<p>Schools must CHOOSE to be scrutinized (and it is an incredibly long and tedious process, involving review of EVERY aspect of the department, curriculum, facilities, equipment, productions, faculty, etc.) for NAST accreditation.</p>
<p>I think that the biggest MT schools in the nation feel they don't need to be scrutinized in this manner - they know they are the tops, and don't feel they need an accrediting body to confirm that.</p>
<p>eve</p>
<p>"bump" for Irishcharm</p>
<p>I know it's more than a year later but I can't even tell you in words how wrong I think KTsmom got it when she looked at CSUF. What she saw were the beginnings of a fantastic place. It is NOW without a doubt the best, most technically advanced and beautiful facilities in the state with arguably the best BFA program. Don't take my word for it...GO LOOK!</p>
<p>Hey, that's right! I haven't updated the links to our new building in its completed state (we tripled our existing space with this add on). It is considered one of the premiere performance centers in the state now:</p>
<p>Find the blue link to the Gala Photos, and you will notice our BFA boys (including ONE SOPHOMORE!) performing with Marc Cherry (an alum of our Dept., and the Exec. Prod./creator of Desperate Housewives). You will also see our Broadway alums in later pictures, and one picture (with the skyline in the background) of our Broadway alums dancing onstage with our current BFAs (what you can't see in the picture is the 50 BFA wannabes dancing ALL over the auditorium house - they did YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT, original Bway choreography, taught by our alum who was in the show at the time).</p>
<p>There are also pictures of the addition only - PAC Photos. Numbers 9 & 10 are of our new Jerry Samuelson Musical Theatre Studio (named after our beloved Dean, who made this whole building possible). This space is ENTIRELY and EXCLUSIVELY devoted to musical theatre and musical theatre dance class (tap and jazz included). We also gained two small dance studios, one large dance studio (the mirror image of the MT studio, on the opposite side of the building), and two theatres (one thrust, one arena). We also have gained faculty offices, design labs (sound, cad, lighting, drafting, costumes, makeup) as well as storage (costumes, props, musical theatre equipment, shoes).</p>
<p>It is truly a remarkable facility. Not without its faults - we are still working on getting the monitors in the dressing rooms hooked up...but the sound design team has been fabulous about making do with what we have and creating a workable system. And there is no water fountain close to the MT studio, so students are permitted to bring in water in capped containers.</p>
<p>Thank you for reminding me, Flyerband!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>eve</p>
<p>I am new to this place so please bare with me. lol. I am planning to transfer to SFSU in the fall. I chose this school because 1, my mom works for the CSUs and I get 6 units free and 2, I wanted to be in a big city OTHER THAN LA. My reasoning is that I can get other opps because it is a big city and there are alot of auditions for other projects. I don't know if anyone has any insight on this but please, anything will help.</p>
<p>I know next to nothig about the drama department, but I was a music major there a million years ago. The good new about the department is that it shares a lot of faculty with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. My viola teacher was on the faculty there, as well as at SFSU.
The drawbacks would be similar to many a state university, large class sizes and less personal attention, plus the cutbacks that all the CSU's have faced.</p>
<p>San Francisco is a blast of a city for young people, and there are great cultural events there; take advantage of student rush tickets for the opera and symphony. There are many theatre groups all over the Bay Area, and you will be able to see some fine performances- check out the Lamplighter's Gilbert and Sullivan productions as well as other delights.</p>
<p>For starter reading: Creative Colleges by Elaina Loveland</p>
<p>For more specific info go here, at the bottom it has good list of MT schools: </p>
<p>Good luck in all your academic and artistic endeavours! PM me if you have any questions!</p>
<p>oh, and as far as west coast schools go try:</p>
<p>UCLA, CSUF, USC (mt certificate program)</p>
<p>they've already been mentioned, but i thought i'd reiterate the fact that they do offer good mt education here on the west coast, and that is useful if you want to end up here. San Francisco and LA have professional theatre opportunities, as well as smaller theatre companies scattered throughout the west. </p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>Hey guys. Im a current CSUF freshman. MT "wannabe" Thats what they call the freshman and sophomore students trying to get accepted into the BFA. </p>
<p>Any questions feel free to message me or e-mail me. I promise to be totally honest and give a real answer.
<a href="mailto:elizabethbollar@mac.com">elizabethbollar@mac.com</a></p>
<p>Hey LizMT. I saw on another post you were transfering schools- why is that?</p>
<p>I am transfering because CSUF is just not the right fit for me.
I can elaborate more on a private message.
I know many students who are more than happy at CSUF. It is purely a personal choice.</p>