@Lilybird4 I should add that AU has many many other positives! Last post was just referring to previous discussion about school spirit. If you have other AU or DC-related questions, let me know!
@onette Do you have a business coaching students for MT applications? If so and if you would consider another client One of my daughter’s friends may be interested in signing on. Could you private message me for more information? Thank you!
@onette thank you for the offer! My D would love to speak with him about TCU. She did reach out to another student there who is a freshman in the BA Theater and hoping to get into the BFA acting for next year. She spoke very highly of the school and the program for BA. ?
@toystorymom thank you! We would love to hear the other positives about AU! Thanks to @CaMom13, we found their FB theater page and that helped to confuse her decision again! Ha ha! She was all aboard the TCU band wagon, and then saw that American could be a great fit! (I should add that I am from NOVA and my husband and I met while working in D.C. She has her older brother there working for Congress and several cousins also working in D.C… We are very familiar with and absolutely love D.C.!!) She wants to make sure that when she graduates, she can come back to NYC and not stay in D.C… It does look like most of the graduates remain locally, not a lot of alumni in NYC.
Have you been to any of their shows? Or has your son? Thanks!
@CASAmom - I do not have a business. I just work with kids I have directed before. I am also happy to share info with others or help in any way. I have been directing theatre and coaching acting for over 30 years. All on a volunteer basis. One of the reasons I do what I do is that I didn’t get that help and mentoring when I was going through. So, I try to give back and have been doing this for a long time. 
@Lilybird4 I will reach out to him and see – he is a sweet person and I am sure he will be happy to!
@Lilybird4 Before the country shut down (during our spring break) my wife and I took our junior in HS daughter on a trip through Texas and Oklahoma to take tours at several of the various universities with MT programs. Her favorite after was TCU. The campus and community was beautiful. The faculty and students were excedingly welcoming. One other interesting tidbit, we met one male and one female student that were rehearsing for auditions for summer musicals. The young man was an acting major and the young lady was a MT major. The young man was working in the dance studio. The young lady on her song.
@Lilybird4 I can also attest to the beauty and commaderie/warmth at the TCU campus. I have had several friends’ kids attend there including one who is graduating with MT and been there a bunch myself. My D attended All State Choir Camp there for four years and loved everything about the campus and people. She says they also have the best food she had at any college we have visited or attended camps at with maybe the exception of Belmont. I definitely don’t think your D could go wrong there between the wonderful school, program and the community theatre opportunities as long as she will be happy with a BA at a school with a BFA!
@onette Thank you!
Hello! I haven’t read all of this, but I figured I get on here and offer some insight as a Muhlenberg student. I was in your shoes not too long ago, and ended up choosing Muhlenberg over auditioned MT programs. Happy to answer other questions, if you have any. It looks like most of the concern here is regarding the number of theatre majors, which was my biggest worry as a prospective as well. Here are some thoughts on that…
1.) Yes, the “involved in” rate is high because the MTA (student theatre organization) is very accepting and open. There are lots of members of our community who want to be on the email lists who might not consider themselves actors. While I think that number reflects the collaborative spirit and respect Berg students have for the arts, it isn’t accurate in regards to the academic statistics.
2.) Regarding any stats you see about the number of “theatre majors” or “theatre and dance students”… We only have one “theatre major” - BA in theatre - which encompasses ALL the concentrations and aspects of the theatre. That includes stage management, costume & set design, directing, playwriting, performance studies, dramaturgy, acting, MT, arts admin … so while, yes, we have a large department, not everyone is interested in performing. There’s no theatre minor, but a lot of double majors who combine their love of theatre with something else. Within the major, a lot of students have multiple areas of interest, and there’s a large section of students who are solely interested in the production and creative side of theatre. This is great because it means that the quality of our productions and our student theatre is incredible. A big draw for me was that compared to some of the departments I looked at that did not have non-performance students, the quality of the productions is very high. There’s a wide breadth of offerings, so particularly if you are open-minded about the types of theatre you want to see and be involved in, you’ll get to experience theatre, music, and dance in new ways.
4.) Mainstage casting is competitive, as it is at every school. In general, it’s not a good idea to go to a school thinking that you will be cast in everything, and even as a non-audition school, Berg isn’t an exception. The key to being happy at any school is to go where you like the lifestyle, the people, and academics. At Muhlenberg, if you want to perform every semester, you absolutely can, although it might not always be in your dream role or show. Casting can be unpredictable, but that’s just part of being an actor in any environment.
5.) Something to think about: we have an insane number of talented people, but not everyone is talented in a traditional, triple-threat “MT way”: Circus performers, prima ballerinas, choir kids, stage combat experts, opera singers, stand-up comedians, future playwrights, etc. It’s not like everyone walking around campus has a dorm room covered in Playbills- although there’s definitely a group of us!
6.) In regards to how this affects the academic experience, I haven’t encountered problems. The faculty is incredibly dedicated and nurturing, and it’s nice having a CHOICE in which teachers and classes to take. Nobody will hand you a list of classes to take, so if you don’t want to take clowning or Meisner or Japanese theatre history, nobody will make you (but you can!). The class sizes are small, and if you get shut out of a class, all you usually have to do is email the teacher and they will do their best to let you in. The administration handles it all pretty well, and since everyone has a different interest, it usually works out. I actually made my own curriculum based on the classes I would have taken at an MT program, and have been able to take all those classes and more. There’s definitely an academic backbone to the classes. I know the curriculum for incoming freshman theatre students is changing to give even more studio coursework and freedom to students, so definitely check that out. If you’re the type of person who wants to be told exactly what to take and when, you might not like this, but I love it.
7.) I love my voice teacher! They place you into a studio first-semester, and though not every teacher is the same, they’ll match you with a teacher who fits your interests and needs. You can take more music classes beyond that, if interested (theory, diction, etc.). The dance department is excellent and multi-leveled, so you have access to that as a non-major/minor.
8.) I like the fact that theatre and dance students are so integrated and respected, so I can blend in and feel like a “normal college student” sometimes, without being “one of those 5 kids that sing.” That’s definitely a preference thing. Getting to nurture other academic and social interests takes away the pressure I put on myself as a theatre artist, and I really appreciate having the ability to take a break, even if that’s just an hour in a business or lit class with new faces. Again, it’s not for everyone, but it’s great for some people.
9.) There’s definitely a core group of us really interested in acting/performing as a career. We DO have a great showcase (Actor’s Connection, same place as MSU) and fantastic facilities and opportunities. Alumni seem to be doing well! If you’re a go-getter and will push yourself to make use of all the benefits, you can really grow as a performing artist here.
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@Lilybird4 - He said that he definitely would be happy to answer any questions! He is in BFA Acting (but he also sings and has had great musical roles in many regional, college and community theatre productions in the DFW area). I will message you his info!
@APerez the BFA and BA as I understand are two completely separate programs with out cross collaboration. My D’s friend applied for both programs and was rejected for the BFA but will be attending for the BA. The BFA is a conservatory with a stricter professional atmosphere. We have known students who attended for the BA and were very happy. There have been some happy parents on CC who had students attend Drew. Congrats on the great options.
Well it’s been a great week for our son! Thanks to this forum that gave us so much useful information. He has received acceptances for Sunny Purchase , Drew University and now Skidmore. He feels much better and understands that even though he was waitlisted at NYU and UMiami BFA programs, he has great options with these BA programs . Thank you ALL that took the time to care. My family really appreciates it.
@APerez what a difference a week makes!! Congrats to your son. 3 great choices. Woo hoo.
Wow, @APerez , that’s FANTASTIC! What a difference a week makes. He has 3 fabulous options on the table! My S really liked Drew and Skidmore when he toured them. We can’t wait to hear what your S decides!
He’s a Shakespeare guy! Made us on our London vacation watch a play at the Globe. My wife and I had no clue what they were saying. I have a hunch which way he’s Leaning. Thank you so much for everything… We really appreciate it.
Yaaay! That’s a wonderful update @APerez ! Happy Weekend!
@APerez - So happy for your son - My d considered Skidmore - great school and great training! Good luck!
Congrats @APerez! Sounds like some amazing choices!
@Lilybird4 If you’re able to PM me, I’m happy to discuss more info about American U. I also sent a feeler out to a friend of my son’s who has been involved in the AU theatre dept but on the playwriting/directing side. Will keep you posted!
@Lilybird4 Do you mind if I ask what the OCU adimissions counselor said about an artistic decision? We know that they said it would take roughly 4-6 weeks for a decision and my D has just reached the 6 week mark. She is reluctant to call and ask because she doesn’t want to “bother” the faculty facepalm. I would’ve sent this in a PM if I could but as a newbie on CC I’m not sure how…
Thank you!
Can any former Gap Families share which programs they discovered are “One and Done”? As in which schools wouldn’t consider a prescreen or live audition the second time around? TIA!