<p>I keep looking at Drew’s BA theater curriculum to see if I am missing something about their training. I never seem to find much in terms of acting technique classes that goes beyond the foundation and secondary levels. Perhaps most of the skill building is in their performance opportunities. Interestingly, just a few miles down the road from Drew is Fairleigh Dickinson whose Theater Arts Acting BA concentration seems more flush with high level intensive acting classes.</p>
<p>What is Fairleigh Dickinson? And I think you are right shacherry…from what I have been able to determine, the performance opportunities seem to be where the acting training is coming into play. But I could be wrong. I just checked Fairleigh and it requires an audition…</p>
<p>A friend of mine’s D is in Fairleigh Dickinson’s theatre program. I can get some info if anyone is interested!</p>
<p>Yes please</p>
<p>Drew’s program might not be “conservatory style” as it may be at most BA programs but I believe that going the BA route in most cases are for students who will/want go on for an MFA. The thinking for BFA conservatory style like at CMU is that you are professional trained and ready when you graduate. When my daughter and I went to auditions last year at CMU - this was stressed by the the head of acting. I know of a few of their grads who are still working to make it “big”. Even some who went to Julliard didn’t make big years later when they were older - look at Jessica Chastain.</p>
<p>Sarah Lawrence: [Theatre</a> Courses](<a href=“http://www.slc.edu/undergraduate/arts/theatre/courses.html]Theatre”>Theatre | Sarah Lawrence College)</p>
<p>vivahg11 what I am seeing when reading BA acting program websites is that they come in two different categories. One with a nice amount of technique training and the other, like Drew, with more of the emphasis placed on the theater and study of theater history. </p>
<p>Look at the core at Drew and look at the core at Drew and see what I mean. [Program:</a> Theatre Arts Major - Drew University - Acalog ACMS?](<a href=“Program: Theatre Arts Major - Drew University - Acalog ACMS™”>Program: Theatre Arts Major - Drew University - Acalog ACMS™). </p>
<p>Look at the core at Fairleigh to see what I mean about the different direction of teaching. [Theater</a> Arts BA: Course Requirements :: Fairleigh Dickinson University](<a href=“http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=6608]Theater”>http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=6608). </p>
<p>I not know how competitive Fairleigh is to get into. But it is not talked about on these boards much so it may be not as competitive. I think it is less money then Drew. Drew is $53,000 while Fairleigh is $47,000 both have the same academic stat requirements and I assume a high stat kid would get merit aid at both. The acceptance rate at Drew is over 80% and Fairleigh 70%. </p>
<p>If you guys want a BA or even a BFA in NJ that is off the radar but has a depth of actor skill classes and lots of performance based learning check out Kean. On campus train to NY in just 20 min. Out of state tuition of $31,000 and great automatic merit aid for grades and SAT’s. [KEAN</a> University](<a href=“http://www.kean.edu/KU/Course-Descriptions-Department-of-Theatre]KEAN”>http://www.kean.edu/KU/Course-Descriptions-Department-of-Theatre)</p>
<p>wow, Kean looks great too. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.</p>
<p>Kean is audition as well… :(</p>
<p>Shacherry…if you know of any other little gems on the east coast that are non auditioned would you please share?</p>
<p>or auditioned but not insanely competitive that are a short train ride from NYC. Thanks!!!</p>
<p>any idea on whether OSS are treated in state if awarded merit aid for Kean?</p>
<p>Bissou, have you looked at Muhlenberg yet for non-auditioned BA?</p>
<p>Mommabear I think Kean’s merit awards are given to any student instate or otherwise. They look at CR and M combined to give money. I think it was a 1300 that gave you full tuition so all your left with is the 12 grand room and board a year. But there were awards for stats less then that as well.</p>
<p>I can’t speak from firsthand experience, but I know someone (a working actor) who teaches here: New Jersey City University. The MT is auditioned however. It is an extremely reasonable price, even for out of state. It is very close to NYC. [College</a> of Arts and Sciences - Music Dance and Theatre : New Jersey City University (NJCU)](<a href=“http://www.njcu.edu/mdt/]College”>Music, Dance and Theatre | New Jersey City University)</p>
<p>SUNY New Paltz, does require an audition or interview, but is not too too far from NYC by train – [State</a> University of New York New Paltz - School of Fine and Performing Arts - Theatre > Admissions](<a href=“Admission | SUNY New Paltz”>Admission | SUNY New Paltz)</p>
<p>Skidmore has a strong non-auditioned BA program… as do Vassar, Connecticut College, Sarah Lawrence (as posted above). All are a reasonably doable distance to NYC by train or bus.</p>
<p>Not super close to NYC, but with good non-auditioned programs… Rhode Island College, University of Rhode Island, Christopher Newport, Tufts, UMass Amherst, Kenyon… there are so many options.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Kean was my son’s first academic acceptance, needs to audition for the BFA.</p>
<p>and as others have mentioned Muhlenberg…</p>
<p>thanks everyone for the info on NYC area schools!</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing about Kean. I see what you mean about the programs. Drew is last on my daughters short list for safety non-audition schools. Brandeis and Northeastern which are academically excellent schools and being non-audition are favored over Drew. I believe the draw to Drew was having the N.J.Shakepeare Co. resident on the campus.</p>