<p>Hi nomester! You are right in our neighborhood. Welcome!</p>
<p>3 are too few auditioned programs, if that is really your goal, especially if you don’t have good non-auditioned programs that you like on your list. I would definitely recommend the UMinn BA program - you can get excellent training and performance opportunities. If you are a good student, it’s an excellent safety. Other schools in the WI system that I would recommend are UW-Milwaukee, which has a BA-BFA option (you audition for the BFA after your freshman year, or stay in the BA - really a terrific program in a great theatre town), and UW-La Crosse (non-auditioned BA). Many students we know have had very positive experiences at UW-L and have gone on to some excellent careers. UW-L is much harder to get into academically, however, about on the same level recently as UW-Madison.</p>
<p>I would look carefully at UW-Stevens Point for Acting. Their MT program has been greatly expanded and has become very competitive. I’m not sure they are as focused on non-MT theatre, if that is what you are most interested in, although historically their performing arts departments have been excellent overall.</p>
<p>Some students I know have gotten good FA from Viterbo, and some haven’t. Their BFA has pretty low acceptance rates, just like all auditioned programs. I hear more people talking about Viterbo for MT than Acting, but you should decide for yourself if it is a good fit.</p>
<p>I know it’s daunting, but keep your mind open to other locations, both public and private. Depending on your academic stats, you might get FA that makes schools outside of WI and MN just as affordable as the instate school. If you’d like to stay fairly close to home, I’d look at Northern IL (auditioned BFA) and IL State (auditioned BA).</p>
<p>My D was able to get merit/talent scholarships at a auditioned BFA in a private university near NY that brought her cost of attending below that of UMinn, for example.</p>
<p>It’s great that you feel confident in your abilities, but auditioned theatre schools have the same acceptance rates as Ivys - we’re talking less than 20%, often less than 10%. You just can’t assume anything. Even if you are the greatest actor ever, there are other considerations like gender, type, personal fit, that you can’t predict before you enter that audition room. Put together a list that feels right to you, but do not see your audition results as a reflection on your talent. It’s a tough, mysterious process.</p>
<p>Good luck! Keep us posted on how things are going.</p>