UCLA Theater Graduates?

theater_mom
Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:23:07 +0000

@littlesooyon92:

Let me try to be a little clearer and answer all your questions.


The two contradictory objectives are a liberal arts education on one hand and theater design training on the other. At UCLA, both are very demanding. There are a lot of very traditional general education requirements at UCLA. Theater students are required to take math, science, and foreign language classes with thousands of academically-talented non-theater students. If you are equally interested in drama and academics, and have equal amounts of talent for both, then this may be the place for you. Otherwise, think again.
UCLA and most conservatories teach BOTH design and tech stuff in the same curriculum. In order to design for the theater, you need to know the mechanics of it. HOWEVER, the difference between UCLA and other conservatories is that UCLA discourages specializing in any one area of design.
Although it would be a plus if you could draw and paint, don’t worry too much if you can’t. This is a skill you can learn. Taking studio art classes at your CC is a good idea.
The budget cuts and fewer productions are a problem of California public universities. Take a look at madbean’s comments about the drastically reduced number of shows and that only MFA students work on actual productions. This is a serious problem at UCLA and probably at some other UCs and CSUs but not with theater itself.
There are very few jobs out there right now–in any field. Eventually, this will change and I hope it will be soon. When it does, technical theater people will do okay. It’s not the most secure profession I can think of but it is not shrinking either and the competition is not overwhelming.
There may be better schools for your interests but I don’t know much about your situation. Do you have the money to consider private schools? Can you go outside California? If you are limited to public schools in California, consider Cal State Fullerton. They are known for their design/tech program.


Best wishes.