mboyd

All,

In looking at top schools w/ BFA programs and surfing around these threads, I've not been able to find the answer to my probably obvious question. That is, what is the difference between attending a conservatory (BoCo) and a University with a strong MT/BFA program (NYU)? Do potential employers consider one more prestigious than the other when looking at resumes/transcripts?

acsch

There are about ten billion different opinions about this, but here's mine. Potential employers WILL consider prestige, but this is only relevant in applying for office-type jobs, not for auditioning. If you're auditioning for a show, they don't care what your education background is, as long as you're talented/fit the role/all the other factors that go into casting. Essentially, it comes down to your preferences and perhaps your certainty of your future profession. If academics are important to you, or if you think you may want a career shift in the future, get a BFA at a university (especially a prestigious university like U of M or CMU). If you're absolutely sure that the only thing you will ever do is perform, get a BFA at a place like BoCo. Of course, you can always change your path in life, but it would be a lot easier to apply for grad school (other than MFAs) or a normal job with a degree from a well-known university, BFA or not, than with a degree from a straight conservatory. I know of a woman who got her bachelor's degree in voice performance from U of M, then once she graduated ended up going to U of M law school, instead (mind you, one of the top ten law schools in the nation). Anything's possible. But if you're worried about getting a job, chances are you should look at a BA, not a BFA, or consider a dual degree BA/BFA program. A BFA doesn't do much for employability in the workforce, no matter where you get it, and it is never a guarantee that you will be cast in shows.

actormcfamous

I personally think that a going to a certain school or certain type of school will not affect if you get work as an actor or not. I think it entirely depends on the training you get (except the rare occasion where the person on the other side of the table is an alum of your alma mater and is choosing between you and someone from a different school and you're completely and entirely on level playing ground otherwise - a rare situation). I think it's most important to go to the school that gives you what you want and need in order to be prepared amply for working in the field. If you are not an academic person and just want to sing/act/dance for the rest of your life, certain schools will be more appealing than others. On the other hand, if you want to take academic classes and think that an education is important in a person's identity as an actor, you'll be looking at a completely different set of schools.

freedom_fri911

don't be fooled by "Universities". A lot of "Universities" have a conservatory curriculum, like NYU. You actually have to research the program by looking into how many credits are required outside of your major and how many in your major. I go by this outline:
3/4-all credits in major: Conservatory
1/2-3/4 credits in major: Conservatory-style
>1/2 credits in major: Liberal Arts style

But just because "Conservatory" isn't in the name, doesn't mean that the program isn't a conservatory or conservatory-style program. For instance, Webster University, I consider, is conservatory-style and Elon is more of a Liberal Arts- style program, whereas Ithaca College is a conservatory.

Just wanted to clear that up

NotMamaRose

NYU may have a conservatory-style curriculum in acting and musical theater. But kids there take a lot of academic classes, as well. In fact, at my D's recent audition for NYU, the teachers giving the info session stressed that if ALL one wants to do is perform and study performing, do NOT come to NYU or you will be disappointed. Kids studying musical theater and/or acting at NYU take (as I understand it) three days a week of studio classes and two days a week of academics, so it is like a double major.

flhope

At our daughter's recent audition at Webster, I thought that the head of the Fine Arts College was unusually honest and direct when asked this question at the info. session. His answer was that a conservatory should be viewed as a "trade school" for theater. he was speaking specifically about Webster Conservatory at. Webster U., but this might be a good way of viewing any of the true conservatory programs.

I don't know whether having a BFA from a conservatory vs. a non-conservatory BFA has implications for the ability to pursue an advanced degree. That's a really good question that I hope someone can comment on.

MichaelNKat

The comments and questions on this thread underscore the critical importance of taking a close look at the curriculum of ech school under consideration. There is a great deal of variance between different BFA programs. As pointed out, at NYU students take 3 days of studio and 2 days of L.A. per week. In contrast, for example, at CMU (a school with a very fine academic reputation), MT BFA students have virtually no room in the curriculum to take classes outside of the department. Then there are schools like Syracuse (and many other well regarded schools) where the curriculum permits only about 8 classes outside of the department. In many respects, as a general observation, in practical terms most BFA programs (with noted exceptions) permit little in the way of L.A. exposure regardless of whether it is at a "university" or a "conservatory".

As to advanced degrees, my impression is that a well developed resume of work experience is more important for purposes of an MFA than where you went to school. As to other types of advanced degrees, I know, for example that when it comes to a J.D. degree, GPA and LSAT scores are what count (admissions to law school are metrics driven).

MTgrlsmom

Agh, the ongoing dilemma...

I have to say that my D had a most eclectic mix of conservatory, semi conservatory, and liberal arts schools on her final list.

Whenever she would speak to either current students, alumnae or people in the industry, she would get as many opinions as the number of people she asked opinions from.

At the end of the day, the choice is personal. Conservatory may be viewed by some as a way out for those who "are not interested in academics", or by others, for the "ultra dedicated to their craft" types.

As far as the Liberal Arts option, some will say "what liberal arts?", as all classes may be geared towards the drama major.

At the end of the day, it is really all about the individual, where you get in, where will you be happy, and where do you see yourself getting the most out of your training .

Remember, whatever is meant to be, is going to be, no matter what .

mboyd

yea I see what you're all saying about it being a personal choice... an interesting dilemma...

mtdog71

This is not a question of how your auditions will go after you graduate. The truth on that is, your eventual employment will rely most heavily on how well you audioned, how right you are for the parts available, and, to a lesser extent, what kind of professional connections you've made either yourself or through your representation. What training program you completed has a very limited shelf life. After you make a few productions, your work ethic, and abilitly to be a reasonable member of the team will also begin to enter into your future casting.

What matters with the program you attend is that you get the training you need to be an effective auditioner and that you are nutured in an enviroment that will give you an effective set of life skiils to deal with the "real' world.

The question of conservatory vs. university setting is a choice you make along the way. If you get into a quality program with good mentoring, and you put personal effort into your training - you will be fine in any case.

Some might argue that the university setting might do a better job at the over all "life skills" part of your preparation - but it is still, largely, a matter of you visiting programs and figuring out where you fit in. The only other parameter might be if you can academically qualify to be admitted, then succeed, in some universty based programs.

Good luck to you on this journey.

deenierah

when i started looking last year i was so frustrated because every school had its own intricacies-- just because it was a "conservatory" within a big unversity didn't mean it had the same pattern of lib. arts/major courses that all the other conservatories-in-universities has. you become very educated about the particulars of every school, and figure out what's a deal breaker and what's not-- and CC is amazing for that too.