I was just accepted to Point Park’s BFA Acting program. I’m very excited and have heard some great things about the program, but I’m just wondering if anyone who previously has been accepted/knows anyone in the program/goes to the program would be able to give some information? Thank you so much.
A close immediate family member is a professor in the acting classes there and I’ve visited several times.
Heard a lot about the brand new building and theater. It was amazing. The set design and wood shop with all the latest gadgets embedded into the complex is fantastic too.
There’s a vibrant theatre community in Pittsburgh. Really supportive of the arts and with cmu, Pitt and Duquesne there it’s a lovely and active area/place for students.
If you have a specific question I can ask directly or answer if I know. I’ve heard a lot about many of the students being successful and also the academic non BFA classes are rigorous.
Lots of talent there and congrats on the acceptance and obviously a great audition.
@gold24 and @privatebanker my D has also been accepted to the Acting program. Her audition was with John McManus and another woman but I don’t recall her name. My D really connected with John.
I have had a PM exchange with a parent whose D is a senior in the MT program. Here is what I have learned:
Pros:
Supportive teachers, great city, and the MT students can take classes with the dance majors (see my questions below regarding the MT minor). And the new theater is incredible.
All BFA Acting and MT students participate in the Showcase. This is a change in the last 2 years and the website still makes it seem like you have to audition. They prepare for showcase in a capstone like class senior year. This year they had Merri Sugarman from Tara Rubin casting and Rachel Hoffman from Binder casting, both in NYC, come to Pittsburgh several times to help them choose and work on their showcase material.
Cons:
Dorms not nice but most students move out after first year.
Super competitive casting for main stage shows. All BFA Acting, MT, BA Theater arts and BFA Dance kids can audition, so not guaranteed for the MainStage shows (That being said, there are also other performance opportunities. Each year there’s a BC/EFA showcase fundraiser. There’s a student run group, Pinnacle productions, that does three shows each semester. And frankly, most of the learning and growing takes place in the classroom.)
@privatebanker here are some of my other questions:
My D would want to do the MT Minor
- Is that feasible if you are in the Acting program?
- How does the audition for that minor work?
- How many students do they accept into the minor?
- How does she get voice and dance with the minor? Is there additional cost?
- How can she get voice and dance if she doesn’t get into the MT minor?
- Do the Acting, MT and Theater Arts kids all take the same classes?
- What is the average class size?
- Are there classes that are just for the BFA Acting students?
- How many master classes do they have each year? Can we get names of who they had come in for the last 2 years? Are these classes for all BFA Acting, MT and BA Theater Arts kids?
- Has anyone gotten representation from the showcase?
- Is there a study broad program?
- Do their acting students get work? What are they doing?
Thanks in advance for your help! Given that school visits can’t happen this year gathering as much info as possible right now. Also hoping to get my D in contact with other Acting students there.
@Abutilon – I’ll follow this too. Thanks for posting. I believe questions 4 & 6 are answered on the PP web site. (except additional cost question) They list all the classes (required core, major, elective options) for each concentration. Also – for question 11, PP has details on its web site about Study Abroad partners / options, and who is eligible based on major
I’m the BFA MT mom If anyone has questions about PPU, feel free to PM me and I’ll do my best to answer promptly and honestly. I know it’s crazy with on line classes for the rest of the semester and no opportunity to visit.