Where do I start ?

[Ms.Daniella]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 3:47pm

Hi my name is Daniella. I'm 19 from Israel and I am a soprano( I think I can even say that I'm a dramatic soprano) . Last year I realized that I want to be a broadway actress. And I realized that in Israel I won't get what I need therefor I need to study In the states to get the best training .
Since I'm an Israeli citizen I have to join the army for two years. So in the meantime I want to catch up with you guys in the U.S who knew that's your goal in life. Therefore I really need your help . What types of vocal training do I need to catch up with? What are the best universities with the best programs of musical theatre ? Is there a thing like Niada from the show Glee? In New York ? Where can I start ?

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 4:07pm

COLLEGES OFFERING UNDERGRADUATE MUSICAL THEATER DEGREES

NON-AUDITION BA?s, BM?s and AA?s
--Birmingham-Southern College (review at the end of sophomore year) (AL)
--Brandeis University (BA in Theatre Arts w/ MT Track) (MA)
--California State University, Chico (CA)
--California State University - Northridge (BA Theatre, MT Minor) (CA)
--Carthage College (WI)
--Christopher Newport University (BA Theater w/MT Track) (VA)
--Coker College (BA-Theater, MT concentration via College of Music) (SC)
--Columbia College (IL)
--Dean College (AA, 2-year program) (MA)
--DeSales University (PA)
--Friends University (KS)
--Johnson State College (VT)
--Muhlenberg College (BA Theater-Performance; BA Music-Performance, BA Dance...can double major...optional audition) (PA)
--Northern State University (SD)
--Northwestern State University (BS in Theatre with MT Performance concentration) (LA)
--Ouachita Baptist University (BM) (AK)
--St. Edward's University (BA w/MT concentration) (TX)
--Santa Clara University (BA in Music w/MT Minor) (CA)
--SUNY, Oswego (BA with MT track) (NY)
--University of Akron (OH)
--University of Nebraska (BA Performance, MT Minor) (NE)
--University of Nevada, Las Vegas (NV)
--University of New Hampshire (BA and Minor) (NH)
--University of Tulsa (BA and Minor) (OK)
--Vincennes University (AS, 2 year degree) (IN)
--West Virginia Wesleyan College (BA and Minor) (WV)
--Western Connecticut State University (CT)


NON-AUDITION BFA?s, AFA?s and 2-year Certificates
--Avila University (MO)
--Brenau University (GA)
--Catawba College (NC)
--Marietta College (OH) University of South Alabama (AL)
--Mars Hill College (NC)
--Nebraska Wesleyan (NE)
--Northern Kentucky University (KY)
--Notre Dame de Namur University (CA)
--Shorter College (13-15) (GA)
--Southwestern University (BFA Theater w/MT emphasis) (TX)
--University of California - Irvine (CA)
--University of Southern Mississippi (BFA in Theatre with MT "Professional Training" option) (MS)
--Western Kentucky University (KY)
--Wichita State University (KS)
--Young Harris College (AFA-Associate of Fine Arts) (GA)


AUDITION BA?S AND BM?S
--Adrian College (MI)
--American University (DC)
--Arizona State University (BM) (AZ)
--Ashland University (BA Theatre w/MT concentration) (OH)
--Baldwin-Wallace College (BM) (10-12) (OH)
--Belmont University (BM & BFA) (TN)
--Bowling Green State University (BA Communications Specializing in MT) (OH)
--Casper College (AA) (WY)
--Catholic University (BM) (DC)
--Emory and Henry College (BA MT Pre-Professional Track) (VA)
--Florida State University (BM and BFA) (FL)
--Heidelberg University (BA/BS Theatre with MT Emphasis) (OH)
--Illinois State University (IL)
--James Madison University (BA and BM) (VA)
--Manhattanville College (BA Music w/concentration in MT) (NY)
--Marymount Manhattan (BA with MT Minor)
--Marywood University (BA) (PA)
--Meredith College (NC)
--Nazareth College (BA) (NY)
--New York University: Steinhardt School of Education (BM) (20-30) (NY) *
--North Central College (IL)
--Northeastern University (BM with MT minor) (MA)
--Oklahoma City University (BM) (OK)
--Palm Beach Atlantic University (FL)
--Plymouth State University (NH)
--Rhode Island College (BA Theatre w/ MT concentration)
--Rollins College (BA Theatre w/MT concentration) (FL)
--Russell Sage College with NYSTI (BS) (NY)
--Samford University (AL)
--Seton Hill University (BA Theatre w/ MT emphasis) (PA)
--SUNY, Cortland (BA, and Minor) (NY)
--SUNY, Geneseo (NY)
--Susquehanna University (BA Theatre w/ MT emphasis) (PA)
--Temple University (BA Theater w/MT emphasis/concentration) (PA)
--University of Alabama (AL)
--University of California - Los Angeles (12-15) (CA)
--University of Central Oklahoma (BM) (OK)
--University of Miami (BM and BFA) (FL)
--University of Missouri, Kansas City (BA Music with Theatre concentration) (MO)
--University of Mobile (BM) (AL)
--University of North Carolina at Pembroke (BM) (NC)
--University of Northern Colorado (CO)
--University of Southern Maine (BM) (ME)
--University of Tampa (FL)
--University of Texas at Arlington (BM) (TX)
--University of Wisconsin - Green Bay (WI)
--Wagner College (approximately 30) (NY)
--Weber State University (BA or BS) (UT)
--West Chester University (BA Theatre w/ MT emphasis) (PA)
--West Texas A&M (TX)
--Western Carolina University (BM and BFA) (NC)
--Wilkes University (BA) (PA)


AUDITION BFA?s, AFA?s and 2-yr Certifications
--Abilene Christian University (TX)
--American Musical and Dramatic Academy (2 year certificate or BFA) (CA/NY)
--Ball State University (IN)
--Belmont University (BM & BFA) (TN)
--Boston Conservatory (MA)
--Brigham Young University (BFA in Music Dance Theatre) (UT)
--CAP21 Professional MT Training Program (2 year Certificate in MT) (NY)
--Carnegie-Mellon University (10) (PA)
--Central Michigan University (MI)
--Central Washington University (WA)
--Circle in the Square Theatre School (2 year program) (NY)
--Coastal Carolina University (16) (SC)
--Cornish College of the Arts (BFA Performing Arts w/MT emphasis) (WA)
--Culver Stockton College (MO)
--Drake University (IA)
--East Carolina University (NC) *
--Elon University (NC)
--Emerson College (24) (MA)
--Florida State University (BM and BFA) (FL)
--Howard University (DC)
--Illinois Wesleyan University (IL)
--Indiana University (IN) *
--Ithaca College (NY)
--Jacksonville University (FL)
--KD Studio (2 year program) (TX)
--Kent State University (OH)
--Lindenwood (MO)
--Long Island University - C.W. Post (NY)
--Millikin University (IL)
--Missouri Valley College (MO)
--Montclair State University (NJ)
--New World School of the Arts (AA and BFA) (FL)
--New York University: Tisch School of the Arts: New Studio on Broadway for MT and Acting, other studios offer some MT courses (NY)
--Oakland University (MI)
--Ohio Northern University (OH)
--Otterbein College ( (OH) *
--Pace University (NY)
--Pennsylvania State University (15-20) (PA) ? optional pre-screen
--Point Park University (PA)
--Rockford College (IL)
--Roosevelt University (IL)
--Sam Houston State University (TX)
--Santa Fe University of Art and Design (NM)
--Shenandoah Conservatory (VA) *
--Sheridan College (BAA - Bachelor of Applied Arts - in MT Performance (WY)
--Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (IL)
--Southern Oregon University (BFA Theater, Minor in MT) (OR)
--Southwest Missouri State (MO)
--SUNY, Buffalo (NY)
--SUNY, Fredonia (NY)
--Syracuse University (25-30) (NY)
--Texas Christian University (TX)
--Texas State University-San Marcos (TX) *
--Tulane University (BFA through Music department) (LA)
--University of Arizona (9) (AZ)
--University of Central Florida (FL)
--University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music (22-24) (OH)
--University of Colorado at Boulder (CO) *
--University of Florida (FL)
--University of Hartford--The Hartt School (25-30) (CT)
--University of Idaho (ID)
--University of Kansas (BFA Theatre & Voice, through Music) (KS)
--University of Memphis (BFA in Theater Performance w/emphasis in MT)(15) (TN)
--University of Miami (BM and BFA) (FL)
--University of Michigan (20) (MI) *
--University of Nebraska at Kearney (BFA through Music department) (NE)
--University of North Dakota (ND)
--University of Oklahoma (12) (OK) *
--University of South Dakota (SD)
--University of Southern California (BFA in Acting, Minor in MT) (CA)
--University of Texas at El Paso (TX)
--University of the Arts (BFA - also offers MT Minor) (PA)
--University of Utah (UT)
--University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point (7- (WI)
--University of Wyoming (WY)
--Valdosta University (GA)
--Viterbo University (WI)
--Webster University (MO)
--Western Carolina University (BFA and BM) (NC)
--Western Illinois University (IL)
--Western Michigan University (MI)
--Westminster College of the Arts at Rider University (NJ)
--Wright State University (13) (OH)
--Youngstown State University (OH)

* Pre-screening DVD/digital audition required for invitation to audition

BA-to-BFA?s
--California State University, Fullerton (BA, audition for freshmen applicants; BFA, audition at end of 2nd yr) (CA)
--Clarion Univ. of Pennsylvania (audition for BFA during 2nd or 3rd semester) (PA)
--Hofstra Univ. (audition for BFA in Theater Performance, MT Minor after 2 yrs) (NY)
--Lees-McCrae College (audition for BFA at end of 1st year) (NC)
--Metropolitan State College of Denver (audition for BFA once you enter the college to get into the degree program) (CO)
--Northwestern University (BA Theater or BM Music, audition at the end of 1st yr for MT certificate) (IL)
--Southern Utah University (audition at end of 1st yr for BFA in Theatre w/MT Emphasis) (UT)
--Stephens College (audition for BFA at end of 1st year) (MO)
--University of Minnesota-Duluth (audition for BFA at end of 1st yr) (MN)
--University of Mississippi (audition for BFA after 1st yr) (MS)
--University of West Florida (audition for BFA at end of 1st yr) (10) (FL)
----

If you are looking for something like the NYADA-type setting ( which is fictional) then you would probably be interested in schools like: Carnegie Mellon, University of Michigan, Tisch, Conservatory school of Music, Ithica and a few others. But you really shouldn't worry about what the BEST school is, think about what school is right for YOU. There are plenty of universities that offer amazing Musical theatre programs without being anywhere near New York.

Updated On: 3/30/14 at 04:07 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 5:54pm

Then remember you just really have to want it, go for it, and don't take no for an answer!

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 5:57pm

^ Slow day in Boston, Nams?

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 8:33pm

Don't worry too much about the two years you will "lose" in the Army. I mean, please try not to get shot, but most sopranos don't mature fully until well into their 20s or even 30s.

ETA although well-meaning, I'm not sure the laundry list above is going to help you much. You will want to decide what sort of program you want: liberal arts with a concentration on music or theater, or conservatory-style (like NYADA on GLEE).

I've been out of academia for a decade and really haven't kept up with how programs have evolved, but if you do a search, you will find discussions on different schools in older threads.

There's also a "students'" thread. You might find something there... Updated On: 3/30/14 at 08:33 PM

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:08pm

Maybe consider coming to England to study?
If you're looking for a school like NYADA then England has more of those than the US.
Look up schools like RADA, Mountview, Central School of Speech and Drama, Guildford School of Acting, LIPA, Blackpool+Fylde College.

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 3/30/14 at 9:40pm

I remember Chaim Topol (who played Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof both on stage in London and in the film adaptation) said on the Fiddler DVD commentary that he got his start as a stage performer during his service in the Israeli army, performing for soldiers. Maybe things have changed a lot in the subsequent decades, but maybe you could look into non-traditional service activities during your 2-year army service - maybe there is some way available for you to hone your skills as a performer while serving?