a few concerns of mine

TimThom
Thu, 07 May 2009 15:37:26 +0000

I have asked this question many a time. The result is always similar.

BFA courses prep the student right away for a career in the professional world. With BA/MFA, you obviously go to a lot more school, and maybe recieve a bit more training than those of the BFA. I believe the MFA and Ph.D. are for those who are most interested in instructing theatre. However, Meryl Streep, Tony Shaloub, Cherry Jones…all of them went the BA/MFA route, and there is no telling what one can make of it. I think those who go after the BA/MFA like the length of time to allow themselves to set priorities straight (a lot can happen to one in between 18 and 22).

So it’s more of a question of what you want and what you are ready for. If you feel as though you are ready for professional actor’s training right away, go for the BFA. If you feel as though you need time to establish and improve yourself before seeking professional training (there is competition even to go after training), than a BA/MFA might be what you want.

However, BAs shoul not be ruled out completely against BFAs. I know Northwestern’s BA in drama is a pretty challenging degree, and so is it at the UCLAs (so I hear).

“Dramatics Magazine” answers this question better in their January 2009 issue (the one with the college directory) a lot better than I can. I am only reporting what I hear