BWW Blog: The Challenge of Studying Musical Theatre In College

You did it. After four long years of sitting in greasy desks that are too small for you, you finally graduated high school. The well awaited promise of college is even closer than it has ever been before. And to make things even better, you found a school that fits all of your needs and wants, and you wholeheartedly believe that you are going to become the person you were always meant to be. But, what if college isn't all that you expected it to be? What if instead of being filled with passionate, like-minded learners, you feel like you are alone and no one truly understands you?

In life, sometimes things don't always end up the way that you planned them out in your head. Honestly, often times they don't. Deciding to attend a college or university to earn a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre is a huge undertaking. Not only do you have to stay on top of your traditional school work, you also have to find time to practice songs for your voice lessons, rehearse for the various ensembles that your school may offer, rehearse the monologues you are assigned in Acting class, make sure that you know the choreography for your dance classes, work on a show if it is being offered at that time, and potentially find a job to begin saving up money to pay off your school loans which you most likely inevitably have to take out. Oh, and don't forget completing your homework!

I attend Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, PA and am currently working towards earning my BFA in Musical Theatre. Since LBC is a biblically-minded institution, you are required to take a certain amount of bible classes before you graduate. In completing these classes, you actually end up graduating with a double major in Biblical Studies and your professional field of choice. Since I wanted something to fall back on when I don't have a solid acting job, (and since I am slightly insane), I decided to add a Communications minor to my degree. In addition to my academic classes, I am involved with Chamber Singers, a small classical a cappella ensemble; Chorale, a large-scale vocal ensemble focusing on classical choral literature; work at the school's box office, The Trust Performing Arts Center in downtown Lancaster, and the café on campus called Bennee's Bistro.

Something that makes my school unique is that we own The Trust Performing Arts Center in Downtown Lancaster, which is utilized to house both concerts by touring and local professionals, student recitals, and the newly founded Reverie Actor's Company. Being housed in a revitalized old bank, there is amazing acoustics and simply beautiful architecture. I could explain more, but I'll leave that up to Google. Our school is also one of the few schools that hones in on Meisner's acting technique, offering multiple courses focused specifically on that. In addition to that, LBC also offers a Musical Theatre Workshop in the fall, an Opera Workshop in the spring, both performed in the Trust; and a fall and spring production, both performed on campus in the Good Shepherd Chapel. Our most recent spring production was Bye Bye Birdie. In the past, LBC has partnered with local professionals to direct productions; and professional theatre companies such as Sight and Sound Theatres, and Servant Stage Company. Now that I've explained to you all about the program which I hold dear to my heart, I'll get back to the original point of this article.

In college, anywhere you are, you will be busy. It is just a fact. You have to choose what and who you put your time and energy towards. Making the choice of the right thing or person to put your energy towards can be stressful, yet rewarding. In my own experience, college has taught me abundantly about myself, time management, and priorities. It is a plain fact that college is expensive. The nature of that is a factor in motivating you to devote all of your effort towards your work. Some of the work that you get the chance to home during college is professional work, interpersonal work, and inward work. Making the choice of which of these to spend copious amounts of time and energy toward will reward you further down the road in your life. Be sure to make the right choice.

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