Hi all,
My daughter, a junior, is looking for a positive, non cutthroat auditioned BFA/BA Acting program. She is interested in theater for social causes, so really enjoys the story-telling aspect of theater and hopes to use it to better humanity. Anyone know of programs that might have this type of feel?
She did do a summer program at one of the highly regarded BFA programs, and found the competitive, tear-down environment isn’t what she’s looking for. She’s a very experienced actor, starting at age 8 and is highly regarded in our community. She is also a straight-A student and will have competitive ACT scores next year.
@MMTMom I believe the New School might have options with that type of program. Also, Marymount Manhattan has programs for Art in the Community which centers around using theater to teach and educate students, organizations, and corporations on various issues. San Francisco State also has social justice that can go together with a BA theater. Good luck!
Is it important to her to be able to interact with people outside of the theater bubble? That might rule out conservatories. (D found ruling out schools to be very helpful – fewer she had to research in depth.) A BA program that lets her integrate her studies with other interests could give her flexibility – insight and study in the areas she holds dear, along with training in theater.
Drew University in Madison New Jersey. My daughter is a senior there and they do tons of stuff in the community. Drew is super supportive and has tons of connections in the business. My daughter has participated in a class that dealt with sexual assault, went to junior and senior high schools and did programs for them. She worked in the inner city of Newark in a program that brings the arts to kids who may not get the opportunity. I can PM you if you want more info. She is a tour guide and ambassador for the school.
If you are in NY, check out SUNY Fredonia. My son is a theater tech BFA student there and he said the entire BFA program is collaborative. There is also a non auditioned BA Acting program and from what I can see, those students are cast as well. They also offer opera productions. My son’s friend, who is not even in a PA major, won a role in an upcoming production.
I second the Otterbein reco. We have visited several times and the vibe is extremely friendly and cooperative. They pride themselves on it. And in addition to the BFA program requirements, the academic portion includes an interesting LibArts curriculum. If she opts for their BA acting track, she can pursue a minor.
I would check out James Madison University in VA. I think she would find like minded students and faculty in the major. I teach at JMU and am happy to answer any questions.
It’s really not talked about here on the Acting thread, but Wright State has a fantastic Acting BFA. The students are all friends (there is a lot of crossover with MT) and the faculty is incredibly supportive. My older D was MT, but the MT & Acting majors are all close friends and have many of the same teachers. There is a student run theatre that allows for experimental projects - they actually do everything from new works by students to full productions of shows.
My D sounds like your D; they have/had similar backgrounds and priorities, and, for my D, that positive, supportive environment together with collaboration and, of course, high quality, professional training, was all-important. She didn’t audition for quite a few that “everyone” auditions for because she was looking for something specific. Fortunately, she found exactly what she was looking for at UArts. She’s a junior MT major, but there’s a lot of crossover; in fact, she doesn’t always know who is MT and who is acting (or DPP, for that matter). They, as a student body, also are interested in social causes and are quite active. UArts faculty and administration encourage students to better humanity, and they do it in a non-partial way politically. She absolutely loves it there, and I’m so glad it’s where she landed!
OK, this may be a stretch because it’s theatre arts but specifically focused on MT, but Molloy/CAP21 has a VERY supportive atmosphere. Both the college, the instructors, and the conservatory. Heck, even the shuttle drivers and security guards. Seriously, it’s like kindness cult. My D has major anxiety and would never have thrived in one of those “break you down to build you up” situations. The conservatory also has a zero tolerance for drama policy - if you are being a bully, or an a$$, you will be given a chance to correct or behavior, or leave. I think it’s because the instructors are all in the industry, and they know what a difference treating people right makes. They still have super high standards for the work, but they are, well, nice. Not sure if your D is interested in MT, but I would recommend Molloy/CAP21 for anyone who wants a loving, supportive program.
My D is a freshman at Loyola Marymount University in LA. It is an auditioned BA Theatre Arts program at a school that does not have a BFA. It is a Jesuit school and they are dedicated to service and education of the whole person. They put on several shows during the year…my D was cast right out of the gate her first week at school. There is a Pulitzer Prize winning teacher on staff, writer of Crimes of the Heart. Their study abroad program is unique in that they are the only undergraduate theater program to go to the Moscow Art Theatre. My D is finishing up her application right now as a matter of fact. They don’t take everyone though…she had to interview and audition. They also have a top film school. In fact, the director of Red Sparrow which just came out this week was at the school two days ago. Students were able to attend a screening of the film and the director took questions after. It was Skyped (Jennifer Lawrence was supposed to have been on the Skype but she got sick) as well to other schools including Syracuse and NYU. In addition, they have a student run production company which casts students in its films. My daughter has a job as a Casting Coordinator intern with them. The drawback is that there are a good number of theater arts majors and there is not the level of talent you would find in a small BFA program. But there is the ability to double major or minor/double minor. Location can’t be beat! Sits atop a bluff overlooking LA and is minutes from the beach and the airport. PM me for more info.
@marg928 and isn’t the audition through video only? Do they offer on campus auditions? It make it convenient to not have to go to the school to audition if you live across the country.
Yes @bisouu is correct the audition is by video only. Personally I wish they had in person auditions but it does put everyone on a level playing field.
