Best BFA Drama Programs??- Page 2

[actor2010]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 12:25am

NYU Tisch actually has a very strong undergraduate program. It is one of the few BFA Dramas that are so specific (the many different studios allow students to learn different techniques that are suited to each individual actor). All of the individual studios (Atlantic, Stella Adler, Strasberg, Meisner, ETW, Playwrights, and CAP) are noteworthy and have built excellent reputations in both new york city and in the theatre community. And those are just the primary (first two year) studios! There are several more for the juniors and seniors to audition and choose from!

Some people bad mouth its program because it has been so "overrated" in the past, but programs shouldn't be overlooked because of their exposure--it is still one of the most competitve and highly regarded programs in the country.

[Bigfatactor01]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 10:20am

Im entering my senior year and this summer i bassically spent the summer at acting classes and New York BFA programs:

JULLIARD, is by far the best school to study theater (in my opinion) in America....It is a very small program with strong a strong focus on humanizing pecies and connection...with a class about 20 kids- I'm not going to go through my whole julliard experience...but if you've ever seen 1 of their productions or taken a tour...you'll agree!!!!! BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A MUSICAL THEATRE PROGRAM, whatsoever....I think you take 1 musical theatre class for one semester (within the whole 4 year training)

I hated the NYU training (Just not for me, it's not a bad program...just a little too "convential" and broad for me, even with their segragated programs)

I also really liked AADA and Purchase.....Marrymount is a small conservatory, but didn't seem as serious/ Pace has a really great MFA program, and i visited 8 others (bassically all the schools in the NYC area witha strong theatre program and Carnagie Mellon, New World, UM).....

This is just my opinion!!!! nO ONE GET MAD

iF YOU NEED ANY ADVICE, or want to hear a little more about the schools--just email me

[e-mail]

[TheAudrey3]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 4:24pm

Someone mentioned that Hartt is getting more noteworthy. It's true. They audition on average, 300 or more Actors a year, and take about 12, and for Musical Theatre, they take 27 out of maybe 5 or 6 hundred who audition.

And I'm not just biased because I go there. DePaul's really good if you want to do cutting edge, contemporary theatre, but the cut throws a lot of people for a loop. Emerson also has a restructuring program, so you may start as BFA, but wind up as BA by the end of the 4 years.

[fabala4077]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 11:17am

There seem to be a lack of good BFA schools mentioned on the west coast. I completely adore the programs at these east coast schools (NYU, Emerson, NCSA, etc.) but cost and convenience will probably force me to stay closer to home (Northern California).

I think the only ones mentioned so far were University of Washington and UCLA (already applying to). I'm not sure weather to audition/study musical theatre, acting, or directing at this point, so I'm looking for a school where you have the freedom to study all branches of theatre if qualified. BFA is preferred, but as my options are limited I'm also considering a BA at a strong program like UC Irvine.

Does anyone know of any good performing arts programs on the west coast?? Please help me.

[PeaceFrog]

Posted: 8/25/07 at 11:23am

Cal Arts and Cornish might have something for you.

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 11/6/07 at 10:06pm

"Below those, other schools of note include Syracuse University, Webster, Rutgers, and Indiana U, where I went to undergrad. They don't have a BFA, but have a good theater department all the same, and do eight high production-value shows each year."

Actually Syracuse does have a BFA program... just saying.

[star2be]

Posted: 11/6/07 at 11:54pm

I think they meant IU doesn't have a BFA program, and until this year they didn't. But they do have a BFA program now.

[dramatothemax]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 9:07pm

I saw the senior showcase at Julliard a few years back and it was...incredible. I cannot even describe in words how amazing these actors were. It was inspiring for sure.

I've heard that NCSA has a wonderful program too. Although I worked with the acting teacher for Websters program and he was amazing to work with. I loved him.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 4:05pm

I would warrant that University of Minnesota probably has the best BFA program out there right now. I'm surprised it hasn't been brought up more on this thread.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 7:13pm

I go to Marymount Manhattan and I could not be happier with my choice. Freshman year consists mostly of getting college-required classes out of the way (writing, math, some gen-eds) and then moves on to more focused theatre training in the following years. Seeing as I am going into my sophomore year this upcoming semester, I can't say much about the quality of the training. But judging by some of the tremendous talent I have seen in the shows and the care shown by the directors (who are teachers themselves at the school), I can confidently say that I recommend Marymount Manhattan for their BFA program. It is only offered in Acting. It's a BA for everything else (musical theatre, playwriting, directing, etc.).

The reason it isn't mentioned often is because many people look into names when looking for theatre programs. What should really be done is looking into all possible options, determining if the school SETTING is right, then tour it and maybe sit in some classes. Because Marymount's name is relatively unknown, it's overlooked. The training offers not just a very good theatre training, but also a solid college education. It's a small school and it offers much better personal attention. I highly recommend it.

[AlfieByrne]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 1:45am

I don't think Marymount Manhattan is overlooked. I've heard quite a lot about their program.

[justbreathe007]

Posted: 9/30/09 at 10:26pm

I'm a sr in high school and I'm looking at Drake, Columbia College Chicago, Roosevelt, Northwestern Illinois, and Elon. My favorite right now is Columbia. Can anyone give me opinions on these schools. I would audition in NY but my parents want me close to home and cost is a major issue.

[MikesBarto2002]

Posted: 10/6/09 at 5:17pm

If you are interested in learning specifics about these schools that we are all discussing, go to Schools for Theatre (www.schoolsfortheatre.com).
Schools for Theatre

[NeoNormal]

Posted: 11/14/09 at 9:53pm

Where I'm from (Virginia) there are a few schools. I went to Radford and studied theatre (great experience) but if you are looking at colleges, there are two definites and three maybes.

Definitely:
Shenandoah Conservatory (you have to audition though, they only want the best)
VCU (VCU is nationally known as an amazing theatre program, but not musical theatre but they have performance)

Maybes:
Radford (Great school, good parties, good theatre)
James Madison University (Good school, no idea about parties, and somewhat good theatre [they have AMAZING set designs]
Virginia Tech (Great school, somewhat good parties, great theatre)

I really have no idea about other colleges other than Carnegie Mellon and NYU.

[justbreathe007]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 10:30pm

Does anyone know about BFAs in musical theatre in Illinois that are good?

[doitonstage8]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 9:58pm

I'm currently studying at Millikin University in Illinois. It's a school with only about 2500 students but it's got a really good reputaion. We are ranked number 7 in the country for theatre. Sierra Boggess graduated from here and many other active theatre professionals. I love it here! Check it out!!