<p>So I attended an audition where dozens of schools were there and OCU called me back. Their BFA acting program accepted me, but they said I would have to travel to OCU to audition for the musical theater program. However, several of the people said that at OCU, since the musical theater degree was a music degree and not a theater degree, it would be better to go into the acting program instead of the musical theater program and take extra musical theater classes. Can someone familiar with OCU comment on this? Thanks!</p>
<p>My D was also accepted to the OCU BFA Acting program over the MT program last year. From what we were told there is a lot of cross-over and everyone can audition for all types of shows. Those we know in the MT program there seem to have more focused Classical training.</p>
<p>@boone7
My comments as a parent:</p>
<p>S #1 was accepted into OCU last year in both MT and VP. (He opted to attend FSU as a BM MT) The MT degree at OCU is a BM (as opposed to a BFA). As a parent who attended the auditions with him, researched the program, toured the school and facilities, and observed a musical rehearsal, it is a very fine program. The school is very small, has an emphasis on religious education, and is not, however, in an ideal area of Oklahoma City. The performance and practice facilities are exceptionally good. In my parent opinion, the strength of their program is the voice training. They obviously have star power who graduated from the School, Kelli Ohara and Kristin Chenoweth come to mind (both however earned VP degrees if I’m not mistaken). If I were you, I would thoroughly investigate their theatre program. Ask lots of questions. We found their staff to be very helpful. Best wishes.</p>
<p>It really depends what you want out of your degree at OCU. You will be able to audition for musicals and plays regardless of which degree that you choose. If you go into theatre, you will not have as much access to dance and voice classes which are requirements for MT. If you go into theatre, you will have the opportunity to take many more acting classes than the MTs. The MT degree at OCU is extremely demanding in theory, music classes, sight reading, conducting, classical voice, and has more classes in math, science, English ect. It is not for everyone. If you have not had much of a background in music, it will be a hard curriculum. </p>
<p>Let me know if I can answer any specific questions for you. My D received an MT degree and her roommate received a BFA theatre. Both girls loved their curriculum and both girls are now successful actors.</p>
<p>@actormom1
I do have a strong music background, but the theater representative said that in the theater program you have access to all the voice and dance classes (do you know if that’s true?) and instead of taking certain music courses, you take extra acting classes, which could be better if the goal is to become a working actor. My concern is that if there is too much of a focus on things like music theory it could take away from the performance training. (Not that music theory isn’t essential, I just don’t think it needs to be a main focus for what I want) I do consider myself a musical theater actor first and foremost. Since you have had experience with both programs, any personal information on differences between the programs would be much appreciated!</p>
<p>Hello! Senior MT major here. Thought I would chime in on the differences between the MT program and the acting program. The two programs are EXTREMELY different. In the music school you will have access to the main voice faculty, which I think is OCU’s strongest selling point personally, whereas in the acting program, you will only have access to the school’s adjunct faculty, who are still all fine voice teachers and have produced great students, but there is a difference in quality. However in MT, while you are allowed to take acting classes, since the program is so intensive there is hardly any time to take extra classes. If you are looking for a more acting based program, OCU MT is probably not your best bet. If you want to go for high quality vocal training though, OCU MT or OCU VP is definitely for you! The vocal talent at this school is ASTOUNDING. Acting suffers, at least in the music school. I am not too familiar with the acting program, but I personally would think there are stronger acting programs out there from the few plays I have seen. The two programs are pretty separate. BUT, starting this year (after I graduate of course!) all the MT acting classes will be with the acting students, so perhaps that problem will be solved! MT students definitely have much more access to the dance school since they are required to take 12 dance classes as opposed to 3 in the acting program, so MT students have first pick, but most acting students I know who want to take more dance classes are allowed to. If you are looking for stellar vocal training, go to OCU MT/VP program. If you are looking for a true triple threat program, or a more acting based program, I would honestly look elsewhere. OR if you are not looking to take INTENSE music theory and other very hard music classes and want to focus more on the actual performance aspect, possibly look elsewhere. Just my own personal opinion. 
(sorry if this is a choppy post, writing very quickly!)</p>