aupaircj:
happymomof1:
I was going to suggest the women’s colleges, but people have beaten me to that. So I’ll just put the link here for the full list: https://www.womenscolleges.org/
As for theater, is she be primarily interested in performance, writing, production, stage management, tech/design? Being able to specialize can be a good thing, but if she wants a more general program then a smaller department where everyone does everything might be more interesting for her. She also should pay attention to how a big U handles the theater program. Some give the good opportunities to the MFA candidates and it is hard for bachelor level students to do much.
She has decided against pursuing a BFA MT, instead pursuing creative writing. While acting bring her immense joy, she does not fit the ingenue role. She’s a 5’11" alto (though with one heck of a range), in her high school shows she’s been cast as a male many times - leading roles which have been great, but definitely not what she’d prefer. She knows what an uphill climb getting into a program would be, not to mention then making a career of it. I won’t lie, it makes me sad, as her mom I can say with certainty she is never as happy as she is on stage singing and dancing. Nothing comes close. But I also get her practicality.
Her thinking is to major in her other love, writing, and then hopefully either minor in theatre, audition for school shows where permitted or do community theatre. She’s great at wig design and has considered majoring in that (which I think gives you Webster and UNCSA) but knows that she’d be too busy to pursue acting even as a hobby during college.
I’m so darn conflicted on all of it. Part of me really thinks pursuing MT would find her at her happiest. Drama groups are built in families often. But also know full well that part of ADHD is what’s called RSD, rejection sensitivity dysphoria. No matter what people do, you take it as being rejected, even when it’s not that at all. But that would make a life that comes with massive amounts of real rejection, a struggle that might not be the best for her. Sigh. I feel like the parenting manuals lacked all this kind of info!
My daughter left her theater design BFA program after 2 years and the lead designer to pursue her interest and changed schools to do it. She was also on stage in high school (went to a performing arts high school) and we loved going to shows she designed but in college and in Chicago as an assistant. She is a very creative kid and has used this creativity to create art in different ways and even combining it with social justice causes. My point is her creativity will serve her well going forward. Also small theaters would love a wig person. They are hard to find that do it well.