Musical Theatre Schools?

MissMillenium · 05-31-2006, 12:15 PM

Hi, I'm going to be a senior this year, which means it's audition time! I'm a strong belter and a fairly good dancer and am just trying to find schools that might fit me well. I'm already looking at NYU(Tisch), Webster, Roosevelt, Cincinnati, BoCo, Carnegie-Mellon, U of Arts, UMich and OCU. Are there any other schools I should be considering?

NotMamaRose · 05-31-2006, 12:22 PM

I would strongly recommend that you read through the various threads about individual schools that are listed at the top of this forum. You might also take some time and read various other threads, on which people discuss the competitiveness of BFA admissions for MT, etc. Best of luck!

WallyWorld · 06-01-2006, 11:35 AM

Like notmama says there are several places on CC with lists broken down by size, selectivity and so on.

However if I were in your shoes I would have Otterbien, University of Evansville and possibly Viterbo on the list.

soozievt · 06-03-2006, 01:13 AM

I agree with NotMamaRose that you need to read about each individual program on their separate forums. I can't tell you which are a good fit for you as you didn't give nearly enough information about yourself or your college criteria.

Just so you know, University of Evansville doesn't have musical theater.

icekiss45 · 06-05-2006, 09:34 PM

Syracuse U has a phenomenal program..one of the best in the country. And because its in a less distractive area, the have one of the highest grad rates. Unlike programs like U Chicago or NYU, the kids have nothing to drop out for. NYU is very tempting because it's in NYC but their grad rates are not great. Also, they are better known for there grad school more than their undergrad school. Many undergrads drop out and try the broadway thing because they think they're too good and then come bk like two/three yrs later. Unfortunately, some who are on scholarship don't/can't come bk cuz once u leave that's it. Anyway, Syracuse, U Mich are great because they have little distraction

NotMamaRose · 06-06-2006, 08:51 AM

Having grown up in a small town in a burb of Syracuse, I can vouch for what icekiss says: Syracuse as a city is not, um, filled with potential distractions in the same way that Chicago or New York would be. Plus, the weather in the winter (which begins in early November and lasts until April!) is so cold, overcast and just plain miserable that the best place to be (unless you are an outdoor/wintersport enthusiast!

) is inside.

alwaysamom · 06-06-2006, 09:28 AM

icekiss, I'm curious where you found the grad rates for Tisch. Could you provide a link? My D's experience is very different than what you're stating. She's just finished her junior year at Tisch and other than a couple kids who left in first semester of freshman year, the group has stayed static. Also, it's not true that once someone leaves, they can't come back and have their scholarship still in place. We recently met a girl who is on a leave of absence to do a national tour and she was given a two year leave of absence, and at the end of that period, she may extend it if necessary. NYU's grad program is not a MT program, it's straight drama. Lastly, I'd like to say that while NYC is certainly not the right place for every student, the reason is not usually related to the distractions it may present.

jasmom · 06-06-2006, 09:29 AM

Ha! What an assessment of the optimal setting for study! I went to FSU as an undergrad. Makes me wonder how I accomplished anything! Guess it's good I didn't choose the Panama City branch. All kidding aside, one person's distraction is another's inspiration. One size definitely does not fit all.

NotMamaRose · 06-06-2006, 09:54 AM

Frankly, this discussion is a little bit silly! If a student wants to be "distracted" from his or her studies, he or she can find adequate diversions anywhere: he or she doesn't have to go to New York City for that!
It sounds to me as if most of the BFA programs in MT are quite intense, and have kids on the go from morning until night most days of the week. That certainly is not a schedule that everyone can handle, or one that everyone wants to handle. But it is a schedule that many MT kids are already used to from high school, where they are keeping up with their studies/homework, taking dance and voice lessons, and participating in various theatrical productions. College is more of the same, only ratcheted up a notch or two.
That would no doubt be true at any MT program, be it in the "sticks" at Ithaca College (not picking on IC ... just thought of it as it is in Ithaca, and that is not a large city by any means!) or in the middle of NYC.

icekiss45 · 06-06-2006, 05:42 PM

I apoligize. i do not have the rates. I'm only speaking from personal experience, having seen 5 of my friends drop out of NYU (not necessarily Tisch) and 3 drop out of Fordam. I don't have stats so technically i shouldn't have assumed. I was simply reiterating my point that MT prospects should look around and keep their options open. The saddest thing is to see someone who love MT so much but makes the wrong choices school wise. I friend of mind transfered out of the program at Belmont U to OCU. The only reason she went to Belmont was because her best friend was going. She soon discovered that she didnt like it and it cost herparents lots of money to send her elsewhere after dropping out. Just something to keep in mind. Go where YOU!! feel most confortable.