<p>Since your D is looking for a BA degree as opposed to a BFA, I’ll assume that she’s interested in an excellent liberal arts education as well as a first-rate Theater Arts program. That gives her academic options during college and hedges her bets post graduation in the event a career in the theater does not pan out. If that’s the case, Brandeis is the only one of her choices that would give her both first-rate theater opportunities and a first-rate educational experience. </p>
<p>In terms of quality of peers, education , prestige, post-graduate placement and overall experience, I would choose Brandeis over American and SUNY. Brandeis is a top-tier, exciting intellectual and creative environment inside and outside the classroom.
That well-rounded and challenging liberal arts education is what has produced such renowned theater and film industry alumni as actresses Debra Messing (“Will and Grace”), Robin Weigert (HBO’s “Deadwood”), Lorretta Devine (Broadway’s "Dream Girl"s, TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy”), Gates McFadden (Dr. Beverly Crusher–“Star Trek TNG”, Tyne Daly (“Cagney and Lacey”) and Louise Lasser, plus creators/producers Marta Kaufman and David Crane (“Friends”), TV producer Gary David Golberg (“Family Ties”) and Tony-Award-Winning producer Robyn Goodman (“Avenue Q,” “In the Heights,” “Westside Story”) to name a few.</p>
<p>Not only will there be opportunities for your D as an undergraduate in the Theater Department and with the resident Brandeis Theater Company, but the Undergraduate Theater Collective puts on numerous musicals each year as well. If you haven’t seen their website, here’s the link:</p>
<p>[utc.undergrad-theatre-collective[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Also, here’s the link to the Brandeis Theater Company site:</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/arts/theater.html]Brandeis”>http://www.brandeis.edu/arts/theater.html]Brandeis</a> Theater Company | Arts | Brandeis University](<a href=“http://people.brandeis.edu/~utc/]utc.undergrad-theatre-collective[/url”>http://people.brandeis.edu/~utc/)</p>
<p>Forgive my enthusiasm, but I’m an alum who experienced theater at Brandeis first hand. Although I didn’t become a theater professional, I still participate avocationally and even semi-professionally. It’s an amazing school. Your D should visit overnight and experience it for herself.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>