musicalman324

Hello Everybody!

Hope everything is going well with the college search and audition preparation! I know it can be very stressful but try and find the fun in it! Now, for what I am writing this post about:

I went through the whole applying to BFA and BA theatre programs last year and in my opinion, had a very successful outcome. The whole process really intrigues me and it saddens me that most college advisors have no idea what a BFA is or how to apply for one. So, I've had the idea of making a website, or blog, to profile almost every BFA/BA theatre program in the country. I would include general profiling information such as location, degrees offered, facilities, etc. but I would also contact students in those programs and get reviews, what they liked most/least about the program, and tips on applying. I think the niche of theatre goers deserves a one stop destination for all their college theatre inquisitions. As you might imagine, this process is going to be very difficult and take a lot of time researching and writing. So I'm looking for anyone that is as interested in college theatre programs as I am! Anyone that wants to help with the project in any way, whether it's writing profiles, website designing, publicizing, giving your insight on the college process or explaining the differences in a BFA education vs. a BA education, or even giving a review on your college program! Let me know!

Good luck everybody!
-College Theatre

Gwen Fairfax

This is a brilliant idea! Good luck with it! When I think that, for all we studied, for all the websites, info sessions, questions asked here, auditions....it wasn't until D was actually in her program that we really knew how it worked. She is so lucky to be there-- and I mean pure luck! We knew there was a good vibe and the curriculum looked great, but there was so much we didn't know--and yes, most guidance counselors have no clue.

glassharmonica

Sounds great, but how on earth do you have time to take on this project if you're in a BFA or BA theater program as a Freshman?

EmmyBet

This is a great idea. When we were researching schools, the only place with any information like this was right here, and while the threads are terrific, it would be wonderful if the information were organized differently - by school, by topic, etc. - on another website, too.

I agree it's going to be a ton of work. The first issue is that virtually every school has a theatre major, so you're looking at a list of 4000 colleges. I do think it's possible to winnow that list down to schools that have performance- or production-oriented degrees, and start profiling only them. There certainly should be auditioned (and non-auditioned) BFAs, auditioned BAs, and BAs with strong training and experiential focus. Those distinctions alone have helped many people on this forum.

Many students and parents from this thread did a lot of research, so if you wanted, you could set up a list of basic questions to start, and many of us could provide some information and make entries. Definitely let us know if there is a way we can help you.

I also agree with Gwen that - as in any college search - the situation you learn about and the one you actually have often are very different, sometimes unrecognizably so. I think if this resource started with objective information, the more subjective experiential stuff could come later. Just knowing really important distinctions - about curriculum, productions, requirements, etc. - will really help people build their lists. Some of the "soft" data still probably will have to come from visits and contacting people individually, and also be left to chance. Such is life.