The Freshman Experience

<p>@caramello12 –</p>

<p>Not all BA or BFA programs are created equal, nor are all students, so consequently I wouldn’t say there’s any predictable stress continuum from BA to BFA. Some BA programs are at highly competitive schools which allow students to create an incredibly demanding schedule, while some BFAs are at less demanding schools. In addition, some kids find academic courses more stressful than performance courses, so for those students certain BA programs could be unmanageably stressful while that same student might not find a rigorous BFA program stressful at all.</p>

<p>Perhaps in schools that offer both a BFA and BA, the BFA program would be more competitive and rigorously focused on performance skills than the BA program at that same school.</p>

<p>Oh wow…then how does one even begin to choose schools? I’m looking exclusively at non-auditions at this point…</p>

<p>When D started researching to build her list of schools, many people suggested first deciding if she wanted a BFA or BA, but on closer inspection she found (and we know others who discovered the same thing) that there is not as straightforward a continuum from BA >> BFA >> Conservatory as she had at first assumed. Her final list included almost exclusively BFA programs, yet the school that rose to the top of her list was a BA.</p>

<p>Since you’re only interested in non-audition MT programs, I’d start with a list of all of those, then decide on your other key criteria (curriculum, size, academic rigor, cost, geographic preferences, whatever) and start narrowing from there. Some BA programs may not offer the curriculum you crave, while others may.</p>

<p>Once you decide exactly which criteria matter most to you, folks at CC are a wealth of knowledge!</p>

<p>If low stress is an important criteria for you, I’d ask specifically about that since some programs (BA AND BFA) involve periodic review which can be stressful, while with others once you’re in you’re family. I’d also carefully define which specific things you find stressful in your current program, as different things create stress for different people.</p>

<p>Have fun considering your options!!</p>

<p>Thanks, MomCares! Everyone on this forum is SO helpful and SO knowledgeable! Yeah, low stress is important for me at this point in my life, currently I’m a freshman music education major and just went through the worst 15 weeks of my life because I had no time to even breathe, it seems. And looking to transfer to a non-audition school since MT is what I really see myself doing.</p>

<p>This year I found it exceedingly helpful to closely look at recommended or mandatory course sequences, the ratio of theatre classes and gen eds, specific major requirements, etc. I highly advise looking into this because that way I have found so many wonderful BA programs that are just BFA programs in disguise. So beware if you are not looking for the BFA experience. Likewise, do not be fooled by the BFA tag. Many, many schools are starting to offer this major since it has become so popular but it is wrong to assume that all BFAs are the same. This is where you really need to do your research on the curriculum, talk with students, etc.</p>

<p>So as you can see, finding a “low stress” program won’t be easy. (Now that I think about it, I’m not sure if any performing major CAN be described as low stress! lol.)</p>

<p>Also, if you are interested in a performance BA, I would highly advise to avoid a school with both BA and BFA programs.</p>

<p>This discussion brings to mind a couple additional things it could be nice to add to the school-specific info being compiled in this thread.</p>

<p>1) For specific BA programs, how much flexibility is there around curriculum choices for freshmen? Which types of theatre/dance/voice classes are available? What % of the freshman curriculum has to be or can be in the Major? Can freshmen perform in mainstage shows? </p>

<p>2) For all schools (including those already covered), what is the general “vibe” of the program? Is it more warm and supportive, or is there a weeding/cut/harsh/competitive atmosphere? I attended one of the very top acting conservatories (a VERY long time ago) and at the time they took the approach that it’s a cruel profession and you need to get tough or quit (or be cut). It might be good to know what the general attitude toward students is in any given program.</p>

<p>…Ball State (BFA MT) – Post #32
…Boston Conservatory (BFA MT) – Post #45
…Carnegie Mellon (BFA MT) – Posts #35, #36
…Coastal Carolina (BFA MT) – Posts #3, #24
…NYU/Tisch New Studio (BFA MT) – Post #16
…Otterbein (BFA MT) – Post #13
…Point Park University (BA MT) – Post #40
…Roosevelt/CCPA (BFA MT) – Post #58
…Temple (BA MT w/Dance Minor)-- Post #47
…University of the Arts (BFA MT) – Post #52
…USC (BA w/ MT Minor) – Posts #2, #22
…Webster (BFA MT) – Post #56 </p>

<p>Thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to share your experiences!</p>

<p>stresshskid - excellent points! There are BA programs that have so many non-required courses offered in MT (including dance, voice, and acting) that you can take in addition to the core major requirements that you wind up actually taking as many or more MT classes than some BFA programs. But you do have to look carefully at all the offerings and requirements, both within the major and gen eds for graduation, and what other classes are offered (not required) for MT. Smaller LAC with a BA program might not offer as many additional classes as a larger school. This is where APs and the trimester becomes an advantage as it frees you up for more chosen classes than required ones. </p>

<p>Reading the schools’ course offerings and requirements for graduation (gen. ed. or core curriculum) and in your major is pretty slow going on line but really important, so slug through it!</p>

<p>Weekends? Students as you put up your schedules, could you note if your typical weekend is full of rehearsal, practice room time, homework, or relaxin’?</p>

<p>Weekends are rehearsal time. If your in a show, you probably have 2 Saturday shows and possibly even a Saturday morning performance for CCU’s “Discovery Day” and then Sunday is usually a straight six if you are in rehearsal for something. Right now everyone is doing freshman showcase rehearsal or one act rehearsal for the directing 2 class. In addition we are in the practice rooms, gym, or sleeping. We have a weekly volleyball game that goes on Sunday mornings as well, and Sunday nights are a time to catch up on whatever you didn’t originally get done.</p>

<p>Thanks Alexa! That’s just what I was hoping to hear. :)</p>

<p>classicalbk, I know my D’s weekends were pretty chockful while attending the BFA program at Tisch. If in a show, it will involve Friday night rehearsals and all of Saturday at the LEAST. My daughter was also in an acapella group that rehearsed on Sunday nights. Then, they have to fit in things like homework and meetings with scene partners and so forth. Or they may be teching a show. I think my D was able to go out one night per week in college (Saturday night) if I can recall. But some weekends are even more jam packed. I know, for example, as she is the musical director of a current Tisch faculty directed show, that this weekend which is tech, she had rehearsal from 11-11 both Saturday and Sunday! (she is not a student but it is a paid job in her case)</p>

<p>Adding the info about weekends at Coastal Carolina and Tisch…</p>

<p>…Ball State (BFA MT) – Post #32
…Boston Conservatory (BFA MT) – Post #45
…Carnegie Mellon (BFA MT) – Posts #35, #36
…Coastal Carolina (BFA MT) – Posts #3, #24, #69
…NYU/Tisch New Studio (BFA MT) – Post #16, #71
…Otterbein (BFA MT) – Post #13
…Point Park University (BA MT) – Post #40
…Roosevelt/CCPA (BFA MT) – Post #58
…Temple (BA MT w/Dance Minor)-- Post #47
…University of the Arts (BFA MT) – Post #52
…USC (BA w/ MT Minor) – Posts #2, #22
…Webster (BFA MT) – Post #56</p>

<p>Thanks MomC and SoozieVT!</p>

<p>Marymount Manhattan’s set up is a little different than other schools because it is not a conservatory but a liberal arts college. The schedule I am setting up is year by year for the major. I am including BA Theatre Performance with MT and BFA Acting with MT so you can see the differences which are not overly different. This is a tentative schedule, but the various theatre core classes can be taken in many different forms, but these tend to be the most common from what I have heard.</p>

<p>The days of classes change each year and I do not have the schedules in front of me to actually give you the exact day.</p>

<p>The arrow —> just means that this would be the same options to the spring semester generally</p>

<p>Freshman-
Monday thru Friday Morning Dance 9-1030am
1)Acting I (fall AND spring)
2)Script Analysis (fall or spring)
3)Fundamentals of Musical Theatre (fall AND spring)- this is a 3 hour class that is half Sightsinging and half Musical Theatre History
4) Writing 1 —> Writing 2
5) Math or a Gen Ed ----> same
6) Stagecraft (fall OR spring)</p>

<p>Sophomore Year
M-F Morning Dance 9-1030

  1. Acting II (fall AND spring)
  2. Voice and Speech (fall AND spring)- there is now also the option to take Voice, Speech, and Movement
  3. Movement (BFA ONLY) (fall AND spring)
  4. Musical Theatre Techniques (fall AND spring)- A song performance class that covers all genres from early 1900s to present
  5. Theatre History (two levels MUST be completed, most take I and II soph year)
  6. gen ed options based on schedule or a tech theatre course</p>

<p>Junior Year
Morning Dance

  1. Scene into Song (fall AND spring)
  2. Elements of Directing (fall OR spring)
  3. Shakespeare (a lit class, not an acting class) (fall OR spring)
  4. Advanced Theatre Course
  5. upper gen ed, etc.
  6. Acting III (BFA ONLY)- Classical Scene Study like Ibsen and Chekhov</p>

<p>Senior Year
Morning Dance

  1. Auditioning for MT (Fall ONLY)
  2. Senior Showcase MT (Spring ONLY)
  3. gen eds, electives, etc
  4. Acting IV (BFA Only)- Shakespeare Scene Study</p>

<p>BAs have the opportunity to double major in Theatre Performance and another concentration. Usually they stay within the Theatre major (Stage Management/Production, Directing, Design) but some venture out to Comm Arts and sometimes Business, but it can often be tough. There is also a minor in Arts Management and a new minor they just introduced but I can’t think of it off of the top of my head.</p>

<p>Thanks so much for the info about Marymount Manhattan, bcbMTfl!!</p>

<p>…Ball State (BFA MT) – Post #32
…Boston Conservatory (BFA MT) – Post #45
…Carnegie Mellon (BFA MT) – Posts #35, #36
…Coastal Carolina (BFA MT) – Posts #3, #24, #69
…Marymount Manhattan (BA/BFA with MT) – Post #74
…NYU/Tisch New Studio (BFA MT) – Posts #16, #71
…Otterbein (BFA MT) – Post #13
…Point Park University (BA MT) – Post #40
…Roosevelt/CCPA (BFA MT) – Post #58
…Temple (BA MT w/Dance Minor)-- Post #47
…University of the Arts (BFA MT) – Post #52
…USC (BA w/ MT Minor) – Posts #2, #22
…Webster (BFA MT) – Post #56</p>

<p>Just adding on to what I said before about CCPA/Roosevelt.</p>

<p>As far as environment goes, I feel like it’s the best of both worlds in that we are nurtured by the faculty and develop a very strong ensemble with our classmates, but we also are held to very high standards and the professors expect a lot of us. I feel very supported by my classmates and faculty. I am not by any means scared to make a mistake or take a risk here (in fact, that’s encouraged), but I know that there is a very high bar set for us, and I feel like it pushes us all to work harder. Our faculty consider us professionals from day one, and they treat us as such. But that’s not to say I could not go to any one of my professors if I was having an issue. They all have set office hours, and many will go out of their way to meet with students at a time when it fits their schedule (some will even go as far as meeting students for coffee). </p>

<p>There is no cut at CCPA. The goal is to graduate all students that attend the school. But students can and will be asked to leave or be denied scholarship if they aren’t doing their work, skipping class, failing classes, not respecting the faculty or really just not making progress at all. However, this is actually very rare and none of this will ever come out of the blue. We have a probation system, and a student definitely has warning and a chance to clean up their act before they will could be asked to leave. But, no, there is no formal cut system, and there is definitely not a certain number that they need to cut at the end of any given year. </p>

<p>As far as weekends go, since we’re in Chicago, we have SO many options of things to do. We are required to see every show that the Theatre Conservatory does as part of Performance Attendance. We do about 8-9 shows each semester, so that factors into our weekend plans. A few weekends are also occupied by tech rehearsals. Other than that, the city is open to us. Different people obviously fill their time different ways. There’s so much theatre to see in this city, and I have seen some pretty incredible shows! Also, Chicago is definitely a college city (there are so many colleges!), so there’s lots of stuff to do for college students all around the city. Honestly, a lot of us are tired after a long week of classes, so movie nights/game nights/ just sitting around and talking is always an option! :-)</p>

<p>Again, if anyone has any questions, feel free to let me know!</p>

<p>It would also be interesting to hear if you’ve noticed any trend in the personality types of the students and/or staff at your school. In our limited exposure to various programs, including knowing students, visiting campuses and seeing showcases, we’ve sensed that some schools seemed to lean toward certain student personality types – possibly consistent with the personalities of the program staff. For example, in our experience CCM tended toward larger personalities while UMich leaned toward more sift spoken and subdued personalities (insofar as ANYONE in MT has a subdued personality). ;-D</p>

<p>…Ball State (BFA MT) – Post #32
…Boston Conservatory (BFA MT) – Post #45
…Carnegie Mellon (BFA MT) – Posts #35, #36
…Coastal Carolina (BFA MT) – Posts #3, #24, #69
…Marymount Manhattan (BA/BFA with MT) – Post #74
…NYU/Tisch New Studio (BFA MT) – Posts #16, #71
…Otterbein (BFA MT) – Post #13
…Point Park University (BA MT) – Post #40
…Roosevelt/CCPA (BFA MT) – Post #58, #76
…Temple (BA MT w/Dance Minor)-- Post #47
…University of the Arts (BFA MT) – Post #52
…USC (BA w/ MT Minor) – Posts #2, #22
…Webster (BFA MT) – Post #56</p>

<p>MomCares - not sure what you are basing your “personality” assessment on - but there were definitely kids in my daughter’s graduating class at UM that would not be labelled soft-spoken and subdued…!</p>

<p>I know it’s only a perception and may easily be wrong. Plus I’m sure it doesn’t fit every kid in the program. </p>

<p>Our UMich assessment is based on the 3 very close friends D has who are currently there (2 sophomores and one freshman) and several other acquaintances in the program, along with the folks she knows who got in from this summer’s MPulse class. Plus it was our impression of Dr. Wagner and his staff that they tend to be more calm and quiet than some MT coaches we’ve encountered elsewhere.</p>

<p>Of course, as I said above, NO kid who wants to do MT is what most people would consider quiet and subdued (heck they want to belt in front of thousands for a living), but these kids are generally more self contained than some MT folks we know. </p>

<p>OTOH, the kids we know at CCM tend to be bigger personalities, which seems consistent with the head of the program. Not saying one personality type is better than the other (D is certainly in the quieter camp except when she’s on stage) but it seems different from our perspective.</p>

<p>So again, this may be totally wrong, but I’d be interested to see if folks involved in certain programs think there is a general personality type more likely to enjoy a particular program.</p>

<p>I guess I don’t see the point of this exercise - generalizing about personalities. I know, or am familiar with, most of the 80 current students at UM and can say that they don’t all fit any sort of mold or stereotype. </p>

<p>And of the three MPulse kids accepted to CCM - I only know of one (!) who has a big personality…the other two are pretty subdued…I am not sure you can generalize about kids accepted to that program either. </p>

<p>Yeah - I guess I have issues with people generalizing about programs and/or kids! - I would rather hear it from the horse’s mouth (thanks to you posters above!) - I recall a post on another thread where a parent said that kids at CCM didn’t smile! Just goes to show how different people’s perceptions can be quite varied…</p>