<p>I've been browsing around the forums for quite some time now, and I'm pretty sure it's just due my incapability to do a proper search that I can't find the answers I need. :P</p>
<p>1) BFA vs. BA in a theatre major - I know BFA is more rigorous, but are graduates who have done BFA more successful than those with a BA degree? Those who go to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (in the UK), for instance, do a BA (Hons) program, and most move on to very successful careers. That said, I don't live in the UK; I live on the west-coast of the US and am likely to continue onto college over here (nothing's set in stone, though.), and I know it's a lake full of creative fish. Which kind of degree leads to more success?</p>
<p>2) Are dual degrees / double majors possible if you decide on BFA? What about a BA?</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your time! (Don't worry about workloads; nothing is set in stone, but I just want to get a grasp on how things work at a university with a strong theatre program.)</p>
<p>Idk but if it is more than just one degree you wanna choose, I would go with BA. But that’s just me sooo yaahhhh. This is Vanessa Hudgens (REAL)</p>
<p>A BFA is not necessarily more rigorous than a BA… the focus is often just a bit different. in most BFA program you will take more classes in the major than in most BA programs, but balancing high level training classes with high level academics in a BA program is certainly rigorous. Most BFA programs will also require students to take some general education courses and more academically based theatre classes… so there is balance there as well. Most BA programs have a balance of 30% - 60% of the required course work in the major and 70% - 40% of the required course work outside of the major. Most BFA programs have a balance of 60% - 90% of the required coursework in the major and 10% - 40% of the required course work outside of the major. Although depending on the program you may be able to take many more courses inside or outside of the major to create more of a focus inside of the major, or offer the opportunity for course work outside of the major. It will really vary from school to school. </p>
<p>Students graduating from BFA programs have no more of a guarantee of success in the professional world than students graduating from BA programs. Some schools (both BA and BFA) are more well known in the industry than others… graduating from a school that is more well known in a particular market can ease the transition into that professional market, but in the end it all comes down to your audition, suitability for the role, etc… </p>
<p>In terms of double majoring… this can be easier in many BA programs than BFA programs… simply because BA programs tend to have a more flexible curriculum and fewer required courses in the major… HOWEVER, this is not always the case, and it is important to check with each school on your list individually. </p>
<p>1) BFA vs. BA in a theatre major -
What leads to more success is what works for you. And partially depends on the school. BFAs are a lot more rigorous but all you learn is acting or musical theatre. I am a BA and biased but I am taking BFA courses and keeping up with my classes. Really, it’s all a matter of taking what you learn. </p>
<p>2) Are dual degrees / double majors possible if you decide on BFA? What about a BA?</p>
<p>It’s very difficult (not impossible) for a BFA to double major/minor unless it’s music or dance (hand in hand). BAs, however, can and will, often encouraged to and at my school, required to pick one up.</p>
The degree names in the UK are reversed in meaning from ours. The UK BA is more like our BFA and vice versa. Actually, their BA is more akin to an American CONSERVATORY BFA like Juilliard, Rutgers, UNCSA, etc. and really might be better compared to our MFA in that students are presumed to have sufficient general knowledge upon entry and their entire three years is devoted exclusively to training with no conventional academics offered or required.</p>
<p>Also, as has been pointed out, you can’t really draw conclusions about the success rate of any degree name. That depends on what you mean by “success” and you can rest assured that it is very low regardless of degree. The only real exception to that is in the world of high end repertory theatre where the dominant degree is far and away the MFA with conservatory BFAs coming in a somewhat distant second. In that world, actors under the age of forty playing major roles with bare BA or liberal arts heavy BFA degrees are fairly rare. So, it basically doesn’t matter unless your aspiration is to play leading Shakespearean roles at the Guthrie, South Coast Rep, OSF, etc.</p>
<p>You probably want to decide if you want to live, eat, breathe theater 24/7 or if you want lots of diverse experiences. Neither is “good” or “bad”. My S could not imagine doing anything else and can’t stand the fact that he has to take AP Stats, Am Gov and Physics his last year of HS. His idea of heaven is a BFA. My neighbors D got a theater BA from FSU and minored in communications. She works at a firm that uses her communications skills and they are flexible enough that she can act in commercials, local theater in Chicago and she just finished a TV pilot. So she was able to combine all her education to actually get jobs!</p>
<p>You have to consider what you want your college experience to be…</p>
<p>That makes sense. I’d like to do theatre, but my parents would also like for me to pursue an academic field as well, which makes sense to me. So I’ll pursue psychology as well, I suppose.</p>