<p>I am in high school right now and I am looking into going towards a Drama Major. But my mom does not approve of it. I need information to show her all the possibilities that can come with a Drama Major. Right now I am thinking of going into Acting. I plan to get a MFA in Teaching so I can Act and Teach Drama. Also I'm thinking of going to Juilliard or New York University. Is there anyone that can tell me about these schools? I've already looked at their websites and other college info. But I haven't found much on reviews from people who have attended. If you have any information on other good schools then please share that as well.</p>
<p>Hi mattslick1 -- you have a lot of different questions and ideas, but I will do my best to respond.... hoping that others will chime in :)!</p>
<p>Drama Major prospects -- There jobs that a drama major can prepare you for.... of course a career as a performer, but also designer, technician, manager, agent, stage manager, casting director, director, teacher etc.. I received my BFA in Musical Theatre performance, worked as a professional performer, taught HS theatre, went to graduate school for directing, was a professional freelance director, and now am the artistic director at a summer theatre and coordinate the musical theatre concentration at a university. I went to school with people who are now lawyers, doctors, therapists, paralegals, producers, agents, managers, performers, directors, etc.... a college degree is a college degree in terms of the basic pre-requisit for advanced schooling. Some of the people I know who went into medicine or counseling in particular needed to take a semester to a year of additional course work to prepare for their graduate level schooling, but in the scheme of things this was small and they are now through graduate school and successful in their chosen fields. I am not sure that a degree in theatre is any less practical than a degree in english, history, or philosophy :). Particularly if you choose to pursue a BA degree or a BFA at a school that has a heavier general education core. Hopefully, this may be useful informatiuon when talking to your mom...</p>
<p>If you want to teach drama at the HS level in a public school in most states you will need to become a certified teacher... the way to do this as a theatre teacher will vary from state to state. It is worth contacting the universities you are interested in attending, or the teacher certification office in your state to find out what the process would be in your state. You do not need the same certification to teach in many private schools, but many schools with larger programs hire theatre teachers with a masters degree in theatre... private schools with smaller programs will often hire an english/ theatre teacher... or history/ theatre teacher. On the college level you will need an MFA or a PhD.... with the MFA you would most likely also need professional experience to secure an full time teaching position at a university.... with a PhD you would most likely need to be published in the field and/ or need professional experience.</p>
<p>Julliard or NYU -- are you thinking of these schools for undergraduate or graduate school. NYU has both undergraduate and graduate training. </p>
<p>Julliard has undergraduate and certificate training for actors.... From the website -- The Actor Training Program is a four-year professional program leading either to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree, with liberal arts requirements, or to a Diploma, without liberal arts requirements. The Diploma option is selected by those individuals who already have a baccalaureate degree. </p>
<p>Juilliard acting students who are not already college graduates pursue the B.F.A. In addition to the drama-related studies, the four-year degree program requires 24 credits from Juilliard's Interdivisional Liberal Arts curriculum. Students who already have a baccalaureate degree usually choose the Diploma option, without liberal arts requirements. Either option requires four years of residency at Juilliard regardless of previous study elsewhere.</p>
<p>Each incoming class of 18 students moves as a group through the four years of training."</p>
<p>Julliard does not offer an MFA or PhD -- meaning that if you attended Julliard for four years after receiving your undergraduate degree, you still would not be eligible at most colleges and universities to teach. This does not mean that it does not provide wonderful training for actors.... just that it does not offer the "terminal degree" program for college level teaching at most colleges and universities</p>
<p>NYU --- offers both undergraduate and graduate training programs. Both have strong reputations for excellent training. </p>
<p>There are MANY good schools for undergraduate theatre training. I would suggest that you brainstorm and write down th kinds of things that you are looking for in undergraduate school. This will help you narrow down possibilities when you are looking at schools.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>