Looking for current Syracuse Acting/MT or Drama student

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

My daughter fell in love with Syracuse when we visited . We had a few questions that weren’t answered on the visit .

  1. Is there a lot of cross over between acting and mt students? ( opportunities for acting kids to be in musicals and mt kids to be in plays )
  2. Do they train you to be an actor or train to be an artist?
  3. Are the Drama BS kids allowed to audition for shows?
  4. Are the theatre minor kids able to audition?
  5. Is the walk to Syracuse Stage difficult in the bad weather ?
    Thank you
2

Hey @dramamama3 - let me ping the class of 2022 - we have a number of happy Syracuse actors in last year’s class so maybe one of their parents can answer your questions!

3

@dramamama3 Hi I am a mother of a S - (class of 2022) who in in the Acting program at Syracuse (and he is very happy). Was your D accepted for acting or MT?
Let me try to answer your questions:

  1. Yes, there is a lot of crossover. The actors can be considered for musicals (and last year an actor got the lead in the spring musical) and MT kids can land roles in straight plays. My S takes voice lessons and after first semester was permitted to take (but he didn’t choose to take) dance classes.
  2. I’m not sure what this question means. It’s an acting program, and they teach all the techniques. Please let me know what you mean (maybe an example?)
  3. I don’t know much about the Drama BS program. I thought it was for kids who weren’t able to put in the work to stay committed to the BFA. Syracuse is not a cut program, but if a kid is struggling with the work, I think this is a way they can still graduate on time. I asked about this last year and was given two examples of MT boys. One chose to retake a class and became amazing thereafter. The other chose this BA path. I suppose it’s possible someone might affirmatively choose to switch into the BA because they wanted to pursue other classes (even though their mt/acting level was fine). I would think they could audition, but you should double check with the school.
  4. Again, I don’t know (call the school), but I seriously doubt it because they don’t have anywhere near the same level of training. There are other shows that are not part of the Drama program that minors could participate in.
  5. There is a very easy (free) bus that goes straight down Irving Ave. My S figured it out on the first day and hasn’t ever had any issues. The kids often commute back and forth together.

The program is the best of a conservatory, with all the kids very close and supportive, and a University, with lots of the typical college experience (basketball, football games etc). Plus, you can take great classes outside of the Drama department. My S is thinking about getting a communications minor through the Newhouse school. It’s a lot of work, but he is really very happy. He is 100% planning on going to London junior year- and the Tepper Semester is a great finish to it all. Let me know if you have any other questions.

4

@CaMom13 thank you so much !!

5

@MomofJ5 thank you so much! My daughter is a junior right now but after researching and visiting 9 schools so far she fell in love with SU. This is her first choice by far and is considering attending even if she didn’t get accepted to MT or Acting. We toured one top school that said they trained you to be an artist not just an actor. I’m thinking that meant you learned a little bit about everything behind the scenes as well. SU just had that “it” feeling for her. Thanks again so much

6

@dramamama3, I think I can answer #4: If I remember correctly from our info session, BS Drama majors can audition for anything except main stage productions. There are many student productions, black box groups, etc. so those are all game.

To briefly address @MomofJ5’s comment about the BS in Drama: The Theater Management track is the only BS Drama that you can apply to directly (my daughter will be a TM major). The director of the program explained that the BS meant that you take more credits in your major than in a BA program. I forget the percentages exactly but I think it was that a BFA requires 80% credits in major, a BA is 60% (including a minor) and BA is 40%. Those numbers could be off a bit, but you get the idea. The other concentrations, playwriting and directing, allow students who are passionate about theater but find that the BFA program is not right for them or want to pursue a minor or 2nd major.

7

@Amkngk thank you ! The whole VPA department seemed incredible.good to know there would still be other opportunities to perform. I hope your daughter loves the program and thanks again .

8

A better explanation of my previous question 2:
Do they train you to be an actor or a theater artist (someone who is involved with all realms of theater, not just performance)?
Thanks again

9

@dramamama3 hi! My son is finishing up his freshman year in the BFA Acting program. He loves it. He said he is getting sad that he is almost done for the year. He will finish up this week.

He has had crew assignments this year. I know he learned how to run the sound board. I believe he expects to learn other production aspects.

We live in Virginia. And he did not complain about walking to class in the snow at all. He mostly took the bus. The kids share Uber from time to time.

He loved being part of a large university. He went to most football and basketball games. He joined a fraternity. He took a few classes outside of the BFA requirements like sociology, Pilates, and Alexander technique. He is taking film and another TBD academic class next year.

The quality and talent of the students is very high and they work hard. The program is intense, but students who love it seem to do just fine.

Overall, it has been a happy experience Nd we are thrilled with his choice.

10

@VASkydog thank you. Sounds like he is having a great year. I’m surprised he has had time for a fraternity.Its great that they can do so much outside of the dept.