2- year Conservatory training vs. 4-year Liberal Arts

[GypsyRoseLee]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 4:48pm

I'm trying to figure out which route to go down. Do most people go with one or the other, or is it common to do both? Is one a better choice for someone just out of high school? If I do decide to go with a 2-year conservatory, who will I be auditioning against? People with BFAs or other recent high school grads?

Other than the fact that one awards a certificate and the other a degree, what are some major differences? Advantages? Disadvantages?

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 4:58pm

I would HIGHLY reccomend going to a 4-year Liberal Arts college and getting a Bachelor's degree. I don't mean to be pessimistic, but nothing is a guarantee in the theatre, job-wise. A bachelor's degree is MUCH more marketable when it comes to jobs, especially if you minor or double-major in something else. At my school, I only have to have 18 credit hours (that's 6 classes over 4 years) for a minor in most minor programs, and the majority of my minor courses count for my bachelor's degree requirements as well. Go for the 4-year degree!

[briarbrad]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 5:05pm

Are you talking 2 year Conservatory vs 4 year BFA conservatory? That would make much more sense in terms of a comparison. (If you meant 4 year BA liberal arts, you'd be asking 2yrs training vs. not a training program, which is something YOU have to decide, i.e., do you want to go into this business?) Well, I for one think that a college degree is a good thing - and if you want to be a performer, get your BFA. If theatre falls through, you will at least have a college degree to put on your resume (even though it is a BFA). Also, I think, generally, the training in a (good) BFA program would be ALOT more extensive than at a 2 yr program (longer training period!). I think that they generally have a better reputation and help you to make more contacts (if we're talking about a prestigious program). However, it's gonna be at least 2x more expensive, so if money really is a factor, maybe the 2 yr program might be more financially sound - but in the LONG run, a college degree might be worth the money.

[bwaybaby891]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 5:17pm

If you major in Musical Theatre or Theatre in a 4 year program is that enough training? Right now I think a 4 year college degree is better to get compared to the 2 year conservatory program. I am interested to hear more.

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 5:23pm

Good discussion starting here. Rose, give us some more details...

*How much money do you have to work with as far as funding your education?
*What do you want to do in the performing arts?
*Any related fields you would consider going into?
*Any other career you might reasonably be satisfied with going into?

[GypsyRoseLee]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 5:36pm

*How much money do you have to work with as far as funding your education?
*What do you want to do in the performing arts?
*Any related fields you would consider going into?
*Any other career you might reasonably be satisfied with going into?

*Money isn't that big an issue. Big enough to keep me away from places like NYU, but not big enough to keep me away from places like NCSA or UArts.
*I'm interested in performing. I would like to study musical theatre, but somewhere that I know has quality training in all three areas, so that I'm not limited to musicals...I wanna do it all!
*I've directed before and found that I was quite good at it, so I would consider that.
*There really isn't another career I could see myself being happy in. I mean, if I absolutely had to choose, it would be writing, but I'm just not as crazy about it as I am about acting.


The main reason I brought this up is because to be perfectly honest...my grades are CRAP. I feel like my grades alone would keep me from going someplace really quality. I understand that the 2-year conservatories don't even look at your grades for admission.

A follow-up question would have to be, would spending a year or two at a conservatory be a good idea before going to a university? Would that help overshadow the grades thing and help me get into a better school afterwards? The only thing is, then that sets me back another two years before I can start working. Although women in my family do tend to age gracefully, I don't want to be too old!

[briarbrad]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 5:46pm

Don't let the grades thing scare you. Yes, at NYU, they say they consider grades and audition 50/50. However, at Carnegie Mellon, Juilliard, NCSA, CCM, Boston Conservatory - they say they consider the audition to be about 90% of the decision, while transcripts are about 10%. What this REALLY means is that grades won't keep you out of these schools. Yes, a good SAT score won't hurt you, and might even help you in a tie-situation, etc. But if these types of schools REALLY want you based on ur audition (or portfolio, or intreview) they WILL take you, even if you were a C student.

[withoutlove78]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 6:14pm

wait are you guys saying that conservatories like CCM and Boston are only 2 years? i thought they were four?

[briarbrad]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 6:25pm

No, those are 4 year degree-granting conservatory programs. AADA, AMDA, Stella Adler Studio, Circle in the Square Theatre School, and the like offer 2 year certificate programs.

[withoutlove78]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 7:19pm

oh ok, thanks!

[mad4music]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 8:27pm

k... sry... I have a dumb question...

What exactly is a Liberal Arts major and what all does the degree entail? What kind of jobs can you get with it?

don't laugh... I honestly don't know!

[briarbrad]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 8:36pm

A Liberal Arts major is any major that leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. It can be anything from english to history to theatre, but it is NOT a pre-professional degree. It is differentiated from a BFA, Bachelor of Music, and a Bachelor of Science based on the percentage of classes that are taken in the major. In a BA program, about 1/3 of courses are related to your major. On the other hand, in a BFA, BM, or BS degree program, anywhere from 50-95% of coursework is directly related to your major, hence these are more "pre-professional" degrees, and not "liberal-arts" focused.

[mad4music]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 11:14pm

okay... so would it be appropriate to apply for Law School with having majored in Liberal Arts?

[trpguyy]

Posted: 8/6/05 at 10:29pm

Youcan't really DO anything with a Liberal Arts degree, it's basically 'just' an undergraduate degree. Why not apply for Law School with it?

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 9/1/05 at 12:51am

**bump**

does anyone else have anything to add on this topic? it seems as though some people responding really really know what they're talking about. i'd love to hear more.

[BroadwayBettini2]

Posted: 9/1/05 at 1:49am

Gypsy- I choose the 2 year conservatory for many reasons.
1. I know Performing is the only thing I want to do and I can do with my life.
2. I also had horrible grades...my required academics were B's, A's, and C's. But my Math grades were either D's and F's (Hey I'm not ashamed I suck at math), I tried all my might with tutors like the math dean, but alas couldn't pass a math test to save my life.
3. My SATS were not very good either. I have always thought standerdized testing was a joke. I am so good at english, but the math part I bombed so if any one looks at my SATs they think I'm an idiot, which I am NOT.
4. I have a one track mind. I have no doubt that in a 4 year college I would fail my math classes. So, studying anything else doesn't make any sense.
5. I have a great foundation in acting, singing, and I have been dancing for 15 years, so a conservatory can help my craft and my audtion package, headshots,resume, and whatever.
and last6. I want to do my work as soon as possible, I want to start young so I have more chance of work.

The conservatory also helps money wise, so that never hurts.


Best of luck

♥ Bettina

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 9/1/05 at 3:52pm

This is an easy question, 4 year LA. Learn another skill, so that if you don't make it in the business you don't have to be an unemployed actor who works as a waiter/waitress and can have a real job. It's always best to learn as much as you can.

plus, conservatory does not equal success.

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 8:35pm

Trpguyy...You can't do anything with a liberal arts degree????

Did I really hear that? No...really? Cause that has to be one of the dumbest responses I have ever heard.

Anyone who completes a four year university degree program has actually STUDIED and WORKED for that degree. That means they actually went to classes, talked to people, heard other ideas, were exposed to new theories, and expanded their horizons.

Does that sound like a waste to you? If it does, I highly recommend you do to a two year school where you focus one one thing and have no clue about what the real world is all about. And then when you try to get cast and the director tries to talk to about something besides "Wicked" or Kristin, then maybe you'll understand.

Better yet trpguyy, go to AMDA. Please.

[musicmaniac77]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 8:48pm

My friend had to make a similar choice. She wants tto go in to musical theatre but she is attending a four year school and double-majoring in business. The decided factor for her was that she wanted to know she would always be able to support herself. SOME stability was extremely important to her. BUT is would require you to take a lot of GEN ED's that you probably wouldn't be interested in. It is a decision that is so personal there is not a right or wrong answer. Good Luck.

[BroadwayBettini2]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 9:58pm

just becuase you go to a two year conservatory does not make you an idiot or that you have no clue about the real world.

I have learned things from my family that I will never learn in school that are more vital in life than anything else.

I suggest if you want hard core training, go to a community college for two years, then go to a conservatory and get yor BFA in Musical theater. Or you can do that the opposite way around.

Really, it's what suits you best. Just don't think just because some one chooses a two year that they are stupid or whatever. Thats plain ignorance.

Do what feels best for you.

[filmgirl325]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 11:51am

I am currently in the same position. I'm at a 4 year liberal arts school, but I can't stand it. I'm wasting money on classes that will in no way help me in the future. The theatre program is limited which makes me even more unhappy. Unfortunately, I can only afford to go to an in state school. I would love to go to a big unversity or conservetory, but by the time I'd be finished...i would be in so much debt, I would be living at home for years. I'm considering finishing the year here, and then auditioning for some 2 year programs. I'm also interested in cosmotology, which when you have a license, has excellent job placement, so it's something to fall back on. But let's face it, whether you have a degree or not...any of the arts are about talent and luck. You can have an MFA and still not get work. I say follow what you feel is right. For me...getting to live in NYC and doing a 2 year program will give me the training I want and allow me to make connections and a true feel for living in the city. And as for gaining knowledge...learning about life and the world around you doesn't always come from a textbook.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:20pm

A four year college gives you plenty of time to grow up.

I would not be the same kind of person had I plunged into the business two years before I did. That four years made me a better person, a curious person and frankly a more interesting one.

There are all sorts of directions to go with any theatre degree. At a recent reunion I asked my fellow drama majors which included some who had done nothing at all theatrically with their BA, if they had any fear of speaking in front of groups. The uniform response was no.

We included teachers, corporate trainers and career military. The last one once spoke in front of 600 ROTC cadets, but wasn't given the topic (The Role of Women in Today's Army) until about 10 minutes before she was to speak. She scribbled a few words on a piece of paper and held them spellbound for a half an hour.

The four year schooling will make you a better dinner date.

[BroadwayBettini2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 6:30pm

I don't agree with WOSQ to a point. I make a great dinner date, I'm mature and very polite, so I don't think a 4 year would make much difference in me. It depends on who you are. Are you the type of person who needs 4 years to grow up, or are you the kind of person that is independent and mature enough to only need two years of school?

No matter what anyone says on this thread it all depends on you, and what type of person you are. Both will give you training, but you might not benefit from conservatory and you might also not grow much from a 4 year. Do what feels right for you, and pick the enviorment which will make you the best performer possible.