BEST COLLEGES BFA MUSICAL THEATER — Page 11

What about Columbia College in Chicago? I would love to go to college in NY but I can't get out there to visit and I'm looking for something a little closer. One of my top choices is Elon but again, I can't get there to visit.

What school depends on the career you want? Who do you admire? Do you want to be a triple threat? Do you just want to do musical theatre or act in straight plays/films etc?
In my experience, working on 2 broadway shows and 2 national tours in the last 10 months and also teaching at a major conservatory, get the best acting training you can. Look at the actors playing lead roles who are now in their late thirties or older. Many, but not all, went to acting schools and developed their musical chops by learning a strong acting technique and applying it to Musical Theatre. The actors who finaled as Principals for one show I worked on had, without exception, NOT gone to an MT school. Some went to major acting schools while some went through "vocal performance" programs.
The principal actors I've worked with and respect have mostly gone to schools like Juilliard, Tisch grad, NCSA (or UNCSA as it is now) and BU. They can produce actors who can sing.
The ensemble actors who I respect tend to be from top MT schools like CMU, UMich, Baldwin-Wallace(rising to the top) or CCM. Or they've been to schools that don't have a reputation for MT and have had the drive to succeed. I'll be honest, I haven't had great experiences working with people from middle rank schools like Elon. Sorry, Elonites, but that's my experience.

What about Sam Houston State University? It's my first choice. The only notable alumni is Katie Rose Clarke, but students that have attended say that it has an excellent program in Musical Theatre.

anyone know how good (or bad) the one and two-year conservatory programs are at New York Film Academy?

So, there seems to be some very well informed people on this message board.

Anyone have some good advice on which MT school is best in California? I live here and can't really afford to go across the country.

Any legit feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Most of the ones people have posted are good. CMU, CCM, Michigan. Ithaca College has an amazing program. And look at the alumni in shows on Broadway!
Kerry Butler(Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray, Xanadu, Rock of Ages), Aaron Tviet (Hairspray, Wicked, Next to Normal, Catch Me if You Can), Matt Cavenaugh (Grey Gardens, West Side Story), Joe Aaron Ried (Curtains, Chicago, Finians Rainbow), Eric Jordan Young (Suessical, Chicago, Ragtime) Sara Schmidt (Jersey Boys), Jeremy Jordan (Rock of Ages) and more. And these people are always LEAD roles in Broadway shows. Ithaca must be doing something over there.

As for great programs in Cali, there are a lot of talented people coming out of USC! I've heard great things about their program.

"As for great programs in Cali, there are a lot of talented people coming out of USC! I've heard great things about their program."

They don't have a Musical Theatre program, my friend... Their FILM & STAGE ACTING programs is what you're talking about (I hope).

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No, I dont think so. Call and ask..

They'll still be doing the 2 year certificate program though.

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What counts as "good" ?

NYU is a top 10 (or top 15, depending on who you ask) program but neither Pace nor Marymount are anywhere near that.

The schools don't offer BFA's in Musical Theatre Performance. Both Pace and Marymount offer bigger & better drama/acting programs and specialized dance majors. Stay away if possible.

NYU is the best option in New York City. Some will get defensive and disagree but ask any qualified professional - they'll agree. Though I personally am against NYU and feel that it raises multiple "red flags"

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Dave Clemmons is lying. He, along with 99.9% of professional NYC Casting Directors, could care less about your post secondary-level of theatrical education.

And I'll just leave it at that.

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born and raised in brooklyn, and currently at LaG im looking into good schools for Musical Theatre in or around the city
I cant really imagine leaving the city to go way out there so im just looking for my best option in the area
Other than Marymount or Pace and of course NYU Im not too sure what else is there
ive heard AMDA is just rediculous (please give your imput about that if you have any)
other than that ive heard Wagner and Purchase

thanks guys!

Hey, musicalbluemirror, I went to LaG, too (Vocal '07)!

Purchase has excellent straight theatre and voice programs, but no MT programs that I know of.
I actually have some friends that went to AMDA and they all loved it and are very talented! What's everyone's problem with it?
Have you spoken to Nancy Grilikhes (sp) about this?