BEST COLLEGES BFA MUSICAL THEATER- Page 8

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 11/9/05 at 7:59pm

You're right, lostleander. CMU does not come close to the cut program at CCM. It's an entirely different type of program, and, in my opinion, a superior one. :)

[champzboy]

Posted: 5/3/06 at 6:17pm

This has come up a few times throughout the duration of this topic, but it all boils down to the same thing: go to the schools, sit in classes, watch some shows...immerse yourself in each individual school's community. i (like most of you) was set on going to either CCM, CMU, NYU, and other "top" programs but went to UARTS in Philly for an audition and fell in love with everything about the school and then UARTS became my #1 and the others followed suit. I was accepted into a couple great programs and ended up choosing to go to UARTS in the end. Basically, go to the program that is best for you. In the end, it wasnt about the name of the program that was important to me, it was knowing that the program I choose with allow me to grow in an environment that is safe, nurturing, harsh, and real. Just go visit the schools and go to the one that fits you best! Just a thought.Later!

[YAE2005]

Posted: 5/3/06 at 6:39pm

it might seem a bit random, but the university or arizona had an AMAZING program. Check it out if you get the chance.

[ThE nEw KiD]

Posted: 5/3/06 at 7:16pm

If this hasn't been said, JRB teaches at USC though still it doesn't have an amazing musical theater program but Kelly Ward is amazing!

[TheAudrey3]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 4:58pm

I'm going to Hartt at U Hartford next year (Actor Training, not MT) but from the people I've met and talked to, it seems like it's pretty competitive. And they're all talented.

Plus, you get to work with Goodspeed.

[icantbelive]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 6:29pm

I think Northwestern now is overrated,
Yale (if u have the money)
UCLA
NYU

[zoom]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 6:45pm

If you're serious about musical theater..you MUST check out Oklahoma City University. Note..I didn't say University of Oklahoma (a crappy school for MT if you ask me after researching).

Most importantly, OCU gives a BM in music..not a BFA. Why? because the musical theater department is in the School of Music. Hey...what a novel idea having a MUSICAL theater department in a MUSIC school! That tells you the kind of intense training you're going to get at OCU.

And just look at the graduates all over Broadway. I'm sure you know Kristin and Kelli.

Plus they just opened the new $38 million music school facility which is the most up-to-date music school in the nation.

If you're serious about musical theater..then it's OCU.

[jakethesnake]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 3:14am

icantbeleive----yeah Northwestern is overrated? They have only produced (and I'm just sticking with the current crop, not the old school ones from back in the day like Warren Beatty, Ann Margaret, etc.)---Brian Darcy James, David Ayers, Stephanie Dabruzzo, Mark Ledbetter, Kate Baldwin, Zach Braff, Kate Shindle, Jeri Ryan, Nicole Sullivan, Craig Bierko, Heather Headley, Jason Moore, and countless others that are too long to list. It is most definitely NOT overrated.

[gustof777]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 9:36am

Exactly Northwestern is AMAZING!! I gotta put in some love for my school UArts...really young program but great training in a great enviorment.

Posted: 6/10/06 at 10:09am

Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY

[elphaba.scares.me]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 12:08pm

Re: Northwestern, yes it is good. Very good.

But as a poster pointed out, like, a year ago at the beginning of this thread, it is NOT a BFA. Actually, the music program is a BA and the acting program is a BS (hee), believe it or not.

There is no audition to major in theatre. There are no cuts. There's an academic application like most other majors. If you want to do musical theatre (and I think a certificate program is a great amount of time to devote to it, because it shouldn't be all you can do), you can audition at the end of your freshman or sophomore years. Or both.

The glue holding the program together is Dominic Missimi. I don't know how the curriculum would fare without him driving it forward, but a lot of people have gotten a very good education out of it. There wouldn't be a certificate program if not for him, not to mention the new developmental program or a million other things.

Like most of the other major schools, NU has senior showcases in New York and (usually) L.A. They participated in New Leagues for a while with the other big schools, but I'm not sure how they're handling it now.

To each his own, but I cringe at the thought of being cut from a program at age 19 or 20. I think a lot of actors take longer to develop than that, and I didn't want that constant pressure to perform. I wanted to learn.

Full disclosure: the dance program has, in years past, not been that strong. And since it's a liberal arts-based program, you're required to take lots of courses outside your major. I found sociology and psychology and political science and English immensely helpful in learning about human behavior as it relates to acting, but it's not for everybody.

[elphaba.scares.me]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 12:10pm

Also, icantbelive--

Yale has perhaps the most-worshipped graduate acting program in the country, but their undergrad program is not considered to be as strong.
Updated On: 10/21/06 at 12:10 PM

[Stagerage2003]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 12:14pm

Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo Michigan is a wonderful program for a BFA in Music Theatre Performance.

Alumni such as Stephen Lynch and Marin Mazzie have gone through our program.

PM me if you want some more information!

[IveGottaBeME]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 3:49pm

LaChanze went to UArts

[niknat08]

Posted: 11/11/07 at 10:22pm

What do you think about Kent State or Ball State?
If not, what has strong Musical Theatre AND Dance programs?

[Elphie3]

Posted: 11/11/07 at 10:25pm

Tisch - NYU

[outovfashion07]

Posted: 11/11/07 at 10:40pm

Niknat i am currently attending Kent. PM me and we can chat about the program.

[MikeMTlover]

Posted: 11/12/07 at 12:15am

Some people here have some really warped ideas of the top musical theater schools. there are many musical theater schools out there but there a few that are for sure at the top.

University of Michigan is currently the top school
CCM
Boston Conservatory
NYU
Baldwin Wallace (Iim surprised no one has talked about this school. It is one of 6 college that were aloud to preform phantom this year)
Elon (again one of the school given the rights to phantom)
Carnegie Melon

There are other good school but that is pretty much the gist of the top MT schools.

Majoring in Musical Theater is much more beneficial than simply Vocal performance, dancing, or acting. When you audition for a show you much sing, dance and act. That is why musical theater is different from straight theater, dancing companies, and choral singing.

It is possible to pursue musical theater if you do not major in it, but it is simply harder and not the smartest route.

There are differences in BFA's and BM's. You get more specialized training in singing if your school offers a BM. Typically for musical theater majors at top schools getting into the program means your singing is your strong point. So you do not need quite as much training in music. Acting is typically a weak point for freshman musical theater majors that is why in my personal opinion a BFA is more beneficial.

However, if you plan to live in NYC you can be a substitute music teacher if you graduate with a BM and for many aspiring Broadway actors they will run into money problems at some point so the option to teach could be nice =)

[lovelyspotlight]

Posted: 11/12/07 at 1:08am

Talk about bumping up a really old thread, MikeMTlover. =P

Just for a clarification about Northwestern (since I'm here and I know), you can get a BA in theatre if you add language in. That's the sole difference between getting a BS and getting a BA. A BA requires that you have two foreign language credits.

Also, I would agree that the musical theatre training here is superb. And you can actually get a good amount of it without even being in the MT certificate program. For instance, you can declare a dance minor and take those difficult-to-otherwise-get-into dance classes (which, as I understand, are currently quite stellar). You can (and many do) take non-major voice classes with musical theatre specialized instructors. You DO have to audition to be placed with those instructors, but...you can do it. =]

I just saw "Boys from Syracuse"...and the musical talent is pretty phenomenal. True, Northwestern doesn't offer a BFA, but the MT certificate program and all of the theatre courses here are widely renowned as being quite wonderful. Plus, I've seen the products of that. Haven't seen a bad show yet. Quite the contrary.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/12/07 at 1:44am

Another OCU alum:

Linda Twine, musical director and conductor for "Caroline, or Change" and "The Color Purple." Also played in the pit/conducted "The Wiz," "Big River," "Frog and Toad," "Bring Back Birdie," "Ain't Misbehavin'," and LaChuisa's "The Wild Party."

:)

I love my school <3

[IlseArielEponine]

Posted: 2/17/08 at 10:15pm

Is it too crazy if you double major in two BFA's? For example: a BFA in Vocal Performance and a BFA in Acting. Usually voice would be a B.M. but it's a BFA at CMU. I just wanna know if it will kill me with all of those credits.

Also at CMU, voice majors take A LOT of semesters in Acting, so would there be a possibility of taking the same exact classes that you would in your acting major?

[Aswatrowinkenbo]

Posted: 2/17/08 at 11:20pm

Does anyone know if Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA is any good?

[BoTheMusical]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 5:37pm

Here is my attempt at a list for best BFA MT schools

Top3: (arguable all could be #1)
CCM
UMich
BoCo

Class B: (well known for MT and in no order)
Penn State
CMU
NYU
Millikin
Elon
Webster
Baldwin-Wallace
UArts
Ithaca
Northwestern (with no BFA)
Point Park

Class C: (not as well known, but still good, in no order)
Roosevelt (CCPA)
Florida State
U Central Florida
Illinois Wesleyan
OCU
U Arizona
UCLA
Marymount Manhattan (no BFA MT)
Catholic University
Western Michigan
Wright State
Ball State

As you can see this list is VERY lengthy. There are WAY too many MT Schools in the nation, which is why what matters most is which school is best for YOU. Don't go off of reputation, go off of your assets, what you need to work on and the vibe you get from those universities.

[Bearfann14]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 7:46pm

I would agree mostly with "Bothemusical", but there are some schools i would change around in his list, and I have also added some, either due to experience or experience/reputations of others I know and i have talked to in the buisness.
(I am a current BFA MT student)

Top3: (arguable all could be #1)
CCM
UMich
NYU

Class B: (well known for MT, whether by reputation of program or graduates working, and in no order)

Penn State
Boco
CMU
Millikin
Elon
Webster
Illinois Wesleyan
Baldwin-Wallace
Ithaca
Northwestern (with no BFA)
Point Park
UArts
Syracuse

Class C: (not as well known, but still good, in no order)
Roosevelt (CCPA)
Florida State
U Central Florida
OCU
U Arizona
UCLA
Marymount Manhattan (no BFA MT)
Catholic University
Western Michigan
Wright State
Ball State
Emerson
Shenandoah Conservatory

[bjkeys321]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 11:41am

i'm going to be a junior in high school next year and I know that MT is what I want to do, so I was wondering if you guys knew any summer camps to go to for theater! I was thinking Interlochin because I got accepted for their 4 week string quartet program and it was worth it, it improved my playing a lot (violin). I don't know anything about the MT program though, so, I was just wondering if you guys had any input or any really really good camps.

I was also looking at University of Michigan for College. What are other colleges that I should keep in mind for MT?