Theatre College Q & A for Students
Extra Curricular Theatre vs. being a Major/ Minor?
Only you really know the answer to this question. If you cannot imagine your college experience as anything other than being a full time theatre student working towards a career in the performing arts then you know a Major is the only way to go. But if you're seriously torn, and maybe are struggling with a lack of support or understanding at home, a different major in a college with a fantastic extra-curricular department might be enough to keep you smiling and hitting the books.
But be sure to do your research. Some great liberal arts colleges have amazing extra curricular theatre programs. Some don’t. Ask pointed questions if as you research a college. Sometimes a thriving extra-curricular department can be exclusive and cliquey if it is entirely student governed. Look for programs that have faculty, or guest artists directing projects that look interesting to you. This way even if you’re not a major you can still learn what you love!
But be sure to do your research. Some great liberal arts colleges have amazing extra curricular theatre programs. Some don’t. Ask pointed questions if as you research a college. Sometimes a thriving extra-curricular department can be exclusive and cliquey if it is entirely student governed. Look for programs that have faculty, or guest artists directing projects that look interesting to you. This way even if you’re not a major you can still learn what you love!
Theatre Majors are BFA or BA? What does that mean?
What is the difference between a BA and a BFA degree? The BA or Bachelor of Arts degree is a liberal arts degree with a concentration in the art form. For theatre students this means the degree is more academic; meaning you may be reading and writing about theatre more than making theatre. Students can expect to spend approximately 40% of their time in class and 60% of their time doing research and writing.
The BFA or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a concentrated pre-professional training degree. For theatre students this means at least 80% of your time will be spent in studio classes. This means students spend more hours IN CLASS actually creating work and less time writing and reading about the work. In most cases rehearsal and production is actually a credited course. So basically you can expect to be in class from 9 AM to 11 PM. I loved every second.
Some colleges actually offer a BS, or Bachelor's of Science in Theatre, Communications, or Performing Arts. These programs tend to fall somewhere between a BA and BFA. They are more hands on, but not quite as intensive as the conservatory style training offered by most BFAs.
Other big things to consider, BFA programs tend to be inflexible. Four years of course work are outlined by the institution and few accept transfer credits. BA programs are also easier to negotiate a double major.
It is much easier to go from BFA to BA if you have a change of heart than from a BA to a BFA. The later is also super expensive because a BFA program will expect you to start over as a freshman even if you’re in your third year of college.
The BFA or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a concentrated pre-professional training degree. For theatre students this means at least 80% of your time will be spent in studio classes. This means students spend more hours IN CLASS actually creating work and less time writing and reading about the work. In most cases rehearsal and production is actually a credited course. So basically you can expect to be in class from 9 AM to 11 PM. I loved every second.
Some colleges actually offer a BS, or Bachelor's of Science in Theatre, Communications, or Performing Arts. These programs tend to fall somewhere between a BA and BFA. They are more hands on, but not quite as intensive as the conservatory style training offered by most BFAs.
Other big things to consider, BFA programs tend to be inflexible. Four years of course work are outlined by the institution and few accept transfer credits. BA programs are also easier to negotiate a double major.
It is much easier to go from BFA to BA if you have a change of heart than from a BA to a BFA. The later is also super expensive because a BFA program will expect you to start over as a freshman even if you’re in your third year of college.
How do I know if I should apply/ audition for BFA programs?
If you’re even asking this question, you should. It is easier to down shift from the intensive BFA experience to the more academic BA experience than the other way around. And it will cost less! Trading UP into a BFA means starting freshman year over – or a fifth year of college. Eek!
Let the college application and audition process be part of your learning. Going through the auditions can ONLY provide valuable experience and if you are not accepted into any of the BFA programs then it was not meant to be - this year. You can always reapply and audition again. But remember you are auditioning them as much as they are auditioning you. Have options. Having a few BFAs and BAs your application stack is a great place to be.
Let the college application and audition process be part of your learning. Going through the auditions can ONLY provide valuable experience and if you are not accepted into any of the BFA programs then it was not meant to be - this year. You can always reapply and audition again. But remember you are auditioning them as much as they are auditioning you. Have options. Having a few BFAs and BAs your application stack is a great place to be.
How do I prepare my auditions/ portfolio interview?
Accept every challenge you can while you're still in high school. This means being involved in as many Beacon Main Stages as you can - no matter how big or small you believe your role/ assignment to be. Diversify your experience on and off stage. Theatre artists are chameleon. Take Theatre Ensemble. Take Production. Choreography, Digital Film, Art Honors, Creative Writing and any other related courses in and out of school. Keep a video and digital photo library of your work. For acting applicants take Advanced Theatre Arts as many times as your schedule allows. Each semester will offer you different material that you can eventually choose your college audition monologues from. It is built into the curriculum. Participate in ITS events. Presenting high ranking Individual Events will not only give you credentials to add to your resume but also give you practice presenting your audition/ portfolio to professionals for critical feedback.
What if my parents will only let me be a Theatre Major, if I DOUBLE Major?
LUKCY YOU! Recognizing a drop in enrollment many previously exclusive departments have opened up to casting minors, or even non-majors in main stage productions AND allowing in some cases even allowing BFA candidates to double major in related fields. Common overlap is found in English Lit, History, Psychology, or Education. Sometimes double majors require a fifth year to complete capstone assignments in both departments. I regret not doing the fifth year to finish my double major as an undergrad. Not doing so cost me 80K because I had to repeat much of the same course work in my Master’s degree to get my teaching certification. So ask your potential Theatre Department what the rules and regs are and make it happen!
Should I apply to Julliard? Yale? NYU? Brown? I heard they have the BEST Theatre training in the country!
Many people agree that these are fantastic programs that crank out amazing artists that work! But I would recommend you consider them for graduate school. All of these programs invest most of their time and energy in their Master’s candidates. My advice is to let yourself mature artistically in a solid undergraduate experience first.