Applying to Theater Programs? Here’s some things to consider!
If you’re approaching your senior year of high school and are planning to major in theater, now is the time to start researching programs (especially now as we’re in quarantine!). But, you might be thinking, “How do I begin this process? What are the most important factors when choosing programs to apply to?” Below are some factors from me as well as some peers of mine that we considered important when it comes to applying to schools.
I wanted to make this list because when I was applying to colleges, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t really do any research on programs and what goes into the college audition process. Because of this, I ended up with really limited options and ended up not getting into any musical theater programs. If you feel lost, or you don’t really have anyone to guide you into this process, this post should help you begin!
What programs should you apply for? - My best advice is to apply to a mix of programs. Don’t just apply to the big MT schools (NYU, CMU, U Mich, etc.). Tons and tons of people are going to be applying for these programs and they don’t accept many. With theater, it’s important to have a range of places. Look for BFAs of course but also look at BAs. Look for audition-only programs and non-audition programs. Look into MT programs but also look into Acting and general Theater as well.
Where do you want to go to school? - This was a huge factor I didn’t consider until December of my senior year. I realized I wanted to be close to home, which left me with two schools I could choose from. Consider this factor early on. Do you want to be close to home? (I understand this might not be an option for many people). Do you want to be near a city or a smaller town? East Coast, West Coast, or Midwest? It might not seem like it, but this factor has more weight than you think.
What size school do you want? - Do you want a large school with a big student population and things to do or do you want a smaller, more condensed environment?
What learning environment suits you best? - This one is sort of a mashup of the last two, but it’s the overall point of those two questions. You want to find a program that suits your learning abilities best (location and size are big factors for this!!).
What do you want outside of your major? - I think this is something that’s forgotten because we get so wrapped up in the audition process. What other opportunities does the school have to offer outside the art department? For example, I wanted to make sure I’d be able to get a student job on-campus. Maybe for others it’s the ability to join a fraternity or sorority. You’ll need something outside of the theater-major world to escape to every now and then (trust me it’ll keep you sane).
How do the art programs interact? - Will you be able to join choir if you’re not in the music school? Can you take dance if you’re not a dance major? Can you take voice lessons if you’re not in MT/Vocal performance? This was a deciding factor to a few friends of mine, and it’s very important when considering! In my personal experience, the ability to take classes from the music/dance school have been a saving grace for me. If you want a well-rounded artistic experience, consider this!
This is the most concise way I could keep it! I know these factors seem very broad, but they’re the jumping off point you need when you begin to research schools! As I said before, I didn’t think of any of these things until it was too late. If you start doing the research now your process will be smoother, especially because many theater programs require prescreens. And remember, you do not need a BFA from a top school to have a career in theater!!!! Good luck and please send me any further questions about this process that you might have!
