broadwaycorey

What are the differences?

How do the training techniques and classes differ? Can BA Theatre students still take dance/voice classes?

MTaussie

broadwaycorey,
I'm looking at the Otterbein Undergraduate Course Catalog as I write this so here goes. . .
Requirements for core curriculum
BA and BFA MT both require 50 hours of Integrative studies, 3 hrs of Health and Physical Education, Lifestlye Series and the Senior Year Experience.
BA also requires10 hours of Foreign Language and 5 hours of Mathematics.

Requirements for Major
BA - 47 hours of required theatre courses plus at least 7 more to reach a minimum of 54 hours. No music or dance as required courses.
BFA - 63 hours of required theatre courses (not the same courses as the BA however but there is some overlap), 16 hours of dance, 37 hours of music plus 7-10 hours of music history, theatre history or dance history.

The Catalog says that the BA in Theatre "is designed for those students whose career goals require the study of more than one discipline, or who want a program with more flexibility than the BFA." That said you can probably pick up quite a few of the courses that the BFA's would be doing with the exception of those courses that are designated for BFA students only.

When my S visited Otterbein he took a ballet class and there were students in that class who were not BFA's so you should be able to take dance classes. The catalog says that dance classes are open to all students and even some of the restricted ones say open to Theatre and Music Theatre majors, which I assume means both BFA and BA.

I'm afraid I can't speak to whether you could take private voice classes. Perhaps Dr. John would be able to answer that one as well as give you a better perspective on the similarities and differences. It seems that that the BFA degree gives you a lot less flexibility to choose courses as there are so many required courses, whereas the BA has far fewer required courses - 54 hours out of 180 hours needed for graduation - so that gives quite a bit of flexibilty.

In the music department, some of the courses that the BFA students take are only open to BFA Musical Theatre majors while others are open to non-majors / or with permission of instructor.

I hope this helps a bit but I am certainly not an expert. Hopefully Dr.John will be able to fill in the details for you.

abparent

broadwaycorey,

Am I correct in that you have two options w/ Otterbein, music or theatre? Either way, as MTaussie says, I'd go straight to the "horse's mouth" and explore all of your options on the phone with the appropriate folks within each department. Otterbein seems unique in that they provide a good mix of courses within various disciplines - acting, voice, dance, etc, not exclusive to the students in the major as DoctorJohn has mentioned before. They've always been very open and I'm sure would be happy to spend the time with you in order to make the right choice. It would be a shame for you to miss out on a great program or choose poorly simply for lack of information. You're in a great place in that you have some choices - good luck to you!

doctorjohn

broadwaycorey,

MTaussie and abparent have given you accurate information. Dance classes and private voice lessons are open to BA Theatre majors. Casting is open to all majors. BA majors may also audition for the senior showcase. There are acting classes specifically designed for the BA students, including a repeatable class which usually has 6-8 students in it, and a "Coaching Actors" class in which the students explore teaching different acting techniques to each other. But the BFA acting classes are not open to BA students.

Please write to me directly and I can answer in more detail.

LizMT

Does anyone know if I've been rejected from the BFA MT program, can I still attend Otterbein as a BA Acting major?

NanE

I'd Like to piggy back on this thread if I could! My D has been accepted in to the Music Performance program. Will she be able to take acting and dance classes as well?

doctorjohn

Sorry I haven't responded sooner. I've been in NYC with the seniors at their showcase. Two nights at the York Theatre along with the seniors from Baldwin-Wallace, Penn State, and CCM Drama. It went really well, and our seniors will stay in town the rest of the week to do follow-up with agents and casting directors.

LizMT: we don't have a BA Acting major. We do have a BA degree, but as I said above, it's not a degree for performers. If you're interested in thinking about changing your focus and direction, however, contact me at school and we'll talk.

NanE: As a vocal performance major, your daughter can take dance classes, and can audition for shows, including the senior showcase. The Music department now teaches acting as part of its Opera Workshop program, and we have one acting class for non-majors. However, the BFA Acting classes are restricted to BFA Acting and BFA MT majors.

Hope this helps to clarify the situation.

NanE

Thank You Doctor John for your reply. I think you just made my D's decision!