ncsongbird

I know I once found a thread or list of musical theater colleges that also had good dance programs. My D, a high school junior, is at UNCSA in contemporary dance, but wants to do musical theater. Thanks!

musicmom1215

OCU has an excellent dance program.

Pohsmom

This is difficult since an MT program although many consider a triple major has a lot to accomplish in the four years. It seems at most schools dance is on the bottom of the list of the three disciplines even in the best programs. That is not to say that it isn't very important and classes are taken every semester, but for a serious dancer who like many of these students are used to dancing several hours a day it can be a little bit of a letdown. Many programs will let you take additional dance classes, but most people will tell you that BFA MT curriculum is so jam-packed extra classes can be next to impossible. My daughter is at Hartt and although she is thrilled with her course load there isn't enough dance for her. She takes extra classes at their Community dance division 3 nights a week to supplement her Hartt dance classes. I am not thrilled with paying for the classes, but they are discounted and it works for her. Point Park is known for having a very strong dance program and I think the MT's take with the same faculty as the dance majors. When researching schools, check their 4 year curriculum for how much dance, see if it's the same faculty as the dance majors, and find out if additional classes are open to MT's. (BTW...she looked into a MT major and dance minor at many schools and that was very difficult to find...)

nydancemom

Elon has excellent dance within their program. They have a BFA dance major too, so the instruction is high caliber and the MT kids who are at the same level as the dance majors can dance with them. Within the MT program, the kids take Dance for the Musical Stage one semester each year, plus also take ballet or jazz or tap or modern, I think about one class per semester is required. My D is a lifelong dancer, so she has been able to take four dance classes each semester and has been very pleased with the level of instruction. Many of these classes also require research papers, choreography, etc. and there are also many performing opportunities (by audition) for the few MT kids who dance at the level of the dance majors. It is a BUSY schedule, but quite possible. They can even get a dance minor (and a rare few kids do a double major in MT and Dance but not sure that is possible in 4 years).

onstage

Syracuse, Montclair, Penn State, and Point Park. All are somewhat different, but have strong dance focus.

dieselbt

4 years ago Michelle Chasse the head of the dance department in the Theatre Dept at BOCO began going to the auditions for the Conservatory because of the importance of producing MT BFA triple threat graduates.
Dance is considered equally amongst the disciplines of acting , voice and dance for MT ers. There are placement classes as soon as you enter.
Dance is taken very seriously here and with the new practice rooms being completed at the end of 2010 incoming students will reap the benefits.
Not only does it satisfy begining students but also advanced students.

Ericsmom

I'd like to share thoughts about 3 schools, although many of the above are great choices:

Elon - unlike nydancemom's daughter, my son was not a life long dancer and only picked up some dance in HS in preparation for college auditions. He's now a senior at Elon, and without a doubt, Elon has absolutely incredible dance within their MT program. He has grown in all MT areas while at Elon, but I believe he has grown the most in dance and can now keep up quite well with those who have been dancing their whole lives and those who dance professionally. Elon really incorporates all areas of acting, singing, and dance into one program very impressively.

OCU - I would recommend that you look at their dance program for your daughter rather than their MT program. I had a nice visit with a cast member in my son's recent show who graduated from OCU's dance major and is on her way to do a Broadway show, after the regional show she was in with my son. People who have dance as their strongest talent will more likely thrive in that dance program and become prepared to do MT, because they require acting and voice lessons within the dance program. These voice lessons are taken with adjunct professors rather than the music school instructors of voice.

We know very talented people who are in or have graduated from all 3 programs at OCU -MT within the music school, Acting, and Dance. The programs are run separately. All of the students get some amount of training in all 3 disciplines, but I do not believe they get as broad of training in all 3 because of the focus in each area. For example, the MT and Acting students have a hard time scheduling many dance classes due to their heavy focus in their own area. Also, the MT program at OCU is a Bachelor of Music degree and has much more of a heavy focus on music than in some other schools with a BFA program. I truly believe with a dance background that your daughter might like the dance major better than the MT major there.

Point Park - excellent dance. When we looked there, they offered an MT minor for the dance majors. You should check to see if this is still an option. This might allow her to get what she desires. (Similar major / minor is offered at Marymount Manhattan, but I don't really know much about the quality of the program).

MTmomma

I would suggest looking at Otterbein. A BFA in MT with dance concentration is available (it's like MT with dance minor) My D is a freshman pursuing this degree and loves it there so far.

mtfamily

Check out CCPA/Roosevelt, the students take dance at a Chicago studio. My D tested out of a class this semester allowing her to pick up an additional dance class for credit. Because it is a studio they can buy a dance card to take any additional classes that they want/can fit in. Grades are dependent on how often you attend. Great system for all levels of dancers.

classicalbk

And free public transportation to the dance studio is included!

MichaelNKat

UArts has a good dance component to its MT program. However, for those who are dancers who also want MT, UArt's dance major is excellent and dance majors can minor in MT.

mtdog71

Hi Some schools with very strong dance components in their MT program that I am aware of include Elon, OCU, Point Park - also U of Arts, FSU - these are schools that have strong dance elements within the school, within the MT BFA.

hushinfazen

Point Part where my daughter is as a MT major- Dance minor is excellent. In fact the musical currently running "Carousel has a very demanding second act dance solo which was cast from a Dance Major- MT minor. Add to the list Indiana, Arizona, CCM, NYU.

abparent

I second looking at Otterbein, not only for the MT BFA, but the dance concentration. All MT students receive a solid amount of dance training. Our son began with minimal dance training except for tap and has progressed tremendously in all areas. Those MT students who come to Otterbein with the dance concentration in mind seem to choose it not only for the excellent training, but the excellent facilities as well. They apparently are much kinder on the dancer's body. Good luck with your search!

mtdog71

Let me add CCM to my list above, at NYU, it depends on which studio you get into.