@theatremom16 we really thought Otterbein was going to be the right fit until we saw Addams Family and my s wasn’t blown away with the classes he attended either. The people and students there were super nice and the campus was pretty. Too bad, back to the drawing board.
@lovetoact totally agreed, we figured that he would have to get $30,000 in scholarships to make it work, no thanks. He got academically accepted to Webster and Millikin with good merit scholarship $, again he was SUPER impressed with Webster. He auditions for Millikin next week and we are going to see their show on Friday night. Seeing a production has been very helpful for him.
@KatMT - Why is Coastal not considered a MT program when the degree is a BFA in Musical Theatre?
We have friends thst go to coastal for Theatre. I’m not sure about MT. I think they have an MT program.
@beachymom - KatMT said that UNCSA, and VCU were not MT programs, not the rest she listed. She was speaking about MT programs that were acting based and then the …she used transitioned her to another statement. 
Yes, Coastal has a BFA MT program, a BFA Acting program, a BFA Physical Theatre program and a BA Theatre program. They are all Acting based programs.
I wonder if you guys could list the schools not to bother with if you are highly concerned with acting. I feel like some schools are all about dance and singing, with very little acting. My D struggles between does she want to audition for musical theater, or acting? But I would hate to see her not continue her study of voice and her musical development as she is also a songwriter and singing has always been her thing. This year she has been doing more and more straight plays, some Shakespeare, classics, and is really loving the world of acting…I have told her we would mark both and see where the chips fall… I would not want to see Her in a program that focuses more on dance, and not on acting. (more than likely will not get into those) So we could save time and money if we knew which ones to steer away from… I was looking on the CCM website, and it seemed very dance -oriented. I also noticed they took 17 boys last year and five girls. Is that normal? I think we are crossing that one off our list.
@musicmama123 I don’t think you can get that specific. I would definitely say apply to both acting and mt programs. With 800 + individuals applying to any given program you just can’t be that picky. Is your daughter not a dancer? That would eliminate many programs but really you just never know. You put yourself out there and see how the chips fall. If you want to pm me your current list I might be able to give you some advice. It’s a challenging but wonderful process.
Illinois Wesleyan, Northern Kentucky, and The University of the Arts are acting focused.
At UArts, acting and MTs are enmeshed in studios, classes, and on stage. Acting majors can also audition for a MT minor. My D sometimes doesn’t even know if a student is MT or acting. Also, they put on a large variety of plays and musicals that everyone (including directing and producing majors and others) can audition for.
An overlooked program is Utah. The MTP and ATP are very good and work well together. My daughter has had remarkable opportunities in both programs and in Equity work in SLC. East coast isn’t always better.
@beachymom yep, that is what I meant. Thanks @stagedoormama for clarifying.
Thanks so much for the advice from you and from all. Believe me, my d is not picky, she just says I want to get in anywhere. I just think a smart list is good, to find a good fit. Each school is time and money and I am realizing that you can’t fit all in as far as auditions. So hearing from others about the programs is very helpful. I am taking one off the list now and adding in Univ of the Arts. She has danced off and on all her life and can move, but it’s the least favorite of the three. Thanks everyone… going to shoot prescreens (dance) today.
@Ducky312 I feel like I have the same life as you right now!! We had to take CCM off the list after I spoke with the MT department and they said that MT majors can’t audition for straight shows. Bummer. My son doesn’t really want to get involved with it, he just wants to go to a good MT school that you can do straight shows too, and get into the program! I added Pace after I heard that they really do give great aid. My S was not happy that I added another audition, but we are going to be up in NY in January anyway, so why not. I am up to spending around $1000 in application, pre-screens, accompanist and ACT fees. Ugh! At the end of the day, I hope he gets in somewhere that is a good fit for him and for college. Next week is his first audition, should be interesting.
Hartt definitely has a string Acting emphasis in terms of training - and some crossover in terms of staged shows (less of that than the training though). Actor Training and MT students are in the same acting classes at least through Sophomore year (my D is a 2nd year MT), and they do specific straight play Sophomore Projects that are both MT and AT students - My D is currently in Mad Forest this weekend and will be beginning rehearsals for The Dining Room on Tuesday, where she will be performing multiple rotating “tracks” which helps students prepare for swing roles (which I think is fantastic experience for them). MTs are occasionally cast in straight Mainstage and Black Box plays, but it isn’t that common - but there is some flexibility. Many 3rd and 4th year Hartt students do get cast in straight plays at Hartford Stage though, particularly in their Shakespeare production each year, and in A Christmas Carol, which is an annual event. My D definitely feels like it is an Acting heavy training, with multiple acting teachers and many approaches and techniques taught. I hope that helps! Good luck in your search.
@Barrie08 have you explored Emerson? The other thing is somehow the whole process plays out and you end up where you are suppose to be. Yes Pace does give amazing money for good grades for a general acceptance to Pace. The artistic acceptance and artistic scholarship is separate from your acceptance to Pace university which is rolling. Also you audition separately for acting or mt. After your audition there you find out fairly soon if you are accepted artistically. Best wishes.
Boston is just too far away
The curriculum at the University of Miami is heavy on acting.
UArts is super super acting based. We have 3 hours of acting studio twice a week with acting majors, and you’re required to take that for a minimum of 3 years. Then we have additional MT performance classes for a minimum of 7 semesters, and you can elect more (like I’m taking two acting major voice classes, and next semester we’re offering electives in areas like alternative comedy and participatory theatre). I could not be happier with that, it is exactly what I wanted!