<p>Alwaysamom
A student run, non-theatre major Shakespeare production that could compare to Stratford? Whoa! Who's teaching those engineers voice? ;) Actually, I'm the one who'd prefer to be bothered with regular academics as little as possible once I hit college with just a few interesting humanities-type courses of my choosing. I've flirted with the idea of learning Russian, but it looks like scheduling it would be a real problem in the BFA programs at the colleges I'm looking at. So, that's probably out. I really liked what I saw in looking at some of the British academies where you train for three years with no outside academic distractions. You get to immediately live off-campus, too; and, they don't have Puritanical issues with an 18 year old sitting down in a pub and having a glass of wine with friends. They were smart to kick those people out. ;) I might do a walk-in or two at the unifieds if any of them show up and figure out a way to pay for it later if accepted.</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about the Fordham theater program? I've checked the website, but I mean has anyone heard anything good or bad about the program from either students in the program or elsewhere?</p>
<p>Chrism</p>
<p>My daughter has two friends there, one is a senior and one is a freshman. Both are very happy. The program is small. They only take 20 students. Plus, it is an audition school. Also, the program is a BA so you would be taking a liberal arts curriculum. My daughter's friend who is a freshman is only taking one theater course at the moment.</p>
<p>We had gone to the open house, and the student tour guide mentioned that the liberal arts courses were very basic and even the math that you had to take was not too difficult.</p>
<p>The campus is right at the Lincoln Center and pretty much enclosed. By that, I mean you can go from your dorm to your classroom via tunnels. You would never even have to wear boots or a coat for that matter. The dorm rooms are the best we have seen out of all the schools we visited.</p>
<p>Just found this info on a HS drama site and thought it might be of interest to you all.</p>
<p>AMDA The American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Conservatory Program</p>
<p>AMDA offers professional conservatory training in Musical Theatre and Acting for Stage, Film and Television. A degree completion option for a BA and BFA is available through the New School University.</p>
<p>Auditions for admission and scholarships are held on the Los Angeles campus in Hollywood once a month year round. You may schedule an audition or tour of the school by contacting AMDA at 1-866-374-5300 or <a href="mailto:ethompson@amda.edu">ethompson@amda.edu</a>.
Contact</p>
<p>Eric Thompson, Dir. of Admission</p>
<p><a href="mailto:ethompson@amda.edu">ethompson@amda.edu</a></p>
<p>1-866-374-5300</p>
<p>6305 Yucca Street</p>
<p>Los Angeles, CA 90028</p>
<p>Cal Lutheran University</p>
<p>University</p>
<p>BA in Drama</p>
<p>Minor: Drama</p>
<p>Scholarship Information:
<a href="http://ww2.clunet.edu/financial_aid/about/scholarships.php%5B/url%5D">http://ww2.clunet.edu/financial_aid/about/scholarships.php</a>
Admission Information: <a href="http://ww2.clunet.edu/index_2/admission.php%5B/url%5D">http://ww2.clunet.edu/index_2/admission.php</a>
Contact </p>
<p>Michael Arndt, Theatre Arts Chair</p>
<p>Theatre Arts Department</p>
<p>Mail Code: 3900
California Lutheran University</p>
<p>60 West Olsen Road</p>
<p>Thousand Oaks, CA 91360</p>
<p>Tel: 805-493-3416
Fax: 805-493-3013</p>
<p>e-mail: <a href="mailto:arndt@clunet.edu">arndt@clunet.edu</a></p>
<p>Concordia University</p>
<p>Concordia University website: <a href="http://www.cui.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.cui.edu/</a></p>
<p>Concordia's Fine Arts webpage: <a href="http://www.cui.edu/cui_shell.aspx?id=4%5B/url%5D">http://www.cui.edu/cui_shell.aspx?id=4</a></p>
<p>University</p>
<p>BA in Theatre</p>
<p>BA in Music</p>
<p>Minors: Theatre, Music
Contact</p>
<p>Peter Senkbeil, Ph.D.</p>
<p>Dir.of Theatre Activities</p>
<p>Concordia University
1530 Concordia Drive West</p>
<p>Irvine, CA 92612</p>
<p>phone: 949/854-8002, ext. 1513</p>
<p>fax: 949/854-6893
email: <a href="mailto:peter.senkbeil@cui.edu">peter.senkbeil@cui.edu</a></p>
<p>CSU Chico
University</p>
<p>BA in Theatre Arts</p>
<p>BA in Musical Theatre</p>
<p>Minor: Theatre Arts, Musical Theatre Dance</p>
<p>CSU Fullerton
University</p>
<p>BA in Theatre </p>
<p>(Concentrations: Liberal Arts, Production/Performance, Teaching)</p>
<p>BA in Dance</p>
<p>BFA in Musical Theatre</p>
<p>MFA Theatre </p>
<p>(Concentrations: Acting, Directing, Design and Technical Production)</p>
<p>CSU Hayward
University</p>
<p>BA in Theatre</p>
<p>CSU Los Angeles
University</p>
<p>BA in Theatre</p>
<p>MA in Theatre</p>
<p>CSU Sacramento
University</p>
<p>BA in Theatre</p>
<p>BA in Dance</p>
<p>MA in Theatre</p>
<p>Minors: Theatre, Dance</p>
<p>Fullerton College
Community College</p>
<p>They offer: an active award-winning production program; a playwrights festival; a directing festival; involvement in the American College Theatre Festival; more theatre classes offered every semester than you will find at any community college in the country; current state of the arts technology and instruction; student advisement, scholarships, and alumni support; a proven record of transfer success to Julliard, North Carolina School of the Arts, UCLA, UCI, UCSB, UCSD, Carnegie Melon, and many other fine schools; special student outreach programs, designed to introduce you to Fullerton College.</p>
<p>Irvine Valley College
Community College</p>
<p>Students have the opportunity to take classes from as well as be in productions guided by industry professionals who can guide the student toward discovering a new career path or enriching an existing goal of continued training and experience in the theatre arts.</p>
<p>Pacifica Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA)
Conservatory Program</p>
<p>A 2-year program in conjunction with Alan Han**** Community College.</p>
<p>(Concentrations: Acting, Technical Theatre)</p>
<p>Pepperdine University
University</p>
<p>BA in Theatre</p>
<p>BA in Theatre and Television</p>
<p>BA in Music</p>
<p>Secondary Teaching Credential (English/Drama)</p>
<p>Saddleback College
Community College</p>
<p>Acting, directing, production, design and dramatic literature are all important facets of the Theatre Arts program.</p>
<p>San Jose State University
University</p>
<p>BA in Theatre</p>
<p>BA in Radio, TV, and Film</p>
<p>MA in Theatre</p>
<p>Minors: Theatre; Radio, TV, and Film</p>
<p>University of Arizona</p>
<p><a href="http://www.uatheatre.org%5B/url%5D">www.uatheatre.org</a></p>
<p>University</p>
<p>BFA in Theatre </p>
<p>(Concentrations: Acting, Musical Theatre, Design/ Technical Production, Theatre Education, Theatre History and Dramaturgy)</p>
<p>MFA in Theatre </p>
<p>(Concentrations: Acting, Design Technical Production)</p>
<p>BA in Dance</p>
<p>BA in Music</p>
<p>BM in Music Education</p>
<p>BM (in various performance disciplines)</p>
<p>Minors: Theatre, Music
Audition Info</p>
<p>Actors should present one realistic monologue.</p>
<p>Musical theatre majors should also sing 1 song (32 bars) from a musical; no accompaniment will be provided, so bring your own recorded accompaniment and boom box.</p>
<p>University of LaVerne
University</p>
<p>BA in Theatre</p>
<p>Minors: Theatre</p>
<p>UCLA</p>
<p><a href="http://www.tft.ucla.edu/auditiontour%5B/url%5D">www.tft.ucla.edu/auditiontour</a>
University</p>
<p>BA in Theatre </p>
<p>(Concentrations: Acting, Design and Production, Directing, Musical Theatre, History and Criticism, Playwriting)</p>
<p>BA in Film and Television </p>
<p>(Concentrations: Film Production, TV and Video Production, Screen Writing, Animation, Critical Studies)</p>
<p>MFA in Theatre </p>
<p>(Concentrations: Acting, Design and Production, Directing, Playwriting)</p>
<p>MA in Film and Television </p>
<p>(Concentrations: Critical Studies, Animation, Production/Directing, Producers Program, Screenwriting)</p>
<p>PhD in Theatre</p>
<p>PhD in Film and Television </p>
<p>(Concentration: Critical Studies)</p>
<p>UC Santa Barbara
University</p>
<p>BA in Theatre</p>
<p>BFA in Theatre </p>
<p>(Concentration: Acting) Program Information</p>
<p>MA/PhD in Theatre</p>
<p>University of Southern California (USC)
University</p>
<p>BA in Theatre</p>
<p>BFA in Theatre </p>
<p>(Concentrations: Acting, Design, Technical Theatre, State Management)</p>
<p>MFA in Theatre </p>
<p>(Concentrations: Dramatic Writing, Theatrical Design)</p>
<p>Minors: Theatre, Dance</p>
<p>Okay. I've made no secret of the fact that a major consideration for me in narrowing down my college choices is the possibility of receiving a full academic scholarship. When the inevitable question of "Why are you interested in us?" comes up in the interview section of auditions, will it be appropriate to mention this? There's a good chance I'll have some academic offers sitting on my desk by the time I do my auditions.</p>
<p>Thesbo:</p>
<p>It certainly would be honest of you to talk about your need for financial aid. But I don't think you should lead with it, nor should you say that you're looking for a full ride. You could end up putting yourself in an all-or-nothing situation with the colleges. Either they have to offer you their top prize, or they have to not make you an offer. Also, if you lead with money, you imply that money is the most important reason you want to attend this or that college. It sends the wrong message.</p>
<p>A better approach might be to lead with the non-financial reasons that this particular school interested you--a reputation for excellent training, the good experiences of previous students from your high school, the kind of theatre they produce, the track record of their graduates, and so on. The more specific you can be, the better. (A parenthetical story here: some years ago, when I asked a prospect that question, she replied "Because you're a conservatory program, and I wouldn't have to do any of those liberal arts courses." Not a good thing to say to the chair of a conservatory program inside a liberal arts college.) Then go on to say something like, "And it doesn't hurt that you offer good financial aid--I come from a single parent family, and my mother and I just don't have the resources to send me to college without a lot of help." That puts the financial issue on the table, opens the door to discussion, lets the admissions reps know what they're going to have to do to get you, but doesn't put them in a bind. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Doctorjohn,
Thanks! Its always great to know what the people on the other side of the tables will be thinking. A couple of my friends have already received scholarship offers from various schools. Hopefully, I have a few on the way (knock on wood) and I suppose it will be good to mention it AFTER I outline why I like a particular department. Shouldnt they know if Ive already been offered an all-school type academic scholarship or a big private one? Oh, Lord
I feel a lame attempt at satire coming on
</p>
<p>AUDITOR
So, Miss Thesbohemian, why are you interested in our department?</p>
<p>THESBO
Well, Sir, my mother and I decided that I should carefully research all the good BFA Acting programs in the country to find the ones located in second and third tier state universities and liberal arts colleges which will most likely offer a student of my Ivy League academic potential the opportunity to attend for free while only being required to waste myself on a maximum of five boring non-theatre related Gen Ed classes over the entire four years. That way, I can join a sorority and enjoy a four-year kegger while my moms financial advisor/boyfriend reinvests my college trust and tries to grow it to a size where I can draw enough interest to keep me in rent, Ramen noodles, and Budweiser for years after graduation. This will negate any need for a sugar daddy or a menial job while I try to become the next Cameron Diaz. Your school meets those qualifications. And ... Oh, yeah ... I've heard your department rocks. Do you cast freshmen in leads? ;)</p>
<p>Ah, Thesbo, you do make me smile ;) Have you ever thought about writing/acting for Saturday Night Live? After college, of course...</p>
<p>Thesbohemian, I have read all of this thread and have to say your obvious intelligence and wit will serve you well in this business. All of the college acting programs you are applying to are very good. I don't know how much of your audition satire is true though i hope you are'nt serious about the beer. :) However, if what you said about your college trust fund is true and there is enough in it for you to reinvest it and draw enough interest to keep you in "rent, Ramen noodles, and Budweiser for years after graduation," you should absolutely bow down and kiss your mother's feet. She is a very smart woman with alot of foresight and I think she truly does have your best interests at heart. If you get offered a full scholarship to any one of the colleges you say you are applying to, TAKE IT! Starting out in this business is tough enough without trying to break in with a load of debt. I have seen far to many exquisitely talented actors come to LA with fancy degrees from prestigious institutions who become frustrated and leave the business because they do not have the resources to pay off college loans. Still more leave because they do not have the life skills to be able to hold a job and support themselves financially (and pay union dues) in the first years of their careers. You, my dear, obviously already have that and if you add an interest income to it you will be in a truly amazing position to make things work out for yourself. If you are anywhere near as talented and passionate about it as I think you must be, you will. Prestigious training looks good on a resume but financial staying power will serve you much more in the long run as long as the training you do get is good. Break a leg! I'm pulling for you!</p>
<p>Doctorjohn,
I so wish I had that comic look! Maybe I'll host SNL one day after I become the next Cameron Diaz. ;)</p>
<p>Proactor,
Thanks! I'd bow down and kiss my mother's feet if she'd just quit being a Mach and tell me how much is actually in the fund. I doubt it's enough to live off interest; but, there should be plenty to last for several years on a shoestring budget if it's enough to pay for a halfway-decent college.</p>
<p>Everyone,
Don't get stressed out at school and spill coffee on your computer. It'll mess it up BAD! I speak from experience ... :(</p>
<p>Well, after an insane amount of analysis, number crunching, soul searching, and head-banging, I've now maxed-out the number of applications I'm allowed to submit. While I still may do some walk-ins at the Unifieds if I have the time, my final alphabetized list goes like this:</p>
<p>Catawba College
Florida State University
North Carolina School of the Arts
Northern Illinois University
Purchase College
Southern Methodist University
University of Evansville
University of Miami
University of Minnesota - Guthrie</p>
<p>Other good programs I looked at very closely, but decided not to apply to for one reason or another are as follows:</p>
<p>Boston University
College of Charleston
Julliard School (withdrew application)
Otterbein College
Rutgers University
University of Arizona
University of Hartford, Hartt
University of Utah
Webster University</p>
<p>Thesbohemian-</p>
<p>Did you apply to NFAA for ARTS WEEK? If not why?</p>
<p>THESBO!!! Jah right! I bet the snl comediennes wish they looked like you little Miss Elizabethan supermodel of the world I didnt know your auditioning for Guthrie. I'm glad we are different types. </p>
<p>Here is my college list. I am applying for acting, MT and directing. My safeties are the BA programs.</p>
<p>CMU Acting, MT and directing
Minnesota Guthrie Acting
NYU Tisch CAP 21, Atlantic or any other studio that will have me
LIPA Acting, directing and being a rock star
Boston U Acting
Rutgers Acting and BA
Emerson - Acting, MT and BA directing
Roosevelt Acting, MT and BA</p>
<p>wct - I don't think anybody from our school applied for the NFAA thingy. I remember hearing something about it from a teacher but it didnt register with me.</p>
<p>I wish more students would apply every year. It is an amazing opportunity and there is good scholarship money available to those who are chosen to recieve it. </p>
<p>Several of the judges are associated with programs like the Guthrie, Cal Arts, Rutgers, etc. We did not know very much about the Gutherie program or Rutgers prior to the NFAA ARTS WEEK in Florida. Anthony Rapp ( Broadway's and film "Rent", "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown", Beautiful Mind (film) etc.) has been a judge several years in a row. The judges also teach workshops.</p>
<p>wct, I agree with you that more kids should apply to NFAA. Not only because it's a wonderful organization in and of itself but because it's just one more positive in promoting the world of the arts. Anthony is a wonderful young man and I know he's very committed and dedicated to opportunities in the arts for the youth of the country. He works tirelessly for these causes, most of all for gay youth, and has done much in the way of volunteering hundreds of hours of his time. All this while carrying on a very successful career in theatre and film! He's currently finishing up his run with the LSOH tour and will then begin rehearsals for the Rent movie. </p>
<p>Now off to put the turkey in the oven! I have 22 coming for dinner today!</p>
<p>WTC,
I remember looking at it. We have classes on Saturdays and I figured I was already going to miss at least ten days just for college auditions, scholarship interviews, and visits. I just didnt feel like Id have time for it. Also, while any amount of money obviously helps, the scholarships I remember seeing were kinda drop-in-the-bucketesque compared to the academic type awards Im going after. </p>
<p>Notarebel,
Guess who gets to be my roomie if we both go to Guthrie, Little Miss Never-makes-her-bed-and-throws-wet-towels-in-the-corner-til-they-grow-mold-and-stink-who-totally-knows-Ive-GOTTA-be-kidding? ;) </p>
<p>HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!</p>
<p>The scholarship money for finalists is considerable and shouldn't be overlooked. However there are many other reasons to apply for these awards along with financial ones. Through my daughter's association with an ARTS award ( honorable mention in spoken and musical theatre ), she was chosen to be an acting intern with the prestigious Utah Shakespearean Festival. This was a four month professional theatre gig that paid well and offered unbelieveable experience for a novice actor. Through that summer opportunity, more connections have been made that have moved her further along this journey to the professional world ( while still a sophmore in college. ) I really believe that a young performer should take every opportunity that presents itself, within reason of course, because one never knows what might be an important turning point. And the NFAA ARTS awards are certainly worth the effort, even during the crazy period of auditioning and completeing high school.</p>
<p>I was preparing to send in a tape for NFAA, but I began working on everything too late and decided getting EA applications off was more important. Everything was really busy in October. The program sounds really great, though - I wish I had time.</p>
<p>wct,
I had deleted your e mail address from a previous correspondence. I was wondering if your son decided to audition for Utah Shakes through CMU this summer or is going for the NFAA acting internship. My D was invited to audition and did so last weekend in NYC. They said she'd know within a month if they'll offer her a contract and we are crossing our fingers.....
Monkey</p>