Our daughter is considering Bard and would major in theater, minor in creative writing. Would love to hear what plays/performances were worked on recently… She is interested in acting, so would love to hear any feedback from current or former Bard students who are pursuing that. What is the balance between performance and academics? Are there opportunities for student run productions? Thanks!
@ILA2024 - this forum rarely has current students posting, I’m afraid. I’m an alumni parent and my S graduated a decade ago, but he’s still quite connected to the college and some of the professors there - so I still hear bits and pieces and occasionally like to chime in!
Bard has a very vibrant theater department - quite connected to the world of theater in NYC. I would expect you’ve already explored the website: https://theater.bard.edu It is no small feat to moderate into the program in the Junior year. If you’ve not already reviewed the requirements - they can be found here: Requirements (Playwriting is built into the theater program - which might suit your daughter well.)
Bard does not offer minors. One can double major - but it means moderating into two separate programs, and two Senior Projects. And Theater Arts and Written Arts are two of the most sought after majors - not everyone is admitted to the Major - and the courses for Moderation need to be taken right from Freshman year - so she’d need to go in with a plan of action! Sometimes a secondary program called a Concentration can be be added to one’s degree, with fewer requirements than a Major.
From the website:
Can I double-major in written arts and a subject other than literature?
Because Bard demands that students draw widely from all disciplines, it is perfectly reasonable that in certain cases students may elect to concentrate in more than one field. However, since the College requires every student to complete a Senior Project, the demands of carrying a double major are more strenuous than at other institutions. We strongly encourage students to take the Senior Project as an opportunity to go deeply into one idea, one medium, one field of reference. Sometimes doing two Senior Projects may result in a diluted version of each. On the other hand, there are exceptions: certain highly motivated and high-achieving students have successfully undertaken two separate projects—but be advised that this would entail a senior year devoted almost exclusively to independent work.
Even if you are not a Written Arts major, you can still take as many workshops as you can place into; conversely, many other programs also allow unofficial concentrations.
did you look at the events calender? Looks like they are doing Urinetown now
Thank you so much! That’s very helpful. I had been to the website but didn’t completely understand what moderation was… or how it worked.
Thank you!
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Moderation is one of the things which makes Bard unique. Not only does a student need to take all the prerequisites for the Major in time to moderate - but they also need to present their case to the panel of professors - both in work presented, and aurally. This helps the students clarify their goals rather than just randomly falling into a major. And it ensures that all the students in that major are fully committed to it.
If one is not admitted to one’s first choice of Major - the professors will help/advise the student on a different direction - it’s not an All or Nothing! But for some of the majors - Theater, Photography, Visual Art, Written Arts, for instance - it is essential to start taking the prerequisites the very first semester.
Sounds like a great and helpful process! thanks.