Hi, are there any schools where you don’t have to audition to major in theater? Or where you can decide later to major in theater, and not be penalized credit-wise? NY, NJ, CT, PA, MD preferred. Thanks!
Many BA theater programs are non audition (there are exceptions) If you are looking for a BFA program- that is a different story. What type of school are you looking for? There are lots of great LACs with fantastic theater in the states you list above.
Just off the top of my head, given your geography, I’d say Bennington, Muhlenberg, Skidmore. There are many, many choices.
Yup bunches of good BA programs – too many to list, really. These will not be the 60-80 credit performance program that you would get as a BFA student, but in many cases you can build a very deep major by using your electives for performance courses. In addition to the above suggestions (and based on your geographical preference which seems to basically be "a reasonable drive if NYC was the center) I would look at
NY: Wagner College, Brooklyn College, Hofstra University, Hunter College
CT: Connecticut College, Wesleyan
NJ: Drew University, Rutgers, Middlebury
MA: Holy Cross, Williams
PA: Penn State
That is just a start – the list goes on quite a ways. In general you would look for majors like Theatre, Theatre Arts or Theatre Studies. Almost all programs that call themselves Acting or that use the BFA designation will require auditions.
All that said, do your homework and don’t take the BA/BFA distinction as black and white. For example, Marymount Manhattan has a BA Theatre Arts program, but it is very distinctly divided into seven concentrations, 4 of which require auditions or portfolio reviews and three of which do not.
And enjoy the process! Don’t be surprised if some school you’ve never heard of just strikes the right chord with you!
My daughter attends Drew University in NJ if you have any questions about that school.
Thanks so much for the suggestions. My D is passionate about Broadway, but maybe not being on the stage exactly. She would love to go to school in or around NYC, but as a low B student, the only options I see are Marymount and Pace. I don’t think she’s into auditioning anywhere. She considers SUNY Purchase “too far.” Hofstra, maybe, if she can get in. Not sure if the New School is really a school.
The new school is a real school. The bfa is audition based but the curriculum is very broad - not just a focus on acting. They may have a non audition BA in theater as well. We know several kids there and they really like it. They allow a lot of flexibility for you to individualize the program to suit your needs. Good luck
@Newsie I’m looking at Naviance and the average accepted at Hofstra (at least from my high school) had a 3.15. Sounds like your D has a shot.
@Delegator you should probably know that Middlebury is not in NJ, but rather in Vermont.
I believe SUNY Purchase has a non audition BA as well as a BFA - and your stats should be ok there
Yup brain cramped that one. My cousin went to Middlebury…
If you can extend your geography a bit, Northern Kuntucky U might be a fit. Can join as a BA in Theatre and have up to 2 years to audition for BFA if you choose. If you stay with BA, lots of flexibility in how you structure the degree. I doubt their grade standards would he too tough for your kid.
SUNY Brockport near Rochester, NY is non audition, and you don’t even need to decide up front if you are interested in performance, design/tech or theater studies.
Note that Penn State is replacing their BA program with a BFA in Acting and a BS in Dance this Fall.