FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION #1: "What are some good theatre colleges?"

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 5:51pm

If you don't know what you're looking for, then that is the first step. KNOW what you want.

Make a list of all the things you look for in a theatre program. Also include things you look for in a college. Finally, things in a city.

Then, put each listing into a priority. Once you have a prioritized list, begin your search. Once you have some schools that seem to go along with your list, go visit them. See how they are up close. Audition for their theatre programs, even if you're not sure you want to go there. Stay overnight with a student. Attend some classes. Visit all theatre spaces.

Here are some general things to look for:

Theatre Program:

-Size (How many freshmen enter each year? How many are in program now? How many acting students, compared to tech and directing/stage management?)
-Classes (How many acting classes? What special topics are offered? What are the requirements to obtain your degree? How many academic classes do you need?)
-Spaces (How many different performance spaces are there? Rehearsal spaces? How technologically advanced are they? Do they get good sized audiences?)
-Shows (How many shows are done each year? Plays vs. musicals? One-acts? Other?)
-Students (How friendly do the students seem? Would you fit in?)

The College:

-Classes (What classes not related to theatre do you need to take to obtain your degree? What is an average class size?)
-Size (How large is the campus? Would you need a car?)
-Facilities (What facilities are offered? How is the cafeteria food? How many places to eat are on campus?
-Cost (How much is tuition? What scholarships will I get? How much federal aid will I get? Grants? Loans?)
-Construction (Find out if there are plans for renovation. Will this affect any theatre buildings? Your schooling? Your housing?)
-Parking (Enough parking? Need a car?)
-Housing (How are the dorms? Big enough? What is offered in the dorms? What furniture is given? What will I need? How many roommates will I have? Internet? Heat? AC? Lighting? Policies?)

The City:

-What professional theatres are located nearby? What other colleges are close by?
-Are there recreational places close by? Theatres? Movie Theatres? Clubs?
-Closeness to shopping areas, such as malls, restaurants, banks, etc.
-How large is the city? How would I get to the city? Bus? Drive a car? Get a ride from a friend? Easy to get lost?
-How safe is the city?

[briarbrad]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 6:17pm

Nice list, capnhook - Just a few things to add:

First, take a look at the faculty. How many acting teachers? Directing faculty? Read their bios on the college websites; have they worked professionally? Where did they go to school?

And something else to think about (this really pertains to people looking for a BFA program/conservatory programs, etc) is that your process is really different than the process for someone who is looking for basic liberal arts programs. The fact is, you are going to a college specifically because you want excellent training to help you break in to a tough business. So you really need to decide whether some of the normal criteria are important to you. I.E., if you get into a really top program that will you give great training, BUT you don't like the city cuz you'd rather be in New York, or if the university isn't beautiful, will you turn it down?
Updated On: 7/7/05 at 06:17 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 9:39pm

Also - just because a university is famous or has a great program doesn't mean that it is right for YOU.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 10:36pm

Here's a nice site:

http://www.geocities.com/musicaltheatercolleges/index.html

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 7/11/05 at 2:00am

And above all else, talk, talk, TALK to as many students as you possibly can, 'til you're blue in the face! Go to a coffee shop near the theatre school/department and just sit and absorb the vibe that you get there. It'll feel right, or it won't.

Posted: 7/11/05 at 12:17pm

Juliard!

[briarbrad]

Posted: 7/11/05 at 12:26pm

except it's Juilliard.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/12/05 at 5:13pm

BEST COLLEGES BFA MUSICAL THEATRE thread

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=854618&dt=071205050530

Musical Theatre Major Board at College Confidential

https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/forumdisplay.php?f=501

CCM - Musical Theatre thread

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=854979#1162677

The College Thread (a list of performer's colleges)

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=846306#1160852

Steinhardt VS. Tisch

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=850022#1042108

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/16/05 at 11:50am

Le bumpe!