Oops sorry @toowonderful ! Since I grew up in the Southeast, I’m afraid I think of the South as being just the Southeastern states. To me, anything west of the Mississippi is the South West - an entirely different region of the country. Just my own personal perspective.
And yes @LoveMyMTGirl - Kentucky has several options including the University of Kentucky with MT certificate and both Northern Kentucky and Western Kentucky universities who both have BFA programs. All worthy of a look! And glad your D is happy at WKU. Our D has several friends there who’ve had great experiences so far
@BarbaraD, my New Yorker just finished her Sophomore year at the University of Utah. (And loves it). She is on her way to London for a 6-week theater study abroad program. It’s hard to believe, but she was the first graduate of her high school to ever attend the U of Utah!
@barbaraD - D has a friend at FSU. It is really tough to get in. I think the year she was accepted they took a total of 7 - 4 boys and 3 girls. So even though it’s a big school, it is a tiny program. If you want a big university in the south for MT, choices are really limited. if you like FL in particular, University of Central Florida has a strong program. And I know people who’ve gone to both Miami and Tampa. But I am not familiar with a program at the University of Florida. But there are lots of good suggestions of southern schools in this thread. Lots to look into!
@BarbaraD, My husband and I are UF alumni and we SO wanted our D to audition for UF’s BFA-MT program! At the time we researched the program, the faculty seemed to be a little inconsistent (i.e. part-time) and the curriculum was too heavy in gen ed courses for D’s liking. The program is highly, HIGHLY competitive because you must be academically accepted in addition to being artistically accepted through an on-campus audition. UF has become very competitive academically (not like Vandy, but still very hard to get in!) and they take only about 8 total freshman/transfers into the MT program.
We live in Nashville and D has several friends in Belmont’s MT and VP programs. It’s a great program, beautiful campus and awesome city! My OPINION (and I emphasize OPINION) is that voice/music theory seems to be the primary emphasis while acting and dance are secondary. Belmont grads can SING! Their MT alum seem to be having pretty good success professionally. Several alumni have been finalists on American Idol, including one of the Top 4 in the current season.
If your D is a sophomore this year, you might consider having her audition at SETC Convention next March in Greensboro, NC. Many schools mentioned here will be there for a unified type audition for HS juniors (also for HS seniors). There are are also many schools not mentioned here that are “hidden” gems. At the convention there is a large exhibit hall where you can speak to college reps from all the attending schools. My S is a college freshman MT - oops sophomore now - who attended SETC as a HS junior and learned a TON from the audition/callback experience, meeting with reps from colleges he had never considered and from the zillions of wonderful workshops offered.
@BarbaraD My daughter will be attending the FSU MT program starting this fall. Please feel free to pm me at any time, I’ll be more than happy to share information about the program as we learn more about it. We also looked UCF, it’s a huge school, but has a beautiful campus, a lot of new buildings, I think definitely worth checking out.
Hailing originally from Canada, I’m still not quite clear on what is exactly considered “the south.” Having said that, I would recommend checking out Coastal Carolina University and James Madison. We visited both campuses, and couldn’t have been more impressed with their MT programs.
Hi @BarbaraD … my oldest will be a sophomore at Vandy in the fall and she adores it. (She’s also decided to pursue a vocal minor.)
I know you said you’re an alum - right? Vandy has gotten insanely hard to get into as of late - harder than some of the Ivies … it’s a true lottery school now. And there isn’t a MT major there … but Blair School of Music (as I’m sure you know!) is fantastic. (Yay Melodores!!) And the Vanderbilt Off-Broadway just did Addams Family this past year - I heard it was fantastic.
I really REALLY loved Belmont’s MT program. Really really REALLY. The only thing that stopped my youngest D from auditioning there was their art song requirement … she has several in her book but she hates the style. And the fact that it was an audition requirement was a dealbreaker to her.
And I’m actually kinda jealous that you are starting on the road w/ a senior … my D’s road was rough but I totally treasured the time spent with her.
Haha @KaMaMom - my D wouldn’t audition at Belmont because of the art song! I would have loved for her to be close to home, but she is happily ensconced 8 hours away (she’ll be home tomorrow!!!).
We are coastal Alabama. D wanted bright lights and big city. Sure gonna miss her. Has anyone mentioned Western Carolina? That should have been on our list but wasn’t for some reason
Do you think MT BFA programs provide enough of a well-rounded education? There are many out there who say that these programs don’t allow students to have real world experiences, interact with students of differing majors, etc. If you look at some courseloads, it is very minimal academically. Are they leaving “educated?” I understand that this is because they are actually training for a career but it just seems very isolating at some we have visited. Just wondering!
All depends on what the student seeks out for him/herself. Some BFAs make a concerted effort to extend their horizons to all parts of a campus/education experience, while others thrive in the “insulated” performance related environment. Each student finds his/her own way - and that may change as they mature (or not). My S knows “BFA Land” is small. He finds it difficult to fit “stimulating” classes into his schedule, so on breaks he tries to read “good books” and hang with other “egghead” friends. Some might argue that theater is a reflection of ALL that happens in the world and is perhaps the most encompassing education there is. Just don’t ask the BFAs to memorize dates. . .
I agree with those above- it depends on school. Some BFA kids really want a conservatory experience- for others that is less appealing- it depends on what you want. My D explored both BA and BFA programs. In the end she chose a BFA that is about 60/40 split. 3 days a week in studio and 2 days in regular class
@barbaraD - if you’re looking for a southern school with strong academics and great MT - I would recommend Elon. Another with great arts programs but not specifically an MT degree is Wake Forest. A friends D goes to Vandy and she is spending her summer at the National Theatre Institute in CT where she is earning college credit while getting intense theatre training. Lots of different ways to get the college experience and theatre training you want.
