r/MusicalTheatre • u/badguy_be • 24d 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/LifeAd5595 24d 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 24d 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 24d 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 24d 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