<p>I think I was mentioning on another thread how I was intersted in Lawerence University in Wisconsion. They are a non audition BA program. I know in the musical theater world its all about the F between the BA so to speak but if one were to go to a non audition BA school and is looking to persure MT would that look bad? ( for lack of a better word). My mother as I'm sure many of the mothers on here, is concerend there are many theater students with more credientals/natural talent etc. than I and feels I might not make it into BFA programs. I am applying to a mix of BA and BFAS so hopefully if I do not get into a BFA and get into a college with a BA I would major in BA theater freshman year and to to possibly reaudition for the BFA sophmore year. But yeah thats a whole other thread for a whole other time lol. Thank you so much to everyone. I know I ask alot of questions being the only really active kid poster here in musical theater cc land, but I shall be done by April hopefully lol and then I shall of course be back to help those that come after, as is the CC way.</p>
<p>I love your posts, don't feel ashamed to be an interested party...after all it is your future!
I am sorry I know nothing about Lawrence University, so can add nothing about that. As you probably know however, my D is pursuing a BA, and she is as happy as the proverbial clam. This morning she sent us an email asking if it would alright for her to take a class on Irish Playwrights, that will be offered this spring. It is both an acting and an english class, and then they go to Ireland for two weeks this summer. It will be jointly taught by one of Muhlenberg's professors and a Prof from Portland State University.
Those opportunities are much harder to come by in a BFA program, because in a conservatory setting you can't afford to take that kind of time. I am sure if I am wrong about this, someone with more knowhow will set me straight!</p>
<p>One thing you said that struck me was that if you did not get into a BFA you would plan on reauditioning in your sophomore year. That is one alternative, but if you go into a BA Theatrr program thinking "this is my last resort", you will probably not put as much into it, and gain the experiences you might if you embrace whatever coms your way. If you were my D, and planned to transfer I would encourage you to go to a community college, and get some undergraduate requirements out of the way, rather than embracing a BA Theatre program without giving it your all.</p>
<p>Best of luck. I know you have alot of passion for your craft, and I know you have been giving it a lot of thought. I am excited to see your posts in the coming year! :)</p>
<p>Hi DefyingGravity04 (love your name), </p>
<p>I know a little about Lawrence University as I had several good friends who attended there a while back and a friend's son is a double major there in Computer Information Technology and Music (trumpet). Lawrence is a smaller, LAC located in Appleton, WI and the campus is very pretty, lots of red brick, trees, etc. It is a very good school academically and has a great music program. We looked briefly at the MT program there but felt it wasn't well-suited for my daughter as they concentrate mainly on operas and do perhaps one big musical every other year. Again, this was when we looked about a year and a half ago so things may have changed. </p>
<p>Just a side note regarding your comment that your mom is concerned that there are many other theater students with more credentials/talent. We moms tend to say those sort of things to prepare our kids for the potential rejection involved in this type of choice. Although this doesn't help at all from your perspective, sometimes it's impossible for us not to say it!</p>
<p>That said, give all your auditions this year your best shot, be as prepared as you can be, and have a good back-up school or two. Also, please keep posting, we'd love to hear how you're doing.</p>
<p>I think you are on the right track. You are looking for a balance of options. </p>
<p>This field is so unpredictable. As a long time poster, you know that the acceptances and rejections come to everyone. </p>
<p>As a parent who went through this process last year, I wish you what we got -- a happy ending. And you will see that despite the pain of this process, there are a lot of happy endings, even when the outcome was different than had been hoped for. </p>
<p>It is so hard not to take this process personal and as a validation (or non validation) of talent and as a prediction for the future. Just make a personal commitment to keep getting better and better at your art. </p>
<p>By the way, tell your mom that we understand her point of view and if she needs anyone to speak to (on line or directly) there are many of us who would be glad to help. Through the audition process, you and she are likely to meet a number of CC-ers again and again. I still am in touch with several of my on line friends, even though we no longer have to share the burdens of the process. </p>
<p>As I recall, you live in the NY ara (maybe Westchester?). So do I. If I can be of any help due to my proximity, let me know.</p>
<p>Another good option for you would be Indiana University Bloomington (the main campus). </p>
<p>They have a fantastic BA Acting program (which I was just accepted into!) that allows you to minor in dance or voice and have a concentration in dance or voice so u can basically do musical theater while not being a BFA MT major. </p>
<p>AND, they are having a BFA Musical Theatre major for the first time starting next year, and the auditions are going on in November, February, and March.</p>
<p>the website for the IU School of Theatre is <a href="http://www.iub.edu/%7Ethtr%5B/url%5D">http://www.iub.edu/~thtr</a></p>
<p>the website for Indiana University is <a href="http://www.iub.edu%5B/url%5D">http://www.iub.edu</a></p>
<p>hope this helps you!</p>
<p>We just returned from our second visit to IU! Our d has also been accepted and is already committed to this school. She loved it there! Gorgeous facilities and campus, great town, and now she is even more impressed with what the program has to offer her. We met for over an hour with Dr. Railsback, the theater advisor, who explained the BA and BFA in great detail as well as taking our group on a tour of their fabulous theaters, classrooms, studios, etc. If you have specific questions, I can try to answer them. Just pm me. Kenmarksnj...are you set on IU as well?</p>
<p>Well no... I mean, I am going there soon to visit, but I am really looking to attend an established BFA program such as Cincinnati or Michigan, but if I get into the BFA Musical Theatre program after my audition next month, I don't think I would hesitate to go there. I'm visiting for my audition in two weeks. Their website doesn't show how great there program actually is, and I have a friend who goes there and absolutely loves it. I do think that Indiana would be a great option for DefyingGravity04 seeing that they are seeking a non-audition BA Acting program... what do u think?</p>
<p>DefyingGravity...you said something in your first post...asking if it's bad to consider a BA program. Our d started this process thinking she wanted an intense conservatory approach through a BFA. However, as we visited schools and learned about their programs, she came to realize that she wanted training that included well-rounded academics and some flexibility. Dr. Railsback at IU made it clear that they are proud of and fully committed to their liberal arts approach to theater training because it makes the student a more educated, interesting person and therefore a much more interesting performer. Our d loves that she will be able to double major there, perhaps combining her love of visual arts with her love of musical theater. She feels the double major options offer her more opportunities career-wise. Dr. Railsback said that even with the BA, the kids can take courses that mirror the BFA MT in many ways. They can also take advantage of IU's fabulous School of Music for voice and dance. So I think that this school's a perfect match for our d...she does too BTW! If your philosophy of training fits with theirs, you might want to look into...</p>
<p>in reference to your question - </p>
<p>"I know in the musical theater world its all about the F between the BA so to speak but if one were to go to a non audition BA school and is looking to persure MT would that look bad?" </p>
<p>Attending one of the top BFA musical theatre programs can help open doors for you on the other end of your educational career... many of the top schools offer showcases that are well attended because of the reputation of the school... many agents and casting directors may currently be working with, or have previously worked with graduates of these programs... the name recognition of the school, along with the schools reputation, could help a young performers resume float to the top... BUT, this does not mean that attending a lesser known BFA program or a BA program will look bad, and prohibit you from a career in Musical Theatre (I taught in a BA musical tehatre program and many of those students are currently working professionally as performers). As a professional performer and director I have worked with many performers who did not attend a BFA program. I attended one of the schools often mentioned on this site as a "top" BFA MT program, and many of the people with whom I graduated no longer work as perfomers... I am sure that you know that the degree (even from a top school) offers no guarentee of a long lasting or high profile career, but that is another topic :). Once you start working in the field, where you went to school becomes less important. All performers continue to grow both as performers and as people. While the training I received as an undergraduate still informs my work, I have learned so much more over the 13 years since I graduated from college. So, this is my very LONG WINDED answer to your question.</p>
<p>You don't need to apologize for asking lots of questions. It is great to do your research. Having a wide range of schools is really important, both because 1. you do not know where you will be accepted, and 2. you do not know until you really look into a school which might be the best fit for you. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>remember, the BFA does not work for you.</p>
<p>you work for the BFA.</p>