MT Schools near Washington.

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>Hi everyone. Wow -- not sure where to start. First of all, I'm a 15 year old high school sophomore living in Spokane, Washington. I don't know why I'm worrying about this so early, but I am. Also let me say that I am completely, completely new when it comes to knowing about degrees, colleges, majors, and overall post highschool education. I am completely igorant as to how things work at colleges/universities.</p>

<p>Goodness knows how things may change before I even graduate, but right now my passion is musical theatre, and it has been for nearly 7 years. What I'm looking for is a school with a decent and well respected musical theatre program around my area: Oregon, Washington, Idaho. The closer to home, the better. If the best solution for this type of degree is not in my general proximity, than I'm certainly willing to move, but I'm just thinking in terms of saving as much money as possible. My family is not destitute for sending me to college, but you know, school isn't cheap.</p>

<p>I have checked out a few websites of (relatively) close schools, but I'm wondering if there is the specific term for "musical theatre," that is, stage performance which incorporates singing, dancing and acting. Does this degree go by different names? I'm just at a loss of what to look for on the websites.</p>

<p>If someone could possibly reccomend (close) school with good programs, that would be wonderful. I'm also curious as whether musical theatre majors tend to focus on singing or acting? Or is it specific to schools? I have had no professional training, but my strength is in my acting.</p>

<p>I also have no idea how scholarships work. I'd assume that it would not be as much based off grades?</p>

<p>Also a side note: my parents are pressing me more to get a degree in languages, which is also one of my knacks (as my folks call it). A double major in musical theatre and languages would be wonderful, so a school that have equally good programs for these would be a dream.</p>

<p>I really apologize for all the questions. As you can see, I have no idea how things work. Thank you very much for any help you have to offer.</p>

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<p>If you haven't checked out the FAQ page linked at the top of this MT forum, you should do so. There is a lot of information that can help. </p>

<p>While reading all the old MT posts can take awhile, it is well worth it. From what you said about your interest (or your parents) in language as well, pay attention to the differences between a BA (where you have a better chance of doing both) and a BFA.</p>

<p>Many of us also knew nothing before we started reading this forum.
As to your question whether musical theater is called anything else, not to the best of my knowledge. Of course, sometimes it is not a major, but an emphasis.</p>

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<p>Hi Andrew. There aren't any MT programs for undergrads in OR, WA, or ID. Your closest bet is University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. If you have good grades, then you will be eligible for an automatic merit scholarship that will bring the cost there to the same as attending one of the WA state universities. They have a few small merit scholarships, but not much total money. </p>

<p>The MT program is audition based and small, as are most MT programs. I believe they take 18 per year. It is very competitive, but since you are a guy that will help you. You have private voice as part of the program and take dance classes with the dance majors. </p>

<p>You can double major at UNC, but it can be difficult. My D is there (as a theater major), and she could not continue in her foreign language as there was only one section at her level and it met at the same time as one of her theater classes, which was a required class.</p>

<p>In WA, you can major in theater at University of Washington or Western Washington University, but there is no MT major. You could add private voice lessons (you would have to pay for that) and also take dance classes. Western doesn't have many dance classes; not sure about UW. Whitman also has a theater major, but that is much more expensive. There is also some theater at WSU, not sure if it is a major. </p>

<p>If you do want to major in MT, you need to start private voice lessons and dance classes.</p>

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<p>Also you might look at Columbia Gorge School of Theatre for next summer. They have MT there and the director is an NYU grad. It's near Portland.</p>