What are some great straight theatre programs that incorporate MT into their programs or at least have voice and dance available to MT type students?
I know Boston University just received an endowment to offer MT concentration starting Fall 2015. UNCSA has always presented Musicals and has voice and dance worked into the curriculum. Others?
Virginia Commonwealth produces musicals and has some musical theatre classes.
At James Madison theatre students may take dance, voice classes, audition for musicals.
I auditioned for BU and while it is true that they are going to offer the MT concentration, they made it very clear that it is not a focus like acting and theatre arts (which is what I heard from someone else last year!). It is more of a progression of courses that any theatre student can take, including singing lessons through the school of music which is next door. I think that’s why it isn’t on the web site! I know a lot of MT kids who auditioned this year though. It is a fabulous school and I think it’s awesome that they are adding MT training!
Marymount Manhattan has a BA Theater with a minor in MT.
I think you can also do the MT minor if you’re BFA Acting but it’s very hard.
SMU
Ithaca Acting and MT majors are integrated in all their acting and dance classes. Acting majors can add private voice.
BOCO has recently developed an acting major. Given the nature of the school it might be possible to also study voice/dance, though I have none no research for that program, so am not really sure
Coastal, CMU, Syracuse
At Otterbein all BFA freshmen take daily dance class and BFA Acting students have a voice class second semester and may take private voice lessons.
When D started at Northwestern four years ago the MT Certificate auditions weren’t until towards the end of the first year (I think now they are at the beginning of freshman year), and even before she was in the MT program she was able to take private voice, a very small group MT performance class plus several dance classes. I assume this means straight acting students can incorporate a lot of MT training if they want to. I also think all students are able to audition for any of the 60+ produced shows on campus, including many musicals.
A friend whose S is studying acting in an English school says there is no separation between MT and straight acting students there, which is how ot worked when I was in school.
Michigan State’s BFA Theatre program now has an MT certificate.
The MT BFA at Wright State is actually an Acting degree with " emphasis in MT". Acting is the foundation of their MT program. That said, in freshman year and maybe part of sophomore year, the MT and Acting majors take many classes together - including dance, some music and intro acting classes I believe. After that, acting majors can continue with dance and private voice if they choose. All Acting, MT and Dance majors try out for all plays and musicals- and dance concerts if desired. Last year’s ValJean in Les Mis was an acting major with a STUNNING voice.
UArts Acting BFA students can audition to get into the MT minor.