There’s been a lot of talk about what people are doing or considering if they don’t get into a BFA program for Musical Theatre, and it seems a useful thread on its own for discussion. Basically I see it breaking down to three options, all of which have merit:
Take a gap year to develop skills, research schools, and/or get an audition coach.
Go to a non-audition BA program - sometimes at preferred school - the with the idea to re-audition and/or transfer.
Go to an audition or non-audition BA/BFA program and bloom where planted.
My D is in this situation, but we discussed it before the audition process and it was part of her school selection. She auditioned in three state schools (in Virginia) and was accepted in theatre to all of them. (We had figured on two out of three, so bonus.) She applied to MT programs in another six schools, but didn’t get in those programs. Right now, we’re looking at Option 3: Bloom where planted. We’re both getting okay with it and seeing some advantages for her over the MT programs, like location, cost (SO much cheaper!), flexibility, and connections - both friends she knows there and to the local theatre/music scene. It’s not how we would have wished it all go down, but it will be okay.
So how are other people handling or preparing for not getting in an MT BFA program?
Good for you @MReader and D! There are so many paths in this business, and a BFA MT/Acting degree is not necessary! Actually, we have quite a few friends on Broadway and they all told my daughter NOT to get a BFA MT degree. They all suggested to get a BA in something else and still pursue MT/Acting. Have always loved the statement “Bloom Where Planted”.
Yes, thanks for the thread. In someways, I wish the final decisions would come in so that we can just move on…like ripping off a band-aid. I am amazed how this whole process has paralyzed me.
Thanks for this thread. Brutal, humbling, educational. If D doesn’t get into her dream school(s), the plan is to go her first year at Cal State Fullerton. She’s already been accepted academically, and freshman are started right away with voice and acting classes. Fullerton is a “cut” school so freshman are required to audition their spring semester if they want to continue MT. She’ll audition, but in addition, she’ll probably go back to unifieds or some on campus auditions…WAAAAAAAAAAAAY better prepared.
Thanks for starting this thread. Totally draining experience and one feels so helpless. Kudos to our kids who are absolutely amazing in their passion and pursuit!!At this time for us there are still schools to hear from but judging by the trend so far for us it is most likely total rejection across the board. Moving onward, I guess I am still wondering what is the best choice going forward- spend tons of money on a safety BA school or take a BA redirect to a school where there is a BFA and even harder competition to get any performing opportunities with the hope that one can transfer? how does one continue private training?
Thank you for starting this thread @MReader! I would love to hear what others are planning to do! And I couldn’t agree more @Ouiser!! This process has been something I could have never imagined!! My husband gets upset with me for looking at CC, because he thinks it causes me more anxiety. As if!! But there is comfort to be found on here. I too wish I had gotten on here sooner…like two years ago. We have one yes for MT BFA, at a backup school. Trying to make that final decision of grow where planted?, Gap year?or BA at a top choice school? And really looking forward to a good nights sleep when this is all over! (
I should add that despite having a plan, the six rejections from MT programs were not expected, easy, or fun. She auditioned for schools that were a little less selective or where her strengths seemed to make for a better fit. She also visited many of the schools, thinking displayed interest might help - as it often does for regular colleges. We weren’t naive about the competitiveness, but did underestimate it. The best things she did was stay open to theatre programs and stay humble along the way.
@Ouiser Agreed! This waiting for the remaining unknowns is slowly killing us! I can’t wait until it is over so we can take the next step - even though we aren’t sure what that will be. D has “No’s” and several wait-lists but no “Yes’s.” She got a no yesterday that really hit me hard - physically sick. Such a frustrating process!!
If you can save a lot of money on tuition/room&board at a non-BFA during the school year, you may have the $$$ to get your kid involved in summer intensives in NYC and elsewhere.
It is a very humbling process indeed. A year ago, we were exactly sitting where you are right now. 5 waitlists and a lot of rejections. Hang in there. Those waitlists may change. My daughter came off 2 waitlists at the end of April. The stress is overwhelming, but things can change. Good luck !!
I can definitely relate! This process is so hard! I definitely think that it’s a good idea to bloom where planted. Your daughter can still audition for shows and take voice lessons and continue to grow as a performer, while still getting a solid liberal arts education. And one thing that this process has made me realize is that I’ll continue to perform as much as I can, no matter what… and that took a huge weight off my shoulders. That BFA isn’t everything.
As others have noted, you don’t have to pursue a BFA in MT in college to pursue a career in the field. The options that MReader noted have all been used successfully by students who found themselves without a BFA MT option, or without one that felt like the right fit for them.
It’s been noted in other threads that there are still schools with April audition dates. There are also schools where you are admitted into the BA program, and then audition freshman or sophomore year to move into the BFA track. In those schools, everyone starts out as a BA. The one I am most familiar with is Hofstra, as it was a school that my D applied to and was very interested in. I just checked their website to make sure things hadn’t changed. They are still accepting applications to the university, and they still follow the BA to BFA process. Hofstra offers a BFA in Performance, and they have an MT minor. http://www.hofstra.edu/academics/colleges/hclas/dd/dd-prog-drama.html
Adding another school This is an unbelievably stressful process. Please be kind to yourselves!
My daughter chose an audition based BA MT program. She made the decision to go to that school back in November after she was accepted into the MT program. We had a nice list of schools that she was planning on auditioning at, and we were planning to go to Unified in Chicago. After she was admitted to the BA MT school and we visited it several times, she chose to stop the audition process. She loves MT and all things theatre, but after lots of soul searching she decided she wanted to be able to double major as well. She can do that with a BA. It helps that she has 30 hours of dual credit which will all transfer. She said that she is looking at college as her training period and will pursue her dream after college. So she is basically blooming where she is planted:) The best part is, we will not be in a ton of debt. Her college of choice is extremely affordable!
I think it is easy to get caught up in all the hype of “having to go to a ivy league MT program” here at CC. However, I just don’t believe that is true. I believe hard work will pay off no matter where you go to school for your training. Yes, the road may be harder without a lot of connections, but I think it is still doable. I will say that my d loves all things theatre and although she dreams of Broadway, she is ok with being behind the stage as well. Her BA MT program will train her in all aspects of theatre, not just MT.
@astute12 Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. You may not realize how much we needed to hear a “congratulations!” Just wanted you to know it meant a lot to my D.
@momma2a your daughter is a dong the same route as my daughter. Don’t be afraid she won’t make connections. My daughter has made amazing connections in the business already and was even offered a PA job this past January to a Broadway performer but had to turn it down because she is only a junior. A BA offers just as incredible learning experiences as a BFA. Any training she feels she is missing can be done in the summer with all the money you are saving in tuition. And she can start off her dreams debt free! Brava!
Did any of your kids audition for Cornish? I could be wrong but I think it’s an easier admit and they gave my D the most money of anyone. She wasn’t going to apply there but they kept emailing her and offering her an appointment at NYC Unifieds so she did it kind of last minute. I haven’t heard much about it at all on any of the boards.
@bisouu Thank you so much for the encouragement! She is already booked this summer. She has a paid supporting role, and will be camp counselor with our big theatre company in town. She is also a very gifted artist, and will work art camps at our local Clay Cafe, and will be painting personal orders as well. So she keeps busy, doing what she loves! She is a go getter and gets herself out there and networks. She also just found out that she got a paid promotion role to help promote one of our theatre’s shows that is about to open. This is a show she did not audition for because at the time of auditions, we thought we would be in the midst of major college auditions. She regrets not auditioning:( She is excited to be a part of the promotional team though… and even more excited that she gets paid to do it! LOL
The best part of going the BA route is the $$$!!! Oh my goodness, we are saving loads of money. After merit and talent awards, we will not have to take out any loans at all. My d also wants to apply to be an RA for her Sophomore year, and if she gets selected, her room and board will be paid for. That will be a huge blessing. There have been other MT majors who have been RA’s, so I think it will be doable for her.
OH… one other plus… she will only be 2 hours from home!!! This mom will be a mess when she leaves, and I am so thankful that she is only a short car ride away.
