BEST COLLEGES BFA MUSICAL THEATER — Page 9

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#201

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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?

"I seem to have wandered into the BRAIN load-out thread... "
-best12bars

"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290

#202

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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

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

#203

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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.

#204

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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.....

-Aaron

#205

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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

HI Aaron!!

-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/

#206

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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.

#207

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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).

<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado

#208

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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?

2008: Feb. 18- Rent, Feb. 19- Curtains, April 18- Xanadu, April 22- Wicked, April 26- Legally Blonde, May 31- Wicked, June 13- The Little Mermaid, June 28- Wicked and Young Frankenstein, July 2- The Little Mermaid, July 6- A Chorus Line and Legally Blonde, August 16- Xanadu, September 13- Legally Blonde and 13, September 28- Xanadu and Spring Awakening, Oct. 12-GYPSY and [title of show], Oct. 19- Hairspray & Legally Blonde, Nov. 9- Wicked and 13, Dec. 14-13, Dec. 26- Billy Elliot, 2009: Jan 1- Shrek, Jan 2- 13 and Wicked, Jan 4- 13, Feb 17- In The Heights, Feb 19- Billy Elliot, Feb 22- Sweeney Todd (tour), March 28- Mary Poppins, April 4- Mamma Mia!, April 15- Jersey Boys (on tour), April 25- next to normal & 9 to 5 May 1- Billy Elliot, May 3- Spelling Bee (tour), May 8- Chicago, May 21- Wicked, June 6- Everyday Rapture, June 23- The Wiz, June 25- Hair July 15- Shrek, August 9- Wicked, September 7- Rock of Ages, October 11- Next To Normal, October 23- The Marvelous Wonderettes, November 7- Ragtime November 29- Dreamgirls, December 25- Billy Elliot, December 30- Finian's Rainbow, 2010: January 9- Bye Bye Birdie, January 16- Memphis February 17- The Phantom of The Opera, February 18- God of Carnage, March 7- Billy Elliot, March 31- American Idiot

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

#209

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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.

#210

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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?

"If it walks like a Parks, if it wobbles like a Parks, then it's definitely fat and nobody loves it." --MA

#211

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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.

#212

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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?

#213

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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.

#214

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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.

#215

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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.

#216

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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

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

#217

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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.

#218

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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.

"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."

#219

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

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?

#220

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

Posted: 3/1/09 at 10:23am

Although some people think going to college for theatre is a waste, I think it can be a good thing since you can get tons of training and in dance also if you weren't much of a dancer before.

I'm a professional. Whenever something goes wrong on stage, I know how to handle it so no one ever remembers. I flash my %#$&. "Jayne just sat there while Gina flailed around the stage like an idiot."

#221

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

Posted: 3/1/09 at 10:44am

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

Your degree and school can only help you... not hurt you.

There's a ridiculous perception that if you have a B.A. in Communications and the other person has a BFA in Musical Theatre, you'll be the one fighting an uphill battle. This is simply not true.

Casting Directors are looking for the talent, the right "look", and the "it" factor. They're starting to care less and less about the actual program - they're just happy to see when you have some type of degree. It shows commitment and dedication.

#222

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

Posted: 3/1/09 at 6:39pm

I know that each person needs to find the program that is right for them, but if you're looking to have success playing ACTUAL roles on Broadway, look no further than Ithaca College. Find me actors that have had more success than Kerry Butler, Matt Cavenaugh, Aaron Tveit, and Mark Price in the past 10 years or so. They have been creating original roles and characters non-stop since they graduated from college. These are four of the most prominent graduates but there are many more that continue to work on Broadway in featured roles in great shows. Ithaca is great for individual artists who want to great work in theatre.

#223

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

Posted: 3/1/09 at 6:46pm

I agree. Ithaca College's magazine has just started a series of articles about their graduates who have gone on to Broadway.

#224

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

Posted: 3/1/09 at 6:53pm

Ithaca's MT program is extremely questionable and messy.

Their acting program, on the other hand, is absolutely fabulous.

#225

Best BFA Musical Theater Programs

Posted: 3/1/09 at 7:39pm

Is Marrymount Mannhattans program that looked down upon? Other than looking at their website and such I dont know that much about it and kind of like but was wondering what your insights might be.

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