I have a huge interest in majoring in theater, but I know I’m also hoping to do some technical stuff to support myself since those types of jobs are more in demand. I am already taking a technical class so I mean I already have that sort of knowledge. So like I want to do technical stuff like lights and set design in between my auditions and stuff, so like which do you guys think I should get? A BA or a BFA?
I’d get less hung up on BA vs BFA and think about what you want to do in college. If you want to be focused almost completely on ONLY theatre activities, then you are more likely to find that in a BFA. If you are willing or want to spend some time on non-theatre classes, then you typically see that in a BA.
More importantly are the specific details of the program. Schools like DePaul, SMU, Boston University have programs that are BFA Theatre Studies programs where there is acting but also other opportunities like writing and technical theatre. They vary between schools, so research is key.
Or, if you look at schools that offer a BA in theater, look for a minor in one of the technical disciplines.
Just as an aside, my S is at CCPA Roosevelt, a school with no separate technical theater program, so part of the result is that the acting and MT students do a lot of the tech and gain experience in things like set construction, lighting, costume design and stage management. In fact you have to put in 30 hours per semester at some kind of tech job. My S has gotten pretty good at set construction (good enough to have done a few paid jobs outside of school) and he also has a fair amount of experience in ASM’ing shows. Just something to think about. I doubt he would have gotten as much of that at a program with a degree track in set design.