BEST COLLEGES BFA MUSICAL THEATER- Page 9

[BoTheMusical]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 5:37pm

Here is my attempt at a list for best BFA MT schools

Top3: (arguable all could be #1)
CCM
UMich
BoCo

Class B: (well known for MT and in no order)
Penn State
CMU
NYU
Millikin
Elon
Webster
Baldwin-Wallace
UArts
Ithaca
Northwestern (with no BFA)
Point Park

Class C: (not as well known, but still good, in no order)
Roosevelt (CCPA)
Florida State
U Central Florida
Illinois Wesleyan
OCU
U Arizona
UCLA
Marymount Manhattan (no BFA MT)
Catholic University
Western Michigan
Wright State
Ball State

As you can see this list is VERY lengthy. There are WAY too many MT Schools in the nation, which is why what matters most is which school is best for YOU. Don't go off of reputation, go off of your assets, what you need to work on and the vibe you get from those universities.

[Bearfann14]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 7:46pm

I would agree mostly with "Bothemusical", but there are some schools i would change around in his list, and I have also added some, either due to experience or experience/reputations of others I know and i have talked to in the buisness.
(I am a current BFA MT student)

Top3: (arguable all could be #1)
CCM
UMich
NYU

Class B: (well known for MT, whether by reputation of program or graduates working, and in no order)

Penn State
Boco
CMU
Millikin
Elon
Webster
Illinois Wesleyan
Baldwin-Wallace
Ithaca
Northwestern (with no BFA)
Point Park
UArts
Syracuse

Class C: (not as well known, but still good, in no order)
Roosevelt (CCPA)
Florida State
U Central Florida
OCU
U Arizona
UCLA
Marymount Manhattan (no BFA MT)
Catholic University
Western Michigan
Wright State
Ball State
Emerson
Shenandoah Conservatory

[bjkeys321]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 11:41am

i'm going to be a junior in high school next year and I know that MT is what I want to do, so I was wondering if you guys knew any summer camps to go to for theater! I was thinking Interlochin because I got accepted for their 4 week string quartet program and it was worth it, it improved my playing a lot (violin). I don't know anything about the MT program though, so, I was just wondering if you guys had any input or any really really good camps.

I was also looking at University of Michigan for College. What are other colleges that I should keep in mind for MT?

[UAisGREAT]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 12:57pm

For the sake of getting the info out there I am going to post what I put on another thread about BFA degrees....


I go to the University of Arizona pursuing my BFA and I think it is a great school for the following reasons:

1. Since it is a public university it is generally less expensive than the private schools with BFA programs like CMU, Michigan, NYU, Boston U, Juilliard, etc...

2. UA has a small program that gives you a lot of individual attention. You will not get lost in the mix.

3. The BFA program has their own theater company called Arizona Repertory Theater and they produce 6 main stage shows a season that consists of 4 plays (generally a Shakespeare, 2 contemporary plays, and a period piece) as well 2 large scale musicals.

4. As a member of the Arizona Repertory Theater you will be cast in a show EVERY semester sophomore-senior year. Freshman usually do not perform- it's a very common thing in many programs.

5. Tucson AZ is really a fun place to go to school. UA is a huge university so there it has a lot to offer in addition to the BFA program. If you want to double major or minor that is possible (quite a few of my fellow BFA classmates are doing so). Or if you want to join a frat or sorority you can do that as well.

6. The BFA program has a great partnership with Arizona Theater Company (which is the state theater of AZ and one of the country's leading regional theaters). BFA students at UA oftentimes understudy and occasionally even get cast in ATC productions. For instance, 6 BFA students this past year alone were CAST in shows at ATC while quite a few more understudied. As a performer/understudy at ATC you get to be a Equity Membership Candidate and build up points towards receiving your Equity card.

Now, any school you will go to will have drawbacks. There are a lot of good schools and even the schools dubbed "the best" will not be a fit for everyone. I think UA is a great 'under the radar' program and I think it will grow even more in prominence as the years go on. If you're looking for a small program with great acting-based Stanislavski training then UA might be a good fit.

Just so you know, UA does have end of the cuts after your freshman and sophomore years. Over the past couple years they have done substantial cuts to the classes. Some people look at this as a bad thing but I personally think it is a good thing.

If you want more info contact me privately.

[$bfa$]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 3:35am

You have to consider the level of debt you will incur with any college degree but certainly a theater degree. If you graduate school with major debt and need to work a "B" Job (especially if it's one you might not like) just to keep the creditors away and the rent paid - no Degree is worth it. Working just to pay off college debt doesn't leave you time to audition, or to keep taking classes, which is a must for any actor/actress. The life of an actor after graduation whether it's NY or LA is filled with classes (always more training) and networking -- so that you can "work" the business of the business. Get the BFA if that's your passion - but do it wisely - with an eye toward your CAREER as an actor.

[xxdrewboy85xx]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 2:10pm

I also agree with Bothemusical and bearfann on the top schools however I would put florida state and OKCU in class B not C!

IMO the top 5 of the best schools for MTP would be

U of M
CCM
Penn State
Elon
Carnegie Mellon.

My only issue with schools like BoCo NYU and Point Park is how many they actually accept. I think its way too many students to get the individual attention needed.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 5:57pm

IMO the top 5 of the best schools for MTP would be

U of M
CCM
Penn State
Elon
Carnegie Mellon.

And just what the crap are you basing that list on?

Posted: 9/8/08 at 7:39pm

U of M is the absolute number one. Hands down.

[sundaymorning6am]

Posted: 9/8/08 at 11:09pm

I'm sorry. I'm going to sound like a snot, but the best BFA if you want to be an actor is moving your butt to NYC, take classes, and wait tables while you're auditioning.

Going to school for theatre is a WASTE. You either have it or you don't. If you have $80-$120k to wipe your butt with, I can think of much better ways to spend it.

[aawolfe]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 2:37pm

In response to this VERY old post in '05 -
"When I was in Stratford, I was talking to some of the actors about schools in Canada to look at. Everyone said Sheridan, but because it's a college they don't offer a degree or something? I don't understand that... Can anyone from Canada explain?"

...as of next year (Sept. of 2009) Sheridan College's MT program will be 4 years and you'll receive a BAA (Bachelor of Applied Arts- which I've heard is "better" than a BFA? I have no real knowledge in regards to that...). Also- University of Western Ontario is apparently starting a 4-year MT program in Sept/2009 as well.

Lots of better opportunities.....

[B3TA07]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 5:27pm

HI Aaron!!

[hl2522]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 9:38am

TheActr97J makes a good point. Except I think it applies to most people in the last part of this thread who have been making lists. just "how the crap" are you ranking these and what qualifies you to do so. a lot of these rankings are based on heresay and past success of performers who've attended these programs. Try researching schools - go to their websites, visit collegeconfidential.com, etc. and you'll get a better understanding of what school is right for you, rather than applying to a list someone came up with with schools they may or may not be familiar with and disregarding other schools...they may or may not be familiar with.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 12:27pm

Im glad this was bumped not too long ago. Im a sophmore in college and Im lookng at finally transfering into a good MT program. Im really liking Baldwin Wallace, Point Park and Marrymount Manhattan. It seems over the course of this thread that these 3 havent gotten much attention. Anyone want to enlighten me about these 3 what the program is like why Baldwin over Point Park (since I know both are better than MM though that school really intriuges me).

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 12:29am

Could anyone tell me the tuition for the University of Arizona? I'm having a ton of trouble finding it anywhere online.

Also, are there any performers who went there?

Updated On: 2/28/09 at 12:29 AM

[EvanK]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 2:13am

I have heard from a lot of actors that a good step is to go to a straight theatre school. Musical directors will still hire you, but if you just go to MT schools it can be harder to find work outside of that realm.

[Parks]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 3:56am

I've been told that NYU's theater program is falling apart. Their musical theater program (Cap 22 or something?) lost funding because they're not really putting out any Broadway "stars" anymore? I heard this from a person IN the program... is this true?

[broadwaybaby77]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 9:19am

"My only issue with schools like BoCo NYU and Point Park is how many they actually accept. I think its way too many students to get the individual attention needed."

Someone posted this up a few posts on the thread, and I thought I'd reply. I go to BoCo and I'm one of 59 in the freshman class. Being one teensy fish in a huge pond of freshman mts did scare me a little at first, but once I started classes, I always felt like I had tons of personal attention. We're split into cores of 15 or so (you have all of your classes with those 15), and each class involves different one-on-one exercises. I'm not sure if this is a common thing at other schools that accept more students, but I wouldn't say that BoCo doesn't give students enough personal attention; our parents certainly pay enough, and these teachers really deliver.

With the current state of the economy, our class sizes are going to drop even more than usual, anyway.

[snowskittle]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 1:17pm

Parks, this seems hard to believe. Phoebe Strole was in "Spring Awakening" and is in in "Mourning Becomes Electra". Ato Blankston Wood will be in "Hair" and Carrie Manolakos was in both the touring and Broadway productions of "Mamma Mia" as Sophie and will be in the new "Wicked" tour as standby to Elphabah. These are all recent NYU Cap21 grads. I'm sure there are more, but these are 3 that come to mind.

Can anyone else add to these?

Has anyone else heard anything more about this?

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 1:21pm

Ben Leibert was in Wicked on Broadway and is now on tour as Boq. He went to NYU.

[jake6970]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 1:43pm

If you feel that NYU Tisch is falling apart, at least look at Steinhardt, which has an amazing musical theatre program too.

[overthemoonboy]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 3:50pm

"I have heard from a lot of actors that a good step is to go to a straight theatre school. Musical directors will still hire you, but if you just go to MT schools it can be harder to find work outside of that realm."

EvanK, I'm so glad you brought this up. If you really want to work, go to a straight theater school. You can still train your voice in their music department. A perfect example is UCSB, the only UC with a BFA in Acting (UCLA can kiss it!). It's also got a great Music department with free voice lessons if you're good enough to get them. Many of the actors cross over into the Dance department (wich is also amazing) even though you train in dance in the BFA anyway.

This year there are three seniors in the program with Yale School of Drama (they do musicals!) callbacks, a few cast in Hollywood movies and TV shows, a few going straight into jobs or grad schools, and, not that this is relevant here, one who is up for a spot on Gossip Girl.

And it's on the beach. Just throwing that out there. Be aware that you train for your freshman year before auditoining for the BFA in the spring, or transfer in. If anyone has questions, PM me.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 3:52pm

So, you guys are saying don't major in Musical Theater?

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 3:56pm

It's different for everyone.

If you want to major in Musical Theatre, go for it.

No stranger on a message board should have any substantial impact on your career and educational decisions.

There are different ways of thinking. Some believe you SHOULD go to school for it, and some believe you SHOULDN'T.

It's a matter of both opinion and perception. Do what you want to do; what you feel passionate about.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 5:02pm

If you can't see yourself doing anything but musical theatre, then major in musical theatre. You have to want it with your whole heart and soul. It's talent, luck, and who you know.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/28/09 at 9:17pm

How are casting directors if you have a out of country degree? Such as one from Laine Theatre Arts in England?