<p>Hey everyone,
I'm a current junior at a rural high school in North Carolina. I've been involved with theatre since I was 10, I has small roles in musicals as a preteen, and have been extremely involved in high school theatre.
I was Yvette in Clue (based on the movie) as a freshman, and in the ballet chorus of Phantom of the Opera.
Sophomore year, I was one of the leads in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, and I stage-managed Arsenic and Old Lace, as well as running lights for Steel Magnolias (would have been in every play, but that year they had a 1 play per person rule, so I decided to branch out into crew for the two shows I couldn't be in).
My junior year, we're doing Noise's Off!, but I'm not sure if I"m cast yet, or what my role will be. The musical hasn't been decided on, but I'm not a big singer.
I am going to apply to UNCSA this upcoming year.
I was wondering if any colleges offer good programs in theatre, and international relations. I have a strong academic passion, in addition to my love of theatre.
I don't care where the school is, but I prefer the north/midwest.
My GPA is a 3.7/3.8, but will rise by the time I need to apply anywhere. My SAT is a 1860 and ACT is a 28, but those are my sophomore scores, and will also hopefully rise. I am in a math and science school online, dance three hours a week, and perform as a member of the color guard at my school. I am taking three APs this year, and will take more senior year.
My top academic schools are Georgetown (SFS), Brown, Tufts, Duke, Carleton, Swarthmore, and U of Chicago.</p>
<p>American, UMD, JMU, UVA come to mind as possible schools to look at for that combination. Possibly also Northwestern. </p>
<p>If you want to be able to be involved with academics and theatre not sure why you would include UNCSA on your list, since that is a conservatory program. In NC, why not UNC Chapel Hill or Wilmington?</p>
<p>I can’t really get excited about UNC-CH, it’s so close and that’s where everyone with a plus from my school goes.
And from my understanding of UNCSA’s high school program, you take academic classes as well as the drama curriculum, and I am enrolled with an online program as well, and that will allow me to take AP Calc AB/BC, as well as AP Environmental and whatever other sciences/maths I need.</p>
<p>Sorry, I misread that you were looking at UNCSA for your senior year in HS, not college.</p>
<p>No problem!</p>
<p>I’m always the one with the unusual way of looking at things:</p>
<p>What are you hoping to do with your degree? If you want a career in theatre, there is no need to get qualifications in international relations. If you want a career in international relations, there is no need to get qualifications in theatre. If you want a career in theatre, you really should devote yourself to that goal 100%, and not get distracted by other things. And that is a good approach for just about any career.</p>
<p>Since you say you also have “a strong academic passion” maybe you should be looking for a program that takes a more academic approach to the subject. Maybe with very academic folks on the faculty. If you are interested in international topics, maybe you should be looking at schools that offer a year abroad, or even looking at schools in other countries. You may find the schools in other countries take a more academic approach.</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>I would encourage you to visit American University, ifoundalaska. My daughter is a freshman theatre performance major there and is having a wonderful experience so far. Although she is not an International Service/ poli sic major, I know that is one of American’s biggest strengths and a number of people within the theatre dept are double majoring in those areas. Most students at AU study abroad and most do multiple internships within D.C. Obviously, Washington D.C. is a great place for anyone who loves political science or who loves theatre. The School of International Service (SIS) is very competitive but I believe it is highly respected from everything we heard in our orientation process. </p>
<p>My D also wanted a strong, well-rounded academic experience in addition to her theatre education, so she ultimately decided a BA program (such as American) was a better fit for her than a BFA. Other students prefer the BFA approach; no right or wrong, but it is good to determine which is more in line with your goals as you explore programs. She got into a number of good theatre programs, but decided that American had the best mix for her. She plans to double major (MANY theatre majors do at AU) but hasn’t decided which yet. She loves Washington, D.C. and they have already had lots of opportunities to get out into the city.</p>
<p>Good luck to you! I would also direct you to the Musical Theatre major forum. Although my D auditioned for Theatre, not MT, we got a lot of insight over there. They have it broken down into several particular schools (including American) and there are lots of experienced parents and kids who could answer your questions. You could probably even find someone who is double majoring in your areas of interest.</p>
<p>So now I’m Belinda in Noise’s Off.
Also, what are top 50 universities with really good theatre programs? Yale comes to mind, but I know there are some others. (heard good things about Kenyon, Vassar and Oberlin)</p>
<p>I have to admit I do not know exactly which schools are “Top 50” … however, in addition to the schools you mentioned in post #8, “similar” schools with strong theatre include Skidmore, Williams, Brown, Connecticut College, Columbia/ Barnard, Dartmouth, Middlebury.</p>
<p>Remember that Yale Drama School is separate from the Yale undergraduate theatre program. Yale Drama School is the graduate program. However, Yale undergrad also has great opportunities for experience and education.</p>
<p>Kenyon’s a wonderful school with a vibrant theater program–lots of changes in the 5 years since my daughter graduated from there as a drama major–PM me if you have specific questions, but just explore the website and try to visit when school is in session. If you are attracted to a close-knit liberal arts college with great programs across the board (including theater) and an extraordinary level of student engagement, Kenyon fits the bill.</p>
<p>ifoundalaska, when you say “Top 50” are you only interested in the Top 50 theatre programs in the United States? (Or are you only interested in which of the Top 50 UNIVERSITIES in the United States happen to also have theatre programs?) Don’t forget that there are very good theatre programs in other countries as well, if you are really interested in the best. And since you are the person who is interested in international relations, I think you really should consider going international.</p>
<p>Congratulations on getting Belinda (Marilu Henner in the film–but NOISES OFF is definitely one play that just DOESN’T WORK as a film!!!)</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>Thank you! And I was talking about top fifty academic schools. I’d love to have a great intellectual atmosphere while still having a great theatre program.</p>
<p>Ahhh, but were you talking about the top 50 academic schools in the United States, or the top 50 in the ENTIRE WORLD???</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>Entire world I guess- I’d go for a really great program, but I’d prefer to stay state-side.</p>
<p>I’d second KatMT’s suggestion that you add Northwestern to your list. D was looking for schools that combined world-class academics with world-class theatre training, and after much research NU rose to the very top of her list.</p>
<p>I like the Chicago area- does U of Chicago have a good theatre program?</p>
<p>No. ;-D</p>
<p>If you like Chicago and strong academics and theatre, Northwestern University is really your best bet.</p>
<p>Because you have a strong interest in pursuing both theatre and international relations in college, I would take a good look at schools in Washington, DC. KellyLJ1 mentioned American University. Georgetown University already is on your list. George Washington University also offers both theatre and international relations programs. There are a large number of internships available in the DC area, if you decide to focus on international relations. Also, DC has a thriving theatre community - including Arena Stage (which I believe has an association with Georgetown U), Shakespeare Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, and many other theatre companies and venues. It seems like a good locale for a person interested in studying both theater and international relations. These schools offer BA theatre programs. Georgetown and GWU are not audition-based programs. AU offers an audition, but I believe it is not mandatory for admission as a freshman but many prospective drama students do audition for admittance to the program as incoming freshmen.</p>
<p>Always remember that I am the “weirdo” of this part of cc . . .</p>
<p>but having said that, I have a hard time taking seriously someone who claims that she is interested in international matters, but doesn’t seem to particularly want to leave the country. You are not going to be able to get an international perspective from staying in the United States.</p>
<p>In a list of the top 50 universities in the world, quite a few of them would be foreign. Yes, foreign countries are able to create universities just as good as those in the United States. (Some foreign countries even have flush toilets, did you know that? Bit of sarcastic humor there . . .) Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, the Sorbonne in France, would be on just about anybody’s list of the top TEN universities in the world. When we extend our list to the top 50, quite a few more would be added. I think there have been such lists drawn up, I don’t know right now where to find them.</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure I can’t get into Oxford or Cambridge. And I only know English and some French. I don’t want the massive culture shock that going to another country for school would be. I love political theory, and studying how that relates to how countries interact with one another.</p>