I am currently a rising high school junior who is interested in an intense musical theatre program. Can anyone recommend good BFA or rigorous musical theatre programs where I could realistically also have time to pursue a minor (probably communications)? It seems that with most top BFA programs there isn’t enough time due to the intensity - is this generally true for all if I want a BFA? I love musical theatre and want to pursue it, but having that back-up plan is definitely a plus
Are you going to be coming with any AP credits? One way to make more “room” in the intensity of a BFA schedule is to clear out as many gen eds as possible. Or are you willing to do summer school. D has a friend who has decided to forgo performing in summer in order to try and get a double major in through summer school classes.
Is there a particular part of the country you are interested in? Any particular schools? Are financial considerations part of the picture? What does your GPA look like so far? As above, any AP credits? You may also be interested in BA programs - they can be nearly as intense as BFA for MT training, but strongly geared for adding additional academics/minors. Not sure about the feasibility time-wise, but you may want to check out Ball State in Indiana. Their School of Communications is well regarded.
Take a look at Penn State. While their MT program is a BFA, they require more GE classes than most BFA programs and you could probably fit in a minor.
James Madison is a BA, but the professional training is focused and intense. It is possible to minor, and possibly even to double major and graduate in 4 years. Particularly if you were to come in with AP, IB or dual enrollment credit.
I believe this is also the case in the BA program at U of Alabama.
I know people who have double majored or had a minor at NYU with the BFA program in Tisch, and I think it is also possible in the BM program in Steinhardt.
You will likely find it is easier to do at at program that is “housed” in a larger university or college, than more of a stand alone conservatory. At the very least you will have likely have more possible me minors or double majors to choose from.
I don’t know too much about double majoring or minoring, but Ithaca also has an amazing Communications program.
At Viterbo, you would have room for a minor and perhaps a double major, depending on the program. Viterbo has a comm minor and similar related majors. I am currently pursuing a double major in MT and Arts Admin.
NYU has a great minor called the Business of Entertainment, Media and Technology.
The Theatre program at Northwestern University is in the School of Communications, and it is quite common for MT kids to double major in various subjects in 4 years, so you may want to investigate it as well.