thebluelemon

Hi everyone!
I have recently discovered this forum and am having fun reading though it all. Very informative. From my reading, however, I haven't discovered anyone with my particular set of circumstances and I thought that the experts here might be able to help me. I am 25 and have just recently re-enrolled in college. I did theatre throughout high school and was a theatre major my first go round at college. Well, then Life happened and I dropped out and got a job (factory and then retail) consequently I haven't done theatre in about 5 years. I am now back in college (small 2 year community) as a theatre major. (I have about 24 credits from my previous institution so I am still a freshman.) My problem now is trying to decide where to go for the next two years of school. My ultimate goal is to teach theatre in high school or college so I do want to get a master's degree. Part of the problem though is I am paying for college myself. I do have decent grades (highschool and college) good SAT scores but I was never a standout AMAZING student. Mostly A's and high B's no AP classes-I was too involved in theatre. I live in Georgia and would like to go in state to keep costs down but during my research I haven't found a standout program. Am I missing one? Any other programs in my neck of the woods (the southeast) I should look into?

With today's economy becoming a theatre major seems like a waste to some in my family, but it is my passion and when I am at a theatre I am at home. So to keep the edge I need to get into a good program (or the best one I can get into). But there are so many schools and it's a little overwhelming. (My first time around I looked at and applied to one school.)

Thank you all for any advice. I am now going to go off and explore more of the forum!

revoltofagirl

I don't really have any suggestions on schools for you but I wanted to let you know you're not alone I'm also 25 and took a break between junior college and the school I'm at now. it was really difficult getting back into everything when I hadn't performed in so long... and I struggled with how the other students were younger than me and seemed to know more than I did. if you ever feel like that, you just have to remember that we're all each on our own path and we all have our strengths and struggles

I wish you luck in finding the right place for you!

NJTheatreMOM

Do you know about the SREB's Academic Common Market? It lets Georgia students study at out-of-state public universities in a number of other states for the same tuition as in-state universities. This has been mentioned in the MT forum.

There are all sort of conditions, so you might or might not be eligible, but you should look into it if you haven't already.

Good luck to you!

thebluelemon

revoltofagirl: Thank you! It is difficult to be the oldest in the class. I do also feel somewhat behind keeping up with the who's who of actors and directors, etc...I still tried to see plays and work on stuff in my own small way. Now that I'm sort of in a place to get back to it I'm jumping in full body. Hope it works!

NJTheatreMOM: Now this is helpful. I had never heard of this. I'm off to do research now!

edited to add: it brings up only two programs Auburn University and The University of Oklahoma.

thebluelemon

What about UNC Asheville or Catawba?

NJTheatreMOM

People on this forum have commented favorably on Catawba. Search under the name to find posts.

klri

thebluelemon,

Did you check out your state university? I looked at the tuition and it is extremely reasonable. I also took a look at the program and it is a BA program. Next I looked up the professors and their bios are pretty impressive, especially if your intention is to follow up with an advanced degree. I am sure if you make your future goals clear to the professors they would be willing to help with the process.

Additionally, I noticed that they have a Grad program. I think the casting for the shows includes grad and undergrads together. While some think that is not a great idea, I think that is a great opportunity to work with castmates with more experience.

Something else to consider is that your summers could be used to explore other programs such as NYU's Summer programs. One summer my daughter did a Conservatory in Bali. There are also programs like Williamstown where you can work on getting your Equity Card.

Hope this helps.

Gwen Fairfax

I was just talking to a woman who went back and got her BA in theater at age 45....she said she'd always wanted to and so she did. She's a terrific actress and a terrific person, and loved her experience in school.

thebluelemon

Klri,
Yes, I've looked at UGA. The only thing I don't like about it is how huge it is. I know that in major classes they are small but... I'd still rather be at a school that was smaller.



Thank you everyone for your advice. I'm going to go have a sit down chat with the theatre department head tomorrow morning and discuss a plan. See what kinds of 4 year schools my school is transferring theatre students to. I might need to reevaluate and transfer sooner.