Does anyone have first-hand insight into the BFA MT program at Missouri State? My D has some hard decisions to make. We’d love to hear from an insider. I know it’s a new program, but we were impressed when she auditioned.
My daughter is a freshman MT there…if you still have questions, ask away! She loves it.
@MTmomLynn I can’t message you because I haven’t posted enough, but feel free to message me about Missouri State MT
@RosaMT no worries at all. She’s made a decision! Thank you for reaching out.
@RosaMT I’d love to ask you a couple of questions, but I don’t now to PM. Is it because I’m new? I’m wondering how the BA program compares to the BFA. My daughter had a bad audition there and did not get into the BFA. She got into a couple of others, but taking costs into consideration, I think we are down to the BA at MSU or the BFA at SEMO (although that may change). SEMO has only had the BFA for a few years, and I do have a couple of concerns there. Are BFA students strongly favored when casting shows? Is the quality of instruction different? I’d appreciate any insight you can offer.
@ajmomma I asked Mr. Westenberg about BFA students having casting advantage, and this is what he told me.
“All MSU students are allowed to audition for our plays and musicals. It is a university-wide policy. That having been said, very few students outside of the theatre community actually show up. It should also be remembered that we are beholden to provide as much opportunity to our BFA students as possible. They are always given the strongest consideration for roles. We are required, by our accreditation regulations (NAST and NASM) to provide every student with at least one major role in a musical before they graduate.”
That being said, you should email them your questions. I found them to be very accessible and very responsive. They know this is a huge decision for you.
@MTmomLynn Thank you. We have met with a faculty member there and that’s pretty much what he said, but sometimes things play out differently so I wanted to get the perspective of a current student. I know that BFA students get some level of priority everywhere so I’m trying to weigh a BFA at weaker school against a BA at a stronger one,.
@RosaMT would you have some time to share about your D experience at Missouri State? My S has been accepted to the BFA program, and we have only a limited understanding of the program and would like to know more about the full faculty they work with there.
I’d be interested in hearing more too!
@RosaMT, @lithpool, @eclipseMT - My D is a Freshman BFA MT & over the moon happy. The faculty is wonderful & supportive. Her class has 18 kids in MT and I believe 18 kids in BFA Acting. She got loads of scholarship, in state tuition & dorms on campus very affordable. Also is doing Greek System & Christian organization and working while doing BFA MT. She loves it. It’s been the perfect fit. They don’t let Freshman audition to do shows first semester. They want them to focus on training only 1st semester & get used to college. But cast in Main Stage production this spring semester. Missouri State also has opportunity to get equity cards in summers during their Tent Theater shows. D couldn’t be happier. Feels like she’s getting great voice, acting & dance training. Plus opportunity to perform. Feel free to ask any questions. Follow the Missouri State University department of Theater & Dance on Facebook to see more about BFAs in depth.
@lithpool, @eclipseMT - I would be happy to share any info. Do you have specific questions about the program/faculty, or just looking for big picture info? Let me know, and I’ll fill you in!
how does your daughter say the dance classes are. Dance is important to my D and she wanted to understand what is offered
@RosaMT Do you have any additional insight to the MT program? Sounds like both your D and @Kkrazie’S are really enjoying it!
@HTS2019 & @lithpool my daughter is a freshman and was placed up to higher levels of dance. She has been in dance class since age 3. She’s happy with the dance at MSU. What’s she’s really loved are the challenges of the acting classes. Way better than any of her pre-college trainings. As Freshman they had their first Friday Morning Masterclass with MT Head Robert Westenberg. She said she learned more about song interpretation in that master class than she had in all her 6 years of pre-college voice training on how to interpret a song. That’s saying something because she’s had lots of master classes with pros on Broadway. Of course Mr. Westenberg is also a Broadway veteran. She’s been cast as a Freshman in the main stage MSU play this Spring. She also just Auditioned for Equity earning Tent Theater on the MSU Campus as a Freshman and got a call back. Exciting because leads are normally graduating MT seniors and those who are Equity professionals. She loves MSU. She’s far from home. But loves the Missouri folks she has met. Dance she’d like to take more but her schedule is really full as a BFA. She couldn’t get the higher level ballet class she wanted because it conflicted with her mandatory acting class this semester. But taking Modern this semester and enjoying. Missouri State has been the perfect fit. My daughter wanted a real college experience with top notch MT training. MSU BFA MTs & Acting are an elite group. They got some perks at orientation others did not. Faculty made a fuss over them in front of general fine arts enrollees. Faculty is impressive. It’s a jewel. Look at MSU BFA MT & Acting hard. It’s quality training.
My son did a walk in with them today. He has several friends there, so he auditioned. He loved it. Had fun at the dance call… which is the first time I’ve heard that from him.
@TexasMTDad. MSU recruited 11 kids from Texas last year in their BFA MT & Acting. So it’s been great and our tuition is cheaper with all her scholarships than if we had stayed in Texas and were paying Texas in state tuition. It’s been great financially. First year lots from Texas in one class. MSU went to all the large Texas Auditions and got a lot to say yes. They are having a blast & often drive home together for holidays. D turned down TCU & SMU with huge scholarships to take the MSU offer. She’s not regretted her decision once.
How are things with the new Head of Program, Joe Price? A lot of changes? Does it make it a more competitive program because he has come from Minnesota Guthrie?
I bet my son knows yours.
@onepercentmom I don’t know the answers to your questions. My D just said he’s nice & that he went to SMU for his education. I just know last year & this year a lot of kids didn’t get artistic acceptances that wanted a spot. It’s for sure already competitive.
@Kkrazie. My son did Artsbridge with Joe and really liked him! Otherwise I’m not sure he would have been aware of the school!