<p>I can't help with the location of the schools and synagogues but I'll try to help with the general tech question.</p>
<p>As far as I can tell there are several types of programs and they fit different types of kids. There are BA, BFA (more liberal arts) and BFA consevatory (less liberal arts) programs. If you want an all around exposure the BFA conservatory is probably not the best choice. Its more like an intern/apprentice type program and great for kids who are really dedicated to one area.</p>
<p>Some of the other programs have students go through a year or more rotating specialites before they concentrate on one area. When we went on college visits we were told there is a decent drop out rate in these programs because a lot of kids think its easy and when they are required to put in long hours and keep up with academic classes it can be overwhelming. </p>
<p>Taking drama/acting classes can be very important. It gives the tech people a better understanding of what the actors go through and what is or isn't resonable to expect. That can help a lot when it comes to blocking and stage managing. I don't think they need a lot of classes but having it included in the program can be a real plus.</p>
<p>BFA conservatory programs are SUNY Purchase, North Carolina School of the Arts. CalArts, Carnegie Mellon, one in Boston (I can't remember which one) and University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music.</p>
<p>Other programs without the BFA conservatory include (aside from the ones already mentioned): University of Connecticut, Ithaca, DePaul, Emerson, Penn State, University of the Arts, and several others. There are less BFA conservatory programs.</p>
<p>Our son also attends a magnet performing arts high school. He's going the BFA conservatory route - he's knows what he wants and for him it just makes sense. He's taking college classes now for both high school and college credit. If everything goes according to his plan he could start college with up to 24 credits. </p>
<p>Another thing to consider is whether or not the schools offer a masters program. There are conflicting views on if this is good or bad. </p>
<p>Visiting the schools is really important. Especially coming from high schools that have specific programs I think our kids have high expectations and they know their equipment.</p>
<p>Has your son started his portfolio and resume yet?</p>
<p>Yes, the portfolio and resume all a part of the curriculum. As a matter of fact, he has had to use it to apply for apprenticeship and mastery as part of the program. Just because you are a senior doesn't mean you have earned a mastery position. Only about half get it. </p>
<p>We're visiting Hofsta at their open house on 11/12. The cost of visitations is prohibitive for us, unforunately. Any observations you have made would be greatly appreciated. Maybe we could get our sons to talk together?</p>
<p>You can plug in your preferences on a variety of factors, including whether orthodox services are offered on or near campus, whether the kitchen offers kosher meals, etc. I spent a few minutes experimenting, and came up with a few other schools you might look at, based on my knowledge of their design/tech programs:</p>
<p>Boston University
Ithaca College
Penn State
U. of Illinois
U. of Iowa
U. of Michigan
U. of Wisconsin, Madison</p>
<p>I attended Syracuse as a performance major. Very strong design and technology program (undergraduates often got the oppotunity to design), very active Hillel. Great place to study theatre and go to college.</p>
<p>I don't know the specifics of the studios, but what about NYU Tisch?</p>
<p>I also spent some time at Penn State. It may have changed, but my experience with Penn State is that grad students did most of the designing. The university has a very "mid-western" feel, and is in the middle of nowhere. Not a bad thing if that is what you are looking for. I don't remember a large orthodox community on campus or in the surrounding area.</p>
<p>My son is a Junior, interested in Stage mangagment. We are just starting the process of looking at schools and planning a trip during his midwinter break in Feb and spring break in April. Can anyone suggest schools? His high school has a new performing arts program (therefore not very strong yet). Any suggestions about the potfolio would be helpful. My son has been the stage manager for the past 2 school musicals and will be this year as well. He has saved all of his notes.</p>
<p>Is your son more interested in a BFA (more of a conservatory style degree) or a BA (more of a liberal arts degree)? Both of these degrees can offer professionally focused training, but traditionally a BFA student would take fewer credits outside of his major.</p>
<p>Is there a particular part of the country in which you are interested?</p>
<p>There are a lot of options, answers to those questions would help to narrow them down.</p>
<p>KatMT-my son is more interested in a BFA program. We live in the Northwest but are open to any area. His older sister is going to college in MN but we also looked at schools back east.</p>
<p>Penn State has a BFA in Stage Management, so do Webster, Boston University, Virginia Commonwealth, Universty of Central Florida, and Syracuse University.</p>
<p>Penn State has MFA directing and acting programs and a connection to a summer professional theatre. BFA SMs have the opportunity to work on these productions as SMs and Production assistants.</p>
<p>BU is connected to the Huntington Theatre, and SU is connected to Syracuse Stage.</p>
<p>Both UCF and Webster have required internships, I believe.</p>
<p>VCU has an optional internship.</p>
<p>I wopuld suggest looking for programs that are connected to professional theatres and/ or offer internship opportunities. That way your son will have the chance to connect the theoretical with the practicle in a professional situation.</p>
<p>While each school will have different admissions standards, most will ask to look at SM book and paperwork from prior projects and will want to interview your son.</p>
<p>Hi-
Just wondering if anyone has any information about dramaturgy
programs in general and specifically the new one at Carnegie Mellon.
My S is very interested in the field & loves CMU? Thanks!</p>
<p>It's been awhile since I have seen any discussion about thechnical theatre. I thought I would start this up again. My son, a senior in high school has applied to 8 schools for stage management. He had his fiirst portfolio review last week at Virginia Commonweath and will be presenting at Emerson and Syracuse in 2 weeks. He will be going to Unifies (Chicago) in Feb. I just wanted to know if there were any other techies out there.</p>
<p>OP...I would opt for the BFA...then perhaps a MFA in the future so that should jobs not be so plentiful your son can teach in the college setting (more income than a HS teacher obviously). You might consider asking prospective campuses how many of their students go on to MFA programs.</p>
<p>I ran into the parent of a freshman from the high school that my D graduated from last year. Evidently her daughter has really gotten the tech bug, and already lives, eats and breathes it. She has a particular preference for lighting and sound, and has not only gotten very involved at our high school, but other local high schools as well, helping with lighting and sound for their productions.</p>
<p>Her parents would like to provide her with an opportunity to attend a summer camp somewhere that would allow her to gain more experience in this area, and asked me if I knew of any place. I told her I didn't, but I knew of a place I could ask other parents. I also told her that any programs that might be recommended would probably be several-week, boarding programs, and not in our area (Chicago). She seemed OK with this.</p>
<p>Anyone have any recommendations I can pass along to her?</p>
<p>Charubs is a summer theatre program for high school students located at Northwestwern Uni. in Chicago. I think it might only be for rising juniors and seniors though. The students take classes/workshops and actually put on productions. Hope this is helpful!</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon University- it's a 5 or 6 wk program. They have a tech/theatre as well as MT and acting. My son went 2 yrs ago because he was interested in lighting design. It was an intense experience and he loved every minute of it!
Syracuse University also has a program in the summer.</p>