<p>Hi! This is my first time to post and I hope that I am in the right place. If not, I'm sure I'll be redirected. I've been reading posts for a couple of weeks now as my daughter who is a Junior is starting the process of searching for Theatre Schools. She is not completely sure if musical theatre is where she wants to go, only because she isn't sure that she wants to be limited. She has dreams of film...comedy, etc. Her theatre teacher, however, insists that her stage presence is most evident in musical theatre and that her best chances of success lie in that arena (she is small, cute and has a huge wonderful stage voice--think Milly from Thoroughly Modern M and you get the picture). So for now, she is looking at both and won't rule out a school without a BFA, but best case scenario would be a school that offers both. A couple of questions to all of you experts out there. First, my D's theatre teacher is concerned that Northwestern does not offer a BFA, only a certificate. Does anyone have anything to say about what this would mean in terms of the real world? This school seems to carry a great deal of prestige and I do believe she has both the acting resume and the grades to get in (she's done a ton of community and high school theatre with leading roles, Governor's School, Honor Society, etc.), but it puzzles me that it has this prestigious theatre program if there isn't an audition to get in. I mean I know there is, but not until the freshmen class is already in place and they are choosing from this small pool of applicants. Secondly, any other suggestions for wonderful theatre programs (musical theatre, too!) that also have a strong academic program? Rutgers? Bucknell? Would love to hear any and all suggestions. Oh, and one more BIG question...what's the deal with NYU-Tisch? All of the studios seem to have 2-3 year programs. Do you end up with a degree? I'm not sure how this works. My daughter really wants a degree and an education -- she feels strongly that this is all part of making a great actor (i.e., she doesn't just want to be trained to act...she wants it all!) -- Tisch would be her dream school IF the academics were also part of the picture. Thanks to all of you for all of the WONDERFUL information I have already received. What a great place to get answers! Much better than the actual school websites!</p>
<p>There are frequent posters on this board with students at both Tisch and Northwestern, so I am sure you will hear from them regarding specifics of those schools. My comments are more general: in the “real” world, it doesn’t make the slightest bit of difference what degree you have – or in fact, even if you have a degree. Whether Northwestern gives a certificate or a BFA is less important than the quality of the education you can get there – and that is excellent and very well-regarded in the industry.</p>
<p>Second, many people would advise you that getting a BA in theater at a college that also offers a BFA is not a great idea. BA students generally do not share classes or teachers with BFA students – in other words, the “best” classes and teachers are not available to BA students at this kind of school. It’s a better idea to look for schools which put all of their resources into a strong BA program – there are some very good ones out there.</p>
<p>A BFA program is not right for everyone. It is designed to be a total immersion, highly intensive course of study. I have a daughter in a BFA program, but I am also a vocal and theater coach and I recommend BFAs only to my students who are highly motivated and dedicated to the idea of a professional theater career. Even with students like that, it’s important to apply to a good mix of reach and safety schools to avoid disappointment at this time of year when the acceptances come out.</p>
<p>Thanks so much, Onstage, and it is probably obvious that I know very little about the whole process, so please excuse the questions that probably seem to have obvious answers to you and others who have traveled down this path. Are you saying that a BFA is only for those who know that they want to perform “onstage” for a career? My D is certainly passionate about it and is never happier and more fulfilled than when performing, but I think she wants to be open to film endeavors. Would you suggest that she get a BA then? I think her Theatre teacher (who, btw, also has had a career in the profession) seems to think that as far as auditions would go, her best chance for success and ultimately acceptance into a program would be in MT. I think her acting at this point takes 2nd place to her vocal ability, and her dancing a very distant third. Her teacher seems to think that you get the training first and then move into whatever arena within the industry that you are most interested in. We sure are at a fork here and aren’t sure where to proceed.</p>
<p>Film acting is very different from live theater work, and requires a different approach to performing. A BFA in MT is very specifically targeted at on-stage musical theater, and there is little time in most programs for additional classes. Perhaps a BFA in Acting, or a BA in Acting would be a better option, because it would allow more time for on-camera classes. Many of these programs would still offer an opportunity to audition for musicals, and even to study voice.</p>
<p>terig, welcome to CC. </p>
<p>As far as Northwestern…please see the main page of the MT Forum and at the top there is a list of sub forums on various colleges’ MT Programs and Northwestern’s MT program has its own forum and you should visit it and read all the posts there are as there are students and parents of students who attend who have posted a great deal of valuable information. No, it will not matter in the industry if your D has a BFA or a BA degree. Generally speaking, a BFA, however, is more intensive professional training and prepares one well for the profession. However, Northwesten’s program is top rate. I would very much recommend it as great preparation for a career in this business. While there is no audition to get in as a freshman, the selection criteria is still very selective and they end up with a very talented class in the theater program every year. Then, there is the audition for the MT Certificate program after the first year. One thing an applicant would have to consider is that there are no guarantees of getting into the MT program if admitted to NU. </p>
<p>As far as Tisch, I am sorta confused by your questions. I have a daughter who is a senior at Tisch. The studio training is for four years, not two or three. A student can elect to stay in their same studio all four years, or else after the first two years (or even after three years), switch into a different studio for a different approach. For example, my D is a MT performer. She wanted to attend CAP21 (the MT studio) and was admitted to it. She spent five semesters in CAP21 and for several reasons, wanted to do Experimental Theater Wing studio for her final three semesters. While she is now in an acting studio, she still has dance and vocal type classes, as well as private voice, and has written her own musical which will be put on at ETW this May. Some students may opt to do Stonestreet Studio in junior or senior year after studying MT at CAP21 and have a chance to get some training in film acting in that studio. Many options abound at Tisch, which is a different set up than some other BFA programs. As far as academics, Tisch requires them which appeals to some students and not to others. That appeals to my D who enjoys academics, as well as feels that a well rounded person who has knowledge of the world is a better actor. As well, one appeal of NYU for my D is that she is a good student and prefers the challenge level and atmosphere of a more selective (academically speaking) university. Every semester, she has two academic classes. Three days per week she is in studio training all day and two days per week she is in academics. In fact, she is writing a paper due tomorrow. </p>
<p>I agree with everything onstage wrote to you in post #2 and so won’t repeat that advice. </p>
<p>As far as suggesting colleges, my main suggestion right now is to read many of the threads on the MT Forum, as well as the individual college MT program forums listed at the top of this forum and you will glean a wealth of knowledge of what’s out there and this entire process. </p>
<p>Then, visit each school’s website and read about the curriculum for each program and compare and contrast the schools. Your D should have selection criteria in mind and find schools that closely match her criteria. If she cares about academics, for example, UMichigan’s, Tisch’s, or Penn State’s programs may appeal more than Boston Conservatory or Roosevelt.</p>
<p>By the way, I agree with your D’s teacher that she should get the training first, – but you should try to pinpoint exactly what training you are looking for. As I mentioned before, a BFA MT will include heavy doses of dance, acting, and singing, specifically aimed at live musical theater performance.</p>
<p>By the way, if you examine Rutger’s curriculum, you will see that it has no MT. As well, it is mainly conservatory with hardly any liberal arts requirements. I do not think it is a good option for your D based on what you have shared so far.</p>
<p>I agree with onstage that if your D’s main aspiration is film, she may wish to get a BA or a BFA in Acting, and at a school that still offers some voice, dance, and MT opportunities. I know many kids with a MT background who have chosen to pursue degrees in acting but still participate in MT. This is possible at some schools but not others. </p>
<p>I would not suggest auditioning for a MT program because her “odds” are better for that degree (due to her teacher’s opinion and due to her vocal talent), unless she truly wishes to train in singing, dance, and acting. For someone who mainly wants to become an actor, but still participate in MT, a degree in theater/drama/acting may be a better fit.</p>
<p>In addition to researching the curriculum I strongly suggest researching the faculty of the individual programs. This will enlighten you not only to where the faculty got their training but also to their professional affiliations and possibly give you insight into whether or not some of the faculty are in fact working professionals. A faculty with a broader variety of educational backgrounds brings something different to the table of teaching than one that is more homogenous (read educated at the school they now teach at). Food for thought as you beging your journey. Good luck. And in this next year I suggest you increase your daughter’s dance training so she will be more prepared should she go the MT audition route.</p>
<p>Thank you both so much for all of this information. I think it is a little hard for my daughter because as much as she loves musical theatre, she also has this passion for books and literature and just the whole educational process. I think she would not want to miss out on the whole traditional college experience, which was the point of my original post. At 17 years old, it is really difficult to make these kinds of decisions that have such an impact on your future! It seems the best fit for her would be a wonderfully challenging university or college that happens to have an equally amazing musical theatre program. I think I’ve also left the impression that she isn’t committed to musical theatre. Her whole middle and high school experience has been about the stage, specifically musical theatre. Her college counselor is a firm believer that your undergraduate studies should be in an area of passion and interest and MT is certainly the case with her. I loved that you set me straight about Tisch! I’m sure that this will move to the top of her list after I share this thread with her. When we were researching the different studios at NYU (Stella Adler, Meisner, CAPS21, etc…, each one indicated a program that was 2-3 years in length). This confused us as well, but I think what was not clear to us until now is that you can move to different studios. I say all of this like she’s going to get in! I know it’s a reach, but what a dream! She has applied to the Northwestern’s summer theatre program, so I also think that should she get into that she will be able to get a feel for life at Northwestern. Will your daughter graduate with a BFA from NYU?</p>
<p>terig</p>
<p>Check into the BFA Acting programs that also include voice and some dance. We discovered this after auditioning and having that program mentioned to my D as an option. School to consider are Wright State and Otterbein. </p>
<p>Good Luck for next year!</p>
<p>terig, I totally understand the issue with your daughter. Her main consideration right now should be if she prefers to go the BA route (a viable path) or the BFA route. I know many highly talented MT high school students who could have (or did) gotten into a BFA but who PREFERRED a BA type college experience. These were goods students and so some landed at Yale, Brown, or Northwestern. These are three good options for a kid who wants that. There are SOME BFA in MT programs located in challenging universities that require a chunk of liberal arts (but not as much as one would get in a BA degree) and your D may be attracted to these. For example, Tisch (not the only one!) fits such a description. Some of the kids I know who wanted this…applied to Yale, Brown, Northwestern, etc. and NYU/Tisch and UMich, but no other BFA programs (but had other BA ones on their list). </p>
<p>Yes, my daughter is about to graduate with a BFA from Tisch…I can hardly get those words out of my mouth (or typing fingers) as it is hard to believe this is upon us already! But just so you know, anyone in Tisch (who graduates), gets a BFA. There is no BA option in Tisch. And she has been in studio (training) all EIGHT semesters. We are going to see her in the Tisch MT Industry Night (showcase) in a few days!</p>
<p>BTW, your D could study in an acting studio at Tisch and still do a lot with voice, dance, and be in musicals. Just throwing that out there. Some students in the MT showcase are in fact, from acting studios. Same with in the musicals at Tisch.</p>
<p>terig - also check out Indiana University, another one of those “best of both worlds” schools where you can combine conservatory training within a broader academic environment. They have both BFA and BA programs. Good luck!</p>
<p>In the BFA program at Syracuse (my D is a BFA in MT there), there is a strong academic program as well. Acting students audition for both musicals and non-musicals, and private voice lessons are available. MT students have a very full schedule but are able to take additional non-theater classes, especially after freshman year. It’s a bit easier for Acting majors to take gen-ed credits, because they have slightly fewer required theater credits. My D is also in the Honors College, which allows her to take extra credits at no extra cost.</p>
<p>Onstage, thank you again. Syracuse (and Ithaca) are both on my D’s list. She doesn’t have a huge list (maybe 15, but of course that will be whittled down). Her advisor says that Syracuse is a wonderful school. I looked at the school web site and it looks absolutely beautiful. Is there anything you would care to share about your daughter’s experience? I’m still not sure of specific “rules” on these threads, but if possible, I’d love to hear a personal account of the MT program there (i.e., audition to get in, when she applied, when she found out, was it a top choice? - I assume that every audition school is a “reach”, right?, any info would be great! Thanks again. I’m becoming a little obsessed with this website. Bubbling over with first hand accounts and valuable information.</p>
<p>terig…there are lots and lots of first hand accounts about most of the programs if you go to the top of the MT Forum and click on any of the specific MT Schools and then it opens many threads about that school, on which many parents and students associated with that school have posted. Just a suggestion. </p>
<p>Also, in terms of keeping this forum organized and easier for people to find information, it would be better to start a new thread on Syracuse rather than discuss every topic on this thread.</p>
<p>My son was accepted to Northwestern as a voice performance major. At the time he applied, the musical theatre program held auditions for sophomores. There is no guarantee that you will get into the program. My son was more classically trained with only casual MT training, and wanted to jump fully into MT mode. That was his most important criterion in choosing his college. He was accepted to two voice performance programs and a number of theatre programs but only a few MT programs, and he made his choice among those MT acceptances because he did not want to chance not getting into a program later. A bird in hand… was his thoughts.</p>
<p>Thanks, Soozievt. I thought I might be getting off topic. I was hoping I could just have a thread all for me (lol). Again, thanks to you all. I’ll take your advice and do some more searching at the MT forum!</p>
<p>terig, you CAN start your own thread! Just try to start ones on each topic you have. Like this thread was on Northwestern. Start a thread asking something else, such as about Syracuse if you want (in addition to reading old threads). See the list of subject threads on the MT Forum? At the top of the list of thread topics, there is a button that says, “new thread” and if you click it, you can start a new discussion like you did this time but on a new topic. Please do not hesitate to start something new. I was just suggesting that a good place to start is to read existing threads on each school or other topics and then you find out a lot and then start threads on new questions or topics.</p>
<p>Terig – it’s pretty overwhelming, isn’t it?!! I sent you a PM re: Syracuse – it’s easier to chat that way.</p>