<p>TheatreFish, Coastal Carolina BFA is excellent to my mind. Both my D & I were super impressed with our visit. Dont’ take our word for it though–I’d strongly encourage you (and ActingDad’s D if this is geographically to her liking!) to check it out. Their auditions are on site and all day. A wonderful experience and unique. You can pm me with any particular questions.</p>
<p>Some programs have great reputations but aren’t good for a particular person–only you can know this though. Other schools have rising reputations but are excellent for you–again, only you know. It doesn’t sound as though cost is a factor for you, ActingDad? If it is, make sure to factor that in, as well as the school’s ability to give merit/need aid.</p>
<p>And ActingDad, I realize your D has done professional stuff, but trust me, please. I’ll say it again–the schools are not necessarily looking for the same things a professional show is looking for. Of course I’m sure your D is very talented. But also, type, looks, potential, ease of working with others, balance for the whole–these factors and more go into creating a class, and as I said, each school has a different look and balance, which changes each year. And at 5’10" your D is strikingly tall, which is wonderful and amazing, but it does make her more unique, which can be both good and bad in the ‘type’ department. I’d strongly suggest her to audition early and at many places, about 15-20 (yikes, I know! But if she is committed to a BFA program, this is what I’d recommend). </p>
<p>Also, check out the school’s relationship with the community. We ended up not going to Drew, but it does have a great connection with the NJ Shakespeare Festival. Some schools are far more focused on MT than straight–check that out too. And finally, I’d strongly suggest you visit the schools she is serious about, which shouldn’t be impossible if you’re sticking to the East Coast. For example, my own S disliked Purchase’s isolated location despite its excellent reputation; this is very personal and NOT a reflection of the program at all. But he wouldn’t have known that had we not visited.</p>