Best Non Audition Drama/Theatre Program

[neomystyk29]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 8:20pm

I did a search and nothing specific to my questions came up. What are the best colleges for non-audition acting/drama/theatre programs. I know one good one is Vassar. Does anyone know of any others? I ask because theatre is too big a part of my life to let go of after highschool, but Im too much of a realist to think that it can be my career. I want to be able to participate in theatre as much as possible but I want to be able to pursue my future career path at the same time. Thanks.
Updated On: 6/27/06 at 08:20 PM

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 8:24pm

I'm confused. You want to major in it, but you don't want to make it your career? Majoring in theatre would mean you're leaving college with a degree in theatre, which basically allows you to get jobs, in...theatre. I would consider minoring in theatre, or taking courses for non-major if you don't want it to be your career.

[neomystyk29]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 8:31pm

Well I guess Im really looking for the best program. My plan is to pursue theatre until I absolutely can't anymore. I want to be a lawyer. Updated On: 6/27/06 at 08:31 PM

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 8:52pm

I'm still confused, though. If you want to be a lwayer, majoring in theatre will not help you get there, unless you double major in pre-law AND theatre, which would be an insane amount of work.

There are plenty of colleges that do have more casual theate program in which non-majors can audition for shows, and there are some colleges who have very serious theatre departments, but offer select classes for non-majors...if that's what you're looking for.

[neomystyk29]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 10:06pm

Any idea which they are?

[singingshowgirl]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 10:36pm

Muhlenberg in Allentown, PA
Northwestern
Indiana (but they are developing a BFA musical theater program for the future that probably has an audition...i don't know)

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 10:37pm

I believe that NYU and Syracuse have some select theatre classes for non-majors, but I don't think non-majors can try out for shows. I think that's what you'll generally find for the bigger theatre schools.

I would really look into this yourself. Asking around can help and give you a place to start, but most people won't be able to offer you the best information you can find. I think that goes for college in general--at least that's how my experience was.

You just have to narrow down what sort of limitations you have as far as location, price, your academic standing in high school, etc, and then look for schools that have your major and see how their theatre departments work.
Updated On: 6/27/06 at 10:37 PM

[clarkstallings]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 10:44pm

Here's a hint. Anyone can go to law school. You simply have to have a High GPA and a good LSAT score. That means ANY major and I mean ANY major will allow you to be a lawyer. Many law schools look for diversity in their majors and being a theatre major might help distinguish you from the gaggle of Poli Sci and Philosophy majors they'll be getting. The LSAT isn't a subject based test. It ain't about law. It's just a bunch of reading comprehension and logic games that anyone can do without any subject knowledge. Sure, certain majors may help you do better on the test, but you can always take a logic philosophy class as an elective in school and that'll be as much help as you need outside of prep for the test. Bottom line, you can go to law school and major in what you want. Trust me. PS. Pre-law is usually an advisory program that guides you in courses that will help prepare you for law school. It isn't a major at most places Per se. How helpful is a Pre-Law advisory program? The results are dubious at best.
Updated On: 6/27/06 at 10:44 PM

[Bdwy24]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 10:56pm

If you want to be a lawyer, be a lawyer....

Do community theatre at night. It's too tough a business if you don't want to do it 100%.

(not being mean, just my opinion)

[clarkstallings]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 10:59pm

Pursue theatre for a while. If you fail, you can always go to law school. Whatever you do get that degree and keep your GPA above 3.7 to guarantee admittance to a great law school. Oh and practice for that LSAT. You're pragmatic having a back-up plan that can pay the bills.