Hi all, new here.
Currently trying to pursue a career in Acting, preferably Musical Theatre. Unfortunately, I didn’t pursue it earlier in life and am now beyond the typical college age. I also already have a BA in Political Science.
I feel like my options for Musical Theatre are limited. Are there any schools out there with a BA/BFA in Acting/Musical Theatre that will take older students who already have a Bachelor’s? Or maybe a Masters for someone without a theatre degree? What about in London?
I kind of figure my only option is going to be studying at independent studios in NYC like Esper, Adler, etc. and taking private voice/dance classes. But I feel like I’m missing out on the well-rounded, combined training found in university theatre programs.
Thanks for any suggestions.
I believe there is a BFA student at Tx State who is in her 40s (based on a FB post of someone I went to HS with)
There was a man in the class ahead of my S at CCPA who had another bachelor’s degree in something else and was 5-6 years older than the other kids.
There was also a man late 20’s/early 30’s a couple of classes ahead of my D at Wright State.
If you already have a BA, you might consider doing a 2-year conservatory program like CAP21, rather than a four-year BFA. That way you’d have the “integrated” MT program you want, with combined acting, singing, and dance, but without having to take four whole years and take gen ed classes along with it. You already have a college degree, after all.
There is a rising senior at Ithaca MT who already has a Bachelor degree in something else and is 5 years older than the other kids.
There are always nontraditional students in colleges, including for acting. Just be aware that in some small programs, you may feel out of place depending on your age and personality. This would be something only you could sense.
Another idea would be to pursue your MFA or MA. Do you have any experience or training now? You could build your experience - community theatre, semi pro, pro - and you could also take classes at many excellent acting programs like CITS or many others if you live close to NYC. If you don’t live close, you could move there, and take classes, in one of those schools, and also you could take voice and dance lessons. This would build your resume and give you valuable experience. It doesn’t have to be NYC, although that’s probably the place with the most opportunities for MT: you could do this - take classes, work, and audition - in any number of American cities with a strong theatre presence, e.g. Chicago, LA & many many other cities too numerous to mention. Who knows, you could even find MT success that way alone.
Then, if you wished, after building your resume, you could then apply for a Masters in London or an MFA over here.
This might be a better use of your money/time than going the double-BA/BFA route, which is very expensive.
Regardless what you decide, I don’t think it’s ever too late to start. Being older in fact may make you stand out more and make you more marketable on graduation.
Another program to look at is Circle in the Square it is not a degree granting program but I hear it’s excellent training.
@KTVoice, yes, CITS I referred to is Circle in the Square. 