<p>Studying theatre in college is like studying other fine arts…like visual arts, or classical music, or film. It is not a contest whose success (during college) is determined by “scoring big” (as with sports) or being cast in starring roles.</p>
<p>Student actors are seeking personal growth along with skills. People grow and develop at different rates. As others have said, students who are researching BA or BFA programs do a lot of research to find the program that will best help them grow.</p>
<p>Some of the best theatre programs have guaranteed casting, which largely eliminates the competitive aspect and permits everyone to benefit from performance opportunities. But even without guaranteed casting, a student who has a degree of involvement with quality productions will learn from the work of the others.</p>
<p>When it comes to post-college financial success in the world of film (which is what pacheight seems to like to talk about and is most familiar with), actors with a certain look and/or personality certainly can make it big in Hollywood, with minimal training…by basically playing themselves over and over and over. A lot of people don’t mind doing this. There can be really big money in it. </p>
<p>I think Tommy Lee Jones is wonderful. I immensely enjoy seeing him play different versions of himself over and over and over…and so do millions of other people, as the box office attests. I don’t think I would want to see him try to play King Lear. </p>
<p>Leonardo DiCaprio is very able and enjoyable, particularly when well directed. But his range is pretty much just contemporary. Did anybody see him in “The Man in the Iron Mask”?</p>
<p>On the other hand, James McAvoy, bless his heart, is an example of a wonderful, classically trained actor now working successfully in films who can do ANYTHING. His looks are not really anything to write home about, but his acting is pure magic. God willing, we are going to have opportunities to see terrific work from McAvoy for a long, long time.</p>
<p>One can of course cite exceptions to any rule. But I this is what I have observed.</p>
<p>Perhaps one would say that range doesn’t matter…only earning power matters. But there are others who appreciate work of the highest artistic quality and would beg to differ.</p>