<p>I understand that the drama/theatre arts department is supposed to be very good. Can anyone give some first-hand information, details, or anecdotes? My daughter is very interested in acting, singing, and playwriting, but is also committed to a well-rounded liberal arts education. Thanks!</p>
<p>Any Lawrence people out there?</p>
<p>As far as I know Lawrence has a fantastic theatre department! One of my best friends is a theatre major and I have heard nothing but great things! She is very happy here.</p>
<p>Any specific questions that I can ask her?</p>
<p>My daughter is a theater/music-voice major, and is very happy with the training Lawrence provides.</p>
<p>Lawrence does not have a music theater major. The Theater major is offered by the College. The Music-Voice major is offered by the College or the Conservatory.</p>
<p>In order to be a Music-Voice major in the Conservatory, your daughter will need to audition and be accepted by the Conservatory. In order to major in Theater, she would need to be accepted by the College as a general student. She would then be a Double Degree student (BA from the College, and a BM from the Conservatory), and that program takes 5 years.</p>
<p>If she is accepted into the college (but not the conservatory, or doesn’t apply to the conservatory), then she could double major in Theater and Music in the college (no audition required). A double major can be completed in 4 years.</p>
<p>As long as she is a declared voice major (conservatory or college), the voice lessons will be the same. As a non-major, if all the studios are full, then she could get voice lessons from a Senior for the first year or so. The difference between a music-voice degree from the Conservatory vs. the College is the amount of other classes she will have to take. As a music-theater type person, the music-voice degree from the college should be fine. If she wanted to be an opera, or other type singer (where singing is primary), then a Conservatory degree followed by graduate school at a conservatory would be recommended.</p>
<p>The music-voice training she will receive at Lawrence is among the best in the country. I would put it in the top 10, rivaling Eastman, New England, U of IN, etc. Those other programs have more prestige because of their graduate programs (Lawrence is undergrad only).</p>
<p>As an undergrad only institution, she will not be competing against grad students for roles in performances. In addition to productions by the Department, there are also a good number of productions by Seniors that give additional opportunity to be on the stage. The Department productions also tend to double cast the lead roles, with the casts alternating performances (4 performances, 2 by each lead cast).</p>
<p>does the theater dept also produce dramas? My dtr is interested in straight acting (not musical theater).</p>
<p>As parent of former student, I know they produce both. Been there.</p>
<p>[Lawrence</a> University: Theatre & Drama](<a href=“http://www.lawrence.edu/dept/theatre/index2.html]Lawrence”>http://www.lawrence.edu/dept/theatre/index2.html)</p>
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<p>Most of the student run productions are non-musical.</p>
<p>thanks for the information!</p>
<p>Thanks you for your replies!</p>
<p>My daughter (who is in the UK) wondered how much Shakespeare they might study or perform…what the actual acting classes are like…whether the drama graduates go on to work in the theatre, or do further more concentrated training…are there any classes in play/screenwriting either in the drama or English departments…do students ever write and produve their own work?</p>
<p>Sorry for such a lot of questions!</p>
<p>Why doesn’t your daughter write to one of the drama professors listed online. I had my son do that with his musical instrument and it went from there. He was in school in the EU though an American and found Lawrence on his own. It was the best find he made during the college process! They individualize the learning process. The school is present for its students. It is a good place. I would imagine if your daughter wants to write and produce plays the stage is open. Write.</p>