MT major VS. double major (MT + other) VS. other major & extracurricular MT - help!

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>This is my first post here, and after browsing for an hour or so, I didn't see anything about my question, so I hope it's not too much of a repeat...</p>

<p>How important is the actual degree for success in musical theater? </p>

<p>My daughter is currently a high school sophomore, so we are just beginning the thinking stages of this whole thing. She is very interested in musical theater, but is somewhat scared of putting all her eggs in one basket. She is considering the possibility of a double major so that she can also have something more 'practical' in her background. Or, as an alternative, attending a high-ranking academic school (she is a straight A, gifted/talented student) with a good musical theater program which does not offer a degree.</p>

<p>It seems like all the stories we hear are of people who ?knew? they were going to make it someday, and ?followed their dream?. Can one, then, approach this in a more practical way? Knowing that success in any performing art is a long-shot, is planning a ?backup? the smart thing to do, or just setting one up for failure?</p>

<p>D is a kid who, thus far in life, has only found true fulfillment while performing. But, in my (trying to be objective) opinion, she certainly needs more training ? especially in acting and legit singing ? to be at the level where she could even hope to make a career out of MT. On the other hand, I?ve often been told that she ?has it?, and the directors she has worked with (she?s been doing regional theater since she was 5), all seem to love her.</p>

<p>Complicating all of this is that the colleges that offer MT majors are not ones we would have even considered otherwise. Her counselor is recommending we start looking into Ivy League type schools.</p>

<p>As you can see, we?re a little overwhelmed and would appreciate any comments about any of this!</p>

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<p>Don't feel overwhelmed at all!! </p>

<p>Honestly having a BFA degree really doesn't mean that much in the long run. When you get out of school, it can probably help get your foot in the door but after you are allowed to audition, it's all up to you, not the school you went to. There are a lot of paths to having an MT career and not one of them is right or wrong.</p>

<p>BFA schools that I would recommend checking out are University of Michigan and NYU-Tisch. They are top notch programs academically as well as artistically. Academics are a HUGE part of the admission process so someone like your daughter would probably thrive there. Another good one, which starts off as a BA program, then you audition for the MT certificate is Northwestern, great academics and well-respected program.</p>

<p>You can also go the route of having her go to a school with a good drama department and major in something else while she minors in theater, music, or dance...or just take classes in some of them. Then apply for graduate school once she graduates. There are a bunch of BA programs that would probably be ideal for her if she wants to double major. Check out the Big List in the FAQ page, as well as the subforums for the schools at the top of the forum.</p>

<p>It's great that you're thinking about this now. And it sounds like you have a very talented and intelligent daughter on your hands. Good luck in the coming years!</p>

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<p>momo2threegirls, I think it's a matter of what your daughter prefers to do. As BreakIntoSong asserts, there is no one, clear and guaranteed path to success in MT, or in any field, for that matter! Two things to think about, however:
* according to folks on this list who know, the usual MT major is so time consuming and rigorous that doubling it with another major is usually impossible. Many kids pursuing a BFA in MT find they are literally busy from 8 a.m. (or so) until past 10 p.m. each night, including weekends, when rehearsals and such take place. So pursuing a double major is probably not practical
* if your D is "scared of putting all of her eggs in one (MT) basket" then perhaps she should strongly consider not doing so. Many people on this board and elsewhere (in colleges and in the real professional world) almost always advise young people who <em>can</em> imagine themselves doing something other than performing to go ahead and pursue <em>that</em>, instead of musical theater or acting or dance, etc. I think they say this because, as we all know, it is REALLY, REALLY difficult for most people to make a living acting/performing. Statistics reveal that something like 98% of actors are unemployed at any one time. (Pls. don't hold me to that statistic, but I do know it's something like that!) So if your daughter, however talented, can imagine herself doing something else, it might make good sense for her to consider pursuing a degree in some other subject at a school where there are abundant and excellent opportunities to perform, or where she can double major in, say, business and theater.
It sure <em>does</em> sound like you have a lovely, intelligent and really talented daughter, and it's my guess that whatever road she takes in college, she will do well. Keep in mind, too, that many selective liberal arts colleges, such as Tufts and Brown, apparently have fabulous theater depts and the kids there, whatever their majors, have lots of chances to perform.
It's an exciting time! Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for the replies - it's nice to know that the things we are thinking are actually possiblities! My own opinion is very close to NotMamaRose, in that I'd rather see D get a degree in something other that MT, but at the same time continue to be involved, if possible. I double majored in voice and biology in college, and it was very doable, so I know that is an option. </p>

<p>On a related question, are there good academic schools anyone would recommend that produce quality musical theater, but don't offer an MT degree? My thinking is that if she is not a MT major, that she will have a harder time becoming involved in productions at a school that has an actual program.</p>

<p>Thanks again for your help!</p>

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<p>mom2threegirls-
Our girls seem to be similar in age and strengths, well maybe not academically as there is no Ivy league in Ds future, just good solid state or small liberal arts school.
I have something of a different take about not doing MT unless you can't imagine yourself doing anything else. D has considered what she will do when she is "done" performing. So we have discussed what types of skills a MT program would provide and where this might open or limit other work possibilities. D, at this time, figures she will go back to school at some point and do a masters degree or more and since her academic talents and interest lie outside of the math/science stream an MT degree does not really limit many of these options.
She is leaning towards a BA program, now, rather than a BFA so she can minor in an academic area but that may change. I guess our message to her has always been what doors will this path open and what will it close and I really don't see to many closed doors.</p>

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<p>momo2threegirls, just to clarify, I hope that my post did not come across as endorsing any one path, either studying MT via a BFA or majoring in something else. In fact, my own D plans to pursue a BFA in musical theater and has our full and unwavering support. My point was just that, if you have a daughter who <em>is</em> worried about having a back up, then perhaps a BFA in MT is <em>not</em> right for her. Most people recommend the BFA course ONLY to kids who have absolutely NO doubt. I just wanted to clarify my position! :)</p>

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<p>I think there have been a few good discussions about BA programs with strong MT leanings and the academic strength of such programs (more selective, selective, less selective). As I recall, SoozieVt started a very good list and it was added to by others. I don't know what thread that discussion was on, but if you did a search of the MT forum and terms such as "BA Schools" you might find it. If your daughter considered that route, she could look at the more selective programs and have the theater/MT experience along with an stong academic focus and perhaps a double major.</p>

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<p>I highly recommend considering OCU. I know it is possible to double major MT with something else, though if your D does not have all her gen-eds ahead of time, she will almost definitely have to stay 5 years. However, if she does the BA Theatre performance, she will still get vocal and dance training, and be able to double major and graduate in 4 years, even if she does all her gen eds once she gets to school. And she will have more of aa acting base than music (which Kelli O'Hara said yesterday she wished she had gotten in school).</p>