lmaureen

I'm currently a theatre student at the University of Wyoming, on exchange to Queens College in NYC, but I'm considering a transfer to the University of Minnesota. My dad lives in Minneapolis, so I would get in state tuition and obviously free room & board

I would just like to get a general opinion of the program at the U of M, from current students, if possible.

1) From what I can tell, the curriculum seems to be fairly varied and you can take classes in a pretty wide variety of theatre topics (i.e. musical theatre, classical, etc.) Do you feel like you are able to take classes that suit your interests for the most part?

2) I know that the U of M is not a musical theatre school BUT do you feel like there is sufficient opportunity to take MT classes and get experience?

3) Do you like the faculty? Do you feel like they are genuinely there to teach or are they there to tell you about their own acting experience?

4) Do you feel like there are enough opportunities to perform? That is one of my main concerns, as UW only puts on 3 productions per semester and QC only puts on 1 per semester. From what I've read, it seems like there are a fair amount of productions at the U of M, but I want to make sure what I'm reading isn't misleading me.

5) I know that Minneapolis is not New York by any stretch of the imagination, but do you feel like there is sufficient access to professional theatre?

6) This is a shot in the dark, but does anyone have any experience with Equity productions in the Twin Cities?

If I don't transfer to the U of M, I will more likely than not stay in NYC and continue at QC. The reason I'm considering U of M is mainly because of the fact that it will save me a considerable amount of money, while still getting a degree from a very good school. My concerns are mainly related to the performance opportunities. I know that Minneapolis is not NYC, and that I won't be able to see Broadway shows with any regularity, won't have as much access to professional theatre, less opportunity for outside training, etc. But I've been in Minneapolis and they seem to have a pretty good theatre community in general.

My eventual plan is to go on to get my MFA in Acting as well, if that helps with any of the potential answers. Any and all advice, experience, answer, comments or anything will be much appreciated!

skewlcounselor

I can address one of your questions, lmaureen. My daughter has a friend who is double majoring in Theatre and Public Relations at The U. He is a freshman and he has already been cast in two shows. He is thrilled with his experience at Minnesota thusfar.

EmmyBet

lmaureen, I'm guessing you're considering transferring to the BA at Minn? I would definitely recommend applying. I can't answer all of your answers, but I can respond to several. I would recommend sending a PM to CCer2014. She(?) is in the BFA program there, and is very knowledgeable about the whole experience.

As for the BA, the city and the general value of the education: The BA at Minn is a terrific department with rich, varied, and exciting training and performance opportunities. The academics are also first-rate. You would be very proud to have gotten a college education there, and your theatre experience would be excellent. BA students at Minn go on to wonderful things, and I am sure they are well-prepared for graduate school.

As for Twin Cities, statistically it is second only to NYC in America in the number of theatre seats - not percentage, number. There are countless professional, semi-professional, and community theatre productions every year in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Minn students are involved in so many ways - at theatres, in workshops, in collaboration, with professionals in the community, along with a wide performance program at the U. The sky seems the limit regarding being involved in and seeing theatre in the Twin Cities.

We have a friend who graduated in 2011. She did wonderful work as an undergrad, and has continued with very exciting projects with people she went to school with - they started their own group and have had something in production almost continuously since then. She also has worked teaching theatre, writing music for projects, etc.

My D strongly considered UMinn - a great program in a terrific city for theatre. The cost, too, is very attractive (she also got into an auditioned BFA with a scholarship, which was her ultimate choice). I think you should apply, visit and keep this option open. You don't want to slap your forehead in a few months and wonder why you didn't; you can always decide whether or not to go later.