College Discussion - View Single Post

Prof. Himmelheber · 07-12-2005, 08:46 PM

I hope I catch them all...several posts asked various questions. I'll do my best.

The reason we cannot audition into the BFA until the end of the sophomore year is two-fold:

We are a state and land-grant institution. This means that we cannot deny admission to anyone interested and qualified. Further, we must remain accessible to transfer students (as this is a new "Governator" mandate, trying to beef up attendance at junior colleges by paving a passageway directly into the state universities after 60 units). So, in short, we would LOVE to audition into the freshman level; we simply cannot.

Second, curricularly this sequence makes a lot of sense. Students have two years to decide whether or not to audition for both acting and musical theatre, or either, or a different emphasis entirely. In that two years, they have access to ALL the courses (with the exception of private voice lessons): they have acting, voice and movement, analysis, musical theatre, jazz, ballet, tap, performance opportunities (they can audition after their first semester is completed), sight singing, theory, and many others that they may be interested in. Not only do these courses prepare the student for the program and auditions, but it also gives them an idea of who they are up against. They usually KNOW going into the auditions if they are competitive with their peers or not (unless they are not listening to what candid remarks the faculty gives them).

Finally, if they are not admitted to the musical theatre BFA, they may still pursue an acting BA (soon to be a BFA program, too) if they pass the acting portion of their audition. Or they can continue as a "general theatre studies" student (a more "liberal arts" degree track). Or they can change emphasis to directing, tech, design, playwriting or stage management. The core curriculum required to audition (one year of Voice & Movement, one year of Acting, and one semester of analysis) is SHARED among all our emphases...and many of the other classes will transfer in to the other programs' requirements or electives.

In fact, one student who recently did not pass her audition/jury and decided to graduate with a BA in General Theatre Studies actually realized that she can graduate with only 1.5 more years (rather than 2), or take the full years remaining and enjoy herself on the ride. She's very pleased about this!

Finally, the main stage season shows are open to ONLY theatre majors - whether BFA or BA, designer or actor, with the exception of first semester freshmen (who cannot audition until December for the Spring season shows). So many of the students who do not get accepted to their discipline of choice DO get into our main stage season shows.

So it is not nearly as bleak a forecast as investing two (or three, or more in some cases) years in a program only to find that you are cut and are out on your behind with no degree options at that institution.

Hope this clarifies.

07-12-2005, 08:46 PM	#11
Prof. Himmelheber Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 444	Answers about CSU Fullerton I hope I catch them all...several posts asked various questions. I'll do my best. The reason we cannot audition into the BFA until the end of the sophomore year is two-fold: We are a state and land-grant institution. This means that we cannot deny admission to anyone interested and qualified. Further, we must remain accessible to transfer students (as this is a new "Governator" mandate, trying to beef up attendance at junior colleges by paving a passageway directly into the state universities after 60 units). So, in short, we would LOVE to audition into the freshman level; we simply cannot. Second, curricularly this sequence makes a lot of sense. Students have two years to decide whether or not to audition for both acting and musical theatre, or either, or a different emphasis entirely. In that two years, they have access to ALL the courses (with the exception of private voice lessons): they have acting, voice and movement, analysis, musical theatre, jazz, ballet, tap, performance opportunities (they can audition after their first semester is completed), sight singing, theory, and many others that they may be interested in. Not only do these courses prepare the student for the program and auditions, but it also gives them an idea of who they are up against. They usually KNOW going into the auditions if they are competitive with their peers or not (unless they are not listening to what candid remarks the faculty gives them). Finally, if they are not admitted to the musical theatre BFA, they may still pursue an acting BA (soon to be a BFA program, too) if they pass the acting portion of their audition. Or they can continue as a "general theatre studies" student (a more "liberal arts" degree track). Or they can change emphasis to directing, tech, design, playwriting or stage management. The core curriculum required to audition (one year of Voice & Movement, one year of Acting, and one semester of analysis) is SHARED among all our emphases...and many of the other classes will transfer in to the other programs' requirements or electives. In fact, one student who recently did not pass her audition/jury and decided to graduate with a BA in General Theatre Studies actually realized that she can graduate with only 1.5 more years (rather than 2), or take the full years remaining and enjoy herself on the ride. She's very pleased about this! Finally, the main stage season shows are open to ONLY theatre majors - whether BFA or BA, designer or actor, with the exception of first semester freshmen (who cannot audition until December for the Spring season shows). So many of the students who do not get accepted to their discipline of choice DO get into our main stage season shows. So it is not nearly as bleak a forecast as investing two (or three, or more in some cases) years in a program only to find that you are cut and are out on your behind with no degree options at that institution. Hope this clarifies.