<p>Hi everyone! So recently my peak performance coach (I guess you could call her that?) opened my eyes up to new possibilities. She does not view me as the leading man in musical theatre (not that she doesn't think that I couldn't become one!), but more as the character type that often has the supporting roles. She told me to look at schools where the students get to study all aspects of theatre (and I recently have started to write, and am curently working on writing a musical, which is in the very preliminary stages but I'm still excited about it). So I think that a BA in theatre studies or anything like that might be better for me than a BFA. But at schools that offer BA theatre programs, can you still get private vocal instruction and take dance classes (Because these skills are still very important to me). Also, do they prepare the students to be performers (even if not to the extent of a BFA program)? Because I still want emphasis on performance as well. Any of your thoughts on potential schools or other ideas would be very helpful! Thank you!</p>
<p>Northwestern, American, Muhlenberg, Adelphi (just off the top of my head)</p>
<p>James Madison, UCLA, Wagner</p>
<p>Ball State</p>
<p>Indiana University has a very strong BFA program, but its BA program is also good and allows more flexibility; many of my friends are in the BA program and take private voice and dance.</p>
<p>University of Southern California has a great BA with many minors to pair it with</p>
<p>Oklahoma City University, Elon and Muhlenberg would be my top choices.</p>
<p>Thank you those! And yeah I’m still not sure if I’m going to be applying to all BAs or a mix of BFAs and BAs. I guess it doesn’t really matter to me what the name of the degree is as long as it meets my expectations. I just have another question. Would going to a school that has a BFA and a BA program be detrimental? Would be the BFA’s get more attention than the BA’s (or would it just be different?) Right now I’m a little weary about going to a BA program in a school that also has a BFA program. But do I really need to be, or not?</p>
<p>If you think you could be happy doing anything other than a BFA program, you should go for it! The competition for BFA programs is so intense, that if you are happy with another option, you would most likely be happier in the long run to do the BA program. From hearing what your interests are, it sounds like you would love the BA Theatrical Studies Option at Ball State; you are able to take acting and dance classes, as well as voice lessons, and there are also directing and playwriting courses available. In fact, the coordinator of the Theatre Studies Option is a playwright herself, as well as a director and teacher. </p>
<p>To answer your most recent question, I don’t think it would be harmful to your education, because the BFA programs are simply more focused on acting or musical theatre. You would be able to study more things than if you are in a BFA program.</p>
<p>If you have any more questions, I would be glad you answer anything you are curious about!</p>
<p>thank you, Taylor11. Sorry I couldn’t get back to you until now, I’ve had no power for quite some time now… Anyway, as for my question, are the permance opportunities and performance training in BA program with a BFA also limited? Like, would a school give all their permance options to the BFA and none to the BA’s? I mean obviously the BA program would be less focused on performance than the BFA, but it’s still very important to me and I’d like to have lots of opportunities to perform. And thanks for the suggestion. I’ll look into that program at Ball State.</p>
<p>A school with both a BFA and a BA program is likely to favor the BFA students in class selection, and casting. There are exceptions to every rule, of course, but in general if you are interested in a BA degree, you might want to look for a school that does not also have a BFA program.</p>
<p>For example, a friend’s daughter is a senior at a large university which has both BFA and BA programs. She is a very talented singer, and feels she has received a very well-rounded education, and has auditioned for but has never been cast in main-stage productions; and as a BA student has been unable to register for some of the theater classes which are required for BFA students.</p>
<p>BFA here at Ball State. Last year Mushnik (one of the biggest leads) in little shop was a BA and plenty of roles are cast as BA’s. The parts go to the people in the auditions that fit them best, because every director wants the show to be all that it can be. Generally, it happens that that is the BFA student, but they are there to train just in performance, thus getting an edge.</p>
<p>But you can always audition for the performance option (BFA). Not every role is a leading man. And even if that doesnt work out, there is always the BA</p>
<p>I always try to warn people against attending schools with B.A.s where they had originally auditioned for the BFA. I don’t know if it would be the same for you, but often feel they are “lesser” even if the school or the other students don’t view them that way. A BA is a very different degree than a BFA, and I think you realize that, but I just want to make sure you are confident in your decision to chose a BA over a BFA so you don’t end up feeling second-rate at a school where you originally ‘dreamed’ of being in the BFA.</p>
<p>I also think that it is wonderful you are having this realization now as opposed to later, but don’t think that just because one person doesn’t see you as a leading man doesn’t mean you aren’t one in many other people’s eyes. Also don’t think that even if you AREN’T the typical leading man you shouldn’t pursue a BFA if that is really what you want. Programs are looking for all different types, men especially, and if you are the supporting best friend, you will fill that role in a BFA class somewhere. </p>
<p>I am not pushing you away from the BA track, it is a wonderful well-rounded degree if you are interested in other aspects other than performing (like writing!) but don’t jump the gun on something you previously felt confident about just because some hesitations have come up.</p>
<p>AlexaMT, what you say is very true and was my big fear, about accepting the BA when I wasn’t going to be a BFA. Ultimately, it wasn’t true for me, I think, because we are a smaller school and because of the people in our program, but I may be the rare exception! </p>
<p>And you are even more right about the type; there are more roles in theatre than just “leading man” and “old man”! Perhaps not the same number or extent of it but still, there are a need for you. Perhaps even a preference, for the diversity and interest. </p>
<p>Props to you, the original poster, for honestly considering yourself and what you want to do, and for recognizing the potential of the BA! From what you write, it sounds like you are looking for a very strong BA program in a not-too big or prestigious school. I hope you find one!</p>
<p>Thank you guys. And yeah, I really wouldn’t think I’d feel comfortable going to a BA where there is an auditioned BFA. I mean it might be ok depending on the scenario, but I might feel inferior to BFA’s if I did that (and I really don’t want to feel like I’m getting less training and not having to live up to the same expectations as BFA students). Thank you, SongSearcher. I really don’t think that BA’s should be looked upon negatively, because I tend to think they are looked upon as a backup all the time. And come to think of it, it might even help my performance to be more well rounded than just taking strictly performance classes all the time! And yeah, I’m really gonna have to look for a strong BA program in a somewhat small school. I want to be a big fish in a small pond.</p>
<p>In response to Alexa,</p>
<p>At Ball State at least, there is definitely no “lesser” between the BA or the BFA. There is a huge respect from the BFA students to the BA students because it takes a whole lot more than just performers to put on a show. The same is true vice versa. Most of the Theatrical Studies majors branch off into their own specialty of theatre, such as dramaturgy, design/tech, production, etc etc. And everyone has their plates full with classes and putting on the shows.</p>
<p>Reinforcing that is the fact that the BA’s that study production or stage management and things like will be, essentially, who the performance option will be auditioning and working for in the real world.</p>
<p>There is no hierarchy. Everyone just has their roles to fulfill, and everyone has immense respect for that fact.</p>