U of Toronto - good/bad?

[forni-kate]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 2:49pm

I'm thinking of going to U of T next fall for Drama/English.

I know many people say that York and Erindale(Toronto+Sheriden) are the only real options, but they are almost TOO practical for more. Plus, I hate Yorks system of allowing like 100 or so into first year theatre, but only about 15 into second year acting.

Whats attracting me to Toronto is that they really accomodate doing a Drama + English double major.

So - what have you heard? Is it just a complete joke to go there? Do I have any other real options in Ontario?

[Jesus]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 4:54pm

I'd recommend staying away from U of T. The degree they offer is really rather useless. York is likely the best choice if your interested in going to school for Acting. U of T's program isn't actually an acting program its more along the lines of theatre studies, and if that's what you're interested in York is still the better option.

If acting is what you want, then the conservatory at York, or the Ryerson program would be ideal.

The benefits of York's first year are really very encouraging. I know many people who were accepted into the second year conservatory, but because of first year's production and studies compulsories, turned the offer down in favor of design or production or studies, learning that they prefered these paths to acting. York also offers the Creative Ensemble program, which is really rather difficult to explain, but the program accepts 24 students and produces some amazing work. Right now, there are more ensemble graduates working than conservatory grads.

If you look as statistics you'll see that York Grad's come out of their program and work more than grad's from any other program in Ontario. This is partially because of the program itself, Rottenburg knows how to train actors who want to work, but also because of their unique networking situation. Every major production in Toronto and the rest of Canada, as well as most New York Productions have York Grad's working them, leaving newer grads in a great place to start looking for jobs.

York really is the way to go. Although Ryerson produces some great actors. But U of T's program is very very academic, and their productions are always less than adaquate.

It's a tough choice becasue so much of it depends on what you really want to do. York offers exposure to areas of theatre that most people don't get to experience, thus you are able to make a more informed decision on where to get your degree. And Therein lies its strenght.
Updated On: 9/1/06 at 04:54 PM

[forni-kate]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 7:30pm

Aah, yes. That does make York sound pretty good.
Although one of my major issues with York has always been York itself - I hate the campus, I hate the atmosphere, but the program seems great.

I'm also thinking that perhaps STUDYING theatre is the way for me to go - so Toronto isn't completely out of the running.

And Ryerson isn't an option for me because I need to come out of there with more than just a theatre degree. I'm trying to leave doors open for myself outside of theatre.

[forni-kate]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 9:26pm

-bump- anyone else?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 9:54pm

leave it to Jesus to have all the answers

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 1:32am

you seem to already be pretty familiar with York's system- so that's good. I'm not a huge fan of York. I have a lot of friends who go there and have been very dissapointed with the way their university careers have turned out.

As for U of T- if you're planning on doing drama AND english, from the reviews of my friends (note: NOT my own personal experience, so take from it what you will), it's excellent. It seems to be really accomodating of both subjects, and both subjects working together (a friend of mine just graduated from the same- drama and english, and is now studying playwrighting wtih Judith Thompson). I believe it's the St George campus- or whichever is actually downtown. Definitely look more into it.


OR better yet- come to Queen's! haha okay so I'm incredibly biased- but our drama department is EXTREMELY accomodating of two subjects- in fact, a lot of our students are "medials" (equal concentrations in two areas to comprise one BAH- I'm medialling in drama and music), and a lot of the drama courses fit well with the theatre courses. It's a really well-respected program here at Queen's....especially if you ever hope to work at STratford!

Haha but that's my shilling for my school.

As for Toronto- look into U of T more. I think you might be pleasently surprised. But keep in mind, wherever you go there will be dissapointments- every administration sucks, there will always be courses you can't get into for stupid reasons, it happens everywhere. I believe at York, they have even coined a phrase for getting as$-raped by the school....."you got YORKED".

[forni-kate]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 5:12pm

I went to go visit U of T yesterday (and see their highlarious production of Reefer Madness) and you were right judyindisguise, I was pleasently suprised!

One thing I just wanted to ask about is the connection between Queens and Stratford. Stratford is actually where I would love to end up (classical theatre is my bag), but I just don't get the connection between the two. Are there just alot of Queens grads there hiring more Queens grads?