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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:
Best colleges for theater is no college.

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.