NotMamaRose

babar and brian, thanks so much! Well said, and well explained. I am in complete, total, 100% agreement that the "selectivity" thing (how hard it is to get in) does not equal, for most kids, a guarantee of a quality experience. For instance, I know several Sewanee graduates who LOVED it there and are VERY successful, including my lovely new neighbor who is a resident at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and a very strong young writer with whom I work. (In fact, I hear that University of the South/Sewanee is enjoying an upswing of popularity. Word is getting 'round. Our city metro daily, for instance, published a big piece on what a "hot" school it has become and now more kids from here are applying.) I also agree that schools are increasingly "getting" that SAT scores predict little. However, I am guessing that a lot of schools continue to factor those in as a way of eliminating some candidates very quickly: the ones above this range go in the "let's look at this file" pile and the rest are discarded. After all, with thousands of application, the admissions offices have to start somewhere, right? Wow, have things gotten complicated. Back in "my" day , most kids I know did not even start thinking about college until the summer before senior year, when they sent away for a few brochures. We then filled out a few applications and sent them in and heard a few months later. Voila! Instant college acceptance. Just add water and stir.

NotMamaRose

briansteffy and anyone else who knows about BU's drama/acting program:

Can anyone address how important grades/scores/academics are in admission to NU's acting program?

I was under the impression that grades and scores factor quite heavily at Boston, just as they do at NYU. But today, a well-informed classmate of my D's commented that she had just found out that grades/scores/academics are not weighed very heavily at all.

What gives? Which is true?

deenierah

NMR, i assume you meant BU in the second line?

BU is similar to NYU in that there's two separate review processes-- regular academic admissions makes sure you're qualified for the school academically, and then there's your audition, where the people really don't know what kind of student you are. i am not entirely sure, but i get the impression that BU's conservatory doesn't allow for quite as much academic time as NYU does (if you're BFA acting. BFA theatre arts is a bit looser). but it seems to me that it's quite similar between the two schools.

briansteffy

My S is applyng to BU, though not NYU. Does anyone know whether the BFA admissions people ever see the admissions folder sent to central BU admissions. Why I ask this is that, from what my S tells me, there is no essay required for the BFA program. The essays (not theater specific) are forwarded via the Common Application. Likewise, the references are directed to central admissions - hence, we used those provided by the Common Application - but the BFA program does not request them.
Two further questions about BU. The most recent edition of Everett's (for Peterson) Guide on Performance Arts programs reports a significantly lower male/female ratio than other BFA programs (someting like 37% men). Is this approximately correct?. Second, has anyone found out yet whether, at unifieds, BU works with the auditioners for the three hour block assigned, or whether they just assign, until they assign a specific interval, auditioners to a 3 hour block? Alternatively stated, do they work with the auditioners; movement, improv., etc., like DePaul and some other programs. My hope is that they do.

lohiaaditya

Although it may be very irrelevant to the discussion, i would like to put in that i ve had email conversation with a guy dealing with admission procedures for theatre admission in BU and by far frmo all the universities that i have talked to BU seems the most keen and most friendly to me. I just wonder whether applicants from within US get to send a taped audition on request? I got the permission because i am an international student.

NotMamaRose

Again, asking for a young friend of mine here:

Does Rutgers have a non-auditioned BA in Theatre Arts, in addition to the BFA in acting program?

If they do, is there any overlap between the BA and BFA programs? In other words, do the non-auditioned BA students get to take classes with the BFAs?

briansteffy

NotMamaRose: The question aroused my curiosity. Yes, Rutgers has a BA in Theater Arts. It mentions it on the Martin Gross site, then refers the reader to the college catalogue. I originally went thru the college of arts and sciences, and when I clicked 'theater, it referred me to the MG page. I cannot answer the last question.

stlouismom

The BA students in the RU program have separate classes from the BFA students. I believe the BA students audition more for performances - but I'm not sure. The BFA students, I believe start performances the jr. year (in England - Shakespeare). BA students learn the Meizner system (or modification there of) and the BA acting teacher is very good.

NotMamaRose

Thanks for the info, guys. I asked my original question about the BA program at Rutgers b/c I had the same experience as did brian: I was referred to the catalog and the catalog referred me back to the MGSA site! Frustrating! I am wondering if the relationship b/w the BA and BFA programs at Rutgers is anything like that of the BA/BFA program relationship at Minnesota/Guthrie, which was discussed (I think) upthread. In other words, there is not much overlap and the BA kids sometimes feel like "second fiddles" to the BFAs ....

briansteffy

stlouismom: My sense is that the BFA program is also very Meisner-oriented.

RE: do the same faculty teach in the BFA and BA program? My S applied to the BA theater program at Penn State. We have received a number of private messages praising the fact that the MFA-Theater faculty teach the BA Theater kids. True, the BA students compete against BFA(MT) and MFA students in major productions, but there are smaller-scale productions that the BA students get involved with. Someone suggested that the BA program is a good place to be if, in the long run, the student is interested in getting the experience necessary to pursue an MFA in directing. I am not sure how accurate this assessment is, but the input came from current and past students.
It sounds like an interesting option to the MN BA program, and likely the Rutgers BA program, as Penn State does not offer a BFA in acting or directing.
Also note that BA students must audition to get into the program. We are scheduled in Jan. Their web site is horrible, as it's very difficult to get a sense of the curriculum. I am a bit biased, thouh. My wife used to teach there and really disliked its convoluted bureaucracy and power-politics. She is now in small-LAC heaven.

KatMT

Penn State - I was a grad student at Penn State in the MFA directing program. I know of one student who double majored in English and BA Theatre and works as a director, plans on applying to MFA directing programs. Another student I know from the BA program went to the dramaturgy program at Yale right out of undergrad.

I also know quite a few BA acting students from Penn State who are acting professionally. Examples -- One is very successful in DC area theatre, another I see pop up on TV in "guest" spots on shows.

I also know people who finished the BFA MT program at Penn State who have chosen to get MFAs in directing or acting after being out of school for a few years.

The BA and BFA students do take acting classes with the same faculty that teach in the MFA program. And while the BA students are auditioning for roles in plays and musicals with the BFA MT and MFA students, there are many performance opportunities for the BA students to take advantage.

These are just anecdotal reports... but, I figure every little bit of info helps.

deenierah

briansteffy-- at the CFA info session I attended I think I do remember them mentioning their somewhat skewed m/f ratio, but I do think it's getting better over the years, if I remember correctly.
I don't know about Unifieds, but they also have auditioners sign up for a several-hour block at the school itself. I don't think they work with them as a group, but I know they spend a chunk of time (10min? 15min?) "workshopping" the prepared pieces that the auditioners bring in-- whether that's improv, or just giving them different direction, or talking to them about the plays the material comes from, I don't know. I really looked seriously at BU and it looks like a wonderful place for theatre.

hcpss

Briansteffy-Since Boston is a common application school, you would have to submit the essay. I don't think you can submit it (online) without the essay-as well as the supplement. While the theater department might not require an essay, the university probably does since you have to be admitted. Some of the schools who say you have to be admitted, we have not yet heard from so I assume they are waiting results of audition since the theater department probably has some say in whether they really want that particular student or not. You schedule your audition online and it is for either a three or four block. I believe it is a three hour one. After you schedule it, it will say "pending." Ours has said that for several weeks and I called the department and they said that is normal. I forget their explanation but they told me not to worry about it. I too have found them to be very nice and helpful when I have called or emailed.

briansteffy

I notice that nobody on this thread talks about monologues; not to the extent that the mt people discuss song choice - MT people seem to be a very extroverted group. My S is preparing at least three monologues; one Shakespeare, for those programs that allow non-contemporary pieces or for those that require a classical piece; one from "Autobahn' (2005), a series of single, largely comedic scene-bits that take place in a car (hence the title) - which means that he would have to do this monologue seated; and the third, well, we are not sure, hence the question. Thus far, we are working with two dramatic pieces; Louis, from Angels in America, and Brick from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
His first audition (and, unfortunately, his most important - in my eyes) requires two contrasting (comedic and dramatic) modern monologues @ two minutes each. The autobahn piece is more comedic, so we have that covered. My question is this; has Brick been done so many times that they do not want to see it? Should we reject it because it is such a conventional piece? In 'Angels' Louis is a Jewish guy who has contracted aids (we are looking at the scene where Louis is doing a political rant). My S goes on some political rant most everyday, so there is a 'there' there, but - how do I put this - my S looks like his mother, who was born in Bavaria. I am assuming that, though my S would never be cast as Louis, that it would still be appropriate for him to use it. Frankly, I think that my S is Brick (even as T. Williams subtly 'wrote' him). Any opinions would be appreciated. While there is a part-time drama teacher who will help us once we select our roles, I am not sure that she is all that good. The decision is ultimately going to be made by my S, but it;s my feedback that will most influence his decision. I spoke with the Theater person at the college, and she suggested Brick. A BFA student at BU that my son really liked suggested Autobahn and Angels in America. Opinions, tangential thoughts, etc. would be appreciated.

letsfigureitout

Brian: I, too, have noticed that few posts are about monologues. . .indeed, not too many folks interested in acting only find their way to CC, it seems!

Anyway, here are some things to think about monologues--things I have observed as my son has tackled the application/audition process. First, check carefully to see what the requirements are at each school. . .some want very short monologues (1 minute) and some want the 2-minute monologues that are so often taught. Most places want contrasting monologues, but check to be sure that they want a classical and a modern monologue, if they would prefer verse, or if they ask for two contemporary pieces. Because of differing requirements, I know my son has at least 6 monologues. So far, I think he has had to do 3 pieces at each audition. When asked to perform the third, he has been able to say, "Do you want to see ____ or ____?" and present the one they want. Make sure your son's monologues show a RANGE of emotions.

As to monologue selection, I can suggest you consider pieces from shows your son has been in (even if HE did not play the character) or pieces he worked on over the summer at his summer program. Or, pieces from shows he's seen. It is important, I gather, to KNOW the show from which the monologue is taken. He needs to be able to talk about the character and about where he has been before the piece and where he is going after. My son has been asked how/why he selected the particular monologue he presented and about his preparation (tutoring?). Because your son may be asked to perform the piece differently (while running; as a comedian; using his own words) he MUST know the monologues VERY well.

I can't make any suggestions for monologues--sorry! Some people find the monologue books or internet sites helpful. If you find something there, however, you'd better get a hold of the script and read the whole play! Check to see if the colleges to which your son is applying list shows from which you MAY NOT select monologues for presentation.

CMU specifically asks that students NOT receive tutoring on their monologues, but I don't know of any other programs that state such a thing. From reading CC, it seems that most students get some help with monologue selection and presentation. I would say that my son has presented many (but not all) of his pieces to someone along the way, a teacher or a director perhaps, and received some feedback. But he has not had what I would call "intensive" coaching on them. At first that worried me, especially after reading some CC posts, but I think he is able to figure out a character and present that character pretty well using the skills he has obtained from classes and from being in shows. I guess this college audition process will be the true test!

Let's see what kind of suggestions you get from readers. . .If you still need some help selecting monologues after the holidays (we are traveling over the next few days), I will ask my son to see if he can come up with something! I will say it seems harder to find the "right" monologue than it would first seem to be!