Best colleges for theater?

[Anonymous]

How would your recommendations change if kid wants to pursue a minor in theater but major in something else such as Business of Technology? Kid has a flair for theater, actively pursues/participates but does not want to major in it in college.

[Anonymous]

One other caution - debt to major in theatre should be avoided. Employment prospects for those who want to work in the industry are limited, and all sorts of interim employment is common. Paying student loans is difficult.

A kid I have mentored went to Northwestern to major in theatre. Took out loans to do so even with merit aid. He wanted to focus on dance performance but found that dance is even more competitive than in terms of physical ability than D1 athletics. Ended up with a communications degree.

Loans loom so large in his life and he needed a full time job. Lucky enough to get a high school drama teaching job and he is a talented actor and choreographer. His loan obligations make him tied to the job and he is finding that he cannot break into theatre. He could have gone to University of Florida on a Bright Futures scholarship and it illuminates why discussion over “dream schools” can be harmful. Since the academic industrial class shows little interest in reducing costs and charging tuition that outplace inflation, a keen focus on debt, especially in fields like theater, is necessary.

Of course, for students of wealthy parents this is not an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would your recommendations change if kid wants to pursue a minor in theater but major in something else such as Business of Technology? Kid has a flair for theater, actively pursues/participates but does not want to major in it in college.

Anywhere they like that has a theater department. If they aren't going to pursue it professionally, they don't need to go to Juilliard or Tisch.

[Anonymous]

Best colleges for theater is no college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Best colleges for theater is no college.

Wrong. College trains actors in their craft and strong BFA conservatory programs have industry connections that open doors to careers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would your recommendations change if kid wants to pursue a minor in theater but major in something else such as Business of Technology? Kid has a flair for theater, actively pursues/participates but does not want to major in it in college.

For a minor, I would avoid conservatory programs that usually restrict opportunities to BFA or MFA candidates. Larger schools with BAs may also have some restrictions. It's worth a call to the department because whether they restrict opportunities to majors isn't always obvious.

Liberal arts colleges will usually provide ample opportunities for a minor to get involved and access interesting classes and good training. Wes, Vassar, Bard, Skidmore come to mind.

Or, kid may choose a school that isn't known for theatre but attracts students who want to do theatre among other things (like U Rochester) or be a key factor in a small theatre dept if they choose a schoot with more tech focus (like RIT).

I'm the theatre prof who posted earlier. I haven't made any recs for OP yet because she hasn't said what type of program they're looking for (unless I missed that). There are so many options out there when it comes to theatre.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would your recommendations change if kid wants to pursue a minor in theater but major in something else such as Business of Technology? Kid has a flair for theater, actively pursues/participates but does not want to major in it in college.

I would choose for the desired major first. When you tour, ask a lot of questions about whether it's possible to minor in theater or for non-theater majors to get cast in shows. In some schools, the theater programs are so robust that there's not much room for anyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would your recommendations change if kid wants to pursue a minor in theater but major in something else such as Business of Technology? Kid has a flair for theater, actively pursues/participates but does not want to major in it in college.

Friend of mine's kid was very active in theatre in high school. Ended up at UVA, hoping to major in Business and minor in theatre. They have some new facilities for the arts that impressed him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One other caution - debt to major in theatre should be avoided. Employment prospects for those who want to work in the industry are limited, and all sorts of interim employment is common. Paying student loans is difficult.

A kid I have mentored went to Northwestern to major in theatre. Took out loans to do so even with merit aid. He wanted to focus on dance performance but found that dance is even more competitive than in terms of physical ability than D1 athletics. Ended up with a communications degree.

Loans loom so large in his life and he needed a full time job. Lucky enough to get a high school drama teaching job and he is a talented actor and choreographer. His loan obligations make him tied to the job and he is finding that he cannot break into theatre. He could have gone to University of Florida on a Bright Futures scholarship and it illuminates why discussion over “dream schools” can be harmful. Since the academic industrial class shows little interest in reducing costs and charging tuition that outplace inflation, a keen focus on debt, especially in fields like theater, is necessary.

Of course, for students of wealthy parents this is not an issue.

Please read the above comment with the knowledge that the student did not take advantage of the option to double major or to triple major at Northwestern University--which is easy to do for theater majors.

Regarding dance opportunities at Northwestern University:

https://dailynorthwestern.com/2021/08/15/ae/almost-20-dance-groups-take-center-stage-on-campus/

Northwestern admits theater majors without an audition, however those who wish to focus on dance are grouped by ability after entering Northwestern.

Musical theater majors at Northwestern are required to audition in their second year.

A bit foolish to major in theater at Northwestern without engaging in at least a second major.

Northwestern University's theater program is a BA which offers theater majors a great deal of options & flexibility--unlike most BFA programs.

The top two theater programs may be Northwestern University for those interested in a BA in theater and CMU (Carnegie Mellon University) for those talented enough & dedicated enough to commit to a BFA program.

Some students who enter the Julliard School for drama/acting/theater have already earned a college degree. Most Juilliard students major in music related areas, not acting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One other caution - debt to major in theatre should be avoided. Employment prospects for those who want to work in the industry are limited, and all sorts of interim employment is common. Paying student loans is difficult.

A kid I have mentored went to Northwestern to major in theatre. Took out loans to do so even with merit aid. He wanted to focus on dance performance but found that dance is even more competitive than in terms of physical ability than D1 athletics. Ended up with a communications degree.

Loans loom so large in his life and he needed a full time job. Lucky enough to get a high school drama teaching job and he is a talented actor and choreographer. His loan obligations make him tied to the job and he is finding that he cannot break into theatre. He could have gone to University of Florida on a Bright Futures scholarship and it illuminates why discussion over “dream schools” can be harmful. Since the academic industrial class shows little interest in reducing costs and charging tuition that outplace inflation, a keen focus on debt, especially in fields like theater, is necessary.

Of course, for students of wealthy parents this is not an issue.

Please read the above comment with the knowledge that the student did not take advantage of the option to double major or to triple major at Northwestern University--which is easy to do for theater majors.

Regarding dance opportunities at Northwestern University:

https://dailynorthwestern.com/2021/08/15/ae/almost-20-dance-groups-take-center-stage-on-campus/

Northwestern admits theater majors without an audition, however those who wish to focus on dance are grouped by ability after entering Northwestern.

Musical theater majors at Northwestern are required to audition in their second year.

A bit foolish to major in theater at Northwestern without engaging in at least a second major.

Northwestern University's theater program is a BA which offers theater majors a great deal of options & flexibility--unlike most BFA programs.

The top two theater programs may be Northwestern University for those interested in a BA in theater and CMU (Carnegie Mellon University) for those talented enough & dedicated enough to commit to a BFA program.

Some students who enter the Julliard School for drama/acting/theater have already earned a college degree. Most Juilliard students major in music related areas, not acting.
Juilliard has a separate drama program.
Also look at Wagner College - great the trade program, and VCU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would your recommendations change if kid wants to pursue a minor in theater but major in something else such as Business of Technology? Kid has a flair for theater, actively pursues/participates but does not want to major in it in college.

I think this is harder. My kid was sort of like this and went to a school with a decent but not top theater program (not mentioned here) and found that if you weren’t a theater major there wasn’t room to really do much. I think you want a place that isn’t really know for theater because that will have more opportunities for people to participate

[Anonymous]

Aside from the big names--NYU Tisch, USC, UCLA, Michigan, Yale--you should look into schools like Kenyon and Emerson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One other caution - debt to major in theatre should be avoided. Employment prospects for those who want to work in the industry are limited, and all sorts of interim employment is common. Paying student loans is difficult.

A kid I have mentored went to Northwestern to major in theatre. Took out loans to do so even with merit aid. He wanted to focus on dance performance but found that dance is even more competitive than in terms of physical ability than D1 athletics. Ended up with a communications degree.

Loans loom so large in his life and he needed a full time job. Lucky enough to get a high school drama teaching job and he is a talented actor and choreographer. His loan obligations make him tied to the job and he is finding that he cannot break into theatre. He could have gone to University of Florida on a Bright Futures scholarship and it illuminates why discussion over “dream schools” can be harmful. Since the academic industrial class shows little interest in reducing costs and charging tuition that outplace inflation, a keen focus on debt, especially in fields like theater, is necessary.

Of course, for students of wealthy parents this is not an issue.

Please read the above comment with the knowledge that the student did not take advantage of the option to double major or to triple major at Northwestern University--which is easy to do for theater majors.

Regarding dance opportunities at Northwestern University:

https://dailynorthwestern.com/2021/08/15/ae/almost-20-dance-groups-take-center-stage-on-campus/

Northwestern admits theater majors without an audition, however those who wish to focus on dance are grouped by ability after entering Northwestern.

Musical theater majors at Northwestern are required to audition in their second year.

A bit foolish to major in theater at Northwestern without engaging in at least a second major.

Northwestern University's theater program is a BA which offers theater majors a great deal of options & flexibility--unlike most BFA programs.

The top two theater programs may be Northwestern University for those interested in a BA in theater and CMU (Carnegie Mellon University) for those talented enough & dedicated enough to commit to a BFA program.

Some students who enter the Julliard School for drama/acting/theater have already earned a college degree. Most Juilliard students major in music related areas, not acting.

Not sure where you heard this, but you have to undergo several rounds of auditions if applying for theater.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would your recommendations change if kid wants to pursue a minor in theater but major in something else such as Business of Technology? Kid has a flair for theater, actively pursues/participates but does not want to major in it in college.

NYU. Is the kid good at it? Would they ace an audition?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One other caution - debt to major in theatre should be avoided. Employment prospects for those who want to work in the industry are limited, and all sorts of interim employment is common. Paying student loans is difficult.

A kid I have mentored went to Northwestern to major in theatre. Took out loans to do so even with merit aid. He wanted to focus on dance performance but found that dance is even more competitive than in terms of physical ability than D1 athletics. Ended up with a communications degree.

Loans loom so large in his life and he needed a full time job. Lucky enough to get a high school drama teaching job and he is a talented actor and choreographer. His loan obligations make him tied to the job and he is finding that he cannot break into theatre. He could have gone to University of Florida on a Bright Futures scholarship and it illuminates why discussion over “dream schools” can be harmful. Since the academic industrial class shows little interest in reducing costs and charging tuition that outplace inflation, a keen focus on debt, especially in fields like theater, is necessary.

Of course, for students of wealthy parents this is not an issue.

Please read the above comment with the knowledge that the student did not take advantage of the option to double major or to triple major at Northwestern University--which is easy to do for theater majors.

Regarding dance opportunities at Northwestern University:

https://dailynorthwestern.com/2021/08/15/ae/almost-20-dance-groups-take-center-stage-on-campus/

Northwestern admits theater majors without an audition, however those who wish to focus on dance are grouped by ability after entering Northwestern.

Musical theater majors at Northwestern are required to audition in their second year.

A bit foolish to major in theater at Northwestern without engaging in at least a second major.

Northwestern University's theater program is a BA which offers theater majors a great deal of options & flexibility--unlike most BFA programs.

The top two theater programs may be Northwestern University for those interested in a BA in theater and CMU (Carnegie Mellon University) for those talented enough & dedicated enough to commit to a BFA program.

Some students who enter the Julliard School for drama/acting/theater have already earned a college degree. Most Juilliard students major in music related areas, not acting.

Not sure where you heard this, but you have to undergo several rounds of auditions if applying for theater.

+1

Knowing Juliard grads myself, an applicant has to be the top of the top, sometimes world wide, to be accepted.