Colleges with fun theater programs

[Anonymous]

The small LACs are good bets. I'm seeing a lot of schools named here that are not good bets because a non-theater major is unlikely to get cast.

-- professional actress who studied theater in undergrad

[Anonymous]

Wesleyan has a really fun department with a main department that hosts productions and seniors own plays and then Second Stage which is a student theatre group! Would highly recommend from DC’s friend whose a theatre major there

[Anonymous]

Re: schools with powerhouse theatre programs, even the "extra curricular" theatre programs/clubs that aren't run by the theatre department are often saturated with the kids in the theatre/MT major who aren't getting cast in mainstage shows (unless they're in a conservatory that forbids participation in non-departmental shows, which is sometimes the case).

I'm guessing your kid's stats might be above it, but if you're looking for a local safety, UMBC has a fairly robust student theatre culture outside of the major/BFA program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. Muhlenberg and Denison are both terrific suggestions. Great programs, with tons pf opportunities for non majors.

Agree, these are the best ideas I've seen so far. Syracuse, Michigan and Northwestern are WAY too competitive for a non-major. I suspect Wesleyan is, too, in the wake of Lin Manuel Miranda's fame.

[Anonymous]

In addition to Muhlenberg, I’d add Elon, Ithaca, and Drew to the list. All known for strong theater programs but have BA or minor options for those who aren’t looking for a competitive conservatory-style BFA. Sarah Lawrence is another idea (known for theater and arts but open curriculum).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dc is a theater kid. Decent voice, decent acting abilities, but is not top, definitely not professional. But they love theater so much and want to do it as a heavy activity in college. Which colleges have a big/strong theater program where a kid who loves to perform can have opportunities and a lot of fun?

Fwiw: Kid is also has a great GPA and rigorous course load in public school, good extracurriculars. Loves history, art, and writing. But theater is their passion, even if it’s not their future.

Are you asking about colleges with good student run theatre groups where a non-major has a good chance to participate or is your kid looking into a minor in theatre? Also is it theatre specifically or would they also be interested in theatre adjacent like student run groups for dance, film, improv, or singing?

University of Michigan has several student-run clubs for theatre as well as many more if you include dance, vocal, and improv. William & Mary, has lots of a cappella groups and is known for having a strong extracurricular in that area.

Michigan has the Residential College which operates an in-dorm 300 seat theater for the enrollees admitted to the RC to use to put on shows. I just went to their very nice strolling outdoor production of Shakespeare's "As You Like It". Another group is the North Campus "Rude Mechanicals". U of M also has strong a cappella. All of these are open to non-theatre/non-music majors.

While looking at schools, I noticed that Illinois Champaign Urbana had a student org that puts on musicals.

Baldwin-Wallace in Ohio does very high quality shows and does send grads to Broadway. I don't know if there are many barriers to entry but it's a small college with a heavy focus on music training.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Baldwin_Wallace_University_people

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan has a really fun department with a main department that hosts productions and seniors own plays and then Second Stage which is a student theatre group! Would highly recommend from DC’s friend whose a theatre major there

FYI that Second Stage fell apart during covid. Spike Tape replaced it.

My kid is starting at Wesleyan in the fall and had a fantastic tour of the theater department at admitted students day. There are tons of opportunities on stage and behind the scenes, including for non-majors. And then beyond the theater department productions/operations there are the shows put on by Spike Tape and other student collectives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan has a really fun department with a main department that hosts productions and seniors own plays and then Second Stage which is a student theatre group! Would highly recommend from DC’s friend whose a theatre major there

FYI that Second Stage fell apart during covid. Spike Tape replaced it.

My kid is starting at Wesleyan in the fall and had a fantastic tour of the theater department at admitted students day. There are tons of opportunities on stage and behind the scenes, including for non-majors. And then beyond the theater department productions/operations there are the shows put on by Spike Tape and other student collectives.

It’s sad how many student cultures have been decimated by COVID! In many ways, it seems that students forgot how to “do” college after Covid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan has a really fun department with a main department that hosts productions and seniors own plays and then Second Stage which is a student theatre group! Would highly recommend from DC’s friend whose a theatre major there

FYI that Second Stage fell apart during covid. Spike Tape replaced it.

My kid is starting at Wesleyan in the fall and had a fantastic tour of the theater department at admitted students day. There are tons of opportunities on stage and behind the scenes, including for non-majors. And then beyond the theater department productions/operations there are the shows put on by Spike Tape and other student collectives.

It’s sad how many student cultures have been decimated by COVID! In many ways, it seems that students forgot how to “do” college after Covid

It was replaced with another group that does the same thing, so I don't think this is an example of students forgetting how to "do" college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In addition to Muhlenberg, I’d add Elon, Ithaca, and Drew to the list. All known for strong theater programs but have BA or minor options for those who aren’t looking for a competitive conservatory-style BFA. Sarah Lawrence is another idea (known for theater and arts but open curriculum).

Elon is a BFA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. Muhlenberg and Denison are both terrific suggestions. Great programs, with tons pf opportunities for non majors.

Muhlenberg attracts a lot of competitive actors -- either ones who didn't get into BFA of choice or ones who want more balance in curriculum. It may be hard to get cast.

[Anonymous]

Schools with theater minor would be the best way.

[Anonymous]

Drew

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In addition to Muhlenberg, I’d add Elon, Ithaca, and Drew to the list. All known for strong theater programs but have BA or minor options for those who aren’t looking for a competitive conservatory-style BFA. Sarah Lawrence is another idea (known for theater and arts but open curriculum).

Elon is a BFA

Elon also has a BA in drama and theater studies, plus opportunities for students to participate in vocal ensembles. There’s also an interdisciplinary minor in Expressive Arts. Lots for non-BFA students.

https://www.elon.edu/u/academics/arts-and-sciences/performing-arts/majors-minors/drama-theatre-studies-homepage/drama-theatre-studies-facts/

https://www.elon.edu/u/academics/arts-and-sciences/expressive-arts/

[Anonymous]

Northeastern’s program isn’t well known, probably because it’s next to Boston Conservatory and Emerson College. That could be a good choice for the casual theater person.