<p>Hi - I need advice from someone familiar with different BFA Acting programs where she could take voice (meaning singing) and some or the occasional dance classes either within or outside the program - preferably where one can audition for the occasional musical as well.</p>
<p>Also, need programs that aren't looking for stellar standardized test scores (expecting a range of 25-27). And, preferably one that will accept only 2 years of a Foreign Language. Other than that her grades and course work are good (3.8 unweighted). </p>
<p>Take a look at University of the Arts. Among its programs, it offers a BFA in Acting and also offers a minor in Musical Theater for Acting students which includes voice and dance among other MT related classes. Both Acting and MT students take the same core acting studio classes together and audition for all the school productions each semester which always include a couple of musicals. While standardized test scores are required, they are the least weighted in the admissions criteria with audition results and high school academic achievement at the top. Two years of a foreign language should not be an issue (there is no language requirement in the curriculum) as long as the high school transcript as a whole is competitive.</p>
<p>UNCSA sounds like it would be a good fit if you want a conservatory. Singing and dance are part of the curriculum. Juilliard, too. Also, look at UM Guthrie.</p>
<p>lkornfeld, we are in the same boat exactly! I’ve checked out foreign language requirements at most BFA’s in the Northeast and didn’t find any that wouldn’t accept D’s measly 2 years. </p>
<p>I also saw you thinking of narrowing your list on the MT thread–it’s a problem because so many apply and so few are accepted to most of these programs, and on such subjective grounds. D has taken schools that abide by rigid cuts off her list, but we still have 15 auditioned programs and two safeties. I’d love to know how others have managed this! </p>
<p>I also wish I understood the nature of the process at different schools a little better. At BU, for instance, the theater dept. only sees the audition and the resume…so an application that really documents a long and energetic life in theater won’t have much effect (so it seems!) On the other hand that means test scores won’t figure in as heavily. </p>
<p>But nice to meet you-- we will be going through this process together, it seems. Like going over Niagara in a barrel.</p>
<p>Adelphi University on Long Island is not hugely academically selective (they told my D a 27 ACT would practically guarantee a merit scholarship), although it’s a very nice school and has an honors program.</p>
<p>They have a lovely BFA in Acting, no MT major, but very strong programs in dance and music that are open to the theatre majors. Both Adelphi and BU have told us that there are plenty of options available for acting students in vocal music, including opera.</p>
<p>You might want to look at Montclair State in NJ. They do have an MT major but also a BFA and BA in Acting/Theatre with a variety options and opportunities. Also not that stringent with their academic requirements/stats.</p>
<p>Give us more of an idea of where you are looking geographically - there are other options in the midwest that I’m aware of.</p>
<p>MichaelNKat - University of Arts looks like exactly what I might be looking for - thank you! Do you have an idea of the level of competitiveness?</p>
<p>Gwen Fairfax - yes it does seem like going over Niagra! It’s crazy crazy. Thanks for sharing your foreign language research - that’s a relief. Do you have a sense that the BFA Acting programs are a little less competitive than the MT programs?</p>
<p>By sheer numbers, it appears that the percentages of acceptance can be higher in Acting as opposed to MT programs. That is a bit of a comfort.</p>
<p>But the hard news is that you just don’t know what your chances are, because the decisions aren’t based on statistics AT ALL, and all of the percentages are low. Yes, maybe a school takes 20% - instead of 5%! - but 20% is a very low acceptance rate. No auditioned program takes enough applicants to make it something you can consider a “match” or a “safety” like you can with regular applications.</p>
<p>Find schools your daughter likes and go for them. Also try to find some auditioned schools that have somewhat higher acceptance rates, and definitely find 1-3 schools that do not require an audition, are academic safeties, and also financial safeties. Otherwise she can plan a gap year prepping for auditions again, because transferring into a BFA program is very difficult and usually requires students to start their 4 years from the beginning.</p>
<p>There are a few schools out there that offer a BFA where you audition after the first year, so you can be more sure of getting in academically in the first place, and deal with the audition later. Some schools like this that I know of are Hofstra University on Long Island, Columbia College in Chicago, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. All of these are not terribly competitive academically to get into, but they have nice programs both academically and in the arts.</p>
<p>Coastal Carolina offers a BFA in Acting and a BFA in Physical Theatre. Both are by audition. The Acting and Physical Theatre majors do have access to voice and dance classes. And all Theatre students audition for all shows at the season auditions and they are cast “against” major - so MTs are cast is straight plays, Acting majors are cast in musicals. The quality of the acting training was key in my D’s decision to attend CCU and she has not been disappointed!</p>
<p>Wow, austinmom, Coastal Carolina’s BFA in Acting sounds good but I am fascinated by the information that the school has a BFA in Physical Theatre. As I have mentioned before in this forum, my son has become very enamored of physical theatre through a class in his BFA Theatre Arts Program at another school.</p>
<p>He would never switch, of course, but it is cool to know that this exists. </p>
<p>From Coastal Carolina’s website:</p>
<p>"Physical Theatre has recently received a renaissance. While Cirque du Soleil employs thousands of performers world-wide, many other organizations are enjoying unprecedented success. There are dozens of theatres that now specialize in Physical Theatre Performance. This renaissance has created a need for training programs for the Physical Theatre performer. In 2004 Dell’Arte began the only accredited Masters of Fine Arts in Ensemble Based Physical Theatre Program in the world. The success of that program has illuminated a need for an undergraduate program. Internationally there are a number of undergraduate training programs for the physical theatre artist but this is the only BFA in Physical Theatre in the United States.</p>
<p>The B.F.A in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Physical Theatre will instruct students in a large variety of applied physical performance methods, including instruction in classic clowning, circus skills, acrobatics, mime, dance, character development, professionalism, and the creation of original material. The program will attract students from a national base interested in further exploring the intersection of clowning, theatre, activism and experimentation in performance. The structured, intensive, studio-based training will prepare them to function in the professional entertainment world."</p>
<p>I pm’ed you, lkornfeld-- the whole physical theater renaissance is fascinating to me too. (Though Spiderman gives me pause.) U New Hampshire has an “Aerial Dance” program! Terra firma for me, thank you, but these are great skills to have as a performer!</p>
<p>I am pretty captivated by the physical theatre degree myself! You do three years at CCU then the final year in San Francisco:
“The first three years of the program will take place on the campus of Coastal Carolina University. The final year of the program will be in residence at San Francisco Circus Center’s Clown Conservatory. The Clown Conservatory is part of San Francisco Circus Center, one of the largest and most respected circus training programs in the country. The Clown Conservatory is one of Circus Center’s Professional Training Programs (along with acrobatics, aerial arts, and contortion).”</p>
<p>My D is taking a physical theatre class at American with a visiting professor from the Czech Republic. D loves it. Maybe she’ll run off and join the circus!</p>