<p>My daughter did not get into the BFA program. She auditioned only where she was already accepted as an incoming freshman. Now she has a school to go to... but no degree to study.</p>
<p>What to do now? She can certainly go into school as undecided, and audition again next year, but there are no guarantees and a year without performing will not make her a better prospect. It is all very frustrating, because she wanted the BFA, and NOT musical theater, and it seems that some who DID try out for musical theater ended up in the BFA -- so hindsight says she should have shown her full capabilities and auditioned in dance as well.</p>
<p>But, here we are.
She says she has a backup plan. The plan, however, is to pick a major that will help her in her future acting career!</p>
<p>I am so not a stage mom. So, please forgive me if my questions seem obvious or even frivolous...</p>
<p>How does she create/attain/train for an acting career when the training does not come from her school?
Are there reputable places she can learn her craft?
Who helps/steers her to agencies, auditions, etc.?</p>
<p>I have always known that her chosen career would be a struggle... but I thought the bulk of the struggle would be AFTER the training. It never seriously occurred to me that FINDING the training was going to be an issue! Now that the paid professionals have opted out, it seems that the only information to be had is from those who have been there and figured it out before her.</p>
<p>I hate to say this but if you’ve spent any time on CollegeConfidential, you should know that any school that requires an audition to enter its acting program has more applicants than spots available (i.e. there is a very good chance that your daughter could be on the outside looking in). That’s why the typical aspiring actor applies to six to eight schools or more to give themselves the best chance to gain admission to a BFA program. It’s also advisable to apply to non-audition theatre programs (i.e. typically BA Theatre programs) in case none of the auditions pans out. This isn’t what you want to hear right now, but you may want to have your daughter spend the weekend filling out an application to Hofstra (they offer a BFA Theatre - Acting with no incoming audition). The student spends a year trying out the curriculum before deciding whether they want to focus on acting or theatre arts. The audition occurs after the freshman year and is much lower risk…</p>
<p>Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle is still accepting applications for fall 2009. They have a BFA Theater program. Concentrations include acting, original works, performing arts (with classes in theater, voice & dance depts.) stage design, stage management, technical direction.</p>
<p>The BA program at her school is ALSO audition… she will have the option to audition again next year, with no guarantees. </p>
<p>I had no idea there were non-audition BFA and/or BA in theater programs. I will have to look them up.</p>
<p>I am new to this website and unfortunately I am only beginning to figure any of this out. My daughter attends a high school for the performing arts and I am sorry to say either did not receive or maybe ignored any advice as to backup choices for college theater arts programs.</p>
<p>The school she was accepted to (I really don’t want to say) came in and did an instant decision day last fall and was her first choice (although they did say that admission into the school did not guarantee admission into the theater program). </p>
<p>Once she had that admission letter in her hand, other schools/locales fell off the radar.
To be truthful, I was naive in that I figured why would a college go to a high school for the performing arts and admit a drama major… and NOT want them in the theater program?</p>
<p>The question is what to do NOW in order to secure the training necessary for her career.</p>
<p>You should tell us where she got in and many people and counselors on this site could help you decide what to do and what her chances of getting in sophomore year are at this school. Just a suggestion</p>
<p>If she attends a performing arts high school, isn’t there an advisor or councilor who can give you some direction? My son goes to a boring non-magnet, middle class public school, and his theatre teacher had a wealth of info…as did the office. Maybe you should shoot them an email or phone call?</p>
<p>Hedda, I read you post and thought you were suggesting maybe she should “shoot them”! LOL…
Truly hard to imagine that a performing arts school would not be able to advise about such matters and the highly competitive nature of audition based theater programs. My own kid went to a rural public high school but we had to research this stuff on our own as they would not have known how competitive her programs were.</p>
<p>Lisainnj – if the school where your D has an academic acceptance is close to or in a city where she can get coaching to prepare for auditions for other programs (to transfer to in 2010), or to re-audition for the program where she will be, this could be an option. Does the school have an open audition policy for shows, or are only the BFA/ BA students in theatre allowed to participate in productions? Are there acting classes she can take as a non-major? </p>
<p>Another option is to look at some of the programs listed above by members (and other schools) to see where students can still apply for the university and the theatre program. I know that Plymouth State University in NH (an auditioned BA program) is still accepting applications through April 1st, and has one more audition date in later April. go the school website for more information. I believe that Seton Hill University in PA is also still accepting applications and will schedule on campus auditions. DeSales in PA may also still be accepting applications and an audition is not required for the major. </p>
<p>Some students who do not get into the program of their choice choose to take a “gap” year. Work, earn money, and get coaching for auditions. This way she could apply again next year (to a greater number of schools) as a freshman. Some schools are not as open to transfer auditions as others. </p>
<p>I am sure this is very stressful for your D and the family. There is a wealth of information on this site both on the Theatre and Musical Theatre forums. All the best to your D and your family.</p>