Best schools for SM.

[mpass41]

For those looking for a BFA undergrad program, I'm currently in my third year as a BFA SM major at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. The theatre program itself is very small, but then again the campus is very small, so if you don't want to be just a number, I'd highly recommend it.

As a BFA student, I am required to take Directing I and II, two tiers of play analysis, a design studio in each of the design aspects (lighting, costumes, set design, and sound), as well as two levels of Music Theory and two dance classes.

Our junior year, we have to do an internship with the on-campus road house--one semester as an ASM, and one semester as an SM--so you get a feel for what it's like working in a roadhouse and how to handle yourself while working around big names (we just had Mike Super in a couple weeks ago, and OneRepublic came last year).

We are also required to ASM two mainstage shows, and SM two mainstage shows, although most of us try to do more, and we make personal goals like working with all of the directors, or doing one of each type of show before we graduate.

I won't sugarcoat it...the program is difficult. While the performance majors and design majors aren't working on mainstage shows until maybe their junior year, we can start as early as freshman (ASMing only). We are required to do all our own paperwork, including a tech calendar for tech week, as well as run weekly production meetings for the show. Nightly rehearsal reports, weekly production meeting reports, and performance reports are all required, on top of a potential 18-credit hour week.

That being said, I've found it very fulfilling! I worked at a chamber music festival the summer after my freshman year, and I didn't feel under-prepared at all. Plus we get to meet weekly and just talk about the profession. This week we're doing a resume workshop, last week we talked to one of the dance faculty about how to work a dance concert, and the week before that we just practiced taping out an elaborate groundplan.

...so now that I've basically told you my life story, I will reiterate that this is ultimately your decision! I love it here, but that doesn't mean that there aren't other good schools out there, you just really need to do your research 

[hgleason]

I also attend Millikin University and agree completely with everything MPass41 has said. I would tell you everything I think is great about our program here, but I would just be reposting what MPass41. I highly recommend checking out the school and then deciding if it is the right fit for you.

[kfecik]

SUNY Purchase has a great program for Stage Managers. It is a BFA program in the schools theater conservatory, under the design technology.  Although you cannot double major or minor in another subject, you can double major in another concentration, such as lighting, set design costume, etc, your first two years in case you are not sure.  It is a great program with plenty of room to gain hands on experience.

[BlackBoxBaron]

Hey there! I go to Syracuse University, and I love it here. There are enough shows where you have the opportunity to be working constantly, but enough stage managers where you don't feel like you have to do everything. Also, we are associated with Syracuse Stage, a professional theater company, so the training and professionals you get to work with are incredible. Below is a list of other schools I applied to as well.

Emerson College
Ithaca College
SUNY Purchase
University of Miami
Boston University
Point Park University
Wagner College