<p>So I am researching to go back to school for my MFA in Directing. I want to do both musicals and plays and love developing new works and using new music for pieces of drama. </p>
<p>With that in mind, I am mostly looking at programs around the East Coast since that is where I want to work. Also, I do not want to go to a program where I will accrue loads more debt like Columbia. </p>
<p>I am looking at:
Yale
Carnegie Mellon
Catholic
Boston
Brown
and possibly UCSD</p>
<p>I'm looking to specifically gain knowledge into Catholic's reputation in the American/NYC theatre scene. The program seems right up my alley, but I don't know as much about their reputation as I do with Yale or Carnegie Mellon. Or help with narrowing my list down? Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>You may want to also look at the MFA Directing program at Penn State University. It is musical theatre focused, but you would also have the opportunity to direct non-musicals.</p>
<p>I went to Penn State for my MFA directing (before they started the musical theatre specific program, and had the opportunity to direct plays, musicals, etc…). I was looking for something similar to what you are expressing in your post… including not wanting to get too into debt!</p>
<p>I went to graduate school 14 years ago… so, things have changed, I am sure… but I currently teach at a university in musical theatre, acting, and directing… so, I try to keep up with what is happening in programs. I also have lived in New Haven and my partner both graduated from Yale Drama, and then taught there recently, so I am somewhat familiar with that program.</p>
<p>Have you looked at the programs at Northwestern? Indiana? </p>
<p>please feel free to PM me or email me <a href=“mailto:arecchkm@jmu.edu”>arecchkm@jmu.edu</a> </p>