acting transfer student

[runnerchic 2]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 10:59am

I just finished my freshman year as a non-acting major but I have been thinking a lot about changing my major to acting. To do this I would most likely transfer schools. What are some of the better acting programs? So far I have looked at:
Minnesota
Indiana (BA)
Rutgers (Mason Gross)
Western Michigan (BA)
UNCSA
Depaul

I dont have a stacked resume but I am getting training this summer in NYC. I dont know if these programs are out of my league but I know Depaul doesnt need a resume for audition. So I mainly want to make sure I rock my monologues.
Any suggestions for other schools? I want to make sure I have a long enough list.
Thanks!!

[Jason Bennett]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 11:13am

Hello,

You should be in a BFA program for Acting, if you want the most concentrated university training. Often, a BA in Theatre Arts has little or nothing to do with training that will prepare you for an actual artistic career. (This is also true for many BFA and MFA programs, sadly...)

Here's a couple note-worthy schools:

Some studios within the NYU BFA programs are wonderful. Some are not so amazing...

Carnegie-Mellon

Julliard

Florida State University BFA program

UC San Diego

and more...

It's crucial you understand that most performer training, all over the place, is just absolutely useless crap.

It is quite clear to those of us in the industry in New York City that most people who are aspiring actors/singers with degrees and training all over their resumés STILL don't seem to know much at all about acting tools and processes. What is even more sad, is that they have no idea they don't know...after all, how can you know what you don't realize you don't know?

It's even true of MFA grad programs.

Most of what passes for performer training is PRACTICE. You pay to rehearse and perform -- the focus is on results, results, results. You don't really learn TOOLS and PROCESSES that great performers use. So, beware of that when looking for training. I hope this helps.

As one extremely well-known, respected, masterful performer said to me recently, "I don't think anyone understands process any more. It's all about the results, you have to fight to actually use rehearsals to play and experiment and create."

But, you have to have specific tools and processes in order to be able to REALLY explore and create...and finding programs that actually teach at this level of sophistication is just not easy...

Updated On: 6/13/10 at 11:13 AM

[smodel11]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 1:34pm

Hi Runnerchic,
I went through a similar situation in college, although I ended up transferring from a BFA musical theatre program (I was cut at the end of my Sophomore year) to Indiana University's BA. It was one of the least well thought out decisions of my life, and the best thing that could ever happen to me. IU does not have an amazing acting program. Their BA theatre major is more of a "theatre studies" track, where you learn about theatre from all sides (acting, technical, theatre history, etc). What IU does provide, however, is a lot of opportunities to hone your skills and to perform. I know a lot of people who were in BFA programs (Syracuse University comes to mind, in particular) who never saw the lights of the stage. IU is a huge school with TONS of performance opportunities, and I spent the last two years of my college career constantly in shows, both on and off campus. Also, IU is home to one of the best music schools in the country, so it is possible to do a lot of work over there (the Singing Hoosiers are a wonderful performance/networking opportunity...you'd be amazed at how many alums are now on Broadway!) A school like IU is all what you make of it, although if you feel that you need the structure of a BFA (I have done both, and have an appreciation each of them), then I would advise going in that direction. Like I said before, I passively ended up at IU (I did a college visit while picking up the pieces of my life after getting cut, and they accepted me on the spot), and it was the best possible thing that could have happened in my life. Best of luck on your college search. Transferring is tough, but I feel no affinity for my first school. I'm a Hoosier girl through and through now :)

As a footnote, I'd like to add that I've been working consistently since the day I graduated from college, and that I have been far more successful than almost everyone from what would have been my graduating class at the BFA school. From my years at IU, we have Broadway stars like Elizabeth Stanley (Million Dollar Quartet, Cry Baby, Company), Sara Dobbs (Anybodys, West Side Story), Heath Calvert (Good Vibrations, Hair), Colin Donnell (Mama Mia, Jersey Boys), and I'm sure others that I am leaving out. My point is that if you take advantage of the opportunities to learn, you are talented, and you work hard, you can get the training you need almost anywhere and still be successful :) GOOD LUCK!


Updated On: 6/13/10 at 01:34 PM

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 5:34pm

The BFA program at the University of Minnesota/Guthrie is spectacular. Students often receive the opportunity to perform in Guthrie mainstage productions and many have continued to work with the theater after graduation. There is also a study abroad requirement fall term of junior year which usually takes the entire cohort to London.

But because it is both an extremely rigorous and highly prescribed program I am not sure they even accept transfers. If they do it is likely that you would be asked to start the 4-year program from year 1 anyway which means the year you have just completed would be for nothing.

The BA program at Minnesota is pretty run-of-the-mill. Good, but nothing to write home about. If you're not a Minnesota or Wisconsin resident I don't think the program would be worth the price of the out-state tuition.

[Jason Bennett]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 7:10pm

Smodel11 makes some wonderful points in their post! I very much agree with much of it.

And on the BFA Guthrie program, I also very much agree! I go way, way back with one of the faculty members and she is (I think she's still there...) a one-of-a-kind SUPER AMAZING teacher.

They are all over the country, but at the same time, there aren't that many of them. Amazing voice and acting teachers are like needles in a hay stack. They may be at a BA program, BFA, MFA or teaching privately in New Mexico!

I think the most important advice I can give is this -- read "No Acting Please" by Eric Morris. Read "Irreverent Acting" by Morris. Read "Audition" by Shurtleff AND read "The Intent to Live" by Larry Moss. READ ALL OF THEM NOW.

If you study these fours books A LOT -- it will give you an EXTREMELY solid foundation with which to evaluate teachers and training programs. It's the most important thing you can do to make your choice about your training path the most informed and smart.

And also remember this -- the most common advice you hear about this business is just that -- COMMON. Average thinking and mythologies about performance training and the business are largely useless and even damaging. Mathematically, you're more likely to be damaged by "training" than helped by it. BUT, not if you do the kind of research I'm talking about here...read those four books, and you'll know more about acting process and tools than MOST people who call themselves actors in New York City, plain and simple, JUST by reading those books.

The best training around is life-changing. But, the majority of "training" isn't training at all, and it's probably even damaging...

Updated On: 6/13/10 at 07:10 PM

[runnerchic 2]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 7:27pm

Thank you all so much!! You have made some great points that are very helpful.. I have been reading The Intent to Live for a while now and it truly has opened up my eyes about the business and I actually feel like it has been great training just by actively reading it. I definitely will read those other books too as well as Uta Hagen's The Challenge for the Actor which is required for my class this summer... hopefully the training I receive this summer will be beneficial.. its at HB Studio which I have heard is good.

[Jason Bennett]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 7:38pm

Uta Hagen was a masterful teacher...and actor. When I was younger, I spent time at HB Studio. But, the list I gave is a list that is extremely well-rounded, so I stand by my recommendations. But, of course if you're working with a teacher at HB who does Uta's work (not all do), then it is certainly a good idea to know her work. Many actors I know actually prefer her first book more, fyi.

BEST TO YOU IN ALL YOU!

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:22am

I'm currently rehearsing to make my professional debut in a play directed by an HB alum who studied with Uta Hagen. She is AMAZING and I'm learning more from the rehearsal process than one possibly can in any acting class. In other words, if you ever have the opportunity to work with anyone who studied with Hagen, take it. You're in good hands, runnerchic, but realize that not even an incredible acting class compares with the experience of preparing a role under the helm of a great director.

[Jason Bennett]

Posted: 6/14/10 at 10:20am

I'm sorry, not everyone who personally studied with Uta Hagen is a good teacher. And I'm super happy you're having a great experience.

[broadwayfreak2]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 6:53pm

runnerchic2 - I am pretty much in the same position you're in! I am a non-acting major as well, but I've recently switched my major to communications and a minor in theatre and drama. I'm currently at a community college, so I'm not really expecting to do anything huge with this degree, but I'd like for that to happen. However, I have a setback: I am disabled. My dream is to transfer and go for an acting or musical theatre major. Best of luck to you!!

[hpeabody930]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 7:21pm

Look at Boston University. I just finished my freshman year there and I can say whole heartedly that their BFA program is absolutely incredible.