What makes you look good to a prestigious theater program? This kid has very high GPA and SAT scores but no awards or accomplishments in theater. He loves to do theater and wants to major in it. He has done several plays since middle school but no UIL awards or out of school accomplishment. To be honest a mediocre actor. He is very involved with local shelter and that’s about it for EC’s. What are his odds for top theater programs? What else he can do to impress theater programs?
As a mediocre actor his chances at a top theater program are not good. Most top programs are audition based. He needs to do well there.
Choose a variety of schools. Probably BA would be better than BFA’
That’s why I asked, what else he can do to enhance his resume. He is a gifted academic who loves theater and has lot of theoretical knowledge.
Then a BA program would be perfect. at top tier acting schools it all about the audition. Have him work o perfecting his monologues. And has someone told him his mediocre? Nobody is looking for any theater awards. That being said try to get some outsid credits. What’s a UIL award?
He himself thinks that because he never gets selected for significant roles. I think it’s because he is Korean and his teachers can’t see out of the box so Caucasian kids get those roles by default. I’ve been to one of his plays with my son and though he wasn’t the best actor on stage but not the worst either.
UIL stands for University Interscholastic League.
In general programs do not pay a lot of attention to awards on a resume, other than they may be a talking point in an interview.
Admissions is mostly based on what the student does in the audition room. Some schools may weight essays and interview as well, but not all do.
There are many careers in theatre, and most are not on stage. If he is passionate about theatre he may want to look at BA programs (auditioned and non-auditioned) where he will have the opportunity to participate and learn both on stage and in off stage capacities. If he is very excited to audition for a few favorite top acting programs he could have a few of those as well, just to see.
His academic achievements would make a diffrence or not?
There are some acting programs that require a certain academic level to be considered… ie. NYU, UMich… but, academic achievements will not make up for a lack luster audition.
His academic achievements may be weighted more heavily at BA programs that are academically more selctive.
Basically, for top acting conservatory programs the audition is the number 1 deciding factor, with other things perhaps being looked at in instances where they are deciding between two “equal” candidates in terms of the audition.
Top academics can help students get merit awards at some schools if they are admitted to the program.
There are some top schools that have very strong theater programs that offer BA degrees. Included in the list would be Northwestern, Williams, Wesleyan and Kenyon. I think they are all non audition.
Is there a thread on CC with a list about non audition focused theater programs?
Check out the Big List of Schools pinned on the Musical Theatre forum. Most, if not all schools that offer MT, offer Acting.