Boston University and Boston Conservatory

[supportivemom]

Posted: 9/18/08 at 10:47pm

From what I understand- these are two different schools. What is the difference in the theatre program? My son is into straight theatre- not musical. He thought Boston Conservatory is a "cut" program which means they cut down the class each year. Please pardon my ignorance as I don't know anything about this area. My son's theatre teacher suggested BU to me today. My son thought the Conservatory was part of BU but when I went on the website, that didn't appear to be so. I would appreciate any info you can give. Thanks!

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/19/08 at 12:02am

Hello, again
Boston Conservatory actually doesn't have a straight theatre program (they just call the musical theatre program "theatre" for some reason).
And yes, the two schools are totally separate entities.
I don't know enough about BU to be helpful, but I saw an opera there and it was phenomenal.

[Juliash]

Posted: 9/19/08 at 2:52pm

Yes, they are completely separate entities. I'm from the area and I'm auditioning for voice at BU and I am 95% sure its not a cut school, but I'm not positive.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/19/08 at 3:33pm

Juliash, be aware that I have a lot of amazingly talented friends who auditioned for voice at BU, and none of them got in. The program seems incredibly selective. But seriously, the opera I saw there (Il Barbiere) was phenomenal, though I believe the performers were Masters students.

[supportivemom]

Posted: 9/19/08 at 5:34pm

Thanks guys. I sent for more info. My son has had teachers through the years that have recommended the Boston area to him. I lived in Randolph when I was 2-but obviously don't remember- except for pictures. Even though my son is an actor- he is really into sports. It's pretty cool that Fenway Park is close by the school. I also like how diverse it is. Affording it- now that's another question. Juliash- good luck on your vocal audition!

[Juliash]

Posted: 9/19/08 at 5:50pm

Thank you so much!!

And I do have to say that Boston is an absolutely wonderful city especially the BU/Commonwealth ave. area. :)

[oohshizz146]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 6:09pm

I'm auditioning at both of them next year for musical theatre (I'm a junior now), and I'm from the area, and I can second its a great place to live =) I'm not sure if BoCo is a cut program, but I'm pretty sure BU isnt. Good luck to your son =)

[SamanthaisFierce]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 6:40pm

Hey guys, formerly dramatothemax here...I'm just going to clear this up. I'm a sophomore musical theatre major at Boston Conservatory. My school DOES have a cut program. People can say whatever they'd like, but end of 1st semester of your sophomore year we have promotionals. We do 3 songs and 2 monologues. Then our teachers decide who needs work. So you can get put on acting or singing probation, which means you failed an area of your promotional. If you failed, you have to re do your promotional at the end of sophomore year. Then during summer, you'll recieve a letter with your results. In last years sophomore class, 4 or 5 people were cut.

There is a HUGE difference between BU and BoCo. I don't think you can even compare the 2. My school is a Conservatory. Which means we take all theatre classes. Musical Theatre, acting, voice and speech, voice lessons, jazz, ballet, modern, tap, music theory, shakespeare, view points, cultural history of body and movement and 1 english class. We go from 8 am to 6:30 pm, with usually a 30 minute break. We have no acting program, but the acting teachers at our school are just as good or better than acting teachers in simply an acting program.

Our alumni are all over Broadway, National Tours in the US and Europe, and off- Broadway.

If your son wants to go to school for acting...BU probably isn't the place. Emerson has a great Acting program...not so much musical theatre, but for acting yes.

DePaul in Chicago is also wonderful.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 6:48pm

What happens to the Sophomores who get cut? Do they transfer to other schools?

[SamanthaisFierce]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 6:51pm

Yeah, usually. Or some are really bitter and just move to NY and say BoCo screwed them over. But the ones they cut are 99% of the worst ones. Sometimes they cut you based on your bad attitude too haha

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 6:58pm

Lol thanks, that's what I figured.

[supportivemom]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 7:21pm

Samantha- I was hoping you would see my post and I'm glad you did. Thanks for clarifying. My son hates musical theatre and has never been in a musical. He is a very good actor who is excellent at improv- he's extremely funny. He also likes playwriting. I am so torn! Right now, he has a 4.375 GPA in honors classes. He is also an excellent guitarist. He wants to go to a school that's in a city with a good theatre and music scene. Sounds like BoCo isn't the place for him. I have heard of Emerson and it's all been good. I have also heard of DePaul. Personally, I think he needs to go to a school that has great fine arts and business academics. He has also thought about Northwestern and NYU due to their proximity to improv clubs. His teacher said I need to take a trip up the east coast and visit schools. His teacher also asked him to look into Carnegie Melon. My head is just spinning! Thanks to all again!

[SamanthaisFierce]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 7:33pm

Ah improv! I say his best bet would be DePaul or Roosevelt CCPA in Chacago. I have 2 or 3 friends who go to Roosevelt who have been taking classes with Second City Improv, which is the step before SNL basically. They've gotten their own gigs too. It's a great city to be in for comedy.

[supportivemom]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 8:11pm

Thanks Samantha! I guess I will check out more schools in Chicago!
P.S. Did you ever get my PM's about your performance of "Everybody's Girl"? It was amazing!
Updated On: 9/20/08 at 08:11 PM

[SamanthaisFierce]

Posted: 9/21/08 at 10:59am

No problem :]

And yes I did! Thank you so much! I have a new duet up from last year too