<p>Looking for opinions on both the quality of the theatre BA programs, and possible MT opportunities for theater BA majors. D didn’t get accepted for B-W MT BM, but loves the school, and wants to go as a theatre BA, then reaudition next year for both MT/BM and VP at BW, but also likes Rollins, especially the campus, but is also leary of all the “drug rep” talk in all the guide books. D got presidential scholarhips at both, and very generous fin aid at both, so even though the total cost at Rollins is about 15K more than B-W, the out of pocket is comparable.</p>
<p>Have taken several trips to B-W, but haven’t been to Rollins. Just got Rollins fin aid package today, so planning a trip down asap. Was waiting for fin aid to see if was a realistic possibility before making the PGH to Orlando trip…</p>
<p>Any comments are welcome.</p>
<p>Otterbein theatre BA still on the table as well, though fin aid not as good as B-W and Rollins, so…hmmm.</p>
<p>Rollins is beautiful and the area around it is so nice, but I have heard that the program at BW is better. Rollins lets you double major in Theatre and Music. Which is what they call their version of musical theatre.</p>
<p>Yeah, that’s what D was planning on doing at B-W this year, Theatre BA/Music minor, already sent in the deposit and the new student card there, then got the Rollins FA package today, and will actually be even less out of pocket than B-W.(not a deciding factor, but certainly a factor making it worthy of consideration)</p>
<p>D had all but committed herself to B-W until we got the mail today, lol as she’d always been interested in Rollins, but wasn’t sure if it’d be a financial possibility.</p>
<p>Vicki Bussert is a big factor in her liking B-W, and also two of her good friends from CMU precollege going there for MT and VP, and one of her best friends from high school going for theatre BA… </p>
<p>B-W is an easy 2 hour drive from PGH, whereas Orlando is “somewhat” further, and more expensive each trip there!</p>
<p>In my opinion, I would be hesitant to do a BA in theater at a school that also has a BFA or BM in MT. I would check into that very carefully in terms of what courses are open to the BA majors and what production opportunities and realistic casting is open to the BA students. In some schools, the BA students may be second fiddle to the BFA/BM program. I’m not saying this is true at B-W, but that it can be true at a school that has both degrees. In my opinion, if you are going to do a BA program, it would be advantageous to go where the BA program IS the program and the main program, where all who are in the program can take the courses and be in the productions. Rollins does offer MT and the students are not second tier to BFA or BM students. </p>
<p>Of course, your D would have to compare other factors about the two schools. Their locations are very different. Also, Rollins is a more academically selective school than B-W and since your D would be a BA student, she would have to examine her own comfort level in terms of the academic rigor of the classes and the peer group in class. </p>
<p>I would not pick B-W with the hopes of auditioning into the BM degree. I would pick it solely as if the BA were the only option because indeed, that could end up to be the result and so she should think through if going there for four years for the BA meets her desires. </p>
<p>Bird, when you say that B-W’s program is better than Rollins, are you referring to the BM in MT or its BA program? Because if the OP’s D attends B-W, it will be for the BA. I can’t tell if you are truly comparing the BA at both schools. Clearly, B-W offers a fine BM in MT and that would not be comparable necessarily to Rollin’s BA degree program but that is not the option that is on the table for the OP’s D.</p>
<p>yes, soozie, that was a concern, but I do know from parent sessions at B-W, that the casting for all shows(musicals, plays, and operas) is open to not just the theatre BA’s, but to the entire general population. If I recall, the last Opera lead was a business major, or something like that…</p>
<p>She has decided that a 4 year BA program is fine with her, but would certainly be open to switching to either the MT/BM or VP/BM if she got in next year. If not she’s fine with that, can still do the Music minor…</p>
<p>As far as rollins, she’s a little scared after going through about a dozen guide books tonight out at Barnes and Noble’s… Most of them portray the student body as stuck up rich, partying, drug abusing, self centered jerks. Of course this is a stereotype, but seems to be a very prevalent one across many guide books, so gotta have some grains of truth… D is very straight laced, serious student, has no real interest in partying, nor playing one-upmanship with material things, etc…</p>
<p>Campus does look gorgeous though…and the faculty and curriculum seem great too.</p>
<p>KatiesDad, just to clarify…attending a BA program where the school ALSO has a BM/BFA could be just fine but it is something worth really examining closely at a particular school. My opinion was very GENERAL and not at all about B-W as you’d have to look into the accessibility of the classes at B-W and casting opportunities and so forth specifically. But in general, for a kid who is gonna do a BA, my leaning is toward a school where the BA in theater or MT is THE main program, not the secondary one. </p>
<p>With regard to Rollins…I have had several students apply there as their BA back up school who wanted a BFA and several have been admitted but none have attended. I know a poster on CC who has been around for years and years whose son is at Rollins but not for the theater/MT major. He is very happy there. While you may not be able to get feedback on theater there, you could get feedback on the vibe on campus from asking this person (though if I were your D, I’d do a visit to see for myself)…Anyway, please consider contacting the member, Northstarmom. You can tell her I referred you to her. She is not on the MT Forum but is a very active long time member on CC’s other forums and very well versed on colleges.</p>
<p>KatiesDad, it’s wonderful that your daughter has some choices that look good to her and at which she can imagine herself. My concern would be the same as soozievt’s: that the BAs in theater would be second fiddle to the BFA/BMs and that despite the open casting policy, the kids majoring in musical theater or vocal performance would likely be cast in most things before kids who are not in the major. Of course, I may well be all washed up about that and hope that I am! The only important thing is that your D is happy and gets good training and feels the program is a match for her.</p>
<p>soozie- I have a few friends at Rollins, and while the music program is regarded pretty highly in Florida, the theater department is not too known. A friend of mine was in their music department and loved the head professor and had nothing but good things to say, she was doubling with Vocal Music/Music (I’m not sure what the exact major is called there) and Psychology. I was assuming that even though KatiesDad’s D would be going to BW for BA Theatre/Music minor it would be a better option in a more renowned program that is pretty known for it’s theatre/MT/VP programs. At least at BW she has the option of working hard and showing the professors improvement and reauditioning (even though, like you said, it is not guaranteed, and is still pretty tough to do). At least if she is in the BA program there and auditions and does not get in, she could always transfer to another BA (maybe at Rollins) because normally BA credits will transfer to other liberal arts schools.</p>
<p>Sorry I hit reply too quickly: Also, being in the BA program at BW, she will be taking more general classes in her first year as well as a few theatre/music classes, and if she does not get in BW MT, she could always reaudition for other BFA MT programs and possibly transfer most of her credits (which would depend on the school, conservatories are hard to get credits to transfer to, as I’m learning right now…)</p>
<p>Soozie is very right about Rollins academics, it is a fabulous school with great options to double major in something ‘academic’. I am unsure exactly what each BA program entails at both schools, I was just thinking that maybe she would have the chance to possibly take a few more MT classes since BW has an MT program. But I just read soozie’s post over and I completely agree b/c BA students might not be allowed to take those courses and there may be a hierarchy (for lack of a better word) issue of BFAs vs BAs</p>
<p>I guess I would not enter a school with the thought of transferring, Bird. </p>
<p>By the way Rollins’s theater major allows for an emphasis and one of the choice of emphasis is Musical Theater. </p>
<p>If I were comparing the programs, I’d compare each BA with one another. Then, I’d compare many other factors in selecting a regular BA college such as location, size, rigor of academics, and so forth.</p>
<p>Yes, soozie, I agree. I wasn’t meaning walk in with the thought that I’ll just transfer, I meant down the road it is always an option if what is hoped for doesn’t pan out. I did not know that about Rollins, I thought it was just general BA Theatre, you are right it would definitely be good to weigh the factors of each program. A visit to Rollins may make the decision for you KatiesDad, it is one of the nicest campuses and towns (Winter Park) I have ever been to! Very convenient location with lots to do. It is very close to UCF as well as downtown Orlando, the touristy theme park areas, etc.</p>
<p>KatiesDad, Your best bet would be definitely go look at Rollins. My daughter was accepted there several years ago and the campus was really nice, but she (personally) didn’t get the vibe that it was a serious enough program for what she wanted or one where she would be happy (except that it was in FL!) After you and your daughter check it out, I think you’d definitely “feel” whether it was the place where she woud want to study theatre. I’m sure she would get opportunities to perform, but not sure if she’d get the level of training that she’s interested in. The faculty were very helpful and answered all our questions, spending a lot of time with us. We never looked into B-W, so unfortunately I can’t compare. But there’s something to be said about not being too, too far from home and there’s always the option to transfer later, if not satisfied (though difficult to transfer into BFA MT).</p>