<p>Does anybody have any insights?</p>
<p>I would like to know, too.</p>
<p>USC theatre is very good.</p>
<p>First of all, it depends on whether you want a BA or a BFA. USC offers both; UCLA only offers a BA. At UCLA, I don't think you can perform until the first semester of your junior year (or maybe it's second semester sophomore year), but at USC, you can start performing in freshman year. Anyway, what exactly do you want out of a theatre program? UCLA gives everyone the same base to work off of by making all freshman take the same classes whether they're interested in acting or tech or whatever; on the other hand, USC combines some of the classes but also offers freshman courses aimed directly at your major. They're both extremely good programs but different in a lot of ways. I also applied to both schools for theatre, and I personally prefer USC's program, but if I get into UCLA, I'll take a closer look at it. Do you have any specific questions? I don't really want to ramble on and not know if this is helping...</p>
<p>Yes, you confirmed much of what I've heard and their differences. Your ramble really condensed it down to the essence. I don't know if my daughter could stomach not being allowed in a theater till sophomore year at UCLA, but I understand their motive--to give a really well-rounded academic education. </p>
<p>On the other hand, she has a particular tech specialty which she has discovered USC theater does not really address beyond one intro course, so she'd have to be satisfied with staying general in that area. But at least things would be more hands-on there than UCLA.</p>
<p>I would also be curious to know which schools' faculty is known for being more involved with outside theater work and providing good contacts and connections to the industry.</p>
<p>themockery, ramble all you want, becuase you've given great insight :)! </p>
<p>I would like to reiterate TaraMom's question as well. "I would also be curious to know which schools' faculty is known for being more involved with outside theater work and providing good contacts and connections to the industry."</p>
<p>oh also. I know that at USC you could apply for a minor in theater, and even enter the BA major without audition (not sure, but that's what I heard.) but I'm not surea bout UCLA. I'm curious about this difference because I didn't apply to either school as a theater major. I hope to either pursue a minor or double major in the field though.</p>
<p>It would also be nice to hear from graduates of either progams, and get their feedback about their experience and what they're doing now.</p>
<p>Ohhhh, the drama. ;-)</p>
<p>Anyways, I was once a theater major at USC. I also have worked at several talent and casting agencies in Hollywood. A better question here is why you want to be a theater major? Do you have grand visions of "making it in Hollywood"? Because if you do, don't waste your parents money on a theater degree from either school. </p>
<p>The industry DOES NOT CARE if you have a degree. They care about three things: are you in shape, do you have an attractive, memorable face, and are you capable of not over-acting. That is all you need to get an agent and get hired in LA. That said, if this is your purpose, you are much better off majoring in something like film or public relations, getting a job in the business, and making contacts with important people. You can very easily get an agent while at USC and still attend all your classes. </p>
<p>If, however, you are actually all about the stage, then 4 years of theater training could serve you well, but it would serve you a lot better if you were at a school in NY or Chicago. Still, if you are dead set on LA, USC has a more reputable theater program nationwide for their BFA than any other school in LA.</p>
<p>I would guess that at least 50% of theater majors at USC change their major before they graduate. And its because they realize like me that it is pretty useless to earn a degree in theater.</p>
<p>Just my spin...</p>
<p>Trojangirlie05, you have some good points. Do you think LA is a good theatre city (although I know it's no NY or Chicago)?</p>
<p>TaraMom, I don't know too much about your question, but the people I've talked to have usually mentioned that a few of the faculty/staff have connections and/or work at the Mark Taper Forum in LA, which looks like an excellent theatre. Technical students can do internships there, and I believe they're also starting up an acting internship program there. A lot of universities REQUIRE theatre faculty to be involved in outside theatrical work, but I'm not sure if USC is one of those. I don't really know anything about UCLA's faculty connections, sorry.</p>
<p>Since I got rejected from UCLA's theatre program today, it looks like USC is moving up my list, although I'll see what other schools have to say later this month.</p>
<p>BUMP I am interested in hearing any more insight people can share.</p>
<p>No, LA is not a good theater city. Not whatsoever. I would say that only around 25% (and that is being generous) of the theater that comes through LA is cast here. </p>
<p>If you are looking for a good theatrical training program, then you need to audition for the prestigous bfa programs. A ba in theater, from just about any school, is really a useless degree. </p>
<p>Good theater training bfa programs, imo, include North Carolina School for the Arts, the Guthrie School at the University of Minnesota, Carnegie Mellon University, Boston University, Northern Illinois University, and of course, Juilliard, though their's isn't a bfa.</p>
<p>Really good musical theater training programs include U of Michigan, the Hartt School at the University of Hartford, Southern Methodist University, and again, Juilliard.</p>
<p>It's also my opinion that the best classical theater training (Shakespeare, Molliere) is offered in the UK. RADA, LAMDA, Liverpool, Royal Scottish.</p>
<p>trojangirlie05 -
What are some good schools for technical theater? My son is in tech theater.</p>
<p>This is an old thread. But still, it presents some troubling information. Just wondering if there is anyone with recent USC BFA Acting program experience that could reflect more on trohangirlie05’s thoughts about the program. Is this really the way most students feel about the program? </p>
<p>“I would guess that at least 50% of theater majors at USC change their major before they graduate. And its because they realize like me that it is pretty useless to earn a degree in theater.”</p>
<p>This is an old post and no one who has posted is familiar with the School of Dramatic Arts as it is today. I suggest you write and ask for the 2012 booklets and thoroughly study the website. </p>
<p>USC’s BFA is one of the most competitive. For the 2010 class over 800 students auditioned nationwide for admission. Of those 32 were admitted. Last year I think the number was even smaller.</p>
<p>The training is top notch. Supporters of the school are some of the most famous names in theatre/film. Monetary competive awards are given by Jack Nicholson for outstanding actress and actor. Other monetary awards are given such as:</p>
<p>Stanley Musgrove Award
Aileen Stanley Memorial Award
David Dukes Memorial Scholarship
James Doolittle Award
Nancy Reed Memorial Production Fund
James Pendleton Award
Ritchie Spencer Memorial Award
John Ritter Memorial Award
and others…</p>
<p>Graduates of the USC School of Theatre are performing both in Los Angeles and Broadway. Here are the names of some alumni:
Forest Whitaker–Academy Award
Kyra Sedgwick–Golden Globe; Emmy Award
The late John Ritter–Emmy Award
LeVar Burton–Emmy Award
Kate Russo–Tony Award nominee twice
Grant Heslov–Writer/Actor, Good Night and Good Luck, Leatherheads; Academy Award nominee
Kristin Guenther–Received the Richard Rogers Award for Musical Theatre
James Snyder–Had title role in Tony Award nominated Cry-Baby, Drama League Award nomination–TV roles in CSI, Cold Case and Gilmore Girls
Tara Smith–Two time Tony Award nomineee for producing; co-produced web series Cubby Bernstein with Nathan Lane and Patti LuPone; co-produced The Seagull
Jennifer Brienen–Stage manager for Of Equal Measure and This Beautiful City at the Kirk Douglas Theatre
Stark Sands–Tony Award nominee, featured in Flags of Our Fathers, Theatre World Award; lead role in Broadway production of American Idiot
Patrick J. Adams–Ovation Award nominee; film roles in Rage, Weather Girl and The Waterhole; TV roles in Flash Forward and Commander in Chief, Lost, Cold Case and NCIS; Screen Actors Award Nominee
Trojan Bellisario–Starring role in Pretty Little Liars
Jack Bender–Executive Producer and Director of Fox series Alcatraz
Ray Chase–the voice of Coke Zero and voice work for many of the top 25 phone apps
Marja Harmon–featured role in Sondheim’s musical Merrily We Roll Along
Don Jolly–His play was nominated for the GLAAD Media Award
Jacklyn Kalkhurst–Stage manager of The Romance of Magno Rubio at the Ford Theatre
Meghan McCarthy–Associate Artistic Director with Chicago Dramatists
Stephanie Miller–Nationally syndicated talk show host
Charles O’Connor–Dean of Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska
Catherine Ricafort–Starred as Ali in Manna Mia on Broadway
Kylie Sparks–Stars in the web series Squaresville
Stephanie Temple–Directed the New Conservatory Theatre’s presentation of Xanadu
TJ Thyne–Lead role in the 2011 film Shuffle
Michael Prichard–Record more than 500 audio books for Tantor Media; nominated for two Audie Awards
James Salinas–Awarded a 2010 MacDowell Fellowship
Megan Breen–Her play was selected for the National New Play Network Showcase
Donald Jolly–His new play was nominated for a 2011 Ovation Award for Best New Play
Pranav Shah–Production manager of the 2011 New York Musical Theatre Festival
Warren Skeels–Owner of Tigerlily Media
Kevin Mambo-Starred in the Tony Award nominated musical Fela
Deborah Ann Woll–Lead role in True Blood, Screen Actor’s Guild Award; TV roles in ER, CSI, The Mentalist and Life</p>
<p>Other alumni include Ryan Eggold, Tate Donovan, James Lesure, Swoozie Kurtz, Todd Black, Sophia Bush, Andy Tennant, Anthony Edwards and Charyl Brown.</p>
<p>A unique feature of the USC School of Dramatic Arts is the interaction among the premier School of Cinematic Arts, Thornton School of Music and the Roski School of Fine Arts.</p>
<p>AdaQuince, TrojanGirlie was addressing a slightly different point. She had worked in casting offices and was strongly reminding students that if one’s end goal it to work as an actor/actress in film or tv, no college degree of any sort is required. She observed that casting is often based on appearance. This is still true, of course. But has nothing to say about the educational substance, quality of instruction and opportunities for training/growth offered by USC’s School of Dramatic Arts. </p>
<p>I know many current USC theatre majors (BA as well as BFA), both tech and acting, who are very very engaged in their classes, training, performance opportunities, mentoring by faculty, and all that good stuff. I have heard nothing from my S (soph) of anyone dropping the major, but his friends are all really happy with the too-much-to-choose from buffet of great opportunities. I do sometimes hear of students who may decide to switch from the BFA (very intense time pressure) to the BA option before enrolling since they get a lot of great options that way, including having time to audition for professional work and take jobs in film/tv.</p>
<p>Still, I am not questioning some of trojangirlie’s points about what is needed to make it in Hollywood. However, I believe one’s training and preparation are of importance. I do not like rankings AT ALL, but I will mention here that USC’s (newly renamed) School of Dramatic Arts has just been ranked as one of the top 25 College Theatre UG programs in the country for the quality of their program.</p>
<p>Good Heavens, Georgia Girl and madbean, I am truly thankful I asked the question. USC is one of the top schools on my son’s list and I was starting to fret. I don’t disagree with the Hollywood casting points made by all. That is a given. Just want to make sure that if this happens to be THE school, my son will end up prepared for anything that has the word acting associated with it! Thanks!</p>
<p>…just wanted to add to Madbean’s post</p>
<p>The Reporter’s list included schools of drama from around the world. Included were the great drama schools in England.</p>