Hi! The CalArts BFA Acting program unfortunately has been changing a lot from what they advertised. The training itself is very classical: first year American modern playwrights, second year Shakespeare, third year Europeans (Chekhov/Ibsen or surrealists), fourth year showcase. Nothing experimental about the program, despite of what you might have heard. Other classes include voice (Linklater/Roy Hart), speech (Skinner, IPA) and movement (Yoga, tai chi, pilates, modern dance, Grotowski, Alexander technique). Honestly, the program has been changing so much that it is hard to know what to expect each year.
The plays are a different story. Some of them are more experimental than others (by experimental I mean unconventional ways of telling a story, most of them are very visual-heavy). You can only start auditioning for shows in your second year and most people (I’d say about 60% of students) don’t get cast. It is possible to go all four years without getting cast in a show.
They used to let students do their own work, but that is not the reality anymore. Actually, there is the New Works Festival every year which shows student work, but other than that you would have to fight really hard to put on your own show.
They treat BFA students like children and faculty/staff communication with students is terrible (which means that you might not be informed of something very important and then find out about it once it’s already happening). With the exception of a few teachers, you will be more “threatened” and penalized than complemented on your good work.
The environment is competitive and teachers value the individual over the ensemble.
No, you can’t take classes in other departments. If you try really really hard you might, but chances are the heads of the program are going to make countless excuses for you not to take other classes.
The “CalArts Mafia” is a real thing and most CalArtians find themselves relying on a network of people from the school once they graduate. Most teachers and guest directors are CalArts alumni.
Most of the actors I know are some of the smartest people in the school. They are always participating in discussions and have a very critical perspective of things. They are also some of the most active and focused people, as well as some of the most emotionally disturbed and complicated people. There is definitely a niche of people for every kind of actor out there, even if you’re the type of person that only wants to party and do drugs all the time (I wouldn’t advise it…)
Valencia is an awful city to live in. Yep.
Overall, training is very good, anything outside of that (except the social life perhaps) is pretty bad.