UArts vs Hartt vs Elon (BFA Acting)

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

<p>Does anyone have any input on the BFA Acting programs for UArts, Hartt, and Elon? Right now I'm leaning more towards UArts or Hartt, but I can still be persuaded to Elon. I MOSTLY want a really good, rigorous acting program, yet I also want to be able to take dance classes (either through the school or at a nearby studio), voice lessons, and IF possible music classes (piano lessons, music theory, music composition, conducting, etc). So those are all pluses. I know UArts lets you get a minor in musical theater, and they also let you take some elective music classes as well. One thing that would be great if someone could explain it to me would be their credit system ("Student Class Level and Course Load" Enrollment</a> and Registration - The University of the Arts - acalog ACMS?). </p>

<p>Also, I'm considering leaving my options open to transfer (just in case I don't like the program) or continue on to a MFA Acting program. I know I've heard somewhere (I believe on these forums, but then it may have been shot down) that some places don't take UArts too seriously as an actual "school". My number one school to transfer/continue as an MFA at would be NYU, so is there any merit to that rumor?</p>

<p>Also, any info about the intensity of the programs themselves would be great. About specific teachers, internship opportunities, how easily graduates find work, class/show hours, etc. Anything you guys can tell me would be great. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I know some current students absolutely love UArts, theatreguy321, and there are others who really dump on it. My d didn’t apply because she felt it was one of those “accept anybody” kind of places, maybe because they solicit so heavily. I don’t know if that’s true, but it gave off that vibe, that plus the name made it sound to her like one of those places that has a “rip off the postcard from the subway ad,” if you know what I mean. </p>

<p>Elon is a beautiful college with a very nice theatre program. Someone else, like an Elon student or parent, wil have much more knowledge than me…Maybe you should check out a FB group of Elon kids for the inside scoop on it. I suspect you can’t go wrong there since it’s such a good school.</p>

<p>As for Hartt, my d is also checking it out just like you are, but weighing it against Adelphi and SCAD. Our impression is that its an up-and-coming acting program. The music school at Hartt is well-established and highly respected, so coming into the actor training program now is sort of like getting in as the program is picking up steam. We have the impression that Hartt, considered a sort of semi-safety fo conservatory-bound kids, has lost its safety school classification in light of both the vast number of BFA applicants in recent years, and the improved quality and selectivity of the program. Also, Hartt has a relationship with the Hartford Stage Company where I think students can pick up equity points - I’m not 100% positive. Again my d is still checking out, especially the curriculum vs. the Adelphi program (which may be more akin to Elon’s?).</p>

<p>When we went to Hartt, we were told the acting students can definitely take music/voice. I don’t remember what they said about dance, but I had the impression they want their actors to do everything. Remember Hartt has an MT program, too, so I suspect the dance classes are strong.</p>

<p>To me - as the mom - I’m not crazy about Hartt’s beautiful new performing arts center being 1 1/2 miles from the UHartford campus (I prefer integrated sites), but I’m sure the students are totally fine with it, and West Hartford is a very nice section of town.</p>

<p>I suggest not only joining some FB groups, but doing some soul searching re how immersed you want to be in theatre, whether you want to be a rural, suburban or totally urban setting, and what part of the country to want to be in for the next 4 years. </p>

<p>Transferring from any of these schools into an actor training program will probably require you to start freshman year all over again, just like – mmmmm, niceguy, I believe, who’s been posting on this forum and is a transfer student who’ll have to start all over again…</p>

3

<p>Have you been to the schools, theaterguy? Can you get there to look? It is SUCH a personal decision, based on so many things. D LOVED UArts (gosh I hope they’ll ‘take anyone’ Nalajen!)-- thought there was just great energy and intelligence among students and professors both, loved Philly and the MT minor, etc. Also loved all the theater happening up and down the street near the school. Her theater mentor is a brilliant graduate of Hartt, just a wonderful, multi-talented guy. And we know a wonderful actress who graduated from Elon-- she didn’t think D would like it very well though, because of the southern vibe there. Which of course might mean you’d love it. If you can possibly go speak to professors, students, grads, etc… do it and see where you feel the most at home.</p>

4

<p>UArts does not “accept anybody”. I don’t know why anyone would think that. While the academic standards for admission are relaxed compared to schools like NYU and Emerson, they are not materially different, if at all, from schools like CCM, BOCO and many other well regarded acting and MT programs. Even CMU candidly admits that the audition is 90% of the admissions process and the academic standards for admission to performing arts are substantially relaxed from the rest of the school. The reality is that UArts accepts about 6-8% of the applicants to the acting and MT programs, depending on the size of the pool and the anticipated yield in a given year. Tell the many students who applied and were rejected this year and in previous years that they didn’t even make it into the “anybody” ranking. As to UArts name, the history of the school is laid out pretty well at [The</a> University of the Arts : History](<a href=“http://www.uarts.edu/about/history.html]The”>http://www.uarts.edu/about/history.html) . In a nutshell, UArts was formed through the merger of fine arts and performing arts conservatories that were founded in the mid to late 1800’s. Over the decades, the conservatories evolved, changed and grew, expanding their artistic programs and becoming accredited colleges. The colleges grew and expanded their programs in the arts and ultimately merged to become University of the Arts. Its name simply reflects its history, the scope of its artistic degree programs, its limitation in degree offerings to exclusively arts programs and that it has been accredited as a 4 year degree conferring university. </p>

<p>theatreguy, I’m not sure what specific questions you have about registration and course /credit loads but here is a link to the acting program’s curriculum showing what you would be taking each semester. [Program:</a> Acting - Bachelor of Fine Arts - The University of the Arts - acalog ACMS?](<a href=“http://catalog.uarts.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=7&poid=485]Program:”>Program: Acting - Bachelor of Fine Arts - The University of the Arts - Acalog ACMS™) As you look at it, add up the actual classroom hours and you will see that your contact hours significantly exceed your credit hours. Add to it the hours required for home work, scene practice, required crew time, time to attend school shows which is a mandated requirement for acting studio classes, time for school show auditions, rehearsals and performances, and most students don’t have the time to take classes in excess of 18 credits a semester.</p>

<p>The way class registration works is pretty simple. Each semester, students get a registration packet for the next semester with all department required courses already listed, including specific sections. Students then pick electives that will fit into their schedule of mandated classes. You the meet with your advisor to get final approval and then register online on a specific date designated by class year. First semester freshmen get their schedules mailed to them in advance and during orientation meet with their advisors. No student gets closed out of a required departmental class. Where students sometimes run into problems is finding electives that fit within the schedule of the pre-designated required course sections and where that happens, a meeting with your advisor usually resolves the problem. If you have some specific questions, let me know.</p>

<p>As to the acting program, I think it is a very strong program. My daughter is graduating this year from the MT program. MT and acting students take all of their core acting studio classes together and my daughter has been very pleased with the training she has received. The professors/instructors, in addition to being very effective educators, are all working actors and directors and bring that experience to the classes. UArts is very connected to the theatre scene in Philadelphia and it is not unusual to have outside directors from area theaters direct school shows. Here is a link to the theatre department classes so that you can get a handle on the scope of electives available. Scroll down to the School of Theatre. [Courses</a> by Department - The University of the Arts - acalog ACMS?](<a href=“The University of the Arts - Acalog ACMS™”>http://catalog.uarts.edu/content.php?catoid=7&navoid=316)</p>

5

<p>I had read that U of Hartford was in a dynamic area so we drove down to check it out and take a tour of the campus as my D was accepted there with a generous scholarship. The city of Hartford in a kind of Portal city for immigration and that comes with all the advantages and disadvantages…we spoke with the security guard who grew up in that area and he has a great fondness for the diversity and dynamic quality of the different neighborhoods and he feels safe in the area where the theatre is and they have campus security present at all times when the building is open. The University itself is in West Hartford which is a truly beautiful area and the campus is lovely. Hartford slightly borders on the area where the Acting program is.
My daughter sat in on some classes and loved it. She was very impressed with the Senior actors in their Acting on Camera class The Hartt acting program is new(2000) and one their graduates was recently nominated for a Tony and if you do searches you will find Hartt BFA students all over the globe cast in prestigeous productions and acting in film. They had almost 500 applicants for about 12 to 14 positions in their 2015 BFA Actor Training program. I think the Hartt BFA program is coming into it’s own as these graduates start making names for themselves in the acting profession. My D had a free ride in another theatre program and accepted at other BFAs and BAs in theatre and I think she is choosing Hartt.</p>

6

<p>I wasn’t trying to offend anyone re UArts. As I said at the very outset of my post, my d had a negative impression, perhaps because of the heavy solicitations she received (even through March). It gave her a bad vibe, that’s all. I also noted that I know many current students love the school. </p>

<p>I’ve seen some very nasty threads running on CC about SCAD, too, one of my d’s BFA acceptances. I see how people can get very judgmental and condescending about colleges. I wasn’t trying to join their ranks or insult anyone, so my apologies…</p>

7

<p>MichaelNKat, thanks for stepping up to the plate about UArts. As a Philadlephian, I pass the campus very often. It’s in a vibrant part of the city, on the Avenue of the Arts, beside the Kimmel Center and most of the major theater houses. As with Temple U, we tend to dismiss it locally the way one often dismissed what is in one’s own backyard. However, recently we have been digging more deeply. Trusted theater professionals have told us, pretty much unanimously, that UArts is under-rated locally and well worth considering for a BFA theater degree.</p>

8

<p>glassharmonica, I’m a local Philadelphian too. My office, for the last 32 years, has been 1 block from the Terra Building on Avenue of the Arts. When my daughter was applying to schools, I also spoke to pros in the business, including performers, executive directors and artistic directors of various performing arts companies, both in Philadelphia and some from NYC including a producer, all of whom had very positive things to say about the school. In addition, I have observed first hand the connections and regard UArts has in the Philly theatre community. UArts students have performed at the Barrymore Awards, have performed with the leads from the Walnut Street Theatre’s production of Les Mis at a fund raiser, casting directors from area professional theatre companies regularly direct school shows, the faculty at UArts regularly direct and music direct straight dramas and musicals at area professional theatres. Area professionals come in for workshops or to teach as adjunct faculty. UArts has a very big presence in the Philadelphia theatre scene. It’s reputation in the past was, I think, very local but is now becoming more national. There are graduates on Broadway and off Broadway, in national tours, and in national television series. There are students from virtually every corner of the country. It’s a school that has a lot to offer.</p>

9

<p>Anyone wondering about UArts could learn a lot about the school by seeing one of their productions. “The Crucible” (which closed about a week ago) was outstanding, as was “Nine” last fall and many other productions I have been able to see. Such talented students - and when I talk to my daughter and her class mates they have wonderful things to say about their teachers. I know there are numerous graduates (and at least one undergraduate) working on Broadway and on tours and in professional theaters in many cities. UArts has a demanding schedule and students need to be very focused and work hard - but it is so worth it when you see the growth and artistry in their work.</p>

10

<p>MichaelNKat, thank you for your post about UArts. I’m a relative newcomer to this forum-- did your daughter go to UArts? Your post has served to further convince me of the value of this program. William Hurt sent his son to UArts (I remember reading this in the local paper a few years ago-- and presumably he knows something about the business.) My daughter’s main objection to UArts is that she would like to go to school out of town, but it is definitely going to be on her list when she auditions next year.</p>

11

<p>MichaelNKat, I searched the forum and found your recent post about your daughter’s four years at UArts-- very detailed, and excellent information. Thanks for taking the time to write that.</p>

12

<p>glassharmonica, my daughter had the same initial reaction as your daughter. At the time she was evaluating her acceptances, she in fact decided at first to attend another school (a program with a national reputation quite some distance from Philadelphia) because, having grown up in Abington and having spent a lot of time in the city, she wanted to “see the world” and not spend 4 years of college in her back yard. The summer before her senior year, she had done a 6 week MT intensive for college credit at the other school and had done a 4 week program at UArts the summer before her junior year and I suggested to her that she sit in on classes at UArts to refresh her recollections of the school and experience actual college level classes. She sat in for 2 half days and it totally changed her perspective. She found UArts to be just what she was looking for and said to me quite literally “I stood out in front of the Terra Building, looked down Broad Street and looked up and thought ‘Why would I want to be anywhere else’. Getting away is not nearly as important as I thought it would be.”</p>

<p>Attending college away from home can be an important element in experiencing independent college living that is just as much a part of the educational and growth process as a school’s educational program. In my daughter’s case, we were very careful not to allow geographic proximity to intrude on her sense of independence. She has not lived at home since she was a freshman. Housing at UArts is guaranteed for freshmen only and most students thereafter live in center city apartments. At the end of her freshman year, my daughter moved out of the dorms into an apartment and has lived in center city year round ever since. The net result is that she - and we- have the best of both worlds. She has lived for the last 4 years managing her own life as if she were hundreds of miles away. At the same time, family occasions, holidays, seeing her performances and occasional family dinners at local restaurants are a breeze. She has thrived living in the city and being part of the dynamic life students and young adults have there experiencing all of the art, culture and social activities that are available. It has been a great balance of all the benefits of both proximity and independence.</p>

13

<p>Thanks again, MichaelNKat. I am going to point my daughter to your posts (we don’t usually read the MT board, which is why I originally missed your recent detailed post about UArts.) Great information and excellent points.</p>

14

<p>Thank you everyone for your great input! It’s given me a lot to think about, and if I come up with any more specific questions, I’ll be sure to post them =)</p>

15

<p>nalajen said: My d didn’t apply because she felt it was one of those “accept anybody” kind of places, maybe because they solicit so heavily. I don’t know if that’s true, but it gave off that vibe, that plus the name made it sound to her like one of those places that has a “rip off the postcard from the subway ad,” if you know what I mean. </p>

<p>Me: Wow, you couldn’t be more wrong! I know a half dozen seriously talented young performers who auditioned at UArts and didn’t get in and that was almost four years ago, and the competition has gotten even stiffer since then. The day my D auditioned for the MT major in December 2007 (she did the very first day auditions were available) and I think there were something like 60 kids auditioning THAT DAY for musical theater. </p>

<p>Frankly, I think UArts is probably more selective than is Hartt. At NYC Unifieds (again, back in 2008), the Hartt rep was trying to solicit kids to walk in because there was such a lull in auditions.</p>

16

<p>Since our D was accepted by UArts a month ago, we’ve already been really impressed with their level of communication. Even though she is still deciding between UArts and Hartt and hasn’t sent in a deposit yet, UArts is already making her feel like she’s a student there. It seems like we get at least a letter a week from them, including one the other day from her admissions advisor, who is leaving UArts to pursue an acting career. In her personal letter, she wished our D luck at UArts, and again talked about what a wonderful place it is to go to school. </p>

<p>You can be cynical and say they’re doing this so we’ll send out desposit soon, but I think it definitely shows that they’re on the ball when it comes to the all-important aspect of good communication between school, student and parents. To me, that says something important about what kind of school it is.</p>

<p>We plan to visit both Hartt and UArts next week to learn more about their programs. We’ve already been to Hartford twice, once for a tour, once for an audition, so she already has a good feel for that campus. But we hear UArts is a totally different vibe/experience, so we’re fortunate that she has contrasting choices at this point.</p>

17

<p>I just wanted to say thank you to everyone on this website and special thanks to Michealnkat. I got accepted to Uarts bfa acting program with a 9000$ scholarship per year and im going :slight_smile: I cant wait to</p>

18

<p>racroce, congratulations on your daughter’s acceptances at both schools. It’s great to have choices. UArts is big on communication, not only with prospective students but also with current students. A couple of years ago, Charlie Gilbert took over as the head of the School of Theatre (he had been the Director of MT since that program’s inception). From a parent’s perspective, one of the things immediately of note to me was that the level of communications was ratcheted up significantly. Both by letter and email, the amount of information provided to parents about the program, events and news increased substantially. From a student’s perspective there were also very beneficial changes. In the past, communications about school auditions, outside opportunities, department news etc were given to students by posting on the department bulletin board and by papers left in student departmental mailboxes. Charlie switched to electronic communications both via emails to students and by posting on the School of Theatre’s electronic bulletin board. Not only did this provide for faster communication but also enhanced the auditions for school shows. In the past, students had to pick up paper copies of scenes, sides, music for auditions. Now, students get it all delivered electronically as various e-documents and where accompaniments are needed they can also be downloaded. If you would like some suggestions on what to see when you visit and some “local” favorites for restaurants etc, send me a PM.</p>

<p>rdiaz92, congratulations to you also. If have any questions about the school, move in procedures or student life in Philly, you too are welcome to send me a PM.</p>

19

<p>Paul Russell, who wrote “Acting, Make it Your Business” visited Elon in the last year and wrote on his blog (you can find it on FB) that he was very impressed with their acting classes. I don’t know if he’s been to the other schools mentioned here.</p>

20

<p>rdiaz92 – it looks like you’ll be my classmate next year! I just decided this week to pick UArts too =)</p>