transportation that takes you everywhere!</p>
<p>Yes, people from other parts of the country should be aware of So. Cal's obsession with cars, and the almost necessity of having one to get around.</p>
<p>It is terrible I know! I am sure people from other areas are far more resourceful!</p>
<p>Where I live, there is no public transportation! Thus I was a taxi mom for years and years.</p>
<p>A correction about Chapman. They no longer have a 53% admit rate. A friend's daughter was denied admission. Her letter said they had 5,000 applications this year for around 900 spots. They are becoming more selective every year.</p>