Prestigous California MT/Theatre College

[seemynameinlights]

Posted: 2/6/09 at 9:30pm

Hi!

I was wondering if there were any prestigous theatre schools in Calfornia. I do realize that the east coast would be the best place to go for Musical Theatre; I am pretty much a shoe in for Steindhart, but I would rather live in California than NY.

[lalarox]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 7:52pm

University of California at Irvine has a great theater department.

[Byron Abens]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 2:14am

Irvine's graduate program is excellent. I would do research and talk to their undergraduates before you make a choice. Many times when a school has a very strong graduate program the undergrads don't receive the attention they would get in a program with just the undergraduate department. Irvine's reputation definitely rests on its MFA students, though it does not necessarily mean the undergrads are ignored. Just do your research.

[singtopher]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 1:56pm

Sort of rehashing what Byron said, but most California schools are really known for their Grad programs. Irvine and UCSD are considered among the best MFA programs in the country along side Yale and Julliard. Generally, its not best to be an undergrad in a school with a grad program because those grad students get most of the faculty's attention. But, again, do your research.

That said, I was very impressed with Cal State Fullerton's music theatre program. The only reason I didn't go there is because they didn't have housing available for me, and I was from out of state.

[harper4]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 4:37pm

UCSD is by far and away one of the best theatre programs in the country. The school has a very close working relationship with one of the best professional regional theatres out there...and you'll be living in San Diego. Irvine is a fine school too. If you're limiting yourself to the west coast, that is. I hear that UT-Austin is also quite good. No real professional opportunities to learn from/be involved with around there though.

[seemynameinlights]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 10:11pm

thanks you guys! What I am thinking of doing is going to Northwestern for theatre in undergrad then taking a semester off and go to BADA British Academy of Dramatic Arts and go somewhere else for Grad school. Seeing as I am going to NY later this month, this all may change.

[Anna_Elizabeth]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 1:51pm

Also, don't forget ACT in San Francisco. Their grad program is excellent and students come from around the world to participate.