actormcfamous

Hey everyone

I'm a HS senior and am very interested in the program at Penn State. However, I'm curious about the acting training that MT majors receive. Can anyone enlighten me?

Thanks!

psucat

Hi actormcfamous. The program has changed (for the better in the subject of acting training, actually!) since I was a freshman, but you start with basic acting your freshman year and are required to take a series of movement and voice and speech classes as well. Sophomore year you head into the 200 level classes, which is much more focused on scene study and Meisner work. Junior year is the 300 level, and these classes are taught by the MFA Acting Program professors. They are AMAZING. I walked out of school knowing I was an actor above all else. Your senior year you can take a class that focuses on cold readings, monologues, and audition prep. The acting training is very Meisner based, although you do learn about other methods.
-The Musical Theatre studio classes sophomore, junior, and senior year combine the acting foundation you have been given and combine it with song.
I hope this helps!

actormcfamous

Yes, that is tremendously helpful. Thank you!

iwsact

Sorry to post over here, but I figure that I will get a response. I auditioned for the acting program last week. I really liked the students that I met. I know it's a BA program and that I will have to take general education requirements, but can I take more theatre courses than required by the major and count those credits toward my electives. I am not interested in double majoring and I would like to have some freedom in what I take, once I meet the liberal arts requirements. Thanks. By the way, you guys (PSU) know how to entertain us while we sit around for the better part of the day.

ttmom

iwsact, My D is a freshman BFA at PSU. Glad you enoyed it. FYI although I do not think BFA MT kds can double mlajor bc there are so many requirements for their degree, they are required to take the 45 hrs of gen eds the school requires of everyone..including the 32(part BFA/part gen eds) honors credits she needs for the honors college. That is why it is helpful to come in with some AP or college credit. My D will actually have junior standing at the end of her freshman year bc in addition to her APs she has loaded up this year:19.5 credits first semseter and 24.5 this one! She will be there for 4 years as her BFA is a 4 year program. She is still at the top of her academic game so it is working for her.

iwsact

ttmom: the BA students at PSU did not advise double majoring, as there plate was full enough. I am assuming that I will have to take a couple more language courses, meet the distribution requirements, and take other general curriculum requirements. Is a minor required, and can I apply extra theatre classes to the electives requirement. If I could advise PSU do do one thing, it would be to more clearly outline the course requirements on their web pages. It is not user friendly unless registered as a current student. I forgot to ask this question last week.
Also, there were not many acting kids auditioning. Does PSU offer MT applicants that are turned down the option of coming into the BA acting program?

ttmom

iwsact,
I think you just did not explore the site as it is quite user freindly.. On the School of Theater page on the upper left you can download the handbook which explains a lot. That site is:

Penn State | School of Theatre
ALso, from that, page 21, you could have found this site, which outlines in sppecific detail every requirement and course you will need for a BA in Theater:

Undergraduate Degree Programs: Baccalaureate Degree Programs

I will try to send this program to you via pm.. You might also call the Theater Dept. bc when my D auditioned the MT BFA people gave everyone folders that outlined what course would be required all four years.. According to my D she has met theater majors who told her they auditioned but did not get into the BFA MT.

sualabama

Does PSU take graduating students to a showcase? How important is the senior showcase to aspiring actors as far as getting an agent?

soozievt

Yes, PSU has a showcase for their BFA in MT students in NYC each spring.

There are various ways to get an agent. However, a senior showcase is one way to have early exposure to many agents and casting directors and is a possible transition into the work world and a chance at gaining representation. Not all who are in showcase will garner agent representation but it is good exposure and a chance for that to happen and a transition from college to representation to hopefully auditions and casting. A showcase is seen as beneficial to many or as one positive way to possibly gain representation, but it isn't the only way. It really is a plus situation as all to gain, nothing to lose. However, those who are not in showcases still have ways to get agents, exposure or auditions. Showcases are not a guarantee but increase the odds a bit in that transition stage.

ttmom

PSU used to share a senior showcase day with Baldwin-Walace and Otterbein but starting this year they are having their own stand alone showcase in NYC !!!