Theater/Drama Colleges Part 3

xiggi · November 3, 2008, 5:37pm

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 10:08 am: Edit *
Preach, Doctorjohn!

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Monday, June 14, 2004 - 10:54 pm: Edit *

Thanks, Thesbo. Here it is, finally:

Dear Primab:

Your dilemma is not unusual. Bright, academically-inclined students are often torn between the BFA and the BA degree. The BFA offers pre-professional training and (perhaps) a quicker route into the profession, but at the cost of a broad liberal arts education and in-depth study of other fields. The BA offers the latter, but will likely not provide time for the essential work on the voice and the body. So how to decide on the best path?

First, some clarification. A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is typically around 60-70% of the total curriculum, with the remaining 30-40% in general studies and electives. Here, for example, is the breakdown of our BFA in Acting (using the categories established by NAST, the National Association of Schools of Theatre):

Acting, Voice, Movement, and Performance: 33%
Supportive Courses in Theatre: 29%
General Studies: 29%
Electives: 8%

And here is the breakdown of our BFA in Musical Theatre:

Musical Theatre (Voice, Acting, Performance): 35%
Dance and Movement: 9%
Supportive Courses in Music and Theatre: 27%
General Studies: 29%

Our BFA degrees are fairly similar to those at Michigan, NYU, and Penn State, among others, where there are significant general education requirements. Pure conservatory programs (CCM, Boston Conservatory) have fewer requirements in general education.

By comparison, a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) is typically around 30% of the curriculum, with the remaining 70% divided between general education and electives (Including other majors). Here is the breakdown of our BA in Theatre:

Theatre Studies: 20%
Performance and Theatre Electives: 10%
General Education: 41% (more because of math and foreign language)
Electives: 29%

It should be immediately obvious that the BA degree offers a much greater degree of flexibility in the program. It also has a lot more "free" time. I just looked at the schedules for our freshman BA majors, BFA Acting majors, and BFA Musical Theatre/Dance majors next year. All of them have 18 credit hours, the maximum allowed without paying an overload fee. (We're on the quarter system, three 10-week terms in an academic year. Schools on the semester system--two 15-week terms in an academic year--typically require 12 credit hours per term.) Eighteen hours sounds reasonable in a 40-hour week, because it leaves 22 hours of research and reading and thinking and preparation time for those 18 hours in class.

Ah, but contact hours don't necessarily match credit hours, and especially not for BFA programs. Our BA majors next year will spend 19 hours in class for those 18 credits. Sounds just about right. But our Acting majors will spend 31 hours in class, and our Musical Theatre/Dance majors will spend 39 hours in class for 18 credits. That means that songs and monologues get learned, scenes rehearsed and papers written in the evenings (if you're not in rehearsal) or in the late evenings (if you are in rehearsal). For some, that's a desirable lifestyle; for others, it would be hell not having time to think.

So which is right for you? Try answering the following questions by circling the appropriate number from 1 to 5, where 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree. (Ignore for the moment whether it's a positive or negative number.)

I can't imagine doing anything besides acting in the professional theatre. Really.
1 2 3 4 5

I am a singer and a dancer, and I would love to spend my life doing musicals.
1 2 3 4 5

I want to learn everything about everything.
-1 -2 -3 -4 -5

Except for being onstage, my favorite place is the library or my room, curled up with a great book.
-1 -2 -3 -4 -5

Except for being onstage, my favorite place is in dance class, or acting class, or choir.
1 2 3 4 5

I'm very physical, and I'm at my best when I'm active and busy all the time.
1 2 3 4 5

I'm very intellectual, and I'm at my best when I have time to think and write.
-1 -2 -3 -4 -5

OK, now add up your score, and now pay attention to whether it's a positive or negative number. If I've counted right, the scores can range from -11 to +17. This may be the most unscientific questionnaire ever created, but my suspicion is that if your score is in the high positive numbers, you're going to be happy in a BFA program and unhappy in a BA program; and vice versa, if your score is in the negative numbers, you're going to happier in a BA than in a BFA program. As I said, it's a guess. If there's someone out there who's a psychologist, and wants to help me do a study, give me a call.

But is a BA program going to lead to a career in acting? I decided to look at the backgrounds of the 2004 Tony winners for acting. Here are the results:

Leading Actress
Play: Phylicia Rashad, BFA, Howard University
Musical: Idina Menzel, BFA, New York University

Leading Actor
Play: Jefferson Mays, BA, Yale University; MFA, U. California San Diego
Musical: Hugh Jackman, BA (Journalism), University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; Certificate (equivalent of our MFA) Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

Featured Actress
Play: Audra McDonald, BM (Voice), Juilliard
Musical: Anika Noni Rose, (unknown undergraduate); MFA, American Conservatory Theatre

Featured Actor
Play: Brian F. O'Bryne, unknown
Musical: Michael Cerveris, BA (unknown major), Yale

I also looked at biographies of Meryl Streep and Robin Williams, two of the most gifted actors I know. Streep went to Vassar, where she did a BA in English, then did an MFA at Yale. Williams started out at Claremont Men's College (now Claremont McKenna) studying political science, got interested in improvisation, transferred briefly to College of Marin, then won a full scholarship to Juilliard. He spent two years there, but then, at John Houseman's suggestion, he left before finishing the degree and moved to LA to do stand-up comedy. (Excellent biographies of these two and others have been written by Dominic Wills and are available at ww.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies.)

There are a couple of different conclusions one might draw from this incredibly brief survey. One is that intensive professional training in music or theatre is essential. With the exception of Cerveris, all have either BFA or MFA degrees or their equivalent. And Cerveris' biography states that he studied classical voice at Yale.

But another observation might be that an undergraduate BA degree, or at least some years spent studying something besides acting, may also be very important. I find it fascinating that both Mays and Cerveris attended Yale, which doesn't have an undergraduate degree in Theatre; Streep majored in English at Vassar; Jackman majored in Journalism; and even Willliams spent some time studying political science. I don't think any of them would say that those years were wasted.

The conclusion might be, finally, that while intensive training is critical to success in our field, the real question is not whether, but WHEN. If you have no interest in academics, aren't going to be happy unless you're in class and rehearsal at least eight hours a day, then you should do a BFA in dance or theatre or a BM in music. But if you love academics, want to study everything, need quiet time to read and write and think, then you may well want to do a BA degree in any subject at a school where you can act as much as you want, and obtain a better sense of yourself and the world before you commit yourself to the intensive professional training which an MFA requires. The middle ground, which works for some, is a BFA program that requires or at least encourages a significant amount of work in fields besides voice, dance, movement and acting.

I hope this gets you a little closer to knowing what you want to do. I'd urge you to look at several kinds of programs, a liberal arts college with a terrific theatre program that allows open participation from anyone in the college (or a major university with several theatre clubs open to everyone); a respected conservatory with intensive professional training; and a school with a mixture of professional training and liberal arts education. I think you'll discover fairly quickly from the students themselves which kind of program is the best fit for you.

There are many ways to succeed in our business, Primab, but finally you have to do it in the way which makes you the happiest. Too many people are successful in their fields, but miserable doing it. You don't have to end up that way. You can make a better choice.

Good luck.

*By Primab (Primab) on Monday, June 14, 2004 - 11:21 pm: Edit *

I don't even know where to begin. Thank you for that amazing post. That took a lot of your time and I am certain you will help not just me but many on this site with a similar dilemma. I am new to CC so I don't know which school you are speaking of when you talk about "our" BFA, etc. Can you tell us?

While I know that theater will be my life-I am inclined to go for the BA-majoring in theater- and follow with a BFA in acting (I don't aspire to do musical theater). The reason being is I want to make sure I have something to fall back on since the career path for an actor is always risky. I still have time to decide.

I am visitng schools this month with, hopefully, strong BA's in theater (Bard, Vassar, Brown, Amherst and Boston College). I have visited Northwestern and USC already. Any suggestions would be really welcome.

My heartfelt thanks to you for taking the time and energy to post that. I haven't taken the "test" yet but will now. Maybe you are right and the BFA is the way to go.

I look forward to reading more from you.

*By Primab (Primab) on Monday, June 14, 2004 - 11:26 pm: Edit *

Doctorjohn-I just clicked on your name and see that you are the Chair of Otterbein's theater dept. It's wonderful that you are here to help those of us at CC interested in theater. I am really awed! Thanks again for the great advise!

*By Valerie (Valerie) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 02:15 am: Edit *

I'm grateful too, Doctorjohn. What a great informative post! I love the survey questions too. What if someone's numbers come out almost even instead of a majority of +'s or -'s?

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 07:21 am: Edit *

Primab: I'm glad you found the post helpful. My suspicion is that a BA followed by an MFA (that's what you meant to write) is the route to go for you. The schools that you've listed (Bard, Vassar, etc.) are certainly terrific places. When you visit, ask about performance opportunities, and not just through the Theatre Department, if there is one. Many of the old-line Eastern schools have drama clubs which produce theatre on a very high level. Some major universities do as well. Extra-curricular theatre at one of these schools can be just as valid a route as doing a BA.

Valerie: I don't know. Never done this before. And any social scientist would take me to task for the questionnaire, I'm sure. My guess is that if the numbers come out almost even, the student might be happiest in a BA program which offered at least some acting classes, as well as the possibility of studying voice; or in a BFA program which made room for significant study of other fields. I think I need to show the survey to some of my colleagues, tweak it and field test it. In the meantime, I'd love to hear results from people!

*By Jrmom (Jrmom) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 11:38 am: Edit *

Oh dear, I got a +9 when I plugged in the numbers that I'm pretty sure my jr would have put in. What does that mean?

Unfortunately, a kid can love to be alone and read widely for the sake of, and the joy of, reading - love quiet time for reading, thinking and writing, but still really DISLIKE being in a wide range of school classes and strongly prefer performance classes to liberal arts classes.

Maybe the one question on this be two questions?

1) Except for being onstage, my favorite place is the library or my room, curled up with a great book AND I enjoy studying all subjects in class

2) Except for being onstage, my favorite place is the library or my room, curled up with a great book BUT I strongly prefer reading widely on my own to taking a broad range of classes in school

I would suspect this student, despite scoring a 9, would be unhappy in a BA and thrive in a BFA, but not because of any dislike of being along to read, think and write.

This is an interesting process. Can't wait to hear what your colleagues say about the questionnaire!

*By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 11:56 am: Edit *

Jrmom, I took the survey and answered how I believe my D would have and came up with a 1. Although it's kind of a fun concept, I hope that students don't rely on those questions to help them make a decision between a BFA or BA program. I know that my daughter is as passionate as anyone about her performing and love of drama but she is equally passionate about other things. She's actually a very well-rounded kid and from my experience with her friends that she went to an arts high school with and also her friends at Tisch, they are very similar. Many are also gifted writers, musicians, athletes, math contest winners. I hope no one is being discouraged from a BFA program because they want to be able to get a good academic education as well. Certainly at Tisch, you can, and are encouraged to, do both. Most of my D's friends will double major in the College of Arts and Science. I suspect that this is the reason that academics is equally weighted in the admissions process. There are many options for our kids who love drama and it's important that they research all of them in order to find one which is the best fit for them, and for all aspects of their lives.

*By Jrmom (Jrmom) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 01:00 pm: Edit *

I have a lot of questions today....

Does anyone know if a kid who has not had a lot of music background (main training in acting, dance and voice in that order; no theory, no sight-singing courses yet)should even bother to apply to a music based MT program like NYU Steinhart?

*By Jrmom (Jrmom) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 01:01 pm: Edit *

Whoops, I posted in the wrong area! It's hard when there are two such interesting conversations going...:-)

*By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 04:18 pm: Edit *

Alwaysamom, I agree with you. A kid can be extremely passionate about a life in the theater and love doing theater 24/7, but also happen to have other interests or talents. I have a daughter who sounds a bit like your Emily. She definitely wants to pursue musical theater and it has been a deep seated passion since nursery school. There has been no doubt in her mind about going for a BFA in musical theater for years. However, she happens to also be a very good student and has some other talents/skills. I think an attribute of Tisch is how you can have a conservatory experience, yet also study some liberal arts. I think my D is realizing that is likely what she would thrive on, even though at one time she thought a school that was almost all performing arts courses sounded ideal but being able to do a bit of other interests and get some education is now attractive to her as well, even though her prime love is musical theater.

Jrmom....I can just give you my opinion but don't go by what I say, ok? But my feeling is that even in any MT program, voice skills/training, as well as some music background, is going to be a very important. Afterall, singing is a major part of the audition. Then for a place like Steinhardt which is a music school, it is even more significant. In fact, I would imagine at Steinhardt that most students will have had voice training, including some classical singing. For instance, just to audition for All States for voice here, you have to sing classical and have to sight read, etc. I think most students involved in music in high school have this general background. Also since it is so competitive for MT college programs (not talking just Steinhardt now), that most kids who get in likely have some voice training. For example, a good friend of my girls' who is graduating high school this week loves musical theater and auditioned for MT college programs. She has done a LOT of theater, but mostly is cast in ensemble roles. I would say her best skill is dance, where she has had the most training. She only started taking voice lessons maybe 18 months ago (though is in choir things in HS and the musicals and such). She did not get into any of the BFA programs at all. She is a decent singer but not the best. She is going to Indiana University to pursue musical theater but that is a BA program and no audition, plus she had some connections there. Her mom was just telling me that she felt her daughter was at a disadvantage in the vocal area as other auditioners had vocal training. I happen to agree with her. If you think about it, if a program is only taking 5% of the kids who try out, and many are very very good, it is likely the kids who are the best singers and actors who get in and likely these are the kids who might have gotten leads in their hometowns...sort of like the top 5% of kids from each area so to speak. I can't say if music skills are required to go to these schools but it cannot hurt to have a music background. As you can see for Steinhardt, they even mention this. I think even at UMichigan, there is a music theory or piano portion. I believe that the study of music and instruments has been beneficial to my daughter's singing/theater work, even though she does not study music/instruments for that reason but has always played a few. But I can see how it likely has helped in this area too. She can sight read anything. I believe once this actually got her cast.

In any case, if your daughter has not begun some voice lessons, she may want to as it will be very helpful to her as she prepares for auditions. Like your D, mine does a ton of dance but I have this feeling that that is not the main component of the MT college auditions but could enhance her candidacy since not all singers/actors can dance. But I definitely believe that singing is a big part of the audition for MT. In fact, in many major auditions, such as for Broadway, the first cut is singing only. If you make it past that, then you do the reading and dance. That has been our experience. So, I think you should definitely be aware that vocal skills will be paramount and then at Steinhardt, music skills will be as well. These places are so selective that even IF you have all that stuff, it is still hard to get in. I think one would be at a disadvantage with no music or vocal training. That is just my view but I am not as experienced as many who post here so take it with just a grain of salt of one mom to another ;-).

Susan

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 06:01 pm: Edit *

Well, it's clear that the survey needs tweaking. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

I agree with Alwaysamom that I'd hate to see anyone dissuaded from looking at BFA programs because of a score on a questionnaire. But all BFA programs are not alike, and few permit the double-majors that Tisch seems to encourage. Students who want both professional training and a strong academic education need to search out the programs that support this approach philosophically and practically.

Jrmom, what I hear is that answering the survey led to a realization that your daughter wants to read on her own, and doesn't want to be in a wide range of classes. If that's the case, she almost certainly wants to do a BFA, and might well be happy with a more conservatory approach. But Alwaysamom, your score of 1 suggests to me that your daughter really needs to be in a program like Tisch's, where all of her intellectual and artistic needs can be satisfied.

Hope this helps.

*By Valerie (Valerie) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 06:42 pm: Edit *

Doctorjohn, I asked my S to answer your questionnaire. His score came to .5 so he round it off to a 0. I asked him to share his thoughts.

He said because he had a performing arts H.S. background and intense study of Theatre and MT, (with other experiences he has had since he was 6 in the theatre world) his selection of a BFA vs. BA would depend on the program and course of study with any one school. In other words, he has found in his search for colleges that there is a variance of instruction and programs offered per school whether they are BFA or BA concentrated. One school could have a better BA program vs. another school's BFA program etc.

His college route was not only intnese but laborous because of this attitude and search for the best fit. Although, in the end he is Absolutely delighted with his choice of the BA program at UCLA, It needs to be said, that it was without a doubt a difficult decision (other than parental financial ability) to make vs. accepting a highly rated BFA at Tisch. Because as he said, his preference in general is a BFA.

I find it interesting though that his score of 0 reflects his overall attitude and many interests that he indeed will be persuing a BA route of education.

We just recently returned from a visit to UCLA and it's theatre program and I beleive it has confirmed his decision as being the best fit for him. UCLA will give him in the long run the best of all with a (1)concentrated track of Theatre study after freshman year if wanted and accepted into. (2)A BA cirriculum where he can pull and major from a number of courses from All schools and their disciplines of his various interests and strenghts (3)The flexibility to produce and direct his own work after first semester of freshman year (4) his ability to persure private acting and voice classes on the side if wanted when time available (5)the ability to audition and do his own gigs, and (6)to wrap many things and experiences into one by college graduation. He will no doubt continue his pursuit of many subjects, things and other opportunities through his summers whether here or abroad too.

I asked him if he was thinking of continuing his education to the graduate level at this time and he said no. It is his belief that he would like to go out in the world and make something of himself or of his own after graduation before he returns to the classroom for a concentration in a graduate level degree, if ever needed. Of course, he said it all depends. That things could change completely in the next four years if not before.

But, I get the distinct impression that he is ready NOW (and that it is important to him) to be "the captain of his own ship".

So, I think your questionaire is more on than off or closer in defining what a student would be accessing and thinking subconsciously than not. Work out a few kinks with your associates and I think you are on to something of great value for the student and his family in accessing BFA/BA college tracks and their educational future.

I know my H and I feel better that S is persuing the right track that has been chosen. Your questionnaire has supported that.

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 10:17 pm: Edit *

I'm a 6 when I include the MT question and a 5 of up to 12 without it. I can sing pretty and I'm trainable as a dancer, but MT aint my thang.

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 10:28 pm: Edit *

Valerie: Based on several of your earlier posts, I'd thought for a long time that your son had made a good choice. I think NYU would have been fine, but I suspect UCLA will be terrific for him.

Thesbo: I think that score supports what you've written before, that even though you do exceptionally well in academic subjects, that's not what you want to spend your time working on in college. That's why you're taking all those AP tests, right? Clearly you want a professional training program.

OK, enough of the silly questionnaire. But let me explain some of the reasoning behind it.

Success in the musical theatre requires continuous training in voice at least, and for most, in dance as well. You can't put that training on hold. So I do think that for students who want to do musicals, a BFA is preferable.

It's different for students who want to do regional theatre, Shakespeare festivals, off-Broadway, and even film. Unless they are ingenues, and therefore employable at the age of 22, it may be awhile, even four or five years, before they start getting cast regularly. Those years may be usefully spent in an MFA program, and there are many excellent ones, including NYU, Yale, ACT, and UC San Diego. These schools accept students who've majored in History as well as those who've majored in Theatre. And by the time they've finished the degree at the age of 25, MFA students have mature bodies and voices capable of doing classical repertoire. (They also have a "terminal" degree which will allow them later in life to teach at the college level.)

Too, it's difficult to get what's commonly called a "liberal arts education" outside of an undergraduate setting. Professional training in a good MFA program can be done at the age of 30 or even 40. But there are no graduate programs in general studies. it's very difficult to go back at that age and spend the time studying philosophy, history, the arts and science. So, for some, doing an academically rigorous BA degree in theatre and another field, followed by an MFA in Acting, may be the better route. At least some students should consider it, and not reject it out-of-hand because they fear they can't adequately prepare for a professional acting career in any other way than a BFA.

But the BFA is absolutely right for many, and especially for students who want a career in musical theatre, as well as for those who are kinesthetic learners.

It's all about finding the path where you can learn the things you want to learn in the way you can best learn them.

xiggi · November 3, 2008, 5:38pm

*By Valerie (Valerie) on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 09:32 pm: Edit *

Thanks Doctorjohn, your posts are always very imformative and "right on". I agree, in the long run S has made a very wise choice.

Worlds of opportunity are avaialble to him once he really establishes himself and "feels" where he belongs in the next few years of maturity, exposure and experience.

*By Valerie (Valerie) on Friday, June 18, 2004 - 03:50 am: Edit *

For now, a wide range of academic studies are a must. He has too many subject interests that need to be pursued or further advanced studied in undergrad College, now that he has the time and age available. And, on his parents dime!! I agree with you too, Life tends to happen and get in the way, once the reality of responsibilities set in after college graduation. I should note for others, that because S has had four years of intense theatre studies already under his belt that his decision to pursure BA vs. BFA is right for him at the moment. It will be interesting though, to see where his thinking and feelings are a year from now. I don't think i will have the same person walking into my kitchen as i do now. Already, I can see the self motivation and governance taking shape with his summer employment and activites he is pursuing. It is Amazing the emotional growth and maturity the kids tend to acquire after one year of College! I can see an MFA in the future - THEATRE IS HIS LOVE - but it is a varied academic program with a concentration in theatre BA for now. I think the TFT school at UCLA gives him the best of both worlds. I am glad doctorjohn you think so too. Now, lets see what he makes of it. I love college for kids. I love to see them take flight!!!!!

*By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Friday, June 18, 2004 - 03:26 pm: Edit *

I dropped in over here from the musical theatre thread, and I want to thank Doctorjohn for his questionnaire! It really helped at our house. My daughter took the survey, and it helped us both realize something. It wasn't even the score so much as the questions themselves. My daughter is a very physical person. She chose to learn ASL for her foreign language because she can physically communicate instead of just speak. But she's also an excellent student in English, a critical and compassionate reader, and a wonderful writer (and excellent in psychology and history), so that sometimes confuses the situation. But she'd rather be singing and dancing and acting and in performances, rehearsals, choir, drama, and dance class than anything in the world. Clearly, she would not be happy or as successful in a BA theatre program. It also explains why, although she is so smart, such a quick study and a good memorizer, she stinks at testtaking. I often wonder how somebody who both thrives at auditions and loves to learn can do so poorly on academic tests. I bet if they asked her to sing the answers or pattern (choreograph) the answers, she'd do great! Thanks, Doctorjohn!

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Friday, June 18, 2004 - 03:48 pm: Edit *

Mtmommy: That's one of the reasons that many teachers have reservations about standardized tests. The questions can only be answered by using a pencil to fill in a tiny circle. No way to paint an answer, or dance one, or write a song or a scene. I'm glad the questionnaire helped. It does sound as if your daughter would learn better in a program where she can be physically active most of the time. As I wrote earlier, it's all about finding the place where you can learn the things you want to learn, in the WAY you can learn them best.

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Friday, June 18, 2004 - 06:56 pm: Edit *

Doctorjohn, I had almost forgotten about the "Thesbo Manifesto" I wrote last month. I feel much better, now.

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 10:16 am: Edit *

I'm glad, Thesbohemian. (Can we shorten that to Tbon?) Now I have a question for you. If you're willing, could you give me your score on each question, and the reasons for your choices? It would help me decide which questions are most useful. You can write to me off-line if you'd prefer.

Thanks!

*By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 01:44 pm: Edit *

Doctorjohn, I kinda like "Thesbo." Here's my reasoning on my answers:

"I can't imagine doing anything besides acting in the professional theatre. Really."

<ol>
<li>Im interested in TV and film as well, so I knocked it down to 3 based on that. If the statement was "I can't imagine being anything besides a professional actor," it'd be a 5. </li>
</ol>

"I am a singer and a dancer, and I would love to spend my life doing musicals."

<ol>
<li>Like I said, Im trainable as a dancer and I can sing fairly well, but Im not the kind of powerhouse some of my voice friends are. I've never learned to read music well, either. Also, even if I decided to emphasize it, I think Id be an alto in a sopranos body casting-wise. </li>
</ol>

"I want to learn everything about everything."

-3. I like to learn. Im especially into specific period history and I think Id get into cultural anthropology and psychology, but everything about everything is kind of intense. Not even possible in this life.

"Except for being onstage, my favorite place is the library or my room, curled up with a great book."

-1. No way! I even prefer to study outside if possible. I really dont study that much. People think Im smart, but I really just have a good memory. Hence my hatred for high maintenance math and science and the amount of homework that goes with them. My ego makes me go for the A, but I resent spending the time. I guess it must be sort of like being stuck in a bad, real-world job. Hopefully, the paycheck will be a big, fat scholarship.

"Except for being onstage, my favorite place is in dance class, or acting class, or choir."

<ol>
<li>Im all about stretching and taking risks in studio. The first time I took an improv class, it was like I'd suddenly come home. </li>
</ol>

"I'm very physical, and I'm at my best when I'm active and busy all the time."

<ol>
<li>Im very physical and like to stay busy, but I need SOME time to chill and recharge. </li>
</ol>

"I'm very intellectual, and I'm at my best when I have time to think and write.

-3. Balancing with the last question, Id say Im more physical than intellectual and probably need more time to "recharge" than to think and write, but I do have some of that side. Really, I have my best ideas when Im running, riding the Lifecycle, or something like that. It's kind of hard to judge, but I give myself a +1 on the last two questions combined.

Did I understand the questions and approach it like you intended?

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 04:54 pm: Edit *

Dear Thesbo:

Yes, you did. I need to think about your answers for a bit, before I change the wording of the statements. But I'll definitely change the first statement to "professional actor". It was never my intent to have anyone hedge because I wrote "theatre" and didn't include film and TV.

Thanks, Thesbo. Very helpful.

*By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 10:20 pm: Edit *

Doctorjohn--This is how the questions worked over here. I tried to answer before, but my answer got lost somehow.

I can't imagine doing anything besides acting in the professional theatre. Really.
My daughter gave this one a 4 because she wants to act more than anything, but could in a pinch see herself "helping other people" (psychology).

I am a singer and a dancer, and I would love to spend my life doing musicals.
My daughter gave this one a 5 because she's a singer and dancer (and actor) and only wants to do musicals!

I want to learn everything about everything.
My daughter gave this one a 4. I thought she'd give it a 3. I think we both were tempering it with the thought that although she loves to learn she knows she can only do so much in one lifetime. It's sort of a trick question.

Except for being onstage, my favorite place is the library or my room, curled up with a great book.
I thought she would answer this one with a 2, but she answered with a 3. She loves down time and to read.

Except for being onstage, my favorite place is in dance class, or acting class, or choir.
She answered a 4, while I thought it would be a 5. She loves this, but obviously wants the reading time too.

I'm very physical, and I'm at my best when I'm active and busy all the time.
This was a 5, and I knew it would be a 5!

I'm very intellectual, and I'm at my best when I have time to think and write.
While I thought she would put a 3, she actually put a 4! I never would have thought somebody who spends all their time singing, dancing, acting, and choreographing would consider herself so intellectual!

These questions, as i said before, really made us both think about what type of learner she is. Another question that might help is how someone spends their time currently. For example, outside of school and work, how much time does someone spend on training, rehearsing, performing, studying for extra hard courses like AP, doing volunteer work outside performing arts, reading, hanging with friends, sleeping . . . .

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 08:31 am: Edit *

MTmommy: Thanks, that is very helpful. Looks like I need to change the "I want to learn everything about everything" statement to something like, "I want to study as many different subjects as I can in college." That gets closer to the reality of the choice between BA and BFA programs.

Time for me to run this by my colleagues in Psychology who know what they're doing with this kind of thing. I'll try to do that this week.

*By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 06:49 pm: Edit *

OK, version two. Based on advice from my colleague Robert Kraft, chair of Psychology, I took out the negative numbers (I knew he was going to tell me that), went to a 7 point scale, and repeated "strongly disagree" and "strongly agree" for each question.

As for the questions themselves, some have been reworded slightly, and some have been left the same.

For now, I'm not going to give instructions on how to score this. But it would be very helpful if some volunteers would take the survey and tell me their choice on each question.

<ol>
<li>I can't imagine being anything other than a professional actor. </li>
</ol>