Liberal theatre education ~VERSUS~ Conservative theatre education

[CapnHook]

Posted: 11/9/05 at 10:12am

I'm writing an academic essay on why a liberal theatre education is better than going conservative.

Does anyone know of any articles, essays, books, literature, etc. on this subject? Of either liberal education pertaining to theatre students, conservative education pertaining to theatre students, choosing a college pertaining to theatre students, etc.

Also - if you are currently attending college for theatre, feel free to discuss your search for a college. Did you know what you were looking for? Were you naive? Did you know the difference between a liberal versus conservative education regarding theatre and how it may affect your career? Were you happy with the college you have chosen? Did you end up transfering because of the college program? Anything else on the subject you wish to share? Please remember to state if your an actor, design/tech. student, directing student, or stage/theatre management student. All names will be anonymous. If you would, please state specific colleges (but this is not required).

Thank you!!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 11/9/05 at 10:24am

Also - I remember reading an article somewhere about how Julliard may not be the best choice for a theatre major or something like that. Know what I'm referring to? Have a link?

Thanks!

[nydirector2]

Posted: 11/9/05 at 12:00pm

I wrote a similar paper my freshman year of college in response to the college theatre department's consistant decisions to do more tame shows after a faculty member was put on suspension after doing Tartuffe(I know..really). I ended up transferring because being in such a censored and conservative setting really limits what education is supposed to be. In my opinion, a good education is one that provides students every possible way of thinking. In theatre education, there is also a problem of teachers saying what are right and wrong ways to do theatre....and this goes more-so for the liberal teachers, by the way. I try to appreciate all kinds of theatre and when I teach my kids, I tell them that they may disagree with my oppinions on shows, etc. but just because they might disagree with me doesn't mean they are wrong...because there are NO right or wrong answers. Therefore, I think it's just as bad for a "liberal" program to shun classic musicals in lieu of experimental theatre shows with tons of naked people, as it is for a "conservative" to completely avoid 90% of the theatre cannon because it has naughty words or subject matter. The best theatre education is one in which you can decipher what YOU enjoy while being exposed to all the different types of theatre.

[MeleeQ]

Posted: 11/9/05 at 2:13pm

Personally, the reason I decided not to do a conservatory program was because of how strict every conservatory I visited seemed. That is not to say that I'm not serious about my craft, I DO want to work hard. But I felt like it would hinder my ability to grow and experiment as an actor if I was stuck in such a strictly structured program. I felt like it wouldn't be any fun for me. I am currently in a program that I like very much. I feel like I'm learning and growing a lot, but I still have the time and opportunity to work and experiment outside of school (in fact, in my program they actively encourage you to audition for roles and shows outside of the school, rather than the other way around). I feel like I'm getting a more well-rounded education and range of experience than I would've if I'd gone to a conservatory program.

[pndmnd]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 3:54pm

I would say my department is on the liberal side. They've definitely done their fair share of "naked" shows. I would also say they tend to not do enough classical theatre (Shakespeare, Greek, etc.). And, when they do, it's not really that good. They either have some funky concept just for the sake of being different, and it's not supported in any way, or they take it TOO seriously, and it's just boring and bad.

It's definitely one of those schools where they're liberal in the type of theatre they do, and in their views of the world, however they're pretty conservitive in the sense that most of the teachers think that their style or technique is the ONLY way to do things, and they don't always understand that one thing does usually work for ALL people.

On the flip side, I have a friend who goes to a school an hour from me, and it's definitely a conservative theatre training program (which is funny, because the school itself is more liberal than my school, but the departments are the opposite). They really look down on musicals in general and modern theatre. They are very oriented to "the voice". Now I'm all about proper speech and diction and support and projection, and all of that, but they focus so much on it that they lose the connection to the character.

I actually think this is a really good question, and I applaud you for thinking to ask it! Most people looking at schools just think about what kind of degree they want, or if they want a conservatory or liberal arts. There are liberal conservatories and conservative liberal arts schools, and vice-versa! Basically, I think you'll be hard pressed to find a school that falls on the happy middle, but to me that would certainly be the ideal.

I'm trying to think of any articles that might help you, and if I come up with any I'll certainly post them.

[Liz_Bennet]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 11:04pm

As well as "liberal" and "conservative" labels, I think you should also think about programs on a mainstream/"commercial" vs. avant-garde axis. The theater department at my school is decidedly on the avant-garde side of things- if it wasn't originally in Polish, it's not worth producing. I find it frustrating occasionally because sometimes I just want to see a play instead of an artistic theatrical experience, but I value the challenge.