Frenchlaw

Brian, Delighted to hear about your son's acceptances. Don't pooh-pooh either of these opportunites, because I don't imagine that your S would have applied if they had no merit, and you know he has a place to go that you've already evaluated to some extent. I stress out very easily and have to remain conscious of stress-reducers. These acceptances are stress-reducers. Again, congratulations. Did I hear a sigh of relief?

channelsurferdud

briansteffy and NotMamaRose...Please don't misconstrue my post. I find this forum very informative. I sometimes wish some posts were more succinct...and garrulous at the same time???? Is that even possible?
I especially like the comments about the UA theatre program. My son has applied for their BFA in acting and will be auditioning in Feb. Living in Tucson, it is interesting to read the comments from others around the country and especially from former students.

NotMamaRose

channelsurferdad, we are just glad you are here!

barbmaz

Same here. Same as post #14

briansteffy

channelsurferdud: I think that it is also worthwhile talking AT colleges and universities via CC; not only to parents and students. My school talks about CC. We are aware of the commentary. Some may discount the commentary, but as CC becomes the prominant feedback/information tool (I think that it is becoming), it may become a catalyst for change. In the latter 19th century, debate as to what higher education is and should be gave us Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Carnegie-Mellon, and the big ten, each daring to step away from the established anglican, northeastern schools. In the 60s, schools like Beloit, Bennington, and Hampshire asserted their unique heritage. We are due for a bit of campus revolution, meaning bold experimentation. I just do my small thing here, even though our comments pass onto cyber-limbo after a couple of days. It's more worthwhile blowing wind here than publishing some irrelevant article (that nobody would ever want to read except for those who need it to read it so as to write their own irrelevant articles, so as to advance themselves) so that I will get a better pay raise.

CTnapier

Hey!

I'm new to the forum, but I have a quick question. I know Ithaca's BFA acting program enjoys quite a good reputation, but how is their BA drama program rated? I ask this because I would like to double major, and I know that most likely isn't possible while completing the BFA program. Looking at the courses, I was a little disappointed to see almost all of the upper level acting classes being restricted to just the BFA program.

soozievt

In my opinon, if you want to do a BA in Drama where you can double major, do the BA at a fine college with an excellent theater department and not at a school that ALSO has a BFA in Drama. In a school that has both a BFA and a BA in Drama, there is a chance that the BA program is second fiddle to the BFA. Certain courses are not open to the BA students. They compete for casting, etc. It would be better to go to an excellent BA in Drama school in such a situation, in my view. For instance, as good as Ithaca's BFA is, I would not have suggested that school for a BA in Drama.

Also, be aware that there are some BFA programs where you can double major, such as at NYU/Tisch. Also, at some BFA programs (inc. Tisch), you can minor in another subject.

If you are very interested in double majoring, seek out excellent BA in Drama/Acting/Theater colleges, rather than looking at the ones that have BFAs.

flhope

Does anyone have any thoughts on the merits, drawbacks, reputation, etc. of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (formerly known as the School for Theater and Television)? It's a two-year program offering a certificate, with credit transfers to several 4-year colleges.

Frenchlaw

Soozievt: This is exactly what we're trying to accomplish with my S. The exception is U of Minnesota which is decent academically and has a well-respected BFA program. My S is applying for BA's only. The question is whether the theatre programs are solid enough. I'll see where he is accepted first.

soozievt

Frenchlaw, I don't know where your son has applied to college but many many talented students seek the BA path. There is also the option of eventually doing an MFA down the line. I know some talented students who either got into BFAs or had the talent to get in them but preferred a BA. They go to excellent schools with very good theater departments. A BA isn't going to be like a BFA, but can still be a very strong theater department and a student can still get deeply involved in theater. They simply will have a greater percentage of liberal arts vs. theater credits. Good luck to your son and let us know how he makes out.

channelsurferdud

Pepperdine??? Any thoughts or comments?

briansteffy

channelsurferdud: You probably know more about Pepperdime than I do. I visited once, and it is one of the most beautiful settings that I have seen. It is a pretty conservative and religios (comparatively) college, gaining kudos from some of the most politically conservative observers. The U. was slightly damaged by the fires, but the community reacted well. But I do not know anything about their drama/theatre program. They have an excellent communication program.

Frenchlaw. My son applied to a number of LACs (I will post how many until after the selection process is over) There is a part of me (I do not share this with my S) that hopes he will end up in a LAC, providing him the opportunity (also experience) to get an MFA after 4 years, if he is absolutely confident that he has what it takes to succeed in the profession. I think that ambiguity (BFA vs. BA) is healthy. I am hesitant to state this publically, given my username, but as soozievt suggests, it is a very rational option for those who do not get into a BFA program that they deem acceptable.
I often sit with my laptop as I channel surf. When I see young actors in film posted I google their name and note what college/program they graduated from. Obviously, many BFA students end up on stage and not on the sreen. Still, I am surprised by the number of film actors who come out of LACs and private universities with BAs, and few of these programs offer courses on 'acting for film'. Heck, nobody mentions my LAC when it comes to acting. But since I've been here - and we only have 15 theatre majors total - I've seen 4 end up making lots of money acting on TV/film; they are names hat most of you know. Each year a few go on to get their MFA.
So my S and I keep an ever-shifting list; if he gets into BFA program A, B, C, D, or E, he will go there. But if he gets into BFA program X, Y, or Z, he may opt for Bennington, F&M, Marietta, or Drew (all tuition exchage colleges). There are some BFA programs that, if he is accepted, I will force a discussion along the lines of; well, are you sure? The money is their for getting a MFA if you go to this or that BA. Why not look at this as a seven year investment? It's a tough decision, as my son wants to take theatre courses; he does not want to be ordered to take another year of German, and two science classes, and 4-6 distribution classes, etc. He also does not like the idea of not getting much college credit for working many hours on productions (many LACs max out at one full course credit total for 4 years of production work). Also, he likes 'hanging' with theatre kids, and some LACs have few majors. So he is passionate about going the BFA route. But I am encouraging him to see the benefits of a BA, if its from a quality college. Many LAC kids finally appreciate the broad exposure when they turn 30 and 40.

soozievt

Re: BA + MFA (rather than a BFA):
I just want to clarify that wasn't truly what I meant. I was saying that I know some extremely talented students who CHOSE a BA path, not because they ddin't get into an 'acceptable' BFA program but rather because they WANTED a BA program in the first place. I know some kids who I am positive could have gotten into fine BFA programs but preferred to attend BA theater programs such as at Yale, Brown or Northwestern. Some of these kids applied to NO BFA programs. Some got into top programs like NYU/Tisch but preferred a BA path and chose the BA schools over the BFA ones (that were acceptable to them as well).

Yes, a BA can be a viable option as a fall back to those who are seeking a BFA and who do not get into a BFA they wish to attend. But I was saying that a BA path is a viable path in itself for those who want to pursue drama/acting. There also is the option of a BA + MFA (which is not as much the case for someone seeking musical theater).
By the way, my kid is in a BFA and she doesn't get college credit for working on productions at all. For instance, right now, she rehearses every night from 7-11, and 8 hours on Sat. and 8 hours on Sun. (and 2 1/2 weeks full time over the winter break) for the mainstage musical. There are no credits for such work. This is on top of the nine classes she takes.

briansteffy

soozievt: sorry for the misinterpretation. Thank you for the correction. I was just trying to get a discussion going. It was not my intention to misinform or mislead. Sign-off.

soozievt

BRIAN...no worries. I am certain there was no intent. But I thought I would just clarify what I truly meant as it was different than your interpretation. The BA option is not only a viable one, but a first choice for many, even those capable of being admitted to top BFA programs. I know many such talented students. They want that type of educational experience. A BFA isn't better, but simply a different path and educational experience. For those who only want a BFA, then a BA may seem like a back up. But some have a BA as their optimum choice for getting a degree in theater.

I also thought I would point out that those in a BFA, at least my kid's BFA, work on productions and that is not counted for credit at all. It makes for a very intense schedule. When I spoke to my kid last night at 11:15 PM, she was walking home after having been at her studio for classes all day and rehearsals all night, starting at 9:30 AM. It was a typical day.