Double Major and Musical Theatre in College - 2008/03/17 19:06My mother has told me that if I major in Musical Theatre and won't pay for college. But, I was thinking that maybe I'll double major in Musical Theatre and in Graphic Design or Multimedia Design (something of the like) or some science (physics [maybe going into astronomy] or physical therapy). Musical Theatre is a passion of mine and I would love to find a program at a college that is good and that I can do both. I know it would be a lot of work but I love musical theatre and probably would do just about anything so that I can do it. But yeah, is it possible? People have told me it is but well, they are my friends and I don't know if they are being that honest. I'm willing to go to school longer and take courses in the summer.
Also, do you know any programs that don't require a second audition or if they do, are not as harsh in the audition if you were in the program the year before. I was thinking University of Arizona but I would like more options. Also, the tuition is not a HUGE deal but i'd like to keep it below 25k.
Thanks for the help. :] I'd REALLY appreciateCurrently: Penelope Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You Past: Henrietta (Honk Jr.)
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Jbug
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Re:Double Major and Musical Theatre in College - 2008/03/17 21:33Double Major is a great idea. Some schools encourage their students to double major or minor in a 2nd subject. It just means that when you check out schools, check out all of the departments you are interested in. It is very important to visit the schools if you can before you enroll.
Another thing you can do is to jump start college at a local Jr. College the summer immediately after graduating from H.S. to get some of your basic classes out of the way. That will give you more time to concentrate on your favorite classes at the more expensive 4 year school. You know what classes I mean, things like "English 101", History, a math course, etc. The classes every college make you take to get any degree. Take courses like that at the Jr. College and save a little money! Show your mom that you are serious about your education as well as theatre. Maybe she might cut you some slack a little. VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure that the classes you take will transfer to your 4 year school. You want all your credits to go towards the 4 year degree. Otherwise, it is a waste of your time.
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itshairspray
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Re:Double Major and Musical Theatre in College - 2008/03/17 21:35Thank you so much! We have quite a few colleges where I live so I'm definitely going to look into it. :] Thank you.Currently: Penelope Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You Past: Henrietta (Honk Jr.)
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I'm planning on majoring in business and hopefully minoring in theater. It's one of those things that I absolutely love, but I don't have the level of talent necessary to really "make it big" so I know I need to have a day job. But I want to do theatre my whole life so I'm excited!
Is there anyone on here currently in college or who already graduated who's doing something like this? I know I would appreciate any comments from someone who's been there and itshairspray probably would too.
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katoru
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Re:Double Major and Musical Theatre in College - 2008/03/18 12:04My younger brother is majoring in chemistry and minoring in drama right now. He's going to try and switch into the drama major in a couple years and have a double major instead, though.
I don't know about anywhere else, but drama majors (and musical theatre majors) are pretty intense here and don't leave much time for anything else. The musical theatre program here suggests you don't have a job or a significant other while you're in the program, nor does it allow you to audition for outside shows in the community, because of the time commitment. The actors in that program go to school six days a week, from 8am until about 10pm, sometimes even later if they're rehearsing for a show. Definitely look into the requirements of any program and see if it's possible to double major at all.
When my brother switches into the major (he'll be in third year by then), he's going to take drama exclusively, and after that he will take the rest of the chemistry courses he's missing for his other major.
Post edited by: katoru, at: 2008/03/18 12:06Kathleen Sera Current Shows: Crazy For You - Patricia Upcoming Auditions: Anne Of Green Gables - Anne, Diana
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Jbug
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Re:Double Major and Musical Theatre in College - 2008/03/18 12:23I want to add that I have heard that some Jr. Colleges allow students who are still in H.S. to take certain courses before they graduate from H.S. As long as the courses transfer to the 4 year school of your choice, this could be another way to get through some of your basics before hand. However, they might have some requirements before letting you come. You might have to be a certain age, be a senior in H.S., or have a certain grade point average. Wouldn't hurt to check it out.
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itshairspray
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Re:Double Major and Musical Theatre in College - 2008/03/18 15:30I'm going to talk about it with my parents and the college counselor (maybe because he doesn't know what he is doing at times) about it. If all comes to not, I'll just minor in musical theatre. But yeah, I'm going to see if it's possible. Thanks for the help. If anyone else comes a long and has some advice, I'd love to hear it. Thank you!Currently: Penelope Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You Past: Henrietta (Honk Jr.)
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peaceplease
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Re:Double Major and Musical Theatre in College - 2008/03/21 19:23I know exactly where you are coming from. My parents won't pay for a theatre degree, so I am majoring in Journalism/Communication and minoring in Theatre. Of course, you aren't as immersed in the program as a major, but this my first quarter as a theatre minor and i am already the costume crew head. It really depends mostly on how much effort you are willing to put in. Make sure that you're grades in your major (or main major, as your case may be) are decent, and don't be afraid to randomly stop by the theatre department. At the beginning of this quarter I was terrified of the theatre building (because everyone knew everyone and I was coming in half-way through the year) but now the theatre department is like my second home. Basically, determination is the key to picking up a minor or second major. (And in the case of the second major, summer school classes in your general education requirements is not a bad idea, unless you don't mind taking an extra 1-2 years to graduate.) Best of luck to you!Danielle
Upcoming Auditions: "Into the Woods" (Fall 2008); "Noises Off" (Fall 2008); "How I Learned to Drive" (Fall 2008)
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alouette
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Re:Double Major and Musical Theatre in College - 2008/03/21 20:05I'm sort of in the same boat as you. I'm going to college in the fall (not really sure where yet) as a voice and French major, which actually makes me a double degree candidate. Fun.
My advice is to look for programs that are open to double majoring, that don't just allow it but actively accommodate and encourage it. I can't tell you what a breath of fresh air it was to talk to a potential voice teacher who said, "Oh, yes, you should absolutely be studying outside the music major" without making any judgments about my seriousness about music.
It isn't because this is a bad or easy program; it's actually very well thought-of. It's just that the voice faculty thinks that a well-rounded singer is one who has life experience beyond just...singing. So really investigate, and talk to potential teachers and current students.
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itshairspray
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Re:Double Major and Musical Theatre in College - 2008/03/22 11:22Yeah. I might end up just minoring in musical theatre though because of the pressure from my mother. I hope to graduate and then do community theatre on the side, wherever I live.Currently: Penelope Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You Past: Henrietta (Honk Jr.)
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Addicted2Driftwood
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Re:Double Major and Musical Theatre in College - 2008/03/22 13:49If you plan to do community theatre on the side, and not pursue Broadway or something, DEFINITELY major in something else. You want to be able to get a job.
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1) If you go to a Community College and get an Assoc. of Arts or an Assoc. of Science, any four year institute will let you walk in as a Junior. They call it the 2 + 2 initiative. Consider doing that. You will save a lot of money plus you will have 2 degrees. Some people look down their noses at "arty" colleges, but if you say that you ALSO graduated with an AA or an AS, it could give you some additional gravitas.
2) Think about this: Major in Education and get a teaching certificate to teach...DRAMA! YOu would still have to take Acting classes and all of those courses (and be in the plays and musicals) but when you got out, you would be able to get a job in a middle school or high school and make money until you got your big break.
Think it over. These are weighty decisions. Good luck, whatever yoiu decide.
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broadway bound
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Re:Double Major and Musical Theatre in College - 2008/03/23 18:27I'm in the middle of my college searches right now. A relative of family friends is a Broadway actress and her advice was to not major in musical theatre, but to major (or if you have to, minor) in drama. Now I have been singing and dancing my whole life so that was a surprise. But when she explained her reasoning, it made sense. She said that if you major in drama, you will get the intense acting classes and get to study some great classics and modern plays that you wouldn't get as a musical theatre major. Also, when people find out that you can sing and dance, you will seem so much more valuable. Just make sure you continue to take dance and voice lessons to hone your skills. This idea works for me and I just wanted to share it. Whatever school you go to, make sure they will let you audition for the musicals even if your not a musical theatre major. Some friends of mine say that their school will let any one audition but its a well known fact that they only cast the musical theatre majors. So ask the students too. Don't just rely on the college propaganda.Is that the smell of sulfur? Oh its a stage effect!
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itshairspray
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Re:Double Major and Musical Theatre in College - 2008/03/24 00:08Right now I'm thinking that I'll minor in musical theatre or just theatre. Or double major but it depends on the hours it requires for each major. I was thinking about education in theatre as well.Currently: Penelope Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You Past: Henrietta (Honk Jr.)
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As a current musical theater performance major in college, I can totally simathise( arg spelling) with the whole finding of a college and the whole audition process. The big thing I can recogmend is unless you really truely plan on doing musical theater as a career minor in theater. because the programs are killer intense and it can be a nightmare unless you truely live and breathe musical theater.
but hey, if yo got any questions about colleges and auditions, let me know!Melissa
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Recently: Miss Gloria Thorpe in Damn Yankees Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods Aunt Eller in OKLAHOMA! Narrator in Joseph
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