<p>Hi, I'm currently a junior in high school, living in WA, and will be applying to colleges in a few months, and am interested in studying/ majoring in stage management. I was wondering what some colleges are with good theater programs, if they have good financial aid (esp. if the college is out-of-state), and what the curriculum usually looks like for one majoring in stage management.</p>
<p>I was also wondering if I could still have a chance of getting into a good program with only high school experience? I have been part of every show/ production (2 large plays/ musicals and 1 ten-minute play festival a year) since my freshman year (I've been on crew for all but one show, in which I acted, have done mostly sound, and grips one time, and was recently the ASM for our latest production) and I am a Thespian. I know that you probably need a lot more experience than what I have now, and I am worried that I would get turned down for having experience only in a high school setting...</p>
<p>Also, what would I be able to do with a stage management degree? Would I be able to work in other areas of theater, such as set building, lights, sound etc.? Or would I be limited to stage managing and nothing else?</p>
<p>Thanks so much! (Sorry for all the questions!)</p>
<p>My D goes to Adelphi, in the BFA Acting program. They have a BFA in Design and Tech, which includes a concentration in stage management. It sounds like the opportunities there are excellent for all areas of stagecraft. Most colleges, and certainly Adelphi, would be very pleased with your commitment to HS theatre and wouldn’t expect more than that. They will ask you to interview and show them a portfolio of your experience.</p>
<p>If you are a good student (B+/A-, with 600+ SAT, high 20s ACT) there is excellent merit aid as well. Adelphi is on Long Island, with excellent access to NYC for internships, etc. A BFA in Design/Tech with an emphasis on stage management would give you lots of experience to work in many areas of theatre.</p>
<p>Try searching on specific topics that you need such as financial aid. </p>
<p>Most of the better known theater departments also offer programs in stage management and/or technical theater. These include NYU-Tisch, DePaul (Chicago), Carnegie Mellon (Pittsburgh), SUNY Purchase (upstate New York), CCM (Cinncinati), UNCSA (N. Carolina), and many others. Financial aid varies, of course. SUNY Purchase and UNCSA are both on the inexpensive end.</p>
<p>Your experience is a bit light but not by any means impossible. Experience is important because as an indicator of your interest in theater, not because it means you already know how to stage manage. I think most schools want you to forget your previous experience and start over once you get there. Do what you can over the next year and a half and you should be okay. As for experience outside your school, there is always next summer.</p>
<p>Stage managers work in many venues–big cities, regional theaters, touring companies. In addition to theater, they work events like concerts and festivals. And, yes, most stage management programs teach at least the basics of stagecraft, which is what you need to work as a stagehand. Stage management is perhaps the most versatile of theater degrees. You’ll learn all about management and you can use those skills almost anywhere.</p>
<p>So break a leg and don’t worry about the questions. That is what this forum is for.</p>