Transfer Auditioning for BFA Programs

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

Hello, hello! So, I’m currently a rising sophomore at the U-Minn as a BA in the Honors Program, and I’m planning on auditioning for schools this winter/spring. To give you the full picture, I’ll tell you about my background:

High School -
Very involved with theatre, lots of training (especially in voice), went to ArtsBridge the summer before senior year and decided to audition for BFA-MT programs (they recommended I should go for it. got very positive feedback from the professors (including Gary Kline) and was one of a few students chosen to perform in front of an agent). That summer, I had the time of my life and felt confident I could succeed (and fell in love with boston!!!). However, as the school year began, things started to decline in, what I later discovered to be, a depression. I only got a couple of hours of sleep per night, causing me to sleep in so I’d miss my classes (also my dance classes, which, eventually, I dropped out of which was not a good thing for my auditions). It was a rough year. I auditioned for only six schools- Shenandoah, U-Minn, UNCSA, Otterbein, Baldwin Wallace, & Carnegie Mellon. My mom wanted me to have more on my list, and, to be honest, I’m not quite sure why I didn’t. I was just so done with everything, I really wasn’t thinking properly, plus there was no passion. I didn’t care.

I received rejections from all the schools when it came to the BFA (BM for bw) programs (not a big surprise, I was still working on memorizing my monologues at my first audition (and still didn’t have them properly memorized for the others-had an embarrassing moment when I forgot my Cyrano monologue at U-Minn)). I did receive an acceptance from U-Minn to be in their Honors Program, and I hadn’t heard back yet from the other schools academically, except for Baldwin Wallace (which was another acceptance, but I liked the U better), so I went with the U.

College -
I started out school telling myself I would stay away from theatre my first semester, just to see if I might possibly be interested in something else. So, I took a few gen-eds and only one theatre-related course. I felt good, made a lot of friends, really loved my time at the school. I was doing really well for a couple months and then my depression started to turn its head again. I hadn’t received help previously because I thought I was stronger than I was. Thankfully, at a really low point, a friend convinced me to go to the mental health clinic on campus, and I started seeing a therapist. Things got better. I took more gen-eds and another theatre course in the spring semester, plus, I got involved with the theatre community on campus. Rather than trying to put a band-aid on my problem and call it a day, I went deeper. I’m currently seeing a wonderful psychiatrist, taking the proper meds, and am feeling better than I ever have.

Anyways, I thought I might be interested in directing (was accepted into the BA mentoring at school), but I’ve realized a BA is not for me, and while it would be awesome to direct at some point in my life, what I really want to do is act. It’s what I live for in a very literal sense. (I hope this isn’t sounding too teen angsty! I promise I’m a logical, level-headed individual)

So -
I’m preparing now. I don’t want to make the same mistakes I did a couple years ago. Currently, I’m working on a list of possible schools to audition for (all BFA-Acting, although Scotland is a BA):

NYU - Tisch
Guildhall
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Shenandoah
The Hartt School
Boston University
Rutgers - Mason Gross
UNCSA
Otterbein
Coastal Carolina
U of M - Guthrie Program
Western Carolina

I know a lot of these are reaches, but you’ve gotta dream big to be big, right? (Name that show! ;))
I live in NC, so Western is more of a comfort choice (although not guaranteed) and UNCSA is very competitive, but if I do the work and get in, it would be really great financially.
The British options are due to the fact that I would love to study overseas, and the classical training there is what I’m looking for in a school.

The list is preliminary, definitely not set in stone. (except for UNCSA, Western, Shenandoah, U of M)

My question for you is what other schools might you recommend (preferably less selective)? Also, I’m aware that I’ll essentially be doing five and a half years of school total (because I’ll be starting as a freshman in whatever program I go into and will be taking off spring semester this year for auditions), and I’m fine with it. It’s all for the art. But are there certain schools that won’t accept a transfer? I know NYU-Tisch has a separate audition date for external transfers (which is really late, sadly).

Thank you so much if you read all this! Even if you didn’t, I truly appreciate your help and comments!

(Also, if you know of some good plays with women to check out for monologue hunting, let me know! It never hurts to have more material to look at)

2

Hello @laurelacts - 1st of all, let me say I commend you for getting the help you needed, and not letting previous issues stand in front of your dreams. I know a number of kids who have transferred into BFA programs (one as late as AFTER junior year at another school!) it’s tough- but it can work out better than you thought possible.

Other schools to think about - you said you liked Boston, and BOCO is now offering a straight theater major. It is more contemporary (though you said you were looking for classical) but still has a lot of cool elements. Another option would be Syracuse- which shares an advantage of the Guthrie program - it is attached to a LORT theater (Syracuse Stage)- and students have the opportunity to earn equity points etc.

You have lots of great schools on your list- but as you know- they are all really competitive. You might want to broaden things out a bit- but wisely. Don’t have schools on your list just to have them- look for fit. (which can be artistic, geographical, financial- whatever) A quick point about NYU (my D just finished her 1st year there) There are multiple - and very different studios there - which means you need to do your homework. Know the basics of the studios (found of the website) and then you may want to do some additional research if one speaks to you.

Best of luck to you!!

3

Call the Drama Bookshop during a weekday morning-212-944-0595. My daughter re-auditioned this season as a transfer and needed fresh comedic material. The gentleman who answered the phone, and I assumed was the owner, quickly came up with 4 monologues once I explained my daughter’s type and sense of humor. He found the plays, bookmarked the monologues, I paid via phone and he shipped them directly to her at school. I say a weekday because my daughter called on a Saturday and got someone on the phone who seemed rather annoyed by her request to help find a monologue. Best wishes to you!

4

@toowonderful Thank you so much! I keep reminding myself that everyone’s journey is different, it’s all right if mine takes a little more time. I do like the focus on ensemble for BOCO (and the location), but I’m not so sure it would be the best fit for me. I’d miss the classical aspect of things. However, I’ll definitely do some more research to see if it might be something I’d be interested in. Syracuse is one I hadn’t considered before, but I’m starting to love a lot of what I hear about it and the different opportunities it has to offer (like the equity points and Tepper semester).

I’m planning on cutting a few of the reaches from my list, just because I have so many already, and replacing them with slightly less competitive schools that I’m still trying to figure out. I did cut CMU before posting the list because after going there to audition, I didn’t feel a click. It wasn’t the right school for me, and I shouldn’t audition there just because that is “the” school. The studios at NYU are actually part of the reason why I’m really interested in Tisch. I’m already loving the Strasberg studio based off my readings, but I’ll have to snoop around and see what people who’ve been in the program (among the other studios) experienced. Which studio is your D in, if you don’t mind me asking?

@GSOMTMom Thank you for the tip! I’ll try calling tomorrow or next week. What a great idea!

Again, I so appreciate your advice! (It’s fun to finally be posting on here after lurking for a while)

5

@laurelacts - Syracuse has Sorkin Week too :slight_smile: Aaron Sorkin is an alum and takes a group (all expenses paid!) to LA.

My D is in Adler- and loves it. Happy to answer any questions

6

I’d be wary of the stress and upheaval of transferring to a new college, especially a BFA program. It sounds like you’re in a fantastic place right now.

Any thought to staying put and continuing to supplement your education with summer intensives, and possibly pursuing an MFA later down the road?

Doesn’t U of Minn have plenty of acting classes and performance opportunities for BA students? My daughter applied, and it looked to me like a great program and University.

7

@toowonderful Sorkin Week? That sounds amazing. Definitely going to look more into Syracuse. And I’ll let you know if I do, thank you!

@arwarw I do love the U, but I want a more focused program. The BA does allow for tracks (ie: creating the performance, generalist, etc), and they’re all very well done. However, with it being a BA, you also have to complete more gen-eds than a BFA would, and while I found my classes to be interesting, it’s restricting to have to fit in a certain “core” or “theme.” I understand most BFA’s have some sort of academics in there (less than a BA), but most of my credits would transfer, basically covering those, so I could focus my studies more on theatre. I want a more intensive program.

I’d rather complete with an undergrad degree and get straight to work. An MFA is definitely an asset, but I just don’t think it’s right for me, although who knows what I’ll think in a few years? Things are always changing.

The U does have a lot of opportunities for BA students, however, there is a little bit of a divide between the BA and BFA. There are a lot of things you don’t get as a BA that you would as a BFA such as the semester at the Globe (BAs can study abroad, but it wouldn’t be that same program). I would highly recommend the school though. It’s in a great location, and the professors have so much to give. They are truly involved and are working artists themselves so they know what the current landscape of theatre is which is helpful. Also, the Minneapolis-St. Paul community has tons of opportunities for students to work in theatre outside of school. The location is a huge plus for going to school there.

The Guthrie program is on my list, and if I got in, it would make things easier not having to re-adjust to a new school, but I’m okay going elsewhere. Always been pretty adaptable, which works well for the acting profession, I think! :wink:

8

I would suggest looking at Coastal Carolina University is SC. My D is a proud and happy 2014 grad. They do accept transfers, and those transfers don’t always start as freshmen. They offer BFAs in Acting and Physical Theatre. And since you want that study abroad experience, they send students to study at the Accademia dell’Arte in Tuscany.

http://www.dell-arte.org/

9

I don’t know if money will be an issue, but since you are already going to take next spring semester off to audition, have you considered just taking the whole year off, or possibly transferring to a local cc? There is a chance that many of your units won’t transfer anyway and it would save money. You could work, audition for local theater, take some classes or any combination of those things. The only reason I suggest it is that my D left a BFA MT program after one semester and came home for 3 semesters, attended our cc, and did some acting. During that time she reauditioned for BFA MT programs and was able to transfer into one with a better fit as a sophomore. As a result we only paid for 3-1/2 years of BFA MT programs and 3 semesters of cc. It took her 5 years to graduate but it was well worth it. Just an idea to consider.

BTW congrats on handling your depression with such maturity. I am so glad you are doing well.

10

@austinmtmom Thank you for that info on Coastal Carolina! I’ve heard that it’s a rising program, but haven’t looked as in-depth yet. The news about transfers is definitely good to know as well along with the fact that your D is pleased with her time there! For sure keeping it on the list.

@takeitallin That’s a really smart idea that I made sure to mention to my mom after reading your comment. Working would help a lot with money and we have a pretty good theatre community here where I could work on my training and do a few shows. It’s comforting to know I’m not alone in transferring like this and taking extra time.

Thank you! It’s been a journey, but one I’ve learned a lot from :slight_smile:

11

You are definitely not alone. My D attended a conservatory and once there, found she really missed a “regular” college campus as well as a more academic structure. Even though she ended up transferring to another BFA program, it was at a large university and had more GE requirements than a conservatory. She loved her final 3 years, it actually saved us quite a bit on money, and she was much happier. Good luck!