Importance of Connections and location

College Majors Musical Theater Majors
1

<p>We are newbies and need help. My S has narrowed his school choices to Missouri State University BFA MT and Montclair BFA Acting. MT is his first love, but he loves how close Montclair is to NYC and thinks he will get better connections going to Montclair than Missouri. He has visited both schools and likes schools and professors at both. The schools are similar in size, etc. </p>

<p>Positives for Montclair: more established program, close to NYC
Cons for Montclair: BFA in Acting and would have to take singing with private instructors; dance outside the program; tuition/RB $13,000 more per year</p>

<p>Positives for Missouri: MT program; up-coming-program program
Cons: location</p>

<p>If he goes to Missouri, he can use the extra tuition money to take summer programs in NYC and even in London. Can he get the connections he wants at summer programs?</p>

<p>I know everyone is busy this time of year, but any comments you have about these 2 programs would be very appreciated. Is Montclair a good program? Would he get better connections going to Montclair? Will he be more in the “main stream” of musical theatre?
Thank you.</p>

2

<p>I can’t speak personally about either program, but it looks like MSU students are doing just fine in the “connections” department:
[Missouri</a> State Talent Connection](<a href=“HugeDomains.com”>HugeDomains.com)</p>

<p>Best of luck to your S in making his final choice!</p>

3

<p>I am familiar with the program at Montclair. It is a 20-minute train ride from Manhattan. Many of the faculty members are active in the NY theater industry, and this allows students to make valuable connections and relationships. Because of the proximity to NYC, it is easy for students to travel in for shows and auditions, if their schedule permits. And I’ve seen many productions at Montclair, all have been excellent. This is a very good program.</p>