Hello! I’m a current student at a small BFA MT program that is only a few years old. I really do enjoy my classes and I’ve seen a lot of growth in myself as a performer during my time here, but a lot of days I’m still torn!
When I went through the college audition process my senior year, I was rejected from all of my favorite programs. I took a chance on a smaller, newer BFA program and was content with my decision for the first year, but now in my second year a big part of me regrets not taking a gap year and reevaluating my college list and trying to go to a more established, respected MT program.
It makes me nervous for my future that my program is so new (only a few years old!), and doesn’t really have any alumni working as successful actors. I am worried that when I graduate and go to auditions with all these other kids who come from super well known, solid, established programs with countless broadway and national tour alumni, that I won’t stand a chance.
So, I’m just wondering what your honest opinions are! If you have any personal stories or experiences too, I want to hear them!
@mtstudent99 I’m just an MT parent so I have no personal experiences. What many people have said here is that directors and auditors don’t care where you went to school. What matters is what you bring to the show. I don’t think students from well-known programs will ruin your chances of success as long as you are getting the right training. I guess the only question I would have on a lesser known program would be if the program head and teachers have industry name recognition / connections which would help to make up for the lack of a wide alumni network. Connections won’t give you a career but they will give you an edge on finding work.
This is similar to discussions we had when my S was first looking at programs as a high school junior, including BFA vs BA. Our audition coach said when you walk into the professional audition, your talent outweighs your resume. I think a few programs still carry more weight like Michigan and Carnegie Mellon, but by and large it comes down to the quality of training rather than the degree or school name. I would be interested in hearing some real-life stories to confirm or deny this.
My MT D is a 2017 Wright State alum & lives in NYC. She stands in the same audition lines as people from all of the other schools, as well as those who didn’t go to college. No equity card, and no agent, but even her friends with agents still stand in lines. Equity helps, but it’s not based on where you went to school. Her friends with agents sometimes get appointments, or calls for specific roles, but at the end of the day, whoever is the most talented/best singer/dancer/actor/has the right look, is the one getting cast.
@mtstudent99 If you feel like you’re getting good training, that’s what is important.
I’m a Viterbo University alum (a program that used to recruit primarily regionally, but is now becoming more well-known nationally) and moved home to Canada post-graduation. I went from going to auditions in US markets where most people had at least HEARD of my school, to auditioning in Toronto, where my alma mater draws blank stares. I’m not going to lie–it’s sometimes hard. I know that there are students and recent grads of Canadian MT programs who get opportunities in my market because they have connections that I didn’t/couldn’t foster while training at an American school. But when I start to worry about the connections some of my peers have that I don’t have, I tell myself to buck up, because this career is a long game. Yes, some people may come to [insert market of your choice, it may be NYC] with built-in connections from school/a gig they’ve worked/their family/some random other factor, but the longer that you’re in any given market, the more you have a chance to foster your own connections, and slowly, the more level the playing field will become (or at least as level as it can be in a business that is as subjective and ruleless as ours is).
Also, just because someone graduates from a well-established program doesn’t mean that booking work will come easily. I remember seeing a post from someone in my extended network on social media a few months ago. She graduated from CCM (so if we’re talking established programs…I mean, it’s the oldest MT program) and is currently on a national tour–but in her first year in NYC, she went on 130+ auditions and booked just 3 jobs. This is someone who has connections, has representation, but still faced about the same amount of rejection as any of us who do this professionally will face in a year. The grind is real for all of us, no matter what school we graduated from.
If you are worried about connections, take the reins in your own hands. If possible, try to audition for summer stock - that’s one way to create a network of theater people from across the country. Doing work in community theater can also build friendships with far-flung ripples. You can be part of the “advance team” that generates curiosity about that hot new program.
I agree with everything said above. I didn’t see you throw out the thought of transferring, but in case that’s something that you’re considering, I’ll add the practical parent perspective. It sounds like you are nearing the finish line on your sophomore year. If you transferred, you would likely start over. Rather than paying for 6 years of bachelor’s level work, you could consider getting your MFA from a big name program after finishing your BFA. Big name MFA would help you build connections and possibly allow you to teach in BFA programs too. All that said…I agree that what happens in the room is what matters. Connections won’t help you there, but they might help you find the room or open the door for you.
I agree with everything stated above. My D is a current sophomore in a BA program. She will not get the same intensive training as a BFA, conservatory style program and she knows that. She works hard, seeks out masterclasses, goes to the city for extra training when she can and works hard on her craft. 2 recent grads from her school are currently in DEH on broadway, and many are on national tours right now - so kids coming out are competitive for roles - even against grads from the top known BFA programs. Also, worth noting, if you are not happy with your current training, you could always move into some different training such as the Neighborhood Playhouse or Stella Adler (just to list a few, there are MANY programs). Don’t short change your program because of lack of connections - if you like your training keep going. If you are not sure it’s for you or that you are not getting out of it what you need, perhaps look into something different.
Just a quick note. My D went to her dream school this past year. A top 5 MT school with a big name. She was on Cloud 9 when she was accepted. Bottom line, the school has to be the right fit. Both ways. You have to be the right fit for the school and the school has to be the right fit for you. Take the name out of the equation and look at the programs. Are you growing in your skills to move forward towards a career in this field? Are you happy? Life is too short to not enjoy the experience. Fast forward and my D is home and has re-auditioned for other programs. She is starting over, and its not easy…BUT, she now knows that the fit is more important than the name. Her top choice right now is a little gem mentioned here on CC that we found due to posts from others. I wouldn’t change her experience for anything. Because now she knows!
@K&Tmom They all have to take their journey. When my S applied and auditioned two years ago, he purposely did not include a couple of the well known top programs because he did not feel that they were going to be a good fit for him. Everyone seems to end up where they belong, even if they had to go down one path before finding the right one. Good for your daughter to have the wisdom and maturity to realize the fit was not right, and she is better off switching to another school.
@32barMom, yes she will start over as a freshman. Although, she has a ton of college credits that she got while in high school. Most of her Gen Ed credits are done. And I know that many of her classes from first semester will transfer. I guess we’ll see what happens…
@“K&Tmom” can you share where she is transferring to? Curious because my son has a couple of bigger name programs he is accepted to, and one which I think is a hidden gem where he would thrive, but he is drawn in by the name and not really looking at the pros and cons of each program
@32barMom, she isn’t quite ready to share yet, I’m sorry. We need to go visit the school this next week and then I’m happy to share once she has made her final decision. There is a second school in the mix, so I really want to make sure she has committed before I share:)
I hope this year’s school is a perfect fit @“K&Tmom” ! I do think it happens more often than people let on that a freshman BFA finds they didn’t understand exactly what they were getting into… and sometimes that means the school isn’t a fit at all. I totally agree that you should take the name out of it and look at what the school offers vs what you want out of your college education.
@K&Tmom, best of luck to your daughter! Once she decides, it would be wonderful if you posted her story in the “Final Decisions” thread - I think it would be very valuable to hear what specific things made her realize that the “big name” school wasn’t a good fit after all. It might give future parents and students an idea of what questions to ask and what factors to consider when trying to figure out if a school will be a good fit for them or not.
Try not to worry about all the paths “everybody else” took. You can only look forward from YOUR starting place. The path may take turns you never anticipated. Five years ago my S was accepted into three terrific MT BFA programs. He chose one that isn’t talked about much on CC - one that has a “less than competitive” academic reputation. Turns out the triple threat training he thought he HAD to have as a HS senior was not the true prize he finally sought (although the training was excellent). The true gift of his college experience was the “space” and “opportunity” that was afforded to him to pursue mounting/directing his own production of LaChiusa’s Hello Again, as well as original parody reviews, and most importantly - for HIM - the chance to spend two years writing his own full-length musical. There was no way he could know that until he had a few years of college BFA under his belt. As a HS senior he KNEW he wanted to be a triple threat actor on Broadway. As a college freshman/sophomore, his view of his future self evolved - as it did for many of his program mates. It’s OK to BE where you’re at - even if it doesn’t look like the same place that everyone else seems to be in.
Thank you for that @mom4bwayboy! It’s so tough to see/hear our kids get so down bc they didn’t get a yes from their ‘dream school’, or other great schools, only to find out that their ‘dream school’ is the one they ended up in.
What many people have said here is that directors and auditors don’t care where you went to school. What matters is what you bring to the show. I don’t think students from well-known programs will ruin your chances of success as long as you are getting the right training. I guess the only question I would have on a lesser known program would be if the program head and teachers have industry name recognition / connections which would help to make up for the lack of a wide alumni network. Connections won’t give you a career but they will give you an edge on finding work.