<p>Alright. I'm new here, and am a junior in high school. I want to go into school for theatre, but my parents are not for it. They want a school highly regarded for its academics. Does anyone have a. any advice on how to deal with this and/or b. some suggestions for schools that have both good academics and good theatre programs?
Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>U of Arizona has a good theatre program. Two choices...BFA for those that get in via audition or a regular BA. With the BA you will have more of a liberal arts education with all the other requirements for graduation, with the BFA you will spend more time with theatre classes as a whole. You should look for programs that offer some flexibilty 9for mom and dad) and check out Dramatics Magazine put out by the Educational Theatre Association @ edta.org There are many fine programs out there, many only admit via audition. Keep doing your homework and keep checking out CC. You'll find lots of info here. Keep in mind, the highest you can achieve in the theatre genre would be a MFA unless your concentration is on Theatre History/analysis/theory (and the like) which would be PhD.</p>
<p>the vast majority of the best theatre schools are excellent academically..
CMU-outstanding school, outstanding theatre
northwestern-same
Emerson-less strong on the acaedemics
And the holy grail of MFAs is at no other than yale</p>
<p>CMU is an excellent academic institution. But if you are an acting major, you won't be taking many of those excellent liberal arts courses your parents are concerned about. The acting BFA at CMU is amazing, but it doesn't leave much room for studying the liberal arts. </p>
<p>One reason my D chose NYU/Tisch (where she is a musical theater major, but there are many acting studios) is because of the opportunity to take excellent liberal arts courses in addition to her acting and studio classes.</p>
<p>Yeah, Tisch is my top choice. I'm also looking at St.Andrews/RSAMD because my mom wants to ship me off there. Also, BU, GWU, Northwestern. And then Northeastern and Syracuse as kinda lower fits/safeties for the most part.
This pressure is just ridiculous!</p>
<p>Remember that in order to declare the Drama major at Syracuse you have to audition for and be accepted to the Drama program. this is highly competitive... so -- although Syracuse may be an academic safety, the acceptance to the department is not a safety for anyone. No audition based program can be considered a safety. </p>
<p>Have you looked at Muhlenberg. A good academic school with a good thetare program. I would also look at Vassar, Williams, Skidmore, Wesleyan, Bard, Brown, Columbia, Barnard (if you are a female).</p>
<p>ANY by-audition program is not a safety! And Syracuse's BFA in drama or musical theater are NOT safeties for anyone, anytime. SU has a highly competitive acting and musical theater program and they are very particular about whom they choose. </p>
<p>As Kat mentions, Muhlenberg might be a better option for a true safety, as it does not require an audition. However, MC is a very, very popular school which takes upwards of 60% its kids early decision, which leaves plenty of competition for those remaining 40% of slots.</p>
<p>I know a few kids who had excellent grades, tons of APs and so on who did not get in on the regular decision round because (I would guess) Muhlenberg could tell that it was a safety because these kids didn't show any interest in the place: didn't visit, etc. </p>
<p>I want to reiterate what the college admissions experts say, which is: LOVE YOUR SAFETY because you might just end up there.</p>
<p>I'll echo the earlier suggestion of Skidmore. Great theater program as well as wonderful liberal arts education. Opportunity to double major or major/minor - even with Theatre major. Their productions are extremely well done, and students work all aspects of production - lots of chances for hands on work in theater - performing/tech/directing/designing... It's worth a look. Good luck!</p>
<p>Are your parents afraid that you won't be able to make a living in theater or related disciplines?</p>
<p>Yes I am a female, and I did mean Syracuse was an academic safety, I know that audition schools can never be safeties. But thanks everyone for the advice. My parents are basically being unsupportive and trying to dissuade me without actually saying it.</p>