<p>I'm a Junior musical theatre major, and the topics of Graduate Schools have came up during my chats with the faculty. They overall want me to succeed, and when they told me to audition for more that just schools for musical theatre, I was a bit shocked. My passion is MT, but I feel that I am a totally stronger singer than I am an actor, by far. What i'm trying to get at, is that I want some advice. I have looked at the 10 or so Graduate School programs for MT and most have an emphisis in voice, and I feel that they are perfect for me! Has anyone ever talked to the faculty of a school that offers the graduate program? I'm just very curious to know if the gradute auditions would be similar undergraduate auditions. Sorry I to have so many questions, it's just my senior year is approaching faster than I want it to, and i'm concerned that i'll be graduated college and not be able to go to grad school!</p>
<p>Also, I'll have my BA when i'm 20 years old, would that be held against me?
Thanks for taking time to read this frazzled and worried post!!
-Travis</p>
<p>Generally speaking, there are two "tracks" for people who pursue theater in college. One is to do a BFA degree program which is considered a professional and terminal degree program. The other track is to do a BA plus MFA (not to say you can't just stop after a BA!). But this is the other professional degree track. HOWEVER....there are VERY VERY few MFAs in Musical Theater. Certainly you could pursue them and yes, some are very music focused. But most MFAs are in drama/theater/acting (not counting directing and other options). You could opt to do an MFA in theater at a school where there would be some opportunities to continue taking voice and where musicals are also produced. I think what your professors were saying (but I can't say for sure without asking them) is that you should look beyond MFAs (or in some cases, it is an MM) degree programs for MT as there are not many and if you want to pursue the stage, an MFA in regular theater should not be overlooked. Otherwise, you may have to look into MM degrees in voice (which is more classical). But if you really want an MFA/MM in MT, apply to those. But your options will be quite limited, that's all I think they were saying. Also, if you want to go into theater, an MFA in a theater program is a viable option, even though you are also skilled in voice. I know people who do MT professionally who got a BA and then got an MFA in drama. </p>
<p>I don't know if being 20 would be "held against you." You'd have to ask at each program if they take students right out of undergrad. I think that will be more key than your chronological age itself. Actually, my D is in a BFA in MT program and will graduate at 20 like you will and while she doesn't plan on grad school, I think she'd be seen as a college graduate and being 20 would not be the issue itself. However, each grad school is different. I have another D entering a professional graduate school (for architecture) and at the schools where she applied, a vast majority of students will NOT be right out of college but will have worked between college and grad school and so she knew that in her field, besides the fact that the admit rates to these programs were VERY low, she was vying for fewer slots because they have less students right out of college, although balance the make up of the class. She ended up having a very successful grad admissions outcome. She is currently 21, although will turn 22 during grad school orientation as school begins. I expect her to be the youngest in her program and in some cases, by far. That would be something to ask at each program....what percentage of the class is right out of college? But....again, I think you will be considered in THAT group but it won't matter that you are 20. Remember, you got into college at 16, right? So, being atypical can work out. It did for my kid and it did for you. You should have a reason why you want to go straight to grad school and definitely look into the option of a year in between to actually DO theater but if you have good reasons of going straight to grad school, do so. Just think it through. My D did and chose to go straight to grad school, which for her, is another 3.5 years of school and likely is longer than you will have to go to earn an MFA degree.</p>
<p>Good thread! When my sister was exploring her different options for after she graduates (with a BFA in MT) she was in a similar bind. My first question is what are you looking to do after grad school? Are you more inclined to work as an actor or as a director/educator?</p>
<p>that's a tough question. I actually love both, but I think that I would be better at getting a job in education. partially because I help run a childrens drama program, where I teach theatre to elementary-high school kids, and I love it! I would love to teach at a college level!</p>
<p>This is an awesome thread. I'm in a similar boat as "defy yourself"
I'll be entering my junior year as a dance performance major in the fall and I'm pretty definite on my desire to attend an mt grad program after I graduate.
I'll be applying to two mt mfas as well as some acting mfas. My goal is to teach acting, dance and/or voice at the college level.
It looks like there are only three MFA MT programs in the US so our options are pretty narrow.</p>
<p>This likely needs updating but for what it is worth, this is from the Big List link on this forum:</p>
<p>COLLEGES WHICH OFFER GRADUATE MUSICAL THEATRE DEGREES</p>
<p>Arizona State University (MM)
Boston Conservatory (MM)
New York University: Steinhardt (MA Vocal Performance w/ MT concentration)
Oklahoma City University (MM)
San Diego State University (MFA)
University of Central Florida (MFA)
University of Montana (MM)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (MFA)</p>
<p>My number one school is U. of Montana, an i've actually spoke with the program chair an it seems like a good program. After speaking with my teachers they really don't reccomend me only auditioning for only MT grad programs, so I guess that i'll branch out to some MFA in acting or MFA in childrens theatre. I just wish that there was more information about the grad programs!</p>
<p>My top choice is San Diego State University, earlier this summer I had the chance to visit the school and talk with the program director personally. I was completely wowed by the program as well as the beauty of the campus. Most importantly I felt that the curriculum was really focused, balanced and in depth yet incredibly well rounded. There is a great amount of personal instruction and lots of performance opportunities open to grad students, I also believe only 8-12 grad students are in the program at any given time, and the faculty are really knowledgeable, experienced and accessible. I feel like this is the perfect school for me, but I will also audition for some MFA acting programs.</p>
<p>I too was impressed with SDSU, but I was let down when they only have auditions every other year, and I graduate on an off year, so I'd have to wait a whole year before auditioning.</p>
<p>Yeah, the good thing about auditions every other year is that there is only one class of graduate students in the program at any given time but it's difficult if you graduate from undergrad in an off year. I had to cross a couple MFA Acting programs I was really interested in off my list because they audition in odd-numbered years and one such school auditioned every three years.</p>
<p>Many people recommend taking a year off after undergrad before applying to graduate school (I myself took six years working professionally before graduate school... most had taken at least a year or two off between undergrad and grad school). It can give you a clearer sense of what you may be looking for in a program, and depending on the program having been out or school for a year working professionally or dong an internship may make you more competitive for the program or for scholarship/ assistantship money.</p>
<p>If there is a program that you really like that is in an off admissions year the year you are graduating from undergrad you don't necessarily have to write it off your list completely. You may want to look into professional performance opportunities and internships that you could pursue for a year and then apply.</p>
<p>I have a question about graduate school and financial aid. If one takes a few years off between undergrad and grad school, then the student loan repayment will begin somewhere in that time. When the student enrolls as a full time grad student, are the undergrad loans still paid or are they put on hold while one is again a full time student? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I am hoping someone has experience with this.</p>
<p>Yes, undergrad loans are put on hold until you finish grad school - I just went through this myself (since I just finished my grad work last year). :)</p>
<p>Heyyy U of Montana is actually my first choice as well! I talked to some faculty there and they didn’t divulge a whole lot of information, so I’m going to have to call and try to get more over the summer and start getting ready for auditions. I’m in 3rd year BMus, so next year is my graduating year. Anyways, I just wanted to throw in my two cents. An MFA is what some professors call a “Dead-End Degree” because you can’t go on to get a PhD. The thing that is special about the program at UM is that its a MM (Master of Music). Just thought I’d let you know! Also, I don’t think being young is an issue. It’s about ability and maturity. I started elementary school early, and will graduate with my BMus at 21, which is young in Canada, I’m not sure how much different it is in the States. Think of it this way: You’ll just have more time to get out there and start performing after finishing your masters!! =)</p>
<p>PS - I e-mailed Arizona State for more info like three times, but nobody has e-mailed me back!! =S</p>
<p>Just so we are clear. (from an earlier post) “Generally speaking, there are two “tracks” for people who pursue theater in college. One is to do a BFA degree program which is considered a professional and terminal degree program.” </p>
<p>The BFA is NOT considered a terminal degree. The BFA is normally more geared towards moving from undergraduate school to the professional theatre, but many students leave a BFA program and go on for their MFA.</p>
<p>kjgc…yes, that is what I meant. A BFA is a professional degree program that prepares you to enter the profession. An MFA is as well. A BA is not. So, in terms of a professional degree program there would be a BFA or one could do a BA plus an MFA. But of course, one could do both a BFA AND an MFA! </p>
<p>I liken it to my other daughter’s field, architecture. There are two paths. One is to do a five year professional degree program, called a BArch. You can become an architect through this path. Another is to do a BA (she did this) and then a graduate professional school program to get an MArch. The BArch and the MArch are both professional degree programs, just like the BFA and the MFA. But you CAN do both a BArch and an MArch if you want, but the MArch would be shorter for such a student. But a BA (like my D did) could not lead you to enter the profession. </p>
<p>So, I was saying that a BFA or an MFA are professional degree programs and are two viable paths. It is not necessary to do an MFA after a BFA even though you CAN do that. Same with a BArch and an MArch. But a BA is not a professional degree program and so if one wants professional training, then one would go onto an MFA (or in the case of architecture, one would HAVE to go onto an MArch just to enter the profession). That said, you can be successful in theater with a BA without a professional degree program. </p>
<p>Sorry if my use of the word “terminal” was confusing because I was saying that both the BFA and the MFA are both professional degree programs that prepare you for professional theater. If you do a BFA, you don’t have to do an MFA, but clearly you could if you wanted. That said, there are very few MFA programs for MT unless one wants to study straight theater in an MFA.</p>
<p>In my view, for someone seeking MT and who wants professional training, a BFA is that path. For someone seeking straight acting, I feel they have two viable paths…either a BFA or a BA plus MFA (and again, a BFA plus MFA is always an option too).</p>