<p>I am interested if anyone knows of colleges with good theatre programs where non theatre majors can audition for roles. Any thoughts???</p>
<p>Probably just about anywhere. Most schools don’t have enough theater majors to support all the productions they want to put on, so they not only allow non-majors to try out, they depend on it. And they’re not automatically relegated to non-speaking roles. A lot of talented high school actors pursue other interests in college, but still enjoy acting on the side.</p>
<p>“Probably just about anywhere” </p>
<p>This may be true at many schools that have BA programs, often not the case at schools with BFA programs. However, this will vary from school to school.</p>
<p>For example… I did my undergrad at a school where only drama majors could participate in departmental productions, but there were non-departmental club and EC theatre activities in which non-majors could participate.</p>
<p>I did my graduate work at a school that had both BA and BFA majors as well as MFA students. Non-majors could audition for certain departmental productions, but I do not remember them being cast. There were non-departmental club and EC opportunities in which non-majors were cast.</p>
<p>I teach in a large, professionally focused BA program. Any student at the university may audition for productions. Some are cast on the mainstage, but often these are the students who are actively training in the acting classes. This is not an official policy, but students who are training (either as majors or non-majors) generally will have more developed skills as actors.</p>
<p>If you indicate the schools to which you are applying posters here may be able to give you feedback on whether those schools allow non-majors to participate in theatre productions.</p>
<p>As KatMT says - one would hope (certainly their parents would hope) that those who are studying acting would have more developed skills as actors so it would be that much hard for a non-major (or minor) to be cast in a production. </p>
<p>For the OP, I would suggest any school that has ample, well done productions but not a major in theatre (and there are many) would be your best bet. Off the top of my head I know that Cornell is a great example of that.</p>
<p>Some schools have accept very few kids into their BA or BFA programs and, therefore, have to open casting up to non-majors - especially for musicals (big chorus, etc). American University has open casting.</p>
<p>There are some schools that have no theater major or theater program, but nevertheless have extensive and high-quality theater opportunities. Harvard is an example.</p>
<p>Also, larger schools with strong BA/BFA programs that don’t have room for students to do theatre as an EC often develop strong EC theatre options because of demand. BU, for example, has been mentioned as a BFA conservatory theatre school that has excellent separate club theatre opportunities for non-majors.</p>
<p>As you are researching schools, just ask. I’m guessing unless the school has a large theatre major in proportion to their general student population, there will be theatre opportunities for anyone.</p>
<p>This is a question to ask at every school on your list. It is important information to have, whether or not you are planning to major in theatre/drama. If you are going to major in it, then you may want to think about attending a school where auditions are open to non-majors as well.</p>
<p>I hope someone who actually knows what they’re talking about will chime in, but I think on our tour Northwestern said anyone can audition for any production. We liked this on several levels. First, every production can have the best possible cast, and second, theatre majors are not discouraged from participating in EC productions, as they are in many programs. in my opinion, stage experience of all types adds value!</p>
<p>I just looked over the audition memo for this semester at USC and I think non-majors and non-minors can only audition for the spring musical. However, they can audition for the numerous ISPs (student productions) produced throughout the year.</p>
<p>Our tour guide at UC San Diego said anyone could try out for the school’s productions.</p>
<p>Georgetown!</p>
<p>Hi bluemath
almost every LAC I have toured with my daughter is receptive to non-majors auditioning for plays. Although these school usually have a BA in Theatre, as a previous poster noted, more interested students are needed. My older DD performed in several mainstage productions at Colgate. She also added several drama courses to her schedule which did help her to get to know the “powers that be”! My youngest is even more involved in high school productions than her older sister and has asked this question at every school we visited and this type of college will welcome you.</p>
<p>Naturally, large universities with equally large drama (esp BFA) schools may not be easy at all. Unless you have a theater minor or extremely strong talent, I would think it could be more difficult. I’m not an expert on the big schools though so, if you are interested, investigate it very carefully. Admissions people might tell you anything!</p>