<p>Ok, so I'm planning on transferring from Louisiana State University to a school with a BFA or BA program for Musical Theatre. I am well aware of the top schools (Boco, CCM, CMU, NYU Tisch, etc.) but I am really not capable of paying the full tuition for those schools. Therefore, I am looking into other schools and I wanted to get reviews or opinions from a wide range of people about the programs. Any information about the scholarship distribution, and the training philosophy (individual attention given to the majors, focus on perfecting the individual artist) would be appreciated too! Here is the list of the programs:</p>
<p>-Point Park University
-Columbia College Chicago
-Roosevelt University
-East Carolina University
-Wright State University
-Western Michigan University
-Montclair State University
-University of Northern Colorado
-Viterbo University</p>
<p>You certainly should check out Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC…It has a wonderful BFA MT program and there are lots of exciting things going on down there! Each year the program is getting more established and well-known! Check it out…</p>
<p>Each of the schools you listed has a sub-forum on the MT page shown towards the top of the main MT page. You can probably get most of your questions answered by perusing the existing threads on the individual school pages. You will also probably get more focused and detailed responses on the school pages to additional questions you have.</p>
<p>Since you include schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, you may also want to look at University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The school offers substantial University merit/talent scholarships of up to $12,000/year and there are some additional need based and departmental scholarships. UArts is also listed among the individual school sub-forums.</p>
<p>You may want to add Webster University to your list. Not sure of your academic status but they offered a substantial scholarship to my D last year that brought her education costs to within $21,000 a yr and it’s a great program for the right student. It’s in St. Louis, MO.</p>
<p>Thanks for that info! I have viewed some of your threads and you talked about why you chose UArts for a school. UArts sounds perfect for me by what you described. But since you know the quality of that program, would you think that I would get adequate enough training here at LSU to be successful in this buisness. LSU offers a Theatre major and I can also minor in music and dance. Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>Sorry. Though the question was asked directly to another person, I am going to beg forgiveness but still interject. It is rare for anyone from the outside of any program to have the ability to assess a program for you. There are two huge variables. First, nobody knows your ability to train within the style of that program. Secondly, unless the adjudicator has intimate knowledge of the program (and that is rarely possible) they can only assess the rather tenuous “reputation” of the program. The questions you ask, while valid, are difficult (at best) to answer. Programs are right for some people, and not right for others. </p>
<p>Success in the business is only partially dependent on training. Where you train isn’t as important as how much you take advantage of the training that is available. Going to school “A” won’t get you work anymore than going to school “B.” Talent, work ethic, attention to craft, entrepreneurship, and a little luck now and again. Those get you work.</p>
<p>Successful actors have come from LSU. Successful actors have come from the chemistry major at small midwestern liberal arts schools. The wherewithal comes from you. I wish you nothing but the absolute best.</p>
<p>If you are looking for an affordable school with an incredibly intense BFA MT training program that also accepts transfers, I would highly recommend looking into Ball State.</p>
<p>Of course I’m biased because I am a student here, but not only is it a wonderful place to go to college, but the training will push you to your limit, and (this goes along with kjgc’s comment) it will make you all that you make yourself.</p>
<p>Kjgc, as always, you are “spot on” in your advice. Well-said. My sophomore D is at a program that so far has been a tremendous fit for her, thankfully, and she knows that at the end of the day she’s getting a good foundation…but the rest is up to her and all of those traits you mention…and then I feel like the “luck” thing might just happen.</p>
<p>Kittyonstage, I agree with much of what kjgc states, particularly with respect to the second and third paragraphs of post 7. And I really can’t offer you any information about
LSU since my daughter never attended any programs there and we have never visited or spoken to any reps from the department. I also agree that in seeking information on this forum, you need to be careful to separate out responses based on first hand experience and knowledge from those that have no foundation other than what kjgc has characterized as “reputation” that floats around and takes on a weight of far greater substance than is warranted.</p>
<p>You are really in the best position to evaluate whether LSU offers what you want and need to grow and develop as a performer. As a current student, you have direct access to theatre department profs, reps and students. If you haven’t done so, go to some school shows, ask questions, dig through the theatre curriculum, see if you can sit in on some classes. In that manner you will get information of far greater value than someone’s opinion on this Board of whether LSU can offer you want you want.</p>
<p>I basically agree with Kjgc’s comments about how people might, or might not, know about various programs. I wanted to point out that there are, though, some other ways that some folks might be better positioned than most. I believe I have pieced together at least three contributors who are members of MTEA. These folks would be faculty at various schools who regularly visit other colleges for conferences and or as visiting artists. They have extended professional and friendly conversations about their programs - and, in doing so learn about each others programs. Of course, this is not the same as a complete immersion at a school so as to know the intimate workings of many programs - but it is a heads up on generic pedestrian opinions. Also, perhaps some folks see performances at several schools - again, different than actually working at or attending a program. Then there are folks that work professionally and see the finished product that various programs produce, and as it is said. “you shall know a tree by the fruit bears”. Professional association can also give one a barometer of what other casting agents, producers, agents are saying - the “word on the street” so to speak. So I agree that each individual should do their own research and find the right “fit” for their personal developmental, emotional, and financial needs. This is, by the way, why I am such a big fan of college visits and on-site auditions. In any case, this discussion demonstrates, once again the value of the thoughtful contributions of folks like MichaelNKat and Kjgc. They are among a handful of folks that make this site a wonderful resource</p>
<p>^^^^The above quote would be “fruit it bears” not “fruit bears” - I am not sure, are fruit bears related to fruit flies? Okay, so I’m not known as either a carefully speller or a proof reader - my intentions are good…</p>
<p>I would be derelict if I didn’t note that mtdog71 offers some of the most insightful and informative posts reflecting a wealth of knowledge from an industry “insider’s” perspective. He may not have the highest post count but anyone new to this Board should take the time to read each and every one of them. Some other long time and very knowledgeable posters who remain active on this Board and that pop into mind immediately are alwaysamom, KatMT, onstage and soozievt (and I know I am missing others). Peruse their posts and you will hit just about every subject of interest and importance to someone new to the MT school search and audition process. All of them, in one form or another, have deep connections to the world of MT and share unstintingly of their time and knowledge.</p>