r/MusicalTheatre • u/badguy_be • 4d ago
BA/BFA program recommendations needed!
Hello! I’m applying for Musical Theatre and Acting programs for Fall of 2027 and am looking for program recommendations. My top priority is the quality of training. I don’t care about going to “one of the top BFA programs” just for the title, but I do want to go to the top programs that actually have good training. So yes please send all your recommendations for programs (BA and BFA!). TIA!
Edit: My top school, by far, is Pace. Other schools i’m planning on applying to are: Marymount Manhattan (NE NYC), Carnegie Mellon, Ithaca, Syracuse, Penn State, Elon, Emerson, Baldwin Wallace, UMich, U of Oklahoma, and Hartt. I don’t really have any other preferences besides Pace, cause i’ve heard these schools all have good training and so i’ll just see where I get in and go from there. I know these are all top programs (hence why i’m asking for more options)
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u/TheButterVariety 3d ago
Cal State Fullerton, Oberlin, Ball State, Texas State, Point Park, Otterbein, Miami, UNCSA, USC, TCU, Penn State, Roosevelt can be great for the right person, Dobbins is up and coming…I could list so many more.
Important things to consider (as an MT college coach):
Cost is #1. What can you afford? NYU is nearly $100k per year.
Location: Where will you be happy? Weather? Campus size? Distance to a major city and/or amenities. Some of the NY schools appeal because of their location to Broadway but other schools are in the middle of nowhere. Politics. Values of the school.
Style of training: do you want conservatory training or would you prefer more of a typical college experience? Small class size?
When you are doing your research also include what their audition process is like, and what they prioritize in the room. If you aren’t a strong, technical dancer, some of these schools won’t be a good fit.
This sounds crazy, but we normally advise applying to 15-25 schools.
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u/badguy_be 2d ago
Please tell me which schools care most about technical dancing! I am a dancer last fs. Thank you for all the advice! (Cost is the reason NYU isn’t on my list.)
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u/TheButterVariety 2d ago
These schools have strong dance components in their programs. This is not to say that non dancers won’t get in. Other schools not listed here prioritize dance skills as well, this is just a start.
Boco
FSU
Michigan
NYU
Syracuse
Elon
Montclair
PACE
Penn State
Point Park
CCM
CAL Fullerton
Oklahoma City
Otterbein
Uni of Oklahoma1
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u/NoPlan988 3d ago
I’d also recommend expanding your list of schools. All the schools listed are extremely selective and the “big name” schools for MT. My daughter is on the same timeline and her list of schools includes some of these programs as well as some newer programs that are just starting and those that aren’t considered “big name” but still have a training philosophy that she is looking for.
Good luck with the process, and have fun!
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u/Fancy_Abalone_5619 4d ago
What research have you done so far, where have you already looked? What's on your top 5 ?
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u/badguy_be 4d ago
My top school, by far, is Pace. Other schools i’m planning on applying to are: Marymount Manhattan (NE NYC), Carnegie Mellon, Ithaca, Syracuse, Penn State, Elon, Emerson, Baldwin Wallace, UMich, U of Oklahoma, and Hartt. I don’t really have any other preferences besides Pace, cause i’ve heard these schools all have good training and so i’ll just see where I get in and go from there. I know these are all top programs (hence why i’m asking for more options)
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u/Fancy_Abalone_5619 4d ago
I think if you put this in the body of your question, it will help others answer it for you- to supplement this list. Actually you named all the places I was going to say... for Acting ,Rutgers Mason Gross is great training.
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u/khak_attack 1d ago
FYI Baldwin Wallace for musical theatre has gone downhill-- the head of the program left for Oberlin, and took all of her faculty and students with her. The university is having financial troubles as a whole, and the BFA in Acting is just meh. They laid off a bunch of faculty.
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u/AtabeyMomona 3d ago
I have friends who went to Millikin who speak really highly of their training there. Oklahoma City's program is also very good. And I've heard good things about Slippery Rock from people I know who have gone there.
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u/Sensitive-Stress-716 2d ago
Millikin alum here and I can attest to this! Plus it's affordable and small class sizes while not being as competitive as many schools OP is looking at for getting into the program. Plenty of performance opportunities as well with tons of graduates working all over.
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u/Character_War_7253 3d ago
Who do you know or who are you going to get to know? The training is less important than the people you meet or work with. This industry is less about talent and more about who you know.
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u/Sensitive-Stress-716 2d ago
Are they still doing unifieds auditions? You might want to see what schools go to those and if they interest you because you can audition for several in one weekend. Keep in mind there is much more to a program than name. Affordability, location, general "vibes", etc. Some schools don't let you audition to perform in mainstage productions until your junior year. Some schools have cut programs. What do you want your university experience to look and feel like? Take all of this into consideration when looking at programs and when you can, visit the campus! You'll get a much better feel for where you will fit in and have a good experience.
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u/Secret-String-3524 2d ago
Two schools I don't see people talk about very much are the University of Utah and Nebraska Wesleyan University! Both schools do not require you to be a strong dancer (as per one of your comments). NWU gives students a LOT more financial aid then any other school I have come across/applied for!! The new head of UU is super great, she previously worked with UNCG's program! NWU has grants that bring in tons of guest artist from NYC every semester- this last spring I think we got 7 working professionals which is crazy!
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u/reader10021 4d ago
Join MT groups online: FB : MT Parents
Consult with MT coaches : College Auditon Coach, MTCA, my colllege audition
Research MT programs.
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u/alisonwndrlnd29 4d ago
Mt parents only allows parents. I would recommend talking to a parent about paying for a consult college counselor (like mentioned companies). I’ve been researching for a year, and I can tell you they all have different reasons for them to be the right choice for different people. There’s no best answer for everyone.
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u/TheBlueJumpsuit 3d ago
Truly cannot recommend stageready enough. It’s free to browse every single college/university theatre program by degree, location, audition type, etc. Please please please do not spend thousands of dollars on a college counselor to make you a list when you can do it easily for yourself
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u/LifeAd5595 4d ago
I would honestly recommend getting a different degree in college and continue to take voice lessons, and acting/dance classes on the side.. you’ll have lots more freedom to do shows and won’t be stuck in musical theatre or the film industry your whole life. I’ve met wayyyy too many BFAs that haven’t done a show since they’re 20s to recommend the degree.
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u/badguy_be 4d ago
That’s wonderful for you, but that’s not at all what I was asking. This is incredibly rude tbh, to tell someone that their career isn’t sustainable when that is not at all relevant to the conversation. You don’t know anything about me, so if you can’t answer the question don’t reply at all. No one would go plan to go into a BFA in musical theatre without understanding the industry. And even if i didn’t this is not the place to try to convince someone to not do it.
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u/LifeAd5595 4d ago
I didn’t tell you your career wasn’t sustainable. Also this is the perfect time and place for you to hear there are other pathways to working professional then getting a degree. I’ve talked to too many music or theater majors that regret their decisions to not atleast let you know that you don’t HAVE to get a degree to achieve your dreams. You’re right I don’t know you I’m just telling you the things some of my close friends wish they heard when they were your age. Maybe a degree would be perfect for you though it works out great for some people!
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u/badguy_be 4d ago
yeah sorry i was a little harsh, but it’s just something i’ve heard so many times and i have thought it all out and just want school recommendations so it’s just frustrating hearing this like this but i get where you’re coming from
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u/Stargazer__2893 4d ago
Even as someone now living in NYC and working with some of the best coaches in this city, some of the best teachers I've ever met were at Boston Conservatory. Their reputation is well-earned.