<p>Hi, I'm new here, but I want to learn more about UVA's theatre program. In general, I'm looking for a BA Theatre degree so I can double major, but all of the schools I've looked at so far are private, which is a bit pricy. I live in Virginia and I have a 529, so I can essentially go to any in-state school that I'm accepted to for free. UVA interests me the most, so I was wondering if anyone had anything to say about their theater program.</p>
<p>And no, I'm not particularly interested in JMU or Shenandoah.</p>
<p>UVA’s theatre program is a liberal arts focused BA. The shows I have seen there are good, and the faculty seems very committed. According to the bios in the program many of the students double major. UVA has a grad program, so a good question to ask when you visit is how many opportunities there are for undergrads. You may also want to look at William and Mary, although smaller than UVA, W&M is also a great school with theatre focused strongly within the liberal arts context. These two schools are probably two of the toughest admits in the state. With Tech, Mary Washington (I think) and JMU being approximately in the next step down in terms of acceptance stats. Neither UVA nor W&M has an audition, so acceptance would be solely based on your academic admissions package. I am not sure that the top schools like UVA can be considered safeties for most students. I am sure you know this, but for the benefit of others reading…If you want to stay in state you will want to work with your GC at school to figure out a safety school with a strong BA theatre program where you can double major. Visit the schools if you can, see a show, talk to students to see if the school is one where you will be happy. Good luck!! PS. Also for the benefit of others reading this, since the OP is not interested in the school… Shenandoah is a private school. I am not sure how that impacts the 529 account.</p>
<p>Thank you! I actually thought Shenandoah was public, so that’s good to know. I’ve talked to my college counselor about UVA, and I have a strong application outside of theater, so she seems optimistic that I can get into UVA. I hope she’s right! Thank you for the information, though. Do you (or anyone else) happen to know what job placement is like for UVA theater grads (though I’m guessing a fair amount go on to earn MFAs)?</p>
<p>Not specific to UVA, but in general job placement in theatre is a “funny” thing… Many students will try to work in summer theatre while they are in college… UVA has a professional summer theatre on campus, so students may work there in the summer, or at other theatre companies. </p>
<p>After graduation students coming out of theatre programs each follow their own path… many may decide to go directly to graduate school, others to work for a few years before going to graduate school, pursue internships, etc… the path for many actors is to go to a city and start auditioning. Most performing jobs are not permanant, so working right out of school is no guarantee of consistant performing work, and more than not having a performing job right out of school is a guarantee that one will not be able to make a life as a performer. </p>
<p>This is a good question to ask at all the schools you visit… “what do your graduates do after graduation?”</p>
Thank you for the information, though. Do you (or anyone else) happen to know what job placement is like for UVA theater grads (though I’m guessing a fair amount go on to earn MFAs)?</p>