<p>hello again! I'm a rising senior, and although I'm pretty content with my list of schools thus far (I have nine or ten), I'm still searching for a safety school with a non-audition program. I have relatively good grades and received a 31 on my ACT, so academically, I'm not overtly concerned. I'm just not sure if there are any schools in the Midwestern area (more specifically, less than 6 hours away from southern Michigan!) that could be considered definite 'safety' schools with non-audition programs. any suggestions would be welcomed with open arms. thank you so much!</p>
<p>Ouchita Baptist in Arkansas is non-audition except for scholarship consideration (or at least it used to be–please check), but it is probably more than six hours from Michigan.</p>
<p>Wichita State University is non-audition…at least it used to be. You only audition for scholarship consideration.</p>
<p>Within 6 hours? Not positive, but isn’t Oakland University (in MI before I get a smart alek reply) non-audition? Albion has a strong Theatre program. Ashland University in Ohio has a non-audition Musical Theatre program and they’ve done some good work over the years. University of Findlay in Ohio has a decent program. Wisconsin-Green Bay has a strong program as does UW Parkside. Not sure (other than Ashland) if any are specifically Musical Theatre or just programs that produce musicals as part of the theatre program. But I’ve seen each of them do a Musical in my time including a really strong “Urinetown” at Oakland.</p>
<p>thank you for all the suggestions! Oakland is actually one of the schools at which I hope to apply, but it’s an actually an audition-based program.</p>
<p>Indiana University has a non-audition BA in theatre.</p>
<p>I think there are probably a number of schools within your driving range that have non-audition BAs in Theatre. Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio has one. </p>
<p>Be mindful, as has been suggested on here many times, of getting a BA in Theatre at a school where there is also a BFA program. At some of those schools, it seems that the BA students play somewhat of a “second fiddle” role behind the BFA students as far as casting and training. And even though the BA students may be allowed to audition for productions, the BFA students are given priority when casting decisions are made. I’m sure this isn’t the case at all schools - but be sure to ask questions about BA vs. BFA opportunities.</p>
<p>Seconding Otterbein</p>
<p>North Central College in Naperville, IL has a Music Theatre major that is non -audition. It has an audition for scholarships. This was one of my S’s safeties and he got almost a free ride between academic and three talent scholarships. They have a solid liberal arts program and a nice theatre facility. It’s in northern Illinois so I’m thinking it may be in your geographic range.</p>
<p>Ball State University in Muncie, IN offers a non-audition BA in Theatre Studies. :)</p>
<p>How much opportunity do BA students have to perform at Ball State and Otterbein? I am not sure how to access information regarding performance opportunities at a school that offers both a BA and BFA. Any advice would be appreciated!</p>
<p>I am told that Wittenberg and Ohio Wesleyan University both have solid non-audition programs in theater (not specifically musical theater). However, as my informant looked at these schools a “few” years ago I’d defer to someone with more current knowledge.</p>
<p>mompop – this is a question that you would most likely ask directly of the schools. Ask schools both the policy and what the “reality” is of the situation. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>I had written this above, and I think it bears repeating:</p>
<p>Be mindful, as has been suggested on here many times, of getting a BA in Theatre at a school where there is also a BFA program. At some of those schools, it seems that the BA students play somewhat of a “second fiddle” role behind the BFA students as far as casting and training. And even though the BA students may be allowed to audition for productions, the BFA students are given priority when casting decisions are made. I’m sure this isn’t the case at all schools - but be sure to ask questions about BA vs. BFA opportunities.</p>
<p>I can tell you more about the “reality” of the situation at Otterbein if you want to send me a message. In a nutshell, though, BFA students are given priority in casting. If performing is something your student is seeking from a BA program, you should probably look for a program that has only a BA program - and not also a BFA degree.</p>
<p>Take a look at Ohio Northern, if that fits your geographical constraints. Although is is an audition BFA they do accept students in greater numbers than some other schools. My D visited twice and really liked the school but ended up elsewhere.</p>
<p>University of Green Bay in Wisconsin is also a non-audition.</p>
<p>Wooster and Kenyon both have good theater BA programs - not sure about MT though. And both give good scholarship $ for good academics and test scores.</p>
<p>You do realize this post started in 2010, don’t you?</p>
<p>Haha - nope. Well maybe it will be helpful to some this year.</p>
<p>Look at the Big List of MT Programs by Type. The list is MT programs specifically, sorted by Non-Audition and Audition programs, BA and BFA. It shows the state where each program is located so you can see which would work for you.</p>