I understand that some undergrad theatre programs are more well-respected than others. But if I decide to apply to a graduate theatre program (Juilliard, for example), will they care where I got my undergraduate theatre degree? Or does it really only matter how talented an actor I’ve become?
I ask because I’m also looking for a university with strong academics, so I’m not sure to what extent I should favour colleges that have a well-respected undergraduate theatre program.
Juilliard is all about the audition. Nothing else matters.
Thanks – does anyone know if this is the same for all or most graduate programs?
I think the audition (and maybe a little bit of work experience) is all anyone cares about at the MFA level.
You can look at the class profiles from some of the top MFA programs and see where the graduates got their undergrad degrees. You’ll find a wide range of colleges.
http://ysd.yale.edu/showcase/
http://nyugradacting2016.com/class/
http://4yr.juilliard.edu/
A friend’s daughter went to a state school in California and was accepted to Yale Drama BFA so I don’t think it matters.
This will depend on the school to some extent. I have had the pleasure of meeting most of the grads each year at Tisch’s MFA and although there are usually a few from schools that you might not expect, most did undergrads scattered among Columbia, Yale, Barnard, Brown, RADA, BADA, Harvard, Sarah Lawrence and Tisch. Similarly, most will have fairly extensive experience outside school as well. This year’s class is possibly the most diverse in terms of undergrad institutions in a very long time, although there are still some of the usual representation from Tisch, Barnard, Brown, Sarah Lawrence, Harvard, BADA and RADA. And, again, lots of experience outside school and since undergrad. Most will not go directly from undergrad to the MFA.
Have some fun reading the resumes to see the various types of training, experience, and the special abilities/skills are always interesting to read. 
Who taught some of their classes is also interesting.
The admission process for some (most?) MFA programs is more competitive and more detailed than for undergrad programs. This would include what you have to prep for the audition, and that many will require callbacks. For example, at Tisch, auditions are held across the country and then there are callbacks in NYC where you are required to be there for at least two days. Not sure what the current numbers of total auditioning is recently but in the not too distant past, it was hundreds and then about 50-60 were invited for callbacks, with 16 being chosen for the class.
*I meant MFA at Yale
My D went through the application process for the MFA in Acting last year (she’s currently a student at Brown). She felt that the audition was the most critical factor for admissions and that’s where she put most of her energy. She applied to five schools, went to NY for auditions, got two callbacks, and two acceptances. She’s had an extraordinary year and loves her program.
Her fellow grad students came from a variety undergraduate schools–UChicago, Bowdoin, Harvard, Standford, West Texas, Hofstra, Univ. of Louisiana to name a few. There were hundreds of applicants for 15 slots .