<p>**By Valerie (Valerie) on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 09:32 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Thanks Doctorjohn, your posts are always very imformative and “right on”. I agree, in the long run S has made a very wise choice. </p>
<p>Worlds of opportunity are avaialble to him once he really establishes himself and “feels” where he belongs in the next few years of maturity, exposure and experience. </p>
<p>**By Valerie (Valerie) on Friday, June 18, 2004 - 03:50 am: Edit **</p>
<p>For now, a wide range of academic studies are a must. He has too many subject interests that need to be pursued or further advanced studied in undergrad College, now that he has the time and age available. And, on his parents dime!! I agree with you too, Life tends to happen and get in the way, once the reality of responsibilities set in after college graduation. I should note for others, that because S has had four years of intense theatre studies already under his belt that his decision to pursure BA vs. BFA is right for him at the moment. It will be interesting though, to see where his thinking and feelings are a year from now. I don’t think i will have the same person walking into my kitchen as i do now. Already, I can see the self motivation and governance taking shape with his summer employment and activites he is pursuing. It is Amazing the emotional growth and maturity the kids tend to acquire after one year of College! I can see an MFA in the future - THEATRE IS HIS LOVE - but it is a varied academic program with a concentration in theatre BA for now. I think the TFT school at UCLA gives him the best of both worlds. I am glad doctorjohn you think so too. Now, lets see what he makes of it. I love college for kids. I love to see them take flight!!! </p>
<p>**By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Friday, June 18, 2004 - 03:26 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>I dropped in over here from the musical theatre thread, and I want to thank Doctorjohn for his questionnaire! It really helped at our house. My daughter took the survey, and it helped us both realize something. It wasn’t even the score so much as the questions themselves. My daughter is a very physical person. She chose to learn ASL for her foreign language because she can physically communicate instead of just speak. But she’s also an excellent student in English, a critical and compassionate reader, and a wonderful writer (and excellent in psychology and history), so that sometimes confuses the situation. But she’d rather be singing and dancing and acting and in performances, rehearsals, choir, drama, and dance class than anything in the world. Clearly, she would not be happy or as successful in a BA theatre program. It also explains why, although she is so smart, such a quick study and a good memorizer, she stinks at testtaking. I often wonder how somebody who both thrives at auditions and loves to learn can do so poorly on academic tests. I bet if they asked her to sing the answers or pattern (choreograph) the answers, she’d do great! Thanks, Doctorjohn! </p>
<p>**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Friday, June 18, 2004 - 03:48 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Mtmommy: That’s one of the reasons that many teachers have reservations about standardized tests. The questions can only be answered by using a pencil to fill in a tiny circle. No way to paint an answer, or dance one, or write a song or a scene. I’m glad the questionnaire helped. It does sound as if your daughter would learn better in a program where she can be physically active most of the time. As I wrote earlier, it’s all about finding the place where you can learn the things you want to learn, in the WAY you can learn them best. </p>
<p>**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Friday, June 18, 2004 - 06:56 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Doctorjohn, I had almost forgotten about the “Thesbo Manifesto” I wrote last month. I feel much better, now. </p>
<p>**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 10:16 am: Edit **</p>
<p>I’m glad, Thesbohemian. (Can we shorten that to Tbon?) Now I have a question for you. If you’re willing, could you give me your score on each question, and the reasons for your choices? It would help me decide which questions are most useful. You can write to me off-line if you’d prefer. </p>
<p>Thanks! </p>
<p>**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 01:44 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Doctorjohn, I kinda like “Thesbo.” Here’s my reasoning on my answers: </p>
<p>“I can’t imagine doing anything besides acting in the professional theatre. Really.” </p>
<ol>
<li>Im interested in TV and film as well, so I knocked it down to 3 based on that. If the statement was “I can’t imagine being anything besides a professional actor,” it’d be a 5. </li>
</ol>
<p>“I am a singer and a dancer, and I would love to spend my life doing musicals.” </p>
<ol>
<li>Like I said, Im trainable as a dancer and I can sing fairly well, but Im not the kind of powerhouse some of my voice friends are. I’ve never learned to read music well, either. Also, even if I decided to emphasize it, I think Id be an alto in a sopranos body casting-wise. </li>
</ol>
<p>“I want to learn everything about everything.” </p>
<p>-3. I like to learn. Im especially into specific period history and I think Id get into cultural anthropology and psychology, but everything about everything is kind of intense. Not even possible in this life. </p>
<p>“Except for being onstage, my favorite place is the library or my room, curled up with a great book.” </p>
<p>-1. No way! I even prefer to study outside if possible. I really dont study that much. People think Im smart, but I really just have a good memory. Hence my hatred for high maintenance math and science and the amount of homework that goes with them. My ego makes me go for the A, but I resent spending the time. I guess it must be sort of like being stuck in a bad, real-world job. Hopefully, the paycheck will be a big, fat scholarship. </p>
<p>“Except for being onstage, my favorite place is in dance class, or acting class, or choir.” </p>
<ol>
<li>Im all about stretching and taking risks in studio. The first time I took an improv class, it was like I’d suddenly come home. </li>
</ol>
<p>“I’m very physical, and I’m at my best when I’m active and busy all the time.” </p>
<ol>
<li>Im very physical and like to stay busy, but I need SOME time to chill and recharge. </li>
</ol>
<p>"I’m very intellectual, and I’m at my best when I have time to think and write. </p>
<p>-3. Balancing with the last question, Id say Im more physical than intellectual and probably need more time to “recharge” than to think and write, but I do have some of that side. Really, I have my best ideas when Im running, riding the Lifecycle, or something like that. It’s kind of hard to judge, but I give myself a +1 on the last two questions combined. </p>
<p>Did I understand the questions and approach it like you intended? </p>
<p>**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 04:54 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Dear Thesbo: </p>
<p>Yes, you did. I need to think about your answers for a bit, before I change the wording of the statements. But I’ll definitely change the first statement to “professional actor”. It was never my intent to have anyone hedge because I wrote “theatre” and didn’t include film and TV. </p>
<p>Thanks, Thesbo. Very helpful. </p>
<p>**By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 10:20 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Doctorjohn–This is how the questions worked over here. I tried to answer before, but my answer got lost somehow. </p>
<p>I can’t imagine doing anything besides acting in the professional theatre. Really.
My daughter gave this one a 4 because she wants to act more than anything, but could in a pinch see herself “helping other people” (psychology). </p>
<p>I am a singer and a dancer, and I would love to spend my life doing musicals.
My daughter gave this one a 5 because she’s a singer and dancer (and actor) and only wants to do musicals! </p>
<p>I want to learn everything about everything.
My daughter gave this one a 4. I thought she’d give it a 3. I think we both were tempering it with the thought that although she loves to learn she knows she can only do so much in one lifetime. It’s sort of a trick question. </p>
<p>Except for being onstage, my favorite place is the library or my room, curled up with a great book.
I thought she would answer this one with a 2, but she answered with a 3. She loves down time and to read. </p>
<p>Except for being onstage, my favorite place is in dance class, or acting class, or choir.
She answered a 4, while I thought it would be a 5. She loves this, but obviously wants the reading time too. </p>
<p>I’m very physical, and I’m at my best when I’m active and busy all the time.
This was a 5, and I knew it would be a 5! </p>
<p>I’m very intellectual, and I’m at my best when I have time to think and write.
While I thought she would put a 3, she actually put a 4! I never would have thought somebody who spends all their time singing, dancing, acting, and choreographing would consider herself so intellectual! </p>
<p>These questions, as i said before, really made us both think about what type of learner she is. Another question that might help is how someone spends their time currently. For example, outside of school and work, how much time does someone spend on training, rehearsing, performing, studying for extra hard courses like AP, doing volunteer work outside performing arts, reading, hanging with friends, sleeping . . . . </p>
<p>**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 08:31 am: Edit **</p>
<p>MTmommy: Thanks, that is very helpful. Looks like I need to change the “I want to learn everything about everything” statement to something like, “I want to study as many different subjects as I can in college.” That gets closer to the reality of the choice between BA and BFA programs. </p>
<p>Time for me to run this by my colleagues in Psychology who know what they’re doing with this kind of thing. I’ll try to do that this week. </p>
<p>**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 06:49 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>OK, version two. Based on advice from my colleague Robert Kraft, chair of Psychology, I took out the negative numbers (I knew he was going to tell me that), went to a 7 point scale, and repeated “strongly disagree” and “strongly agree” for each question. </p>
<p>As for the questions themselves, some have been reworded slightly, and some have been left the same. </p>
<p>For now, I’m not going to give instructions on how to score this. But it would be very helpful if some volunteers would take the survey and tell me their choice on each question. </p>
<ol>
<li>I can’t imagine being anything other than a professional actor. </li>
</ol>
<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>
<ol>
<li>I want to learn about as many different subjects as I can in college. </li>
</ol>
<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>
<ol>
<li>I am a singer and a dancer, and I want to spend my life doing musicals. </li>
</ol>
<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>
<ol>
<li>I not only enjoy theatre, I also enjoy other subjects, and I like spending time in classes in literature, history, social science, etc., listening to lectures or engaging in discussions. </li>
</ol>
<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>
<ol>
<li>Except for being onstage, I’d rather be in dance class, or acting class, or choir than anyplace else in the world. </li>
</ol>
<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>
<ol>
<li>I’m very intellectual, and I need lots of solitary time to think about life. </li>
</ol>
<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>
<ol>
<li>I’m very physical, and I need to be active and busy all the time. </li>
</ol>
<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>
<ol>
<li>I am really torn between doing a BA or a BFA degree in Theatre. </li>
</ol>
<p>strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 strongly agree </p>
<p>Thanks in advance for your help! </p>
<p>**By Jrmom (Jrmom) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 09:44 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>We got a 28 for a kid who definitely wants a BFA not a BA, loves to think widely but not have to attend diverse classes, loves to be around the theater better than almost anything else. </p>
<p>**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 07:28 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Jrmom: </p>
<p>Could you tell me what her score was on each question? The way this thing will be scored eventually, according to my colleague, is to separate the totals on the even and odd questions, and compare them. That’s why the score on each question is important. Your d is a good test case, because she definitely wants a BFA, and if the questionnaire works, it should reflect that desire. </p>
<p>Thanks. </p>
<p>**By Jrmom (Jrmom) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 12:36 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Sure. Had to do it over again since I threw out the notes I made. I think I added wrong on the earlier one anyway. Hope this helps. </p>
<ol>
<li>5 </li>
<li>2 </li>
<li>6 </li>
<li>1 </li>
<li>6 </li>
<li>6 </li>
<li>4 </li>
<li>1 </li>
</ol>
<p>Odd: 21
Even: 10 </p>
<p>**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 04:37 pm: Edit **</p>
<ol>
<li>7 </li>
<li>3 </li>
<li>1 </li>
<li>5 </li>
<li>7 </li>
<li>4 </li>
<li>6 </li>
<li>1 </li>
</ol>
<p>Odd: 24
Even: 10 </p>
<p>**By Gadad (Gadad) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 04:45 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Sorry to jump into the middle of what is a fascinating conversation about BA/BFA - I’d probably get more responses to this if I waited. But are you all aware of colleges with theatre / drama majors (as opposed to musical theatre) which nonetheless produce multiple musicals each year? In other words, if a prospective musical theatre student is flexible on a choice of major (e.g. theatre instead of musical theatre, or voice major with a theatre or dance minor), what schools would offer the best musical theatre performance opportunities? One would seem to be Yale - can anyone propose others? </p>
<p>**By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 05:55 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Doctorjohn-- </p>
<p>My daughter took the new test. Geesh. She’s enthusiastic about everything, I guess. Here it is: </p>
<ol>
<li>5 Why a 5? “There’s a chance that someday I might want to be a singer or dancer or teacher or psychologist.” </li>
<li>5 </li>
<li>6 Why a 6? “I want to just sing and just act and just dance, too, it doesn’t always have to be in a musical.” </li>
<li>5 </li>
<li>6 </li>
<li>7 </li>
<li>7 </li>
<li>1 Why a 1? “I want to focus on my specialities. Then later I can branch out and learn more different things.” </li>
</ol>
<p>Even: 24
Odd: 18 </p>
<p>I hope this helps. </p>
<p>**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 07:22 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Gadad: </p>
<p>A couple of months ago, I created a list of good theatre programs in the Midwest, not including the highly selective training programs. It’s dated March 27, and you’ll find it in Part 10 of the Musical Theatre thread. The first two schools in each state are known for doing musicals. </p>
<p>A second strategy is to get the current Directory of Theatre Training Programs, a comprehensive list of all schools which offer theatre degrees, find schools which look interesting and look at their websites to see their seasons. </p>
<p>Of course that doesn’t necessarily help one discriminate between programs. So the final strategy I recommend is to go the Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festival regionals website ([Kennedy</a> Center American College Theatre Festival KCACTF](<a href=“http://www.kcactf.org%5DKennedy”>http://www.kcactf.org)), and check out each of the 8 regional festivals. You’ll quickly discover which schools participated in regional festivals and which students won various competitions, including the Irene Ryan Acting awards. For example, in Region IV–West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee–students from UNC Greensboro and U of Florida won the Ryans, students from U. Southern Mississippi and U. South Alabama were runners-up, and a student from Virginia Commonwealth won the Musical Theater Award. </p>
<p>Since the regional festivals also have design, playwriting, and even theatre criticism awards, students interested in those fields could also look at the regional websites to identify good theatre programs. </p>
<p>Finally, the KC/ACTF national website ([Kennedy</a> Center American College Theater Festival](<a href=“http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/actf]Kennedy”>http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/actf)) has the list of schools who were invited to the national festival, a signal honor. </p>
<p>Hope this helps. </p>
<p>**By Valerie (Valerie) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 08:04 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Doctorjohn, THANKS! ever so much for your recent post about Theatre programs and the extensive lists of where to go and search further. What an increbdible help to many! </p>
<p>I was wondering though, if you wouldn’t mind copying your post from the March 27 MT thread to over here so that it would be easier to have as a reference on this thread? </p>
<p>Also, I wanted to let you know that my S took your new survey questions today on the updated questioniare and to give you the points as to where he feels he is. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>5 </p></li>
<li><p>6 </p></li>
<li><p>3 </p></li>
<li><p>3 </p></li>
<li><p>5 </p></li>
<li><p>4 </p></li>
<li><p>4 </p></li>
<li><p>3 </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Odd: 19
Even: 14 </p>
<p>**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 08:37 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Jrmom, Thesbo, Mtmommy and Valerie: </p>
<p>Thank you, all. The results are interesting. Seems pretty clear that the survey confirms what we already knew, that Jrmom’s D and Thesbo definitely want BFA programs. Same for Mtmommy’s D. Her 24 on the odd questions, which show a preference for a BFA lifestyle, is the same score as Thesbo’s. Her 18 on the even questions, which show a preference for a BA lifestyle, is high, but not higher than the odd scores, and not high enough to flip it in the other direction. Especially since she’s so clear that she wants to specialize now rather than later. (Makes me very glad that I added the last question.) She might, however, find herself ultimately attracted more to programs that offer BFA students the chance to study other subjects than to strict conservatory programs. </p>
<p>As for Valerie’s son, the balance in those scores indicate to me that he’s right where he needs to be, going to a BA program at UCLA which offers him the chance to do a significant amount of actor training while still studying lots of other subjects. </p>
<p>Thanks again. Anyone else want to volunteer? </p>
<p>**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 08:49 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Valerie: </p>
<p>Here’s the March 27 post from the MT thread that you asked me to repost here: </p>
<p>Good morning, everyone. Peggy and others have asked for a list of colleges with strong theatre programs, not necessarily in MT, and not conservatories. I can’t do it for the entire country, but I can help with Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, which is Region III of the Kennedy Center-American College Theater Festival. Sorry I don’t have time this morning to go into a history of KCACTF (see website link below), but I can tell you that schools which participate in the organization have faculty who are committed to helping their students learn through shared experiences, including the regional festivals. It’s a college version of Thespians, if that helps. </p>
<p>I’ve run two festivals in Region III, and chaired the region for two years. The list which follows is not exhaustive, but it does include schools whose good work I’ve seen at festival or on their home campuses. Some of the schools listed in each state are particularly known for doing musicals, even if they don’t have MT degrees. (Those schools are marked with an *). Most of the schools listed do not hold auditions for entrance into their theatre programs, although many may hold scholarship auditions. I have not listed schools from the standard MT list, like Michigan, Otterbein, CCM, Baldwin-Wallace, Roosevelt, and so on, who do hold auditions for entrance. </p>
<p>For more information on KCACTF, go to its homepage: [Kennedy</a> Center American College Theater Festival](<a href=“http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/actf/]Kennedy”>http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/actf/) and to the homepage for the regions: [Kennedy</a> Center American College Theatre Festival KCACTF](<a href=“http://www.kcactf.org%5DKennedy”>http://www.kcactf.org) </p>
<p>I’m off to NYC this morning with the seniors, who do their showcase (along with Northwestern and Baldwin-Wallace’s MTs and CCM’s drama majors) on Monday and Tuesday night. Wanted to get this sent off before I left. </p>
<p>Best wishes to all. Hope this helps. </p>
<p>*Indicates colleges which do musicals well, whether or not they offer a BFA in MT. </p>
<p>MICHIGAN
*Oakland University, Rochester
*Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo
*Calvin College, Grand Rapids
Hope College, Holland
University of Michigan-Flint </p>
<p>WISCONSIN
*Viterbo University, La Crosse
*UW Stevens Point
Marquette University, Milwaukee
Lawrence University, Appleton
UW Parkside </p>
<p>ILLNOIS
*North Central College, Naperville
*Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington
National-Louis University, Evanston
*Loyola University, Chicago </p>
<p>INDIANA
*Ball State University, Muncie
Butler University, Indianapolis
Earlham College, Richmond
Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame
*University of Evansville (entrance audition required)
University of Indianapolis
University of Southern Indiana, Evansville
Valparaiso University, Valparaiso </p>
<p>OHIO
*Ohio Northern University, Ada
*College of Wooster, Wooster
Miami University, Oxford
Oberlin College, Oberlin
University of Akron
University of Dayton
Wittenberg University, Springfield </p>
<p>**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 10:38 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Valerie,
You said on an earlier part of this thread that you were researching theatre schools on the west coast. Have you found any “hidden goodies” out there? Thanks </p>
<p>**By Valerie (Valerie) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 05:53 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Doctorjohn </p>
<p>A lot of the Midwest Schools listed I know by name. Some I know by their General Ed reputations. It’s great however, to know them in reference to their Theatre programs. Again, thanks for your efforts! The Midwest DOES have some very good schooling and sometimes more economical too!! </p>
<p>**By Valerie (Valerie) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 06:24 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Thesbo, To be fair, I can’t qualify with a yes or no answer for any one school at this time, objectively. </p>
<p>However, there are some really good schools in the West. I have found that other than the big State schools there are a number of LAC’s too that could peak interest when one is investigating colleges in general. Subjectively, and being advised from others, CA. is the feeder school of the West (as we all know) and the Southern area of CA is known for their excellent schooling across the board. </p>
<p>I would like to answer and in more detail. Look for my post in the next few days. That way I will have the time to respond in length with my personal thoughts and observations. Unfortunately, I am in and have been in the middle of more than one family medical and personal crsis besides traveling last 3 weeks. I can’t beleive it’s the end of June already! I hate to promise and not follow through or have info that is not backed up with sound reason and research too. </p>
<p>Any others that have experience and/or information on Theatre programs/schools in the West? Their campus/location atmosphere etc. Would love to hear and have posted. </p>
<p>**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 11:53 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Valerie,
Hope you can get everything stabilized. Good luck. Thanks </p>
<p>**By Wct (Wct) on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 02:58 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Thesbohemian- </p>
<p>There is a “gem” on the West Coast. It is a JC so it would only provide a two year program (AA or AS). This “gem” is Santa Monica College. This is a great college for actors because this program has been extremely successful at getting many 2 year students into the acting program at Juilliard. Many students are already in the TV/film business and the college is close to their “work”. Below is their web site and some other related info. </p>
<p>The main link to the Theater Department:
[SMC</a> Theatre Arts](<a href=“http://www.smc.edu/theatre/]SMC”>http://www.smc.edu/theatre/) </p>
<p>Check out this page:
[About</a> the Department](<a href=“http://www.smc.edu/theatre/AboutDept.htm]About”>http://www.smc.edu/theatre/AboutDept.htm) </p>
<p>Check it out and let me know what you think. </p>
<p>**By Wct (Wct) on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 03:07 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>I forgot this interesting link about their Arts Mentor Program: </p>
<p>[The</a> Santa Monica College Arts Mentor Program](<a href=“http://www.smc.edu/artsmentor/]The”>http://www.smc.edu/artsmentor/) </p>
<p>**By Jasmom (Jasmom) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 08:00 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Doctorjohn,
My son took your quiz. The results…
- 5
- 3
- 6
- 6
- 6
- 3
- 4
- 1
odd 21
even 13
He’ll be attending NYU Tisch, Playwrights (his 2nd choice to Cap 21, but pleased with placement nonetheless)
Only trouble he had was the last question, Because he has decided on BFA, he noted no conflict.
In fact, he applied to/ and was accepted in BFA programs in Visual Arts as well as B.A. programs in Art and Dance. So, earlier on, I imagine he might have answered question 8 differently. </p>
<p>**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 07:51 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Jasmom: </p>
<p>The results are interesting. Let’s say your son answered question 8 with a 6, indicating a high level of conflict. His odd score would be 21 and his even score 18. That still suggests, in my mind, a BFA program, but with the possibility of a significant amount of work in other fields. Tisch seems to structure its curricula to make that possible, and I suspect that Playwrights will offer more variation in the theatre training itself than CAP 21 would have, possibly giving him the chance to use his artistic skills in theatre design. Looks like he’s made a good choice. Please thank him for taking the quiz! </p>
<p>**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 08:13 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Wct,
Looks like they’re definitely doing something right. Doesn’t say much about their audition process, though. Any info on that? </p>
<p>**By Catherdingmom (Catherdingmom) on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 05:51 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>I’ve stumbled onto this discussion purely by serendipity. What a lifeline! My S will be starting his senior year this fall, and the whole process of finding the right college is so very, very daunting. (Finding the college he wants to attend that will accept him and that we can afford–I have this geometrical representation in my mind and wonder if those lines will intersect or not!) </p>
<p>Dr. John, thanks for your BA/BFA quiz. My son was at Gov. Schools for Performing Arts last summer and came back positive that he wanted to go for a BFA. However, he’s beginning to waver. He wants the best possible preparation for theatre, but he also feels the need to express himself as a musician. And he enjoys the humanities courses. He took your quiz, and here are his scores:
1.6
2.3
3.4
4.7
5.5
6.7
7.5
8.4
Odd=20, Even=21
Couldn’t get much closer, could it? LOL
He’s still leaning towards the BFA because he would enjoy the intensive training–but giving up the liberals arts courses will be hard, too. As my grandmother would say, “He wants to have his cake and eat it, too.” The quiz certainly pinpointed his ambivalence.
Maybe the best thing for us to do is to visit both kinds of programs and see which “feels” right to him. </p>
<p>Many thanks to everyone sharing information . I’m learning a lot! </p>
<p>**By Kdad (Kdad) on Thursday, July 01, 2004 - 12:56 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Aloha. Just joined. Good info being shared; I’ll be back. If anyone has an email address for Elena (Crypticism), pls let me know. We live in same state and I have a son near her age who wants to be an actor. Haven’t seen her posted since Part I. </p>
<p>**By Doctorjohn (Doctorjohn) on Thursday, July 01, 2004 - 11:06 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Catherdingmom: The best thing for you to do is exactly what you said. Take him to visit different kinds of programs and see what feels right to him. Having done this with my two boys and having witnessed hundreds of students over the years, I can tell you that he’ll probably know within about 15 minutes if he wants to keep a school on his list. Good luck! </p>
<p>**By Wct (Wct) on Friday, July 02, 2004 - 02:17 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Thesbohemian- </p>
<p>I don’t believe you audition to get into the program at Santa Monica College. It looks like you audition for some of the classes at the beginning of each semester and you audition for their shows. You may want to contact the program directly if you are interested. I hope to make it up there to see one of their shows in the next few months. </p>
<p>**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 11:12 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Does anybody know the acceptance rate at USC? I’ve heard they are VERY selective, but I don’t know any stats. Do they go to the unifieds? I had them off my list, but I noticed that the school does give some academic full rides. I haven’t found out if they’re ever given to theatre students, though. </p>
<p>**By Wct (Wct) on Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 04:18 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Thesbohemian- </p>
<p>I don’t believe USC goes to the unifieds but I could be wrong. I believe they do auditions on their campus. I think that if you have the grades you would have a shot at a scholarship. As far as I know theater students do get scholarships but I do not know if it is a full ride or not. I would talk to someone in the department. </p>
<p>**By Marissal (Marissal) on Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 01:05 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Does anyone have information/opinions on the American Academy of Dramatic Arts? </p>
<p>As well, anything about the Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy [<a href=“http://theatre_academy.lacitycollege.edu/%5D%5B/url”>http://theatre_academy.lacitycollege.edu/][/url</a>]… </p>
<p>Thank you! </p>
<p>**By Norcalmom (Norcalmom) on Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 05:16 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Thesbohemian, I may be able to answer some questions you have about USC. I do know that they have auditions at the school, but also conduct one in San Francisco. I’m not sure where else, if anywhere, that they hold auditions. </p>
<p>As for the full (Trustee) and half (Presidential) tuition scholarships, they do try to spread them out among the schools. At USC, you apply to both your major school and USC in general. If you don’t get into your major school and are accepted into USC in general, you can attend and try reapplying to your specific major once you are there. </p>
<p>My daughter was guaranteed a Presidential Scholarship because she was a National Merit Scholar. Nevertheless, they made her go through the interview process in order to be considered for the Trustee Scholarship. I don’t know how many Trustees they give out. I do know, that at her interview session, many students were there from the business school and she said they were very competitive. She was the only person interviewing from the School of Fine Arts and it was very casual. She didn’t receive a Trustee, but she is a Junior now and doesn’t know anyone in the School of Fine Arts on a Trustee Scholarship. As a matter of fact, she is a rare bird in that she is from the School of Fine Arts and has a Presidential Scholarship. So it would appear that distribution of the scholarships is not even over the individual schools. </p>
<p>There are Dean’s Scholarships which I believe are quarter tuition also. </p>
<p>**By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 06:01 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Just an observation about scholarships: NYU Tisch does not seem to give many merit awards either though high testscores and stats do yield some merit awards at NYU in general. I was told by someone that Tisch does not get as many merit awards as other division, sort of like the USC situation but cannot get confirmation of this from the school, </p>
<p>**By Alwaysamom (Alwaysamom) on Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 07:13 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Jamimom, I can confirm what you’ve heard. My D had excellent academic stats, 1500+ SAT I, three 790 SAT IIs, 3.9 unweighted gpa, involved extracurriculars and she was given a very tiny merit scholarship by Tisch. We were told when we first toured, in an information session, that Tisch has less money available for merit aid than the other NYU colleges. Very frustrating. I guess those successful Tisch alumni are not very generous to their alma mater. </p>
<p>**By Wct (Wct) on Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 09:53 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>I have posted a link to the past winners of the American College Theater Festival below. In my day, (a long time ago) this was a prestigious program. I would think it still is. A college has to make the effort to take part, so it may not be a good representation of what is out there, but I think it could be used as a tool. I would love to hear your opinions regarding this. </p>
<p>[Kennedy</a> Center: ACTF - National Festival Winners](<a href=“http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/actf/actflst.html]Kennedy”>http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/actf/actflst.html) </p>
<p>**By Leverite (Leverite) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 04:17 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Hello Everyone, </p>
<p>We have just recently discovered this site and are very impressed with the amount of information and support that is shared here.
My son has finished his first year of college and we’re starting to investigate schools for him to transfer to after the following year. He is, at present, attending a community college and majoring in theatre. He will be getting married in the spring of 2005. His fiance is looking for a graduate program in costume design. My son and his fiance do not need to be at the same school, but in the same city. He is in a good academic position with a high GPA and has theatre instructors and directors willing to give him recommendations.
He is a trainable dancer, a good singer, but is primarily an actor. However, some of his big successes have been in musical theatre. People comment on his stage presence, ability to move them, and the purity he exudes. He is memorable. People approach him and talk about performances that happened years ago.
My son and I would love to hear any advice or wisdom you all have to offer. Dr. John, we’re especially hoping to hear from you. </p>
<p>1) Can you suggest some possible schools that are friendly to transfer students that are located in the northeast (New York, especially) that have an extensive theatre program? </p>
<p>2) Given his situation, does it make more sense for him to go for a BA or a BFA? (He scored a 35 on the second version of Dr. John’s quiz) He will be a newlywed. </p>
<p>3) What schools offer good BA and/or BFA programs in theatre that allow him to be flexible with his studies and include a strong theatre curriculum as well? And which schools offer good financial aid packages? Money is an issue for us. </p>
<p>4) What schools have the best New York connections? What schools can help actors get jobs? </p>
<p>5) Do you have any comments on Brooklyn College, the New School in New York, Wagner College, Sarah Lawrence, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and American Musical Academy of Dramatic Arts regarding their theatre programs or any of the things mentioned earlier? </p>
<p>6) What schools offer good graduate programs for costume design? </p>
<p>Any advice or information would be much appreciated. Sorry this is so long.
Leverite </p>
<p>**By Leverite (Leverite) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 04:33 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Hello Everyone, </p>
<p>We have just recently discovered this site and are very impressed with the amount of information and support that is shared here.
My son has finished his first year of college and we’re starting to investigate schools for him to transfer to after the following year. He is, at present, attending a community college and majoring in theatre. He will be getting married in the spring of 2005. His fiance is looking for a graduate program in costume design. My son and his fiance do not need to be at the same school, but in the same city. He is in a good academic position with a high GPA and has theatre instructors and directors willing to give him recommendations.
He is a trainable dancer, a good singer, but is primarily an actor. However, some of his big successes have been in musical theatre. People comment on his stage presence, ability to move them, and the purity he exudes. He is memorable. People approach him and talk about performances that happened years ago.
My son and I would love to hear any advice or wisdom you all have to offer. Dr. John, we’re especially hoping to hear from you. </p>
<p>1) Can you suggest some possible schools that are friendly to transfer students that are located in the northeast (New York, especially) that have an extensive theatre program? </p>
<p>2) Given his situation, does it make more sense for him to go for a BA or a BFA? (He scored as follows: odd = 15, even = 18 on the second version of Dr. John’s quiz) He will be a newlywed. </p>
<p>3) What schools offer good BA and/or BFA programs in theatre that allow him to be flexible with his studies and include a strong theatre curriculum as well? And which schools offer good financial aid packages? Money is an issue for us. </p>
<p>4) What schools have the best New York connections? What schools can help actors get jobs? </p>
<p>5) Do you have any comments on Brooklyn College, the New School in New York, Wagner College, Sarah Lawrence, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and American Musical Academy of Dramatic Arts regarding their theatre programs or any of the things mentioned earlier? </p>
<p>6) What schools offer good graduate programs for costume design? </p>
<p>Any advice or information would be much appreciated. Sorry this is so long.
Leverite </p>
<p>**By Mtmommy (Mtmommy) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 08:50 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>This address discusses the difference between a BA and BFA (briefly) and gives a big list of questions to ask a prospective school about their program(s). </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.edta.org/rehearsal_hall/choices.asp[/url]”>http://www.edta.org/rehearsal_hall/choices.asp</a> </p>
<p>**By Leverite (Leverite) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 10:34 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Mtmommy, </p>
<p>Thank you so much for responding so quickly. This site will be very helpful. We are visiting Wagner in a couple of weeks and the list of questions is great.
One of my son’s instructors has recommended that he transfer to Emerson after next year. I have some concerns after reading some of the comments on mt threads.
Leverite </p>
<p>**By Newnudad (Newnudad) on Friday, July 09, 2004 - 04:29 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>North Central College in Naperville, IL! </p>
<p>My son loves it. He is a Communication Major, is in all the musicals, and not even a theatre major, but they gave him a theater scholarship! They are very understanding about dollars too, and raised the amount of scholarship dollars so he could afford to attend. HS stats @ 31 ACT, but only in top 12% because of Junioritis, not Senioritis… </p>
<p>Good Luck! </p>
<p>**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Saturday, July 10, 2004 - 10:03 am: Edit **</p>
<p>Norcalmom and Wct,
Thanks! Looks like USC does regional auditions around the time of the unifieds. I guess I’ll leave them off my list, though. Them being so selective PLUS having to actually go there to interview for a Trustee scholarship which doesn’t usually go to arts students makes me think of them as an expensive reach. Coast-to-coast flight for a prayer. Oh, well … Looks like they have some weird AP issues, too. No GE credit for most AP? Pu-LEEZ!!! </p>
<p>For anybody who’s interested, my current choices are down to SMU, FSU, Miami, Catawba, and College of Charleston. I’ve had to eliminate the ones that don’t have full rides and right now I’m thinking I’d rather stay in the south for college. I’ll still probably audition for Juilliard to humor my teacher, too. </p>
<p>**By Leverite (Leverite) on Saturday, July 10, 2004 - 09:43 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Newnudad, </p>
<p>Thanks so much for responding. We’re looking at their website. Your son must be very talented!
Thanks again,
Leverite </p>
<p>**By Lano409 (Lano409) on Saturday, July 10, 2004 - 10:23 pm: Edit **</p>
<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone knows anybody who has successfully transferred into USC’s BFA Theatre program (audition required). I heard they only accept transfer students for the BFA program if there is a spot available, which makes it even harder to transfer into. Does anyone know anything else about transferring into USC’s BFA theatre program? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. </p>
<p>**By Thesbohemian (Thesbohemian) on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 09:44 am: Edit **</p>
<p>I’m still all ears to any inside information from current students and recent graduates on the acting programs at the University of Miami and Catawba College. They’re on my list, but I’ve never visited, I don’t know any current students, and I won’t be able to visit until audition/scholarship interview time. I’m also still toying with the idea of the University of Evansville and am interested in hearing from current students there, too. </p>
<p>Just as a point of reference, the things that concern me about Miami are that I have no idea about the personality of the faculty as a whole and it concerns me a little that the only two female acting instructors are both graduates of the program, themselves. One MFA and one BFA. I’m not sure why I should be concerned about that except that someone told me it could be a symptom of “inbreeding” and maybe some chauvinism in the program. Don’t take that as an accusation. I’m just wondering. Also, Catawba and Evansville are soooooooo small that I kind of wonder how somebody like me who tends to be very visible and has a very outgoing and somewhat flamboyant personality might fit in. Yes, I’m a total foghorn. I just wonder how much “fishbowl effect” there may be like there is at my current school where everybody seems to always know and be into everybody else’s business. </p>
<p>Sorry for the repeated questions. Just call me “Little Miss Broken Record.”</p>