MT's, "token" theaters, and OSU

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
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<p>I know that OU and UTulsa and OKCU are great theater schools with very competitive theater and MT programs. My daughters' best friend is going to OSU and whenever I say Oklahoma people say "Oh, OSU?" Well, no, not actually, as far as I know...</p>

<p>I don't recall it being mentioned here or anywhere else as having an especially standout theater program, though I know it's a very good state school - it does not have an MT program, though. Mostly I am on the MT thread so maybe that is why I've never heard it mentioned...lol...</p>

<p>Are schools with a really good theater program that do not also offer an MT program unusual, or is it not uncommon at all for a really good theater program not to offer MT? And does having an MT program (even if your student does not go into MT) tend to ensure a more quality program overall, due perhaps to the competitiveness of MT's in general?</p>

<p>Though, actually, I know of at least two schools here in Texas on our list that don't have MT programs yet they have pretty decent theater programs. Not as competitive, by a long shot, as the good MT schools, but much more than what I call "token" theater programs -you know what I mean by a token theater, they have a theater program but it almost feels like it's only because they are sort of expected to, but it's not been anyone's especially big priority. These two on our list, the "non token theater" schools (lol) have lots of good internships, lots of programs for the kids to get into, and for someone wanting just general theater, could be a fine choice.</p>

<p>Anyone know about OSU? Should d decide not to do MT, is that worth it for us to look at or are likely to do just as well here in Texas? The only reason for us to consider an out of state school is if it is private anyway (like TU and OKCU) or if they are really really nice to out of state students, which Oklahoma schools do tend to be, and if they end up offering her a really nice deal. (I am adamant about doing everything possible to avoid her having to take loans...just not the best thing for any liberal arts undergrad to have, and especially, heaven help her, a drama major - so the final bottom line is going to be a factor in where she goes.)</p>

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<p>I don’t know how common or uncommon it is but I can think of at least two excellent theater programs that don’t have MT programs- Fordham and University of Minnesota/Guthrie. BTW, if she does decide to go straight acting UM is a terrific (albeit very competitive) bargain even for OOS students. But it sure would be a change in climate!</p>

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<p>It would be at that. </p>

<p>Were she Ivy League material, (academics wise that is - as far as personality, talent and all the other stuff, well, they don’t know what they are missing lol) she was really smitten with Dartmouth, and it’s pretty durn cold there too. I think if she loved the school enough she’d deal. Of course the cool thing about Dartmouth is they have that quarter system and you could end up only spending two actual winters there, which makes it considerably less menacing.</p>

<p>I think she might want to look at MN anyway, though it would take a good bit of effort on our part to get to the auditions and such…still trying to figure it all out.</p>

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<p>There are quite a few strong theatre/ acting programs that do not have MT programs… </p>

<p>SUNY Purchase
Julliard
Boston University
DePaul
University of Evansville
UMin/Guthrie
Fordham
UNCSA</p>

<p>… to name a few…</p>

<p>There are also many strong theatre/acting programs that are in schools with MT Programs…</p>

<p>Syracuse
CMU
CCM
NYU</p>

<p>… to name a few…</p>

<p>:)</p>

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<p>If she’s afraid of cold, MN is not exactly the place for her. The cities can get really cold… like so cold it actually hurts to breathe. That aside, they’re great and I love them. That sounds terrible, I know, but I do actually love the cities.</p>

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<p>I truly don’t know anything about OSU. However, you have a misconception that a theater department would need a MT program to be a competitive or strong theater program. This is definitely not the case. KatMT pointed out some of the best known programs for straight theater in the country (there are others too). As you can see, some of the well known ones do not have MT at all. Some well known acting programs also have a MT program at the same school. </p>

<p>When coming up with strong theater programs for someone who wants straight theater, I suggest an entirely different list than for someone who wants MT, though there is SOME overlap, as some schools are strong in both. But the search is DIFFERENT. I would NOT search for the best straight acting programs by starting with which schools have MT. </p>

<p>By the way OCU and Tulsa’s straight acting programs are NOT well known and in fact, the ones KatMT mentions are far more known for theater, even if some of them do not offer MT, than OCU or Tulsa. OCU does enjoy a good reputation for MT, however.</p>

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<p>The “competitiveness of MTs in general” has to do with the huge numbers applying to these programs, and the fact that singing ability, and at least good trainability in dance, are so important. It doesn’t mean that the level of potential acting ability is higher among those accepted for MT than those accepted for Acting.</p>

<p>KatMT’s first list includes most of the finest acting programs in the country, none of which have MT. Another school that many would argue should be on that list is Rutgers/Mason Gross.</p>

<p>Many of the aforementioned programs are as selective as one could possibly imagine.</p>

<p>There are some people who actually avoid schools with MT, feeling that the theatre training at schools which put all their resources into acting combined with theatre arts tends to be better.</p>

<p>NYU is kind of in a category of its own, because its acting and MT studios are so separate, and because it admits a relatively large number of students.</p>

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<p>Great info! My D is one who is looking for acting rather than MT, although she loves MT and is a singer. These questions have been very complicated for us to answer, too.</p>

<p>We’re finding while there is excellent advice that makes a ton of sense, we can’t really follow “rules.” We wouldn’t have any schools left if we tried to meet every single one of the various criteria we’ve been told, such as:</p>

<p>No MT (takes focus away from acting)
No MFAs (takes focus away from undergrads)
Don’t do a BA where there’s a BFA (BAs don’t do “real” theater, and/or get pushed aside)
Only go where you audition to get in (otherwise students won’t be serious or care enough)
There MUST be a senior showcase (you can’t get a job otherwise)</p>

<p>etc., etc. These really do fall somewhere between good advice and myths … very hard to look at in absolutes.</p>

<p>We’re finding there are very few programs that meet every one of these criteria - and it seems illogical that a schools can’t be worthwhile if they fall short in any way. There are many variables that make it necessary to look at each school individually. Plus, if everyone just used these rules to make their list, they’d all apply to the same schools, and you have to be open to broader options in order to get some acceptances.</p>

<p>We’ve found schools that have at least one of these "don’t"s that my D still will apply to, and maybe they’ll turn out to be less desirable in the long run, but many schools that follow all of the “rules” could end up being undesirable for some other reason. She’s choosing schools as much as she can first by looking carefully at curriculum and the productions they do, then just as much through visits and talking to people who are there. She’s also very focused on people - if she feels good about the profs and directors she meets, she feels confident that they will be able to work out the details along the way.</p>

<p>And we’re always aware that if things don’t work out during this admissions process, this is not her last chance to be trained. She still is very willing to go to a “regular” college, almost definitely major in theater (since that’s what she loves more than anything in the world), and do an MFA later if that’s what she needs.</p>

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<p>Wow, what great information. There is no other way I’d ever find this stuff out as I don’t know anyone IRL who has the scoop like you guys do.</p>

<p>Thanks all!</p>

<p>~and I am sure that now I’ll have a whole new batch of questions as d and I continue figuring out the college maze!</p>

10

<p>soozievt, if looking at Texas schools including the public ones, which would you categorize as having a strong straight acting program or theater program? (as apparently some of them separate “acting” emphasis from “general theater” emphasis…)</p>

<p>Though my d would most likely either pick general theater (so she could get a lot of tech/costuming in there too) or MT.</p>

<p>All of the schools we have looked at have something unique and exciting…but as far as the programs themselves, the ONLY one we have found (so far) that really doesn’t sacrifice stage for tech or the other way around is TSU in San Marcus, which has a degree they call P&P - production and performance. It emphasizes both. So far from the admittedly cursory glances at the different check sheets and degree outlines, it looks like you take either mostly performance and a smattering of tech, or mostly tech and a smattering of performance. </p>

<p>~have to qualify that by saying we haven’t looked at the top tier schools that are far away from because frankly unless they are in the habit of giving BIG scholarships, (and even 20,000 does not fit my definition of “big” if the sticker COA price is 50,000 as that would necessitate about 15 to 20 thou a year in loans - SO NOT gonna happen) they simply are not an option for her. That’s just the reality of our situation.</p>

<p>Now someplace like SMU, that is close by, well, we can audition for them and it would be relatively inexpensive and easy to do so in that case, why not go ahead and just see what happens. But as wonderful as all the eastern and Ohio schools sound - after much soul searching I think we have to concentrate our application and audition resources on schools that are actually, reasonably, feasibly, a possibility for her, so that’s Texas schools and also Oklahoma. With maybe ONE far away reach like MN. Maybe.</p>

<p>D is strong in performance and costuming, and she LOVES MT - shame to waste 14 years of dance lessons, lol! - so it is really quite a digging expedition to figure out which programs are the best fit for a weirdo like her. lol.</p>

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<p>snapdragonfly - My D has a friend who is headed to Baylor who also has multiple interests in theatre. You may want to take a look at their curriculum to see all the variables they offer in their BFA in Performance:
[Baylor</a> University || Theatre Arts || BFA Performance](<a href=“http://www.baylor.edu/theatre/index.php?id=41239]Baylor”>http://www.baylor.edu/theatre/index.php?id=41239)</p>