<p>Before I go any further, let me just say I am the Chair of a Theatre Dept. I read this forum on a regular basis. I am not a Chair of any school that is currently being commented on, or discussed in any way on this forum. That was a disclaimer. </p>
<p>Within the academic community, the push over the past 15 years has been to train students to get jobs. (I know this sounds ridiculous, but please give me a moment.) As you all well know, there is a difference between “getting jobs” and being a great actor / singer / dancer / performer / artist. In fact, there is a huge difference. Many programs, particularly in MT focus on the audition process, and not on complete training. Everything begins and ends with acting. </p>
<p>Everything.</p>
<p>If you don’t have the physical mental and emotional skills, combined with a solid grasp of the CRAFT of acting, you won’t have any serious career. Yes, you may get cast. Yes, it will probably happen often early on. However, you won’t be hired back very often. </p>
<p>I’m not posting this to denigrate any single program. There are many excellent MT programs that have solid, excellent acting programs. I would suggest to anyone looking for a MT BFA to look at the credentials of the acting faculty. The hard reality is, if you can’t dance now, no four year program will be able to teach you to do anything more than be a credible “mover.” Vocal training is very important, but I believe it takes a huge back seat to acting training. Many people can sing very well, few can sing and ACT (really ACT) at the same time. Look for programs that teach that.</p>
<p>Strange how after reading this forum for several months, this is the thread I post to. That is how important I think this topic is. I just finished a show at a LORT C house. It included several new grads from programs mentioned in this forum as “excellent.” </p>
<p>While this is anecdotal, the best of the EMC (Equity Membership Candidate ) interns in this particular production, the one that really shined was the student that had come from a program that did not offer MT at all. Just a Theatre degree, and he minored in Vocal Music. Again, all anecdotal, but I do musicals all up and down the east coast. I see the ravages of too much teaching “performance” and not enough teaching the actual craft of acting.</p>
<p>Finally, look for programs that make certain you are aware of the history and literature of the theatre. I have never met a great actor who didn’t love the lit, and had a strong understanding of the history of his or her craft. And that certainly is true of MT. You simply can’t be a great actor without reading everything you can get your hands on. (I guess that borders on obsessive opinion… but I really do believe it.)</p>
<p>I’m done. I got through this without once specifically mentioning my program, nor plugging any part of it. I hope you let me stay. But this is a really important part of the future of our art form.</p>