BEST COLLEGES BFA MUSICAL THEATER — Page 3

SUNY Purchase has a really great acting program (probably Top 5 in the country), but they have no musical theatre program, per se. I would assume that an acting major could take voice and dance classes, though.

I think Hunter College is a part of the CUNY system...they have some kind of drama program, but I'm not too familiar with it.

I would really appreciate any info anyone can give me about Ithica.

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Has anybody mentioned University of the Arts?


UArts

Footlooser, I'm headed to Ithaca in the fall for MT, so I don't have too much experience-related info about it yet. But I'll definitely tell you about it once I'm up there for a while! What I do know is that everyone I've talked to who goes there absolutely loves it, and they feel like they're getting great training.

Sean2-

My 2 cents. If her aspiration is to just be a dancer, than a dance major would make sense. However, if she is skilled as an actor and singer, as well, then a musical theatre major would make her a more versatile performer. Different MT programs place different amounts of emphasis on the importance of dance, as well, so you'd want to check into the amount and variation of dance classes at different schools. Some schools want their students to have a ton of dance, while others, it seems, look at dance as 'icing on the cake,' while singing and acting are considered the most important aspects. So since dance is such an important skill that your daughter wants to pursue, you'd want to make sure that her school is one that offers alot of dance.

"I certainly have no clue to whom you people have been talking to but Elon pretty much sucks"

How do you even know this? And why is it getting so much attention if it "sucks?"

I know this because I know three people who attended Elon and all three left to go to a more desirable school. Sure, Elon is a small school in western NC that offers a Musical Theatre major and that can come across as very appealing to many but do thorough research on it and you will find out that it isn't necessarily a credible school to get a strong musical theatre degree in. I think most people that go there for musical theatre do not pursue a career in it.

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Winkle, I totally respect your opinion but your opinion is really no more valuable than my own. It is each persons views and experiences. You are indeed correct, I was wrong about the location of the school as it is NW of the Triangle area. I am not trying to discourage anyone from going to Elon as I have never been there, I can only rely on what the three people I know said about their own experiences. If anyone is seriously looking at a school then they need to do as I said before and do all the research that they can. Find the best program that fits them. On a side note, the three people I know all went on to 'top ranking' musical theatre schools and maintain strong and steady careers. I think it is great that you have had positive experiences with Elon students and my hat goes off to them. Regardless, it still doesn't make the program one of the best in the country.

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I love political correctness!

Having worked with a couple Elon grads of the last few years, I can't say that I would recommend their school for a comprehensive program. One couldn't tap..the other was taught screaming=singing.

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

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Winkle..not sure what you mean but..

sure...okkkaaayy.

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Thanks, Roxie. I was just about to pose a clarifying question on the very topic. I'll definatly start thinking about audition schtuff then. I'm probably going to take my first two years at a considerably cheaper college and transfer in, but your input makes my decision easier. Thanks.

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I wish I would have been into theatre in college like I am now, but looking at all of my voice students, I would try to think of something to fall back on just in case. I have had some of the most talented singers come through my vocal studio, and now that they are in college they aren[t getting anything, and theatre has been all they want to do.....just look at how many out of work actors there are in NYC....sorry to sound like a parent....just llok out for everyone.....

has anyone heard of SCAD? its the savannah college of art and design, in savannah georgia (beautiful) its a FANTASTIC SCHOOL (im biased, i go there!) we have a great performing arts program, and the shows we do are phenomenal- im a new yorker and the production of west side story they did this year was broadway quality. and we have production design too (which is my major) so you can get into the design aspects of theater too, a lot of performance majors like to see whats going on behind the scenes. anyway, look it up, its scad.edu definitely worth checking out.

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