Chosing a College Program

[Madelena Margaret]

Posted: 10/1/18 at 8:57pm

 Hey! So I'm currently a grade 12 student so I've been looking at universities. In most of the universities I have looked at Musical Theatre and Arts are two separate programs. I was wondering what is the difference in a professional view between having a musical theatre degree verses an arts degree. My natural thinking told me to go for the musical theatre degree but then I wouldn't be able to minor in anything else or have many electives, I just want to know the differences between their worth.

[HugoP]

Posted: 10/1/18 at 10:23pm

I'm sure many young professionals can weigh in on your Arts vs Musical Theatre question, but here are a few things to be thinking about:

Musical Theatre training at the college level comes in a lot of flavors.   There are BFA programs and BA programs, there are some programs where the musical theatre performers actually study in a BA or BFA Music program, there are some where you study for a BFA or BA in Acting or Theatre Arts.     Some programs are run more like a Conservatory, where pursuing a Minor in another field (say, Business or English) might be difficult.   But there are many programs where you can focus on Musical Theatre training (in a BA or BFA) and do a minor in something else.   Some programs are dance-focused;  some are trying to graduate a lot of triple-threats, etc etc.   

My two cents (I have a daughter who is in her final year of a BFA Musical Theatre program and has loved it, but it's left little time for other fields of study):    get a sense of the full range of available programs, ask lots of questions of musical theatre professionals in your city (most cities have very good regional theatre companies that often cast young professionals with Musical Theatre training-- used to be limited to NY, Chicago, LA, Boston....but now they are everywhere).

One more thing:   Get started on this fact-finding RIGHT AWAY if you are already a senior:   some Musical Theatre programs require a taped audition (with specific requirements) that needs to be submitted in the Fall (like, NOW) to be considered to secure a Live Audition.     They don't care too much about top quality photography (lots of people shoot things on their phones) but you need to put some real care into song selection.    

Good luck!!

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/1/18 at 11:44pm

I could go on forever, but honestly, no one in the audition room is going to care if it’s a BA in Theatre, a BM in Music, or a BFA in Musical Theatre. All they will care about is what you can do. A degree from a top program might help you get an agent or an audition, but it won’t get you the job.

I got a BA double majoring in Theatre and English (I recommend against majoring in English though - have you seen Avenue Q?), and then, deciding I wanted more training, got an MFA in Acting. I’m almost 36 and still feel this was the best choice.

I always encourage high school age aspiring actors to avoid getting a BFA because college should be about learning a lot of things, not just one field - especially if that one field will pay what basically amounts to minimum wage (take a look at what most Equity regional theatres pay per week...for the few weeks you are actually working). I would highly recommend getting a double major in theatre and something else you are interested in as well (preferably something that could help you make money on the side). You can always supplement your training with voice lessons, dance classes, etc. BFA programs are a huge money trap and will deprive you of a well-rounded education.

[Speed]

Posted: 10/2/18 at 12:09am

The University of Michigan is the answer to your question.  Syracuse was the first school to offer a degree in musical theater back in the 80s and then Brent Wagner, the man who started that program, took it to Michigan and what was unique about Michigan back then was that the Acting program was (and is) in the School of Music.  You didn't have to choose between a Vocal degree or an Acting degree like those at Juilliard must do.  It was all in the same school and you were able to get a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theater.  What's also great is Michigan is a great academic school.  If you want a double major, you'll be getting a great education in whatever else you choose.  Michigan is also a big school with a great athletic program so while you get the small focused musical theater program (about 20-25 students per class), you also get a big fun old fashioned college experience.  So not only do you have to beat out hundreds of people for one of those 25 slots, you also need to have a good academic resume to get in.  For starters, "Chosing" isn't a word but I hope that was typo.  If you're curious about its alumni, well there are four Tony winners (Jeff Marx for the score of AVENUE Q, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul for the score of DEAR EVAN HANSEN, and Gavin Creel for his performance as Cornelius in HELLO DOLLY).  Besides the slew of successful theater actors including Tony nominees Erin Dilly, Celia Keenan Bolger, Hunter Foster, and Jennifer Laura Thompson, the alumni also includes TV series regular actors such as Barrett Foa (NCIS) and Eric Millegan (Bones).  Alum Josh Rhodes, a dancer in FOSSE on Broadway, has become a Broadway choreographer (CINDERELLA, BRIGHT STAR, and more) who has seen his star rise with his acclaimed work as choreographer AND director of GRAND HOTEL at City Center.  Alum David Kirshenbaum has composed two Off-Broadway musicals- VANITIES and SUMMER OF 42.  If you can't get into Michigan, there are a LOT of schools offering the BFA degree in Musical Theater now so you might look at those too.  Shoot for Michigan though.

[Speed]

Posted: 10/2/18 at 12:15am

The Distinctive Baritone said: "I could go on forever, but honestly, no one in the audition room is going to care if it’s a BA in Theatre, a BM in Music, or a BFA in Musical Theatre. All they will care about is what you can do. A degree from a top program might help you get an agent or an audition, but it won’t get you the job.

I got a BA double majoring in Theatre and English (I recommend against majoring in English though - have you seen Avenue Q?), and then, deciding I wanted more training, got an MFA in Acting. I’m almost 36 and still feel this was the best choice.

I always encourage high school age aspiring actors to avoid getting a BFA because college should be about learning a lot of things, not just one field - especially if that one field will pay what basically amounts to minimum wage (take a look at what most Equity regional theatres pay per week...for the few weeks you are actually working). I would highly recommend getting a double major in theatre and something else you are interested in as well (preferably something that could help you make money on the side). You can always supplement your training with voice lessons, dance classes, etc. BFA programs are a huge money trap and will deprive you of a well-rounded education."

When did the OP say she wanted to impress in an audition room?  That shouldn't be the focus of what school you choose.  The audition room comes later.  MM seems to be looking for a good education and wants to know the best place to get one.  Michigan is the best. In addition to the acting, singing, and dancing training, you also take academic classes from world class professors and can double major in another subject if you would like.  

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 10/2/18 at 12:34am

^^^ And U. of Michigan alumnus, Darren Criss, just won an Emmy.

One of my closest friends went to U. of M. and I am impressed with how well the alumni from there network and advance each other's careers. So give it high marks for that, too.

But you have to be one of the chosen 25 (though I think there may be other majors (e.g., Dance) that have some affiliation and allow one to audition for productions).

There are plenty of alternatives, however: Northwestern, UCLA, NYU and other large, competitive schools offer programs based more or less on the Michigan model. Even a second-tier school like Florida State has a great facility and a large and well-funded Theater Department PLUS an equally distinguished Music Department that sometimes collaborate (or did years ago when my friends attended).

ETA: Read again Distinctive Baritone's excellent advice. Like him, I got a BA in Theater Arts and then an MFA in Playwriting. To my mind it's the best of both worlds: a good BA program will teach how to think and teach you about a lot of forms of theater other than recent, commercial productions. Grad school is always more specialized so that is the best place for intensive, practical training. Of course, Juilliard always looks good on a resume, but I wonder whether that is the best approach for undergrads.

Updated On: 10/2/18 at 12:34 AM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/2/18 at 1:05am

U of M is great, but I don’t think you can double major there with theatre or music and a liberal arts subject. I recommend against BFA programs because I think going to undergraduate school for ONLY theater is very, very limiting. You can get a BA double majoring in theatre and history, psychology, math, etc. and supplement your theatre training in other ways if you wish. That is, IMO, the best way to go.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 10/2/18 at 1:40am

The Distinctive Baritone said: "U of M is great, but I don’t think you can double major there with theatre or music and a liberal arts subject. I recommend against BFA programs because I think going to undergraduate school for ONLY theater is very, very limiting. You can get a BA double majoring in theatre and history, psychology, math, etc. and supplement your theatre training in other ways if you wish. That is, IMO, the best way to go."

DB, though I have already posted my agreement with your conclusion in general, I'm not sure about your focus on a double major. Not if one hopes to also do theater productions while an undergrad. I directed three shows while an undergrad, but I had to cut back a little on course hours to make time. Add a major and a minor and general requirements and I was already putting in 12-16 hours per day studying. When would I have added a second major?

Also, none of the majors you mention really helps one in a job search--except for the mere fact of getting a degree. You could teach middle school with a degree in history, but only if you were also pursuing a master's degree in the subject anyway.

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 10/2/18 at 2:28am

The best thing you can do for yourself right now is to get a copy of the book I Got In! by Mary Anna Dennard. That book is indispensable for navigating the process of applying to college in theatre.

Also, the forums at talk.collegeconfidential.com can be useful. You'll have to wade through all of the anxious stage moms, but there is so much useful information on that website.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/2/18 at 7:22pm

Gaveston -

While double majoring in Theatre and English, I appeared in ten productions and also spent a year in a sketch comedy group. It can be done. This was Indiana U. Most theatre majors did a double major with something else.

Applying for a day job with ANYTHING other than just theatre will help your chances a lot, unless you just want to wait tables. Besides, it will help you keep your options open, and in the very least, give you a better education.

[WayTooBroadway]

Posted: 10/2/18 at 8:06pm

Skip college. Look at Laura Osnes.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/2/18 at 10:47pm

Yes, on the other hand, there are many highly successful actors in all mediums who did not major in it in college, or go to college at all. Training does not have to occur in a college or university.

Also, having a particular degreee from a particular school is no guarantee of anything. There are plenty of people who went to Juilliard whose careers never went anywhere.

[Mike Costa]

Posted: 10/2/18 at 11:44pm

Distinctive Baritone knows his stuff. Good call. Musical Theater programs are so lucrative for colleges yet there are so few Jobs out there for person to make a living that the programs should be illegal.

Spend your money on a college program where you can actually make a living-and possibly do well. Sure, 5% of the graduates do very but this means 95% are all doing something else by the time they are forty and have not even finished paying back their loans.

This is from a guy on Broadway did  finish paying back his loans still, it was not worth it.