So, here is just a little encouragement for folks who are considering the pursuit of an education/life/career in MT via a path other than the coveted BFA. We know a young man who is finishing his junior year as a Commercial Music major at a small, southern, religious college. It’s not a well-known program (academically or artistically), and not touted anywhere on this board. He has become a master at creating opportunities and self-promotion - attends regional auditions, plays local gigs, competes in NATS contests, has become proficient in several instruments, takes auxiliary lessons as time and money permit. He just landed a solid, respected, and paid summer stock job. I understand the desire for a BFA acceptance, and the deeply-seeded hope to land a “top tier” spot. My child, a HS junior, is already in that mentality even though we have 6 months until the process begins for him. But I’m watching this tenacious college student’s journey unfold before my eyes and he is having true success. And I really don’t think luck has too much to do with it…
*just posted this in venting 2021 thread, but wanted to make sure it wasn’t missed. BAL to all!!!
@beachymom my child just made the decision to go to a school that is small and offers a BA in MT rather than the BFA program she was accepted in to based on how she felt after visiting the program. She knows there are somethings she will have to do for promotion etc but I can’t wait to show her your post. She is confident with her decision and this will make her smile. So many can’t believe she is turning down the BFA. This makes me smile :).
I love hearing about this path (BA versus BFA), and think it might make the most sense for my daughter. Does this mean your child will take more General Education courses, alongside the theater courses? I assume academics mattered equally in getting in? How did you research BA versus BFA programs? My daughter is a junior so we are just gearing up. I am so grateful to those who share their experiences. I have a senior HS boy who will run in college next year and I have shared his story to help others, but now I have to learn all about acting auditions and programs!
Usually that means they will take more GE courses than a BFA kid, but in my daughter’s case many of the GE requirements of her BA could be met within the theatre major. For example, her math GE was met through taking theatre design, her writing GE was met when she took Playwriting and Theatre History. So some schools make it easy to fill those requirements within the major.