MTDad777

Hi, does anyone know anything about the Theatre (acting) or MT program at TCU? My D was accepted there and we haven't had time to visit the school and may not be able to before May 1. Thanks.

sualabama

What it TCU? Texas?

MTDad777

Yes, Texas Christian University. They are well know for there division one sports teams and are considered a tier one University for education. I know they have been doing plays since 1945 and there most famous alum is Betty Buckley.

cartera45

I can't help much with theater but they have a very impressive music department so if your D can get voice lessons from one of the teachers there, that would be a huge plus.

MTDad777

Cartera45 - Thanks, any teacher in particuliar?

cartera45

No, I don't have specifics, but I'll PM you about another forum that might be of help.

musicmom1215

I love Fort Worth! Don't know much about the MT program, but like cartera45 said, TCU is well-known for their excellent music department.

dramama

TCU is my alma mater and workplace, and the theatre dept. is one of my graphic design clients, but I'll try to be objective. <g>

Dr Harry Parker, a former classmate and friend of mine, came on board a few years ago and has been building a wonderful program. He instantly scoped out the professional theater companies in the area including regional biggie Casa Manana and some of the small equity companies like Circle Theater for co-productions, providing TCU kids with lots of good connections and opportunities. He jumped into the theater community with both feet and is a popular director at some of the area houses, as are other faculty members. Though there is only one musical each season (they are planning on adding another in future seasons), there are many nice opportunities to work in professional theater during the year. Harry goes to London each summer where theater kids take classes.

This was the first year they held auditions for the MT track. My daughter ADORES Dr Parker, who is very caring and all about the students; she likens him to Dr. Herendeen at OCU. If she were not focused on going to school in the northeast, she would have loved to have attended either OCU or TCU.

TCU is a lovely campus in a nice neighborhood in Fort Worth, which offers a lot in terms of quality of life, great weather (the summer heat is not for amateurs, however!) and wonderful cultural offerings. It's a popular destination for parent visits who don't driving or mind renting a car (public transportation is admittedly lacking.) The new dorms are super posh and if there is any way your family could get a quick visit in, I highly reccommend it. They offer a lot for the tuition and housing, in my book. TCU is known for friendliness and personal attention, balancing the feel of a big Division 1 sports school with a unique small school culture.

TCU's school of music is excellent, though I'm not sure how much crossover there is between departments. My daughter's first really great voice teacher (who now lives in NY and has a nice career going) has her BA and MA from the vocal department there. I found her through Dr. Sheila Allen.

TCU also has a strong dance program and was the first school in the nation to offer a ballet major.

The theater facilities are very nice, newly redone in the past few years. Not huge, but nice.

Please feel free to PM me for more details, but I do think it'd be well worth a visit. My daughter got in at all her first choices in the Northeast, but often tells me she thinks she could have been completely happy at TCU.

Plus, our mascot is the horned frog. You gotta love that!

Visit their website to see some lovely production stills: Department of Theatre - Texas Christian University

dramama

I feel it important to add that despite the name Texas Christian University, TCU is by no means a bible college; rather, it has a long historical relationship with the Disciples of Christ church from the last century, much like SMU and OCU have with the Methodist church. It has an open-minded attitude toward all faiths, and the curriculum requires only one religion class, which can be something like "Religion in the Fine Arts" or "Survey of World Religions" class. While the school is very big on producing "ethical thinkers" there is not a lot of "bible thumping!"

Also-- TCU's BFA theater program is very flexible - you can get an emphasis on MT or education and kind of customize your track.

poohie57

My understanding is there was a man named Christian that the name comes from. Not a Bible college at all. Most colleges started out with a church association but not a conservative college like Baylor. My niece is going to be a freshman there and I have been told very open minded college. (Both her parents went to Baylor but she wanted something different.)

MTDad777

Dramama - thanks for all the info
I think a little religion is good for the soul but I certainly wouldn't want it shoved down my children's throat. If my children or anyone else prefer to pursue that I'm okay with it. I don't recall if it was the website or the people we spoke with at the school but it was clear it wasn't what someone referred to as "bible thumping" school, not even close.

MTDad777

Dramama- you said "This was the first year they held auditions for the MT track". So is this the first year that the MT program is available? Was it Theatre performance only before and were there auditions required for that?

soozievt

I don't think the program changed this year (nor is MT new there) but simply they now require auditions for the MT track.

MTDad777

Soozievt, did any of your students go there? Also, how does it work if auditions are not required? Does that mean even if you don't have a lot of talent you could graduate from the program?

soozievt

MTDad, no, none of my students have gone to TCU. For one thing, the school tends to attract more from the south and so I have had only one student who applied to TCU but she is from the South and I also have clients in the East, West and midwest and none of them looked into TCU. I don't know LOTS about TCU but I know some CC friends whose kids applied or got in previous years. I also know a CC member who is an alum and works at TCU. I know that TCU has offered a degree in MT for a while but that this was the first year they required auditions for admission.

You ask how it works if no auditions are required. There are quite a number of college programs in MT where no auditions are required, particularly BA in MT programs. I wish more kids put such programs on their list. When you say you could graduate without a lot of talent....perhaps so. But people make it in the industry whether they attended a BFA, a BA, no college, majored in something else, etc. You could be very talented and choose to attend a non-audition based college program. Even if you go to an audition based program, you still may not make it. I don't think a college degree program guarantees you a job in the industry. What it guarantees you is an education. If you want to study something, study it. Whether you make it or not in the field will be determined by employers or casting agents.