Best colleges for theater?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

*Julliard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Best colleges for theater is no college.

No, Yale

[Anonymous]

Yale drama school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NYU Tisch, Carnegie Mellon, Julliard, Northwestern, Yale, DePaul in Chicago.

I studied theater at Columbia College Chicago, and it is a small, private arts college that won't show up on any of your "best of" lists anywhere; but if I had to do it again and could get in anywhere, I would probably go back to Columbia. The short of it is the faculty -- they are all working in the industry and well respected in the community. Chicago is a great theater town.

But you really can't go wrong with my first list.

This PP here. Oh, and if you need recommendations for monologue coaches for the auditions, let me know and I can make some recommendations.

NP here--Recommendations for monologue coaches would be much appreciated, thanks!

[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.

+1 this is exactly what we told DD who loves theater. She knows that her prospects of making a decent living is slim to none getting a job on stage. So, she'll major in something else more marketable, and either minor in theater or do community theater.

Thanks for the tip from a PP who suggested to pick a univ that is not known for theater so that kids who are interested but not majoring in it can get involved.

[Anonymous]

I would agree that Yale Drama School is prestigious. What about Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and the other, well established drama schools like LAMDA, Rose Bruford and Bristol Old Vic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is child interested in musical theater or acting? Stage or film/television? Programs differ!

Elon (NC) and Muhlenberg (PA) are two others with well-regarded programs, along with SUNY Purchase.

I was just about to say Elon (NC). I'm an alumni, but they just posted that they are in the Top 10 colleges for grads working on Broadway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yale drama school.

That is grad school only.

I posted earlier that to recommend, it is important to know what type if program/degree OP is looking for. A lot of people just post based on reputation or lists without understanding these programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yale drama school.

This is not accurate for undergrad study.

[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.

Not sure where I heard what ?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have feedback on Belmont University in Nashville for theater major?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

*Julliard

Almost! It's Juilliard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have feedback on Belmont University in Nashville for theater major?

Not sure on theater-specific focus but their music program is excellent and there is obviously some crossover. It’s on our list for my kid who is interested in music and/or theater.

[Anonymous]

Paying $$$ majoring in thater at college
Seriously WTF

[Anonymous]

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

I was just going to mention Kenyon (I'm not familiar with Emerson). There's a lot of opportunity for students to get involved in theater -- there are lots of opportunities. There are even opportunities to participate in student films. But, it can be hard to get into the drama classes.