calisamom

We went for a visit to PPU recently and the admissions office gave my D a program guide for MT. Here is a basic freshman schedule based on which required classes are in the 100 category.

3 credit classes taken each semester: English, Acting, Voice & Speech, Dance
1 credit classes taken each semester: Private Voice, Piano/Theory, Sight singing, MT History

crna33851

I am a little confused my daughter and I visited PPU today and discovered the BA/BFA situation. I would assume that the students admitted to the BFA program are the more talented students and therefore have a better shot at the roles in shows and a better chance at the senior showcases. Does anyone have any information about how and when it is decided whether or not you are admitted to the BA or the BFA program? I can't see spending a year there in the BA program only to be asked to try out for the BFA program as a sophmore and being rejected. Do I understand this correctly?

calisamom

All theater and MT students are admitted to the BA program as freshmen. Even if they are not accepted in to the BFA program, they are not excluded from any of the BFA classes. Their BFA is intense, and not all students are up for it. The number of classes (hours) required for their BA is equivalent to some BFA programs, I've heard. Some students choose the BA so they have time to minor in something, like dance. If you check the school's website, the Showcase students chosen this year are mostly from the BA programs. If I'm not mistaken, they bring in outside jurors to decide who makes the Showcases.

svb0000

This is the course work for BA MT students at PPU. Its very intense! Along with these 42 credits BA MT students must have 36 University Core Curriculum credits, 19 Department Required credits, and 5-23 General University Electives. Crazy crazy!

THEA 101 Acting Level I -3 credits
THEA 102 Acting Level I - 3 credits
THEA 104 Voice & Speech Level I - 3 credits
THEA 105 Voice & Speech Level I - 3 credits
THEA 120 Found Mus Theatre Tech I - 3 credits
THEA 121 Found Mus Theatre Tech I - 3 credits
THEA 205 Acting Level II - 3 credits
THEA 206 Acting Level II - 3 credits
THEA 213 Voice & Speech Level II - 2 credits
THEA 214 Voice & Speech Level II - 2 credits
THEA 237 Mus Theatre Tech Level II - 2 credits
THEA 238 Mus Theatre Tech Level II - 2 credits
DANC 121 or DANC 111 - 3 credits
DANC 122 or DANC 112 - 3 credits
MUS 111 Private Voice I - 1 credit
MUS 112 Private Voice II - 1 credit
MUS 211 Private Voice III - 1 credit
MUS 212 Private Voice IV - 1 credit

This is the BFA course work:

THEA 101 Acting Level I - 3 credits
THEA 102 Acting Level I - 3 credits
THEA 104 Voice & Speech Level I - 3 credits
THEA 105 Voice & Speech Level I - 3 credits
THEA 114 Stage Movement I - 2 credits
THEA 120 Found of Mus Theatre Tech I - 3 credits
THEA 121 Found of Mus Theatre Tech I - 3 credits
THEA 205 Acting Level II - 3 credits
THEA 206 Acting Level II - 3 credits
THEA 213 Voice & Speech Level II - 2 credits
THEA 214 Voice & Speech Level II - 2 credits
THEA 237 Mus Theatre Tech, Level I - 2 credits
THEA 238 Mus Theatre Tech, Level I - 2 credits
THEA 301 Acting Level III - 3 credits
THEA 302 Acting Level III - 3 credits
THEA 337 Mus Theatre Tech, Level II - 3 credits
THEA 338 Mus Theatre Tech, Level II - 3 credits
DANC 105 Intro to Tap Dance I - 1 credit
DANC 121 or DANC 111 - 3 credits
DANC 122 or DANC 112 - 3 credits

This information comes straight from Point Park's website.

PPUMTmom

calisamom - You have to be invited to audition for the BFA and upon my daughter's invitation, she decided to pick up a minor in dance instead. The BFA program requires tons more courses and in the "big picture," it really doesn't matter if you have a BFA or BA in Musical Theatre when you audition in the real world - it's really all about the talent and whether you fit the part (which is usually more the case than anything she's found). All senior MT and Acting majors get to audition for the "Showcase" and "yes" they are auditioned by professionals from outside the University (they bring in agents from NYC and LA). My daughter made it into the "Showcase" for both cities and has been cast in six shows at PPU with two leading roles and is graduating with a BA not a BFA. Some students in the BFA program have never been cast in a PPU show - like I said, it's really all about the talent and what they're looking for. Hope this somewhat answers your question.

crna33851

Absolutely, this helps tremendously. Thank you all for your information. I had mentally written off this school as an option. There is nothing like the experience of a current student to answer these questions. The counselor that we met with was a little clueless, all he really wanted to do was talk about his PITT experiences, frustrating.

PPUMTmom

crna33851 - no problem...I wish I had found this Web site before my D started at PPU - it would have been so much easier to talk to students or moms about things instead of trying to figure it all out on our own. PPU is a wonderful school for the arts and the students are given tons of opportunities for auditions. The other great thing is that they also post local auditions. Some of the big amusement parks even audition right at PPU (if that's of an interest to your daughter for the summer months). My D is graduating in a few weeks and will miss PPU and the teachers; I'll miss having her close to home. Good luck to your daughter.

hushinfazen

Oh PPUMTmom,
Thank-You for all of your posts and congratulations to your obviously very talented daughter! I feel the same about my daughters experiences so far at PP but it is great to hear such positive feedback after 4 years there. Keep us posted about her plans.

hushinfazen